It’s time to let some younger folks in . . .
I want to provide a service for anyone of any age:to help those who feel intimidated by strength training and exercise to feel comfortable starting their journeys.
I love this quick read about ability vs. age. In fitness culture, age-related classes such as "Silver Sneakers" or "Chair Yoga" are geared toward older adults but are designed with assumptions about participants' abilities.
“These age-based titles often reinforce outdated notions of fragility and incapability. Our systems are designed to help—but they’re built on the faulty foundation of age-based assumptions. And that’s a form of ageism." American Society on Aging
How does the above attitude actually translate into practice? It:
Alienates older adults who may have a higher skill/ability level but still want training
Creates a false norm for current class participants about what their abilities are limited to
Intimidates older adults from exploring other fitness options that may not have "older-adult" specific attributes
Reduces the number of intergenerational class environments
Discourages trainers in traditional fitness classes to learn how to accommodate varying skill levels
Continues to cement the idea that one's age should define one's daily functional ability and fitness aspirations
I could go on, but you get the idea. So when I originally created The MOB, I pinned it as "for 50 and up." I wanted to encourage older adults to feel comfortable in traditional fitness classes by targeting them as an age group but designing the classes based on their actual skill level. A foundational tenet of The MOB is that we coach according to skill level, not age. We actually have a range of more than 30 years (!!) between participants and the skill levels of our participants are not linearly related to their ages. What I've come to realize though, is that while the MOB prides itself on coaching based on skill level, we're still targeting an audience based on age and excluding all other age groups who want to begin/elevate their strength journeys but don't know how.
I want to offer a service for anyone who feels nervous about getting stronger to have an opportunity to feel better in their daily lives -- and in true MOB fashion, this should be regardless of age. So, I've decided to open The MOB to all age groups. Acceptance into the membership will be based on the needs of the individual and whether the current program can meet that person's needs -- at 27 years old or 92 years old.
I have 3 spots available in the membership for the rest of the summer. The next round of memberships won't open until late fall. Interested? Reply to this email. Know someone who might be? Forward this to them!
"It's amazing the skills we've taken with us into real life."
Two of our MOB members are in Alaska. I got a text with this photo that said:
"Today's hike was everything we've ever done in a MOB workout. It's amazing the skills we've taken with us into real life."
This is IT folks! You don't train just because (although some people do and that's fine but it's not who I'm talking to here). You train to ENJOY your life, to live it comfortably, to not have to keep reducing the number of activities you've always enjoyed doing, to maintain your quality of life!!
And finally, I'll leave you with this thought that brilliantly sums up the WHY of all of this:
"Movement isn't just about fitness. It's how you preserve your independence, your confidence, your identity. It's how you stay in your body, instead of getting trapped by it." ~ Howard Luks MD
Till next time, keep moving!