Is Strength Training an Insurance for the Future? Organizing the "Shortest Route" to Extend Healthy Life Expectancy

1) The Era When Longevity Became a "Buzzword": The Scariest Number

The word "Longevity" is currently making waves worldwide. Products labeled for "long life," from supplements, measurement devices, tests, sleep optimization, to cold plunges (ice baths), now dominate a large segment of the health industry.

However, the reality presented by the WELT article is in stark contrast to this glamorous boom. The crucial question isn't "how long can you live?" but "how long can you live healthily and independently?" The gap between these two is surprisingly large.

The symbolic number introduced in the article is 10.82. In Germany, there is an average gap of "about 11 years" between being completely healthy and death, during which individuals experience ailments or chronic diseases (with women experiencing a larger gap).

The frightening aspect of this number is that "having a disease" doesn't immediately equate to being bedridden. Issues like pain, shortness of breath, metabolic disorders, insomnia, depression, and frailty gradually take over the later stages of life. The fact that this period can span over a decade is alarming.

2) Research Shows "Lifespan Increases, but Healthspan Doesn't Keep Up"

This point is also supported by research mentioned in the WELT article (published in JAMA Network Open). Using data from 183 countries, it was shown that the gap between healthspan and lifespan is widening globally.

According to an explanation by the Mayo Clinic, as of 2019, the global average gap was 9.6 years, with a 13% increase since 2000. In other words, while humans are living longer, the number of healthy years isn't increasing at the same pace.

The important thing here is not to conclude with "aging is a natural phenomenon, so it can't be helped." What research shows is a "trend," not "fate." If the Longevity boom holds any meaning, it will be when it can be transformed into a lifestyle design that narrows the gap, rather than flashy cutting-edge trends.

3) Is Longevity Becoming a "Game of Wealth"?

What makes the WELT article interesting is its depiction of Longevity shifting from "health habits anyone can do" to something that is gradually becoming "purchasable."

The "Concept Club" located in Berlin's Telegraphenamt is introduced as a symbol. The Longevity membership, priced at 399 euros per month, includes a comprehensive package of body composition (bioimpedance) and metabolic analysis, medical checks, blood tests, nutritional suggestions, sleep hygiene analysis, personalized training plans, and even ice baths.

This is certainly attractive. For those with the motivation and time, buying expertise and environment can be a powerful mechanism for habit formation.

On the other hand, as such services increase, Longevity begins to appear as a world where differences are made not by "knowledge" but by "membership fees." In fact, integrated clubs like Concept Club, which combine "medical x fitness x spa," promote "diagnosis and accompaniment" even in their press releases.

Those who dislike the phrase "health is personal responsibility" may feel uncomfortable here. After all, since healthspan is directly linked to social security and work styles, if the entry point is a high membership fee, it inevitably seems like "it's all about money."

4) Still, the Conclusion is Modest: "Muscles and Habits" Are Hard to Betray

Ironically, no matter how expensive the forefront of Longevity becomes, the most reliable "mainstream" methods are surprisingly modest.
The WHO recommends adults engage in **150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (or equivalent high-intensity exercise) per week**.

Muscle strength becomes particularly important with aging. Loss of muscle mass and strength can easily trigger a domino effect of falls, fractures → reduced activity → need for care.

The WELT article also mentions how Longevity is permeating the fitness industry, with existing forces (such as health-oriented strength training brands) strengthening their claims as if to say "we are the original Longevity."

No matter how buzzwords change, ultimately, a "body that can move" determines freedom in old age. That reality doesn't change much.

5) "Measured Health" Can Both Save and Bind You

The essence of the Longevity boom is probably that "the number of things that can be measured has increased." Body composition, blood sugar, sleep, heart rate variability, inflammation markers, genes... "Quantification" can be both a motivation switch and fuel for obsession.

As an entity that embodies this duality in an extreme form, the article mentions Bryan Johnson as a symbol in the Longevity world. The Netflix documentary 'Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever' (2025) also brought the Longevity craze to the general public.

But here's where social media gets interesting, as reactions are not monolithic.

6) Social Media (Overseas Forums) Is Divided: Is Longevity "Hope" or "Complication"?

How does social media perceive the Longevity craze depicted in the WELT article? Looking at reactions surrounding "Don't Die," which is often discussed in the same context as the article, the points of contention become clear (examples of discussions on the public forum Reddit are below).

① The "Ultimately, the Meaning of Life Is Relationships" Camp
In one post, a viewer of the documentary shares their impression that "love and connection were more central than supplements and optimization." This perspective shifts Longevity from a "survival competition" to "how to live."

② The "Discomfort with Spirituality, Dependency, and Narcissism" Camp
In the comments, some express harsh views, saying "optimizing biomarkers doesn't solve mental issues" when observing the obsession with optimization.
In another thread, the work itself is described as "dangerous" and "cult-like," with concerns about extreme practices being imitated.
In yet another discussion, some perceive it as "weak in scientific explanation" and see it as a portrayal of fame and narcissism.

③ The "But If It Raises Health Awareness, It's Valuable" Camp
On the other hand, some people find comfort in the presence of extreme examples, thinking "I'm fine with the mainstream." For many, simply improving sleep, exercise, and diet is enough to achieve "Longevity."

Summarizing social media reactions, Longevity can be said to simultaneously stimulate

• Hope (Reclaiming Your Body)

• Anxiety (Being Controlled by Numbers)

• Ethics (Money and Inequality)
  as themes.

7) Translating into the Japanese Context: How Will We Face the "11 Years"?

The "about 11 years" gap in Germany is not irrelevant to Japan. As medical technology advances and average lifespan increases, the "period of coexisting with chronic diseases" also tends to lengthen.

Therefore, the challenge is whether we can transform Longevity from a "trendy health fanaticism" into a comprehensive life strategy that includes caregiving, work styles, family, and housing.

The key points are simple.

• Muscle Strength (Especially Lower Body and Core): The dividing line between falls and independence

• Aerobic Exercise: The foundation of metabolism, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being (WHO recommends 150-300 minutes/week)

• Sleep: Determines weight management, mood, and recovery

• Diet: Prioritize "sustainable design" over perfection (high priority on protein and dietary fiber)

• Connection: As SNS discussions show, optimization without "meaning" is fragile

8) Practical Solutions for "Longevity" Starting Today (Without Expensive Services)

Finally, there's no need to dismiss expensive packages like Concept Club. If you can form habits through the environment, that's one solution.
However, for many people, narrowing the gap through "free to low-cost" methods is more replicable.

• Strength Training Twice a Week (20-40 minutes): Whether at home or the gym, focus on legs, back, and core.

• 20 Minutes of Brisk Walking Daily: This will bring you closer to the foundation recommended by WHO

• Fixed Sleep: Fix your wake-up time and organize your night

• "Measure" Just One Thing: Whether it's weight, steps, or sleep, limit to avoid drowning in numbers

• Verbalize Your Reasons for Continuing: Convert into functional goals like "traveling," "playing with grandchildren," or "shopping alone"

The essence of Longevity is not in glamorous future medicine, but in "expanding your future range of motion." The conclusion of the WELT article, "the sooner you start, the more you gain," is probably the most modest yet strongest.