Exercise Classes

Joyce Indelicato, MEd, MS, Clinical Exercise Physiologist leads an exercise class specialized for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The overall goal of the class is to help you move with more ease and confidence so you can continue to do what you enjoy. Working at your own pace, you will learn a variety of safe, simple exercises that you can do at home between sessions. Caregivers are welcome.

Location: Ashland Senior Center, 162 West Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721
Contact: Joanne Duffy at the Ashland Senior Center: 508-881-0140 ext. 1

The Attleboro YMCA now offers a new, life-changing fitness and mobility program expressly designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. Led by a certified instructor, Delay the Disease is an evidence-based fitness program designed to empower those living with Parkinson’s by optimizing their physical function and helping to delay the progression of symptoms and helping to restore an improved quality of life. Exercise plans are adapted to all stages and levels of the disease.

The class meets twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants may choose to continue the program beyond the initial 12 weeks.

Days & Times: TUE & THURS; 11:30 am
Beginning in Sept. 2018: TUE & THURS; 11:00 am
Location: Attleboro YMCA Pleasant Street Branch, 537 Pleasant Street, Attleboro, MA 02703
Contact: Renee Maxwell, 508-409-0752 or rmaxwell@attleboroymca.org

The YMCA Cape Cod hosts a Pedaling for Parkinson’s program. The program is free for YMCA members, $100 for non-members. The class meets 3 times a week.

Location: YMCA Cape Cod, 2245 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, MA 02668
Contact: Janet Buckley, 508-362-6500 x136 or jbuckley@ymcacapecod.org

The exercise selection is designed to gradually improve overall fitness level. Each participant can go at their own pace and modifications will be offered for each exercise.

Click here to see a flyer.

Days & Times: WED; 2:15 – 3:15 PM; Contact Wellness Works for current session details
Location: Bodyscapes Gym, Longwood Medical Area, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115
Contact: Wellness Works; 617-667-5215 or wellnessworks@bidmc.harvard.edu

Instructor Kim Crowley leads a combination of seated and standing stretching and strengthening exercises using weights and balls, balance pads, gliders, and bands. Participants challenge themselves through resistance training, obstacles, footwork, and dance to a variety of music. Memory and movement exercises, and facial/vocal exercises round out this class.

Dates and Times: Thursdays, 10 – 11 AM
Location: Beverly Council on Aging, 90 Colon Street, Beverly, MA 01915
Contact: Linda Hall, parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com or 781-572-5918

Based on research to date, large amplitude whole body movements, agility work for coordination and balance, spinal flexibility, cardio-vascular training, high effort/ rate progressive strengthening and dual task training all appear to be important activities for people living with Parkinson’s disease. This exercise program developed and run by 3 physical therapists from Spaulding Cape Cod addresses all of these areas in a fitness center setting.

For more information on HIT-PD, please contact Heather Merrill, MSPT, Dorian Robinson, PT at 508-240-7203, or Dawn Lucier, PT at 508-833-4165.

Location: Body Strong Fitness, 11 Chicks Way, South Chatham, MA 02659
Dates: Click here for 2018 dates

Mondays

Instructor Dianna Daly leads this movement class. A series of seated and standing movement exercises, sometimes using props such as balls, dowels, and balance pads to promote strength, flexibility, and balance. Participants are given tools through rhythm, dance, and movement sequences that help improve agility and mobility issues associated with Parkinson’s. Movement games, vocal and facial exercises, and a variety of music add to the fun.

Dates and Times: Mondays, 1 – 2 PM
Location: Danvers YMCA, 34 Pickering Street, Danvers, MA 01923
Contact: Linda Hall, parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com or 781-572-5918; or Suz Malach, Y Outreach Director, 978-774-2055

Fridays

A series of seated and standing movement exercises, sometimes using props such as balls, dowels, and balance pads to promote strength, flexibility, and balance. Participants are given tools through rhythm, dance, and movement sequences that help improve agility and mobility issues associated with Parkinson’s. Movement games, vocal and facial exercises, and a variety of music add to the fun.

Dates and Times: Fridays, 1 – 2 PM
Location: Danvers Council on Aging, 25 Stone Street, Danvers, MA 01923
Contact: Linda Hall, parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com or 781-572-5918

Instructor Kim Crowley leads a combination of seated and standing stretching and strengthening exercises using weights and balls, balance pads, gliders, and bands. Participants challenge themselves through resistance training, obstacles, footwork, and dance to a variety of music. Memory and movement exercises, and facial/vocal exercises round out this class.

