Portuguese 
At 72, Fátima Taffo holds a plank for 60 seconds with her legs suspended and, in the same time, continues crocheting, in a video that encapsulates in a single gesture the idea she often repeats about discipline and longevity.
The video was published by Só Notícia Boa on August 31, based on content shared by Fátima herself. At 72 years old, she maintains a gym routine and performs the exercise isometrically, meaning she holds the position still for 60 seconds while working with her crochet needle.
She has accumulated 147,000 followers, has four children and nine grandchildren, and gained widespread attention by participating, at 70, in the 2025 edition of a dating show.
The phrase that sustains the video
What gives meaning to the scene is not the physical feat; it’s the analogy she uses. According to Fátima, both crochet and muscles require time, discipline, dedication, and persistence, and the more you practice, the better the results become.
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The comparison works because both activities share the same invisible logic. No one learns crochet in a day, and no one can hold a plank for sixty seconds on their first attempt. Both are cultivated through repetition in small doses, and both quickly regress when one stops.
She adds a second idea about the methodology. In her words, to live well in old age, one must do what brings joy, sparks creativity, and yields the best results from one’s efforts. It’s a formulation focused less on performance and more on continuity.
Isometric exercises are not just for show
It’s worth explaining what she’s doing, as the choice of exercise is not random. The isometric plank targets the deep muscles of the trunk without impacting the joints, which is why it frequently appears in training programs for people over sixty.
Maintaining trunk stability is more important than it seems at this age. Core strength supports posture, protects the spine, and reduces the risk of falls, which is the leading cause of loss of autonomy among the elderly in Brazil. Therefore, what the video presents as a curiosity is actually a quite functional workout.
Crocheting at the same time adds an element of coordination and divided attention, which is what transforms the exercise into a performance. Holding the position is already challenging; maintaining it while executing fine manual work requires controlled breathing and stability that cannot be improvised.
What the report doesn’t tell
It’s worth noting the gaps, which are relevant here. The report does not mention the city where Fátima lives, how long she has been maintaining her gym routine, or how often she works out each week. There is also no medical or professional guidance mentioned in the material.
This last absence is important. Prolonged isometric planking is not a neutral exercise for everyone: it involves intra-abdominal pressure and breath support, and there are cardiovascular and spinal conditions where it requires adaptation. The video documents what a specific person can do, not a recommendation to be replicated.
That said, the reach of the content speaks for itself. One hundred forty-seven thousand people follow a 72-year-old who is not seeking admiration for resisting age, but rather showcasing a routine she maintains because she enjoys it. It’s a difference in attitude that comes through on screen.
Viewed this way, what captures attention in the video is not the abdomen. It’s the ease with which she does two things slowly at once, without rushing to finish either.
What small habit have you managed to maintain for years, and how has it changed your routine?
