Build Your Beekeeping Fitness — Watch Your Back
It’s January and we are gearing up for spring thinking about packages of new bees, re-queening and splits, equipment purchases and prep while keeping attentive to weather. Actually starting to see a few red maple buds the other day, and also spotted a June 2015 American Bee Journal article on “The Back of a Beekeeper” by William Blomstedt. It offers tips and exercises for keeping a healthy back — probably the most important tool for a beekeeper. Here is a quick summary.
The keys for keeping a healthy back are:
Loose hamstrings
A strong core and
Maintaining flexibility
Use your hamstrings when you lift. Warm up with some jumping jacks or running in place. Yes, we will all look silly especially if we are fully suited in beekeeping PPE, but have fun with it! It’s a gift to be able to have a body that allows you to do so many amazing activities like beekeeping. When lifting, always keep your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, and keep your body balanced in a vertical column. Know your center of gravity and don’t lean out to lift something. If you have to turn with something heavy in your hands, use your feet and take a step…this tip has been especially helpful for me!
Blomstedt’s article goes on showing photos demonstrating various strengthening and stretching exercises. Consider a 15 minute routine at the end of your day doing exercises such as the modified hurdler, the pretzel stretch, arm-leg extensions, chest lifts, lunges, and body weight squats.
An internet search will surely offer a video version of these general exercises. Personally, we like to use a free Nike Training App on our phone loaded with workouts plus audio and visual guidance. We’ve also enjoyed the quick strength and stretching programs on the Peleton App (monthly subscription service). Remember, it’s your health and small investments of time, done consistently, add up. Building your daily exercise routine and back strength will help keep your back healthy so you in turn can keep your bees happy and healthy all year long!
Lifting cinder blocks requires a strong core and strong back. We use these to prevent wind damage to our hives.
Hive carriers are helpful and certainly make the job easier, but it’s still important to protect your back at all times in the apiary.
We buy sugar by the 25 pound bags. Loading and unloading can be a workout on its own!
We move alot of equipment at BeeCo Apiaries. It’s very important that we keep our own bodies strong and healthy to keep up with the physical demands required in beekeeping.