Dates & Times: Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am
Location: Danvers Council on Aging, 25 Stone Street, Danvers, MA 01923
Contact: Linda Hall at Parkinson’s Fitness, 781-572-5918, or parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com

Visit www.parkinsonsfitness.org for more information.

Instructor Dianna Daly leads this movement class. A series of seated and standing movement exercises, sometimes using props such as balls, dowels, and balance pads to promote strength, flexibility, and balance. Participants are given tools through rhythm, dance, and movement sequences that help improve agility and mobility issues associated with Parkinson’s. Movement games, vocal and facial exercises, and a variety of music add to the class experience.

Dates and Times: Thursdays, 2 – 3 PM
Location: Rose Baker Senior Center, 6 Emanuel Lewis Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Contact: Linda Hall, parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com or 781-572-5918

The YMCA Greenfield is excited to bring Pedaling for Parkinson’s™ to the Greenfield area. This one-hour class is free and open to new participants after an initial intake appointment. This program is supported by the American Parkinson Disease Association Massachusetts Chapter.

Click here to see a flyer with more information.

Dates and Times: Mondays & Wednesdays; 10:30 AM
Location: YMCA Greenfield, 451 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
Contact: Jayne at 413-773-3646 ext. 448

Dates and Times: Tuesdays, 10:40 AM & Thursdays, 1:00 PM
Location: Hudson Senior Center, 29 Church Street, Hudson, MA 01749
Contact: Mike Bleecker, 904-502-5055

Instructor Sally Zagnoli leads a variety of customized exercises designed to improve balance and stability, cognitive awareness and promote strength-training.

Dates & Times: Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
Location: 525 Salem Street, Lynnfield, MA 01940
Contact: Linda Hall at Parkinson’s Fitness, 781-572-5918, or parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com

Instructor Kim Crowley leads a combination of seated and standing stretching and strengthening exercises using weights and balls, balance pads, gliders, and bands. Participants challenge themselves through resistance training, obstacles, footwork, and dance to a variety of music. Memory and movement exercises, and facial/vocal exercises round out this class.

Dates & Times: Tuesdays, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Marblehead Council on Aging, 10 Humphrey Street, Marblehead, MA 01915
Contact: Linda Hall at Parkinson’s Fitness, 781-572-5918, or parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com

The Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton is now offering several types of exercise classes for people with PD. Contact the JCC for dates and times of current class sessions. For more information about each class, click here for a flyer.

Due to the COVID-19 Situation, the JCC currently offers Virtual Wellness classes online. 

This one-hour exercise class for people with Parkinson’s Disease is held once a week. The exercises target those areas most affected by Parkinson’s disease, including posture, balance, and coordination, as well as strength and range of motion. Starting with deep breathing and muscles of facial expression and ending with ankle strength and flexibility, the exercises provide a full body workout. Many of the exercises are performed while sitting. Most of the standing exercises are done using the back of a chair for support. Modifications to the exercises are made for those who have difficulty standing.

This class is open to anyone with Parkinson’s disease. If a person requires assistance, we warmly welcome his or her family member or caregiver into the group. A small fee is charged. A script from a physician for Parkinson’s exercises is required.

Dates & Times: Mondays, 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Location: Berkshire Medical Center, Center for Rehabilitation Outpatient Department, Medical Arts Complex, 5th Floor, 725 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Contact: 413-447-3075

Instructor Dianna Daly leads this movement class. A series of seated and standing movement exercises, sometimes using props such as balls, dowels, and balance pads to promote strength, flexibility, and balance. Participants are given tools through rhythm, dance, and movement sequences that help improve agility and mobility issues associated with Parkinson’s. Movement games, vocal and facial exercises, and a variety of music add to the fun.

Dates and Times: Tuesdays, 1 – 2 PM
Location: Topsfield Town Hall, 8 West Common Street (elevator to upper floor available), Topsfield, MA 01983
Contact: Linda Hall, parkinsonsfitness@gmail.com or 781-572-5918; or Suz Malach, Y Outreach Director, 978-774-2055

The Gleason Family YMCA offers a Parkinson Recovery exercise program with Instructor John on Mondays from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. The class is free for branch members, and costs $8 per session for nonmembers.

Dates & Time: Mondays, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location: Gleason Family YMCA, 33 Charge Pond Road, Wareham, MA 02571
Contact: Chris, 508-295-9622