11 Jun Can I afford not to do strength training?
The short answer is yes—you can. Just as people cannot be forced to invest their money, they also cannot be forced to exercise.
With investing, you make an uncomfortable decision now (parting with money) in order to enjoy comfort later in the form of returns. Training works in a similar way—the effort is made now in order to enjoy the dividends later (a healthy, strong, and pain-free body).
From around the age of 30, if not used, muscle mass begins to decline at a rate of up to 2% per year, and this loss accelerates with age. This means that without strength training, you could lose roughly half of your muscle mass by retirement age.
So the question is not even whether you can afford to skip training now, but whether you can afford having low muscle mass at 30–40 years from now. You can—but do you want to?
Muscle is not just a simple mover of joints. It constantly communicates with the body, helping regulate metabolism, blood sugar levels, and many hormonal processes. During strength training, muscle tissue releases myokines—signaling molecules that tell the body to slow down aging. Strength training is one of the best “fountains of youth.”
Exercise also promotes the release of well-being and happiness hormones, meaning regular training is essential for both physical and mental health. A healthy body supports a healthy mind.
Why shouldn’t Estonia’s “Nokia” be a healthy and strong citizen? A healthy, strong, and energetic person is the greatest capital of our country.