How Parkinson’s Exercise Classes at
Cincinnati Sports Club
Are Making an Impact Physically and
Mentally for Participants and Their Families
Parkinson’s
Awareness Month is observed in April, with a mission of raising awareness about
the disease, its symptoms, and the resources available for those who are
affected. We are proud to say that we have been providing our members with
specialized Parkinson’s Exercise Classes since 2019. The class has been so
popular that it has grown from one class per week to three, with an average of
12 participants in attendance at each session.
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Brad
Messenger, one of our Level 4 Private Trainers, is one of three instructors for
the class who have been certified by Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery in Tucson,
AZ. For Brad, the class is deeply personal, as his father, who had Parkinson’s,
passed away just three months prior to his certification.
According
to Messenger, “In this class, we like to meet everybody where they are.
Parkinson’s is a ‘designer disease’ as it affects everybody differently. The
symptoms may vary from person to person, and there is no particular order in
terms of the progression of symptoms. So we modify our exercises accordingly
for each individual, taking their physical capabilities and limitations into
account.”
The class
uses a variety of props such as the barre, yoga blocks, chairs and scarves. The
45-minute class
includes movements such as hip abductions, torso, shoulder and neck rotations,
power ups and twists, long strides and marches, and power squats, as well as
exercises designed for balance, grip strength, and ankle strength and mobility.
“Bradykinesia,”
says Messenger, “characterized by significant slowness of movement and
difficulty initiating or completing voluntary actions, is one of the key
symptoms of Parkinson’s. Think of it as someone turning on a ‘dimmer switch’
where the lights are not quite as bright. The muscles are not getting the right
signals from the brain. Our class helps turn the dimmer switch back up so that
things are a bit brighter once again. On our best days, our participants walk
out with fewer symptoms than they came in with, which is the greatest reward of
all!”
Says Brad,
“In addition to the physical symptoms, people who have been diagnosed with
Parkinson’s have a 50% higher risk of suffering from depression than the
general population. The disease blocks the production of dopamine, a hormone
that is critical for our motivation and happiness. My mother said that exercise
was the one thing that my dad always looked forward to, as he always felt
happier after doing it. I’ve been witnessing this firsthand since 2019, as the
class participants leave feeling motivated and joyful, many times continuing to
socialize with one another after class during our planned poolside ‘Happy
Hours,’ at local cafes or at the homes of members. They truly support one
another, and truly find comfort in being around others who truly understand
what they are going through both physically and mentally.”
“The
caregivers of our attendees are also very grateful for this class,” says
Messenger. “Not only for what it is doing for their loved ones, but for the
much-needed free time that allows them to refuel by working out, at the Club,
socializing or just catching up on work or phone calls in one of our co-working
spaces. Caring for someone with a degenerative debilitating disease can take
its toll, and they have all been very appreciative of this support system of
others that are going through the very same thing.”
Steve and
Shelly Bromberg joined the Cincinnati Sports Club in 2019, prior to Steve’s
2021 Parkinson’s diagnosis. As Steve was reviewing the Club’s group exercise
schedule, he noticed the listing for Parkinson’s class and decided to give it a
try.
The couple
agrees that the classes have helped with Steve’s strength, mobility and
balance, thus reducing his risk of falling and injury, but say that the social
aspects are extremely beneficial as well. Friendships have developed between
the participants and their partners, and social activities are held both at the
Club and at the homes of members.
Shelly
says, “The classes keep us in a nice routine. We know we will both be at the
gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with Steve doing the PWR classes while I
enjoy swimming or Pilates. We both feel so much better mentally and physically
when we leave the Club.”
Steve
adds, “As with any other type of exercise, you have to put in the work to see
and feel the benefits. I don’t go to class, I don’t feel very good, but if I do
show up, and put in the work, I feel so much better!”
The 45-minute member classes are held on:
Monday 3:30pm
Wednesday 3:45pm
Friday
1pm