Tier in view: Foundation, 12 weeks
For
Your mom or dad still does the chores, and you would like them doing it for a lot of seasons yet. Here is how to bring up a strength program without it turning into an argument, and how to set one up for them.
Why
Farm ground is uneven, cab steps are steep, and a lot of the work gets done alone, early or late. Strength and balance are worth keeping up at any age, and a good share of the people doing this work are 65 or older.
Age on the farm
The average US farm producer is 58.1 years old, and 38% of producers are 65 or older.
Source: USDA Census of Agriculture, 2022
Balance
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends exercise programs for adults 65 and older who are at higher risk of falling.
Source: US Preventive Services Task Force. What it means for the programs
Directions
Most parents who farm have been told to slow down plenty of times. This is a different talk: it is about keeping the work they want to keep.
Ask what has gotten harder lately, like the bales, the cab steps, or getting up off the ground after a repair. Let them name it.
Most farmers want to keep doing their own chores. Put it as holding on to that, not as cutting back.
The programs use buckets, bales, and fence posts, in work boots, in the yard. Nobody has to drive to town.
Leave them the free mobility routine to try. Bring it up again in a week or two.
Show them the three tiers, or go through the Find my plan questions together and let them answer.
Caution
Anyone should check with a doctor before starting a program. Make that visit come first if your parent:
Once they start, they should stop any move that causes sharp pain and check back with the doctor if something new comes up. The programs are general strength and mobility work. They do not replace medical care or physical therapy.
Caution Check with your doctor before you start. Results vary from person to person.
12 weeks
Directions: an example week
Foundation
Caution Check with your doctor before you start. Results vary from person to person.
All of FoundationFor
For most parents who have not done structured exercise, Foundation is the place to start: gentle stretches, balance work, and light lifting, kept short of pain, three days a week, roughly 20 minutes a session.
A parent who is active and still lifting most of what they used to may fit Back in Shape. Find my plan suggests a tier from the answers you give, and the doctor's advice comes before ours.
Nobody can promise how a body will respond. Results vary from person to person.
Directions
It takes a few minutes. Have a rough idea of how their body feels and what tools are on the place.
The first step asks who the plan is for. From this page it is already set to someone else.
Their age band, how their body feels, and the equipment on hand. The questions are worded about them, and nothing is stored or sent.
You see the tier and its price, then choose one-time or membership and review the total before you order.
Together
The easiest way in is to do the first session together. Pick a morning after chores and bring two buckets.
Go through the moves at their pace and do them yourself too. On the balance work, stand close with a hand near the elbow, not on it.
Keep it to 20 minutes and stop while it still feels easy. If it went well, put the next two on the calendar before you leave.
Answer for them, see the suggested tier and its price, and order. Foundation is $49 one-time.
Caution Check with your doctor before you start. Results vary from person to person.