Exercise Classes Join our CommunityPBS Special: Power over Parkinson’sExercise helps manage Parkinson’s symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Group exercise classes encourage regular participation in a fun environment. APDA exercise classes are designed specifically for people with Parkinson disease and focus on improving balance, posture, mobility, speech and self-help skills. All classes are an hour long, unless noted differently. The American Parkinson Disease Association is funded solely by individual donations and grants. Many classes are offered free of charge for people with Parkinson’s, however we ask those who can to donate $20 per month. Download the 2018 APDA Exercise Waiver to take to your first class. Unless otherwise noted, classes do not require registration.Class DescriptionsClass LevelsLEVEL 1: Participants exercise seated or standing with support. Movements are done at a pace and intensity that are appropriate for each participant.LEVEL 2: Participants must be able to walk and stand up from a chair without assistance. Most exercises are done standing.LEVEL 3: Higher intensity, faster paced classes where participants perform multiple step exercises and may get on/off the floor.Class DescriptionsTAI CHI: An ancient Chinese internal martial art. Tai Chi is a mind/body exercise offering significant improvement in balance, flexibility, core strength and cognitive function.FIT ‘N FUN: An easy to follow, head to toe workout designed to increase strength, range of motion and stability. Hand weights and wands are used.INDOOR CYCLING: Indoor cycle addresses strength, endurance, speed and cognition in a fun and motivating setting. Cyclists ride on upright bikes. Each class incorporates music, rider-specific stats and group challenges.INTERVAL TRAINING: This class challenges your balance, coordination, strength and endurance through alternating periods of higher-intensity exercise and lower-intensity recovery.KICKBOXING: This workout combines aerobic training, boxing, strengthening, balance and coordination all while moving to fun, upbeat music.BOX YOUR B.E.S.T.: B.E.S.T. stands for “Boxing, Endurance, Strength Training.” This is a small group training led by a certified personal trainer that ensures proper technique and individual attention in a fun and competitive environment.CIRCUIT TRAINING: In each class, participants work through a series of eight to twelve different stations that offer a unique exercise designed to target Parkinson’s symptoms. The stations incorporate a variety of equipment such as weights and resistance bands to make the circuit fun and challenging.MOVEMENT TRAINING: This class uses a variety of exercises to work on movement strategies, gait, balance, strength and flexibility. This class may use equipment, including hand weights, bands and balls.AQUATICS: This class allows participants to move in a safe, low-impact environment. This class uses equipment, including pool noodles, dumbbells and kickboards. A caregiver is required to be in the pool if the participant needs assistance. Stairs or a chair lift can be used to enter the pool.PARKINSON’S PERFORMANCE: Work with a personal trainer in a small group setting. Each 12-week session is designed to improve your fitness level while teaching you how to use gym equipment to maximize function and address PD-specific impairments.EXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S AT THE YMCA: This class includes 30 minutes of indoor cycling and 30 minutes of a land-based fitness activity. A YMCA membership is not required.TANGO: Adapted tango improves mobility and balance by addressing multi-directional stepping, varied speeds, coordination and movement initiation. Each 12-week session is led by professional dance instructors in a fun, social environment. All dancing is done standing with a partner who does not have Parkinson disease.JOY OF MOVEMENT: A dance class that works on balance, walking, flexibility and coordination in a fun environment. Experience music and movement in a creative way that instills confidence and combats depression. You do not need a partner and can dance either seated or standing. All levels are welcome.Missouri Exercise ClassesChesterfield (West St. Louis County)- APDA Resource CenterMovement Training: Level 1 APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163 Mondays at 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm Thursdays at 11:30 am to 12:15 pm Tricia Creel, PT 636.778.3377Movement Training: Level 2 APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163 Mondays at 2:30 pm Tuesdays at 10:00 am Tricia Creel, PT 636.778.3377Tai Chi: Level 1 APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163 Tuesdays at 11:15 am Fridays at 11:30 am Craig Miller, 636.778.3377Tai Chi: Level 2 APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163 Wednesdays at 10:00 am Craig Miller, 636.778.3377Kickboxing: Level 3 APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163 Wednesdays at 1:00 pm Alana Krone, 636.778.3377Circuit Training: Level 3 APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163 Thursdays at 1:00 pm Tricia Creel, PT 636.778.3377Brentwood (St. Louis County)Tango: Level 2 Convergence Dance & Body Center 8044 Manchester Road Thursdays at 10:30 am Registration required- Roxanne Maier, 636.778.3377 $120/12-week sessionChesterfield (West St. Louis County)Indoor Cycle: Level 2-3 CycleBar Chesterfield 1657 Clarkson Rd Tuesdays at 1:00 pm Registration required- Alana Krone 636.778.3880 $120/12-week sessionMovement Training: Level 1 St. Luke’s Hospital – Outpatient Center 111 St. Luke’s Center Dr., Bldg B, Suite 14B (Functional Room) Mondays at 10:00 am Ann Towey, PTA 314.205.6934Rock Steady Boxing- St. Louis* 16625 Swingley Ridge Rd. Registration required- Carolyn McKee 314.640.6578; More InfoExercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 2 YMCA- Chesterfield 16464 Burkhardt Pl Wednesdays at 1:00 pm and Fridays at 12:30 pm Registration Required – Angela Weaver 636.532.3100Clayton/University City (St. Louis County)Fit ‘N Fun: Level 1 The Center of Clayton 50 Gay Avenue, Mind/Body Room Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:00 pm Mike Scheller, PTA 314.289.4202Crestwood (South St. Louis County)Rock Steady Boxing* Crestview Plaza 9248 Watson Road Times/dates vary Terry LeGrand 314.422.5777; More InfoCreve Coeur (St. Louis County)Box Your B.E.S.T.: Level 3 The J’s Staenberg Family Complex 2 Millstone Campus Dr., Signature Training Studio Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 pm Joe Ryan 314.442.3452 $125/monthFlorissant (North St. Louis County)Movement Training: Level 1 Garden Villas North 4505 Parker Road Thursdays at 10:00 am Nancy Robb 314.869.5296Kirkwood (St. Louis County)Movement Training: Level 1-2 Bethesda Hawthorne Place 1111 S. Berry Road Thursdays at 1:45 pm Teresa Godfrey, PT 314.942.5750Ladue (St. Louis County)Tremble Clefs (Singing/Music Class) Salem United Methodist 1200 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Lower Level Choir Room Saturdays at 1:30 pm Registration required- Linda McNair, MT-BC 636.778.3377O’Fallon (St. Charles County)Movement Training: Level 1 Park Place at WingHaven- Independent Living Fitness Room 2002 Boardwalk Place Dr. Wednesdays at 10:00 am Colleen Bock, PTA 636.778.3377ShrewsburyRock Steady Boxing- Metro STL* 7508 Big Bend Blvd. More Info Registration required- Dan McLeod, MS, ATC, LAT 314.647.4880 or 618.363.5709South County St. Louis (St. Louis County)Fit ‘N Fun: Level 1 Garden Villas South 13457 Tesson Ferry Road Mondays at 11:30 am Mike Scheller, PTA 314.289.4202Ste. Genevieve (Ste. Genevieve County)Movement Training: Level 2 Community Center 21390 Hwy 32 Thursdays at 11:00 am Ketta Hill, 573.883.9366St. Louis CityCircuit Training: Level 2-3 Paraquad Health & Wellness Center 5200 Berthold Ave. Thursdays at 10:00 am Registration required – Melissa Smith, OTR/L 314.289.4202 $5/classSt. Peters (St. Charles County)Movement Training: Level 2 Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Healthwise Center, 6 Jungerman Circle Tuesdays at 10:00 am Holly Evans, COTA 636.916.9650Movement Training: Level 1 Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Healthwise Center, 6 Jungerman Circle Tuesdays at 11:00 am Holly Evans, COTA 636.916.9650Aquatics: Level 1-2 Saint Charles YMCA 3900 Shady Springs Lane Thursdays at 1:45 pm, Alicia Bunn, CTRS Registration Required – Kathleen 636.896.0999 ext. 21 Summer Session- July 2 to September 7 Fall Session- October 1 to December 14 (no class Thanksgiving) $50/10-week sessionSunset Hills (St. Louis County)Movement Training: Level 2 Friendship Village- Sunset Hills 12563 Village Circle Dr. Fridays at 10:00 am Marina Clements, PT 636.778.3377Town & County (St. Louis County)Tremble Clefs (Singing/Music Class) Maryville University Walker Building, Community Room, 650 Maryville University Dr. Thursdays at 1:30 pm Registration required- Megan Moran, MT 636.778.3377Washington (Franklin County)Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 1 YMCA- Four Rivers 400 Grand Ave Tuesdays & Fridays at 1:00 pm Registration required – Tim Peters 636.239.5704 *Denotes non-affiliated exercise programIllinois Exercise ClassesBelleville, IL (St. Clair County)Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 1 YMCA – East Belleville 2627 Carlyle Ave Wednesdays at 12:00 pm Registration required – Stefanie McLaughlin 618.236.9983Carlinville, IL (Macoupin County)Movement Training: Level 2 Amy Murphy, PT 217.854.3141 x 377 Carlinville Area Hospital- Medical Office Building Community Room 20613 N. Broad Thursdays at 10:00 amO’Fallon, IL (St. Clair County)Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 1 Registration required – Amy Weisbrodt 618.628.7701 YMCA- O’Fallon 284 North Seven Hills Road Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00 pmQuincy, IL (Adams County)BIG for Life* – a class for LSVT-BIG graduates 217.223.8400 (ask for Home Care) Blessing Wellness Center 4917 Oak Street Mondays at 10:00 amQuincy, IL (Adams County)Rock Steady Boxing* Johanna Voss 217.222.9622 3101 Main Street Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:00 – 2:30 pmQuincy, IL (Adams County)Rock Steady Boxing* Johanna Voss 217.222.9622 3101 Main Street Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 – 12:00 pmQuincy, IL (Adams County)Be Well With Parkinson’s* 217.223.8400 (ask for Home Care) Blessing Wellness Center 4917 Oak Street Wednesdays at 10:00 amQuincy, IL (Adams County)LSVT-LOUD Maintenance Class* – a class for LSVT- LOUD graduates Kelsey Vonderhaar, CCC-SLP 217.222.6550 Quincy Medical Group 1025 Maine Street 1st Thursday of the month at 9:00 amSpringfield, IL (Sangamon County)The Joy of Movement- a dance class for people with PD Registration required – Eve Fischberg, OT 217.494.4961 First Presbyterian Church 321 South 7th Street Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 pm*Denotes non-affiliated exercise programWINTER WEATHER INFO: For inclement weather, our general rule is to cancel class if the school district is closed where the class is located. For questions, call the number listed for the class.Share this page:
