Finnish conscripts enjoy the sun on the stairs of the Helsinki Cathedral on Wednesday, 19th Marcuh, 2025. / lehtikuva
- Next Article Finns donate one million kilos of clothing per month, UFF reports
Finland has launched a two-year national scheme aimed at improving the physical condition of young people entering military service. The initiative began on 26 March 2025 and will target men and women of conscription age.
The Finnish Defence Forces have recorded a steady decline in the fitness levels of new recruits. Health assessments show a growing number of individuals classified as being in poor shape, with fewer meeting the upper fitness standards.
Antti Hakkanen, Finland’s Defence Minister, described the trend as “a serious issue for young people themselves and for society as a whole.” He linked declining physical activity to broader challenges for public health and national defence.
Under Finnish law, all male citizens aged 18 to 60 must complete military service lasting between six and twelve months. Women can volunteer. The system forms the foundation of Finland’s defence policy and is designed to maintain operational capacity in peacetime and crisis.
The new programme aims to increase the amount of physical training during service, motivate youth to be more active before conscription, and promote participation in sports associations. The government has allocated €2 million to fund the scheme.
Ville Isola, project director, told AFP that recent data confirms worsening fitness. “The number of people in bad shape has increased, while the number of people in good shape has decreased,” he said. “We don’t know why these young people don’t move enough.”
The Soldier’s Body programme remains central to military training. It covers strength, endurance, mobility, and flexibility. Physical instruction forms about half of conscript training hours and is delivered under strict routines monitored by supervising officers.
The Defence Forces encourage fitness preparation through the MarsMars.fi online platform. The service offers guidance on exercise routines, dietary recommendations, and mental readiness. Updates to the site are planned to include personalised tracking and integration with digital health tools.
Conscripts undergo physical assessments during intake. Tests include running, push-ups, and other functional movements. Recruits who fall short of the required standards receive additional support. Those who fail to improve are subject to re-evaluation and in some cases reclassification.
The next intake of recruits is scheduled for 6 January 2025. Around 12,000 conscripts are expected, including approximately 400 women. The Defence Forces have announced plans to manage the intake in smaller groups to prevent the spread of respiratory infections.
Military officials report that the decline in youth fitness has increased demand on instructors and medical staff. More recruits now require modified training or recovery time, which disrupts group schedules and extends re
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
