Exercise Classes

Exercise 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.

APDA – Greater St. Louis chapter exercise classes are led by instructors who have completed Parkinson-specific training. Classes are offered at three different levels to help you receive the most benefit from exercise.

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 2019 APDA Exercise Waiver  to take to your first class. Unless otherwise noted, classes do not require registration.

You can also join us at home through exercise classes broadcast from our APDA Resource Center in Chesterfield. Click here for a schedule and to view classes.  

Class Descriptions

Class Levels

LEVEL 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 Descriptions

TAI 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.

50-50 FUSION: Combines the best methods of Parkinson’s exercise in a fun and challenging format that includes cardio, strength training, mat work, kickboxing, yoga, and more.  Half of class you focus on one type of exercise (such as kickboxing), then the second half of class you focus on another.

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES: Boxing, endurance and strength training for people with Parkinson’s. 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.

EXERCISE FOR PARKINSON’S: Classes include 30 minutes of indoor cycling and 30 minutes of a land-based fitness activity. Membership is not required to attend classes at a YMCA or at the Korte Recreation Center.

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 Classes

Chesterfield (West St. Louis County)- APDA Resource Center

Movement 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 636.778.3377

Movement 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 636.778.3377

Tai 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, 636.778.3377

Tai Chi: Level 2
APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163
Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Craig Miller, 636.778.3377

50-50 Fusion: Level 3
APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163
Wednesdays at 1:00 pm
Alana Krone, 636.778.3377

Circuit Training: Level 3
APDA Parkinson Community Resource Center 1415 Elbridge Payne, Suite 163
Thursdays at 1:00 pm
Tricia Creel, PT 636.778.3377

Brentwood (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 session
Winter session: January 10 to April 4, 2019

Chesterfield (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
$180/12-week session
Winter session: February 5 – April 23, 2019

Movement 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 314.205.6934

Rock Steady Boxing- St. Louis*
16625 Swingley Ridge Rd.
Registration required- Carolyn McKee 314.640.6578; More Info

Exercise 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 636.532.3100

Clayton/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 314.289.4202

Crestwood (South St. Louis County)

Rock Steady Boxing*
Crestview Plaza 9248 Watson Road
Times/dates vary
Dot LeGrand 314.422.5777; More Info

Creve Coeur (St. Louis County)

Roll With the Punches: 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/month

Florissant (North St. Louis County)

Movement Training: Level 1
Garden Villas North 4505 Parker Road
Thursdays at 10:00 am
Nancy Robb 314.869.5296

Kirkwood (St. Louis County)

Movement Training: Level 1-2
Bethesda Hawthorne Place 1111 S. Berry Road
Thursdays at 1:45 pm
Teresa Godfrey, PT 314.942.5750

Ladue (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 636.778.3377

*Tremble Clefs at Salem United Methodist Church will resume January 5, 2019.

Maryland Heights (St. Louis County)

Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 1-2
YMCA- Edward Jones 12521 Marine Ave
Tuesdays at 12:00 pm
Registration required – Martin Caupp 314.439.9622

O’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 636.778.3377

Shrewsbury

Rock Steady Boxing- Metro STL*
7508 Big Bend Blvd.
More Info
Registration required- Dan McLeod, MS, ATC, LAT 314.647.4880 or 618.363.5709

South 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 314.289.4202

Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 1-2
South County YMCA 12736 Southfork Road
Fridays at 10:30 am
Registration required – Diane Summers 314.849.9622

*Classes at the South County YMCA start on February 8, 2019

Ste. Genevieve (Ste. Genevieve County)

Movement Training: Level 2
Community Center 21390 Hwy 32
Thursdays at 11:00 am
Ketta Hill, 573.883.9366

St. Louis City

Circuit 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/class

St. Peters (St. Charles County)

Movement Training: Level 2
Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Healthwise Center,  6 Jungerman Circle
Tuesdays at 10:00 am
Rachel Lehman, OT 636.916.9650

Movement Training: Level 1
Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital Healthwise Center,  6 Jungerman Circle
Tuesdays at 11:00 am
Rachel Lehman, OT 636.916.9650

Aquatics: 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
$50/10-week session
Winter Session: January 10 to March 14
Spring Session: April 4 to June 6
Summer Session: July 11 to September 12
Fall Session: October 3 to December 12

Sunset Hills (St. Louis County)

Movement Training: Level 2
Friendship Village- Sunset Hills 12563 Village Circle Dr.
Fridays at 10:00 am
Marina Clements, PT 636.778.3377

Town & 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 636.778.3377

Washington (Franklin County)

Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 1
YMCA- Four Rivers 400 Grand Ave
Tuesdays & Fridays at 1:00 pm
Registration required – Brandy Koch 636.239.5704

*Denotes non-affiliated exercise program

Illinois Exercise Classes

Breese, IL (Clinton County)

Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 1
YMCA – Clinton County 14160 Jamestown Road
Mondays and Wednesdays at 2:00 pm
Registration required – Jack Swank and Vicky White 618.526.5628

Carlinville, 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 am

Highland, IL (Madison County)

Exercise for Parkinson’s (cycle + strength): Level 2*
Korte Recreation Center 1 Nagel
Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:00 pm
Registration required – Jinee McDonnell-Stewart and Ginger Kabureck 618.651.1386
$25/member or $32/non-member for a 10-week session
Winter session: January 7 – March 17

O’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 pm

Springfield, IL (Sangamon County)

The Joy of Movement- a dance class for people with PD
Registration required – Eve Fischberg, OT 217.494.4961 or joyofmovement2@gmail.com
www.thejoyofmovement.org
First Presbyterian Church
321 South 7th Street
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 pm
Wednesdays at 10:00 am (Wednesday classes will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m. during Lent – 3/13/19, 3/20/19 and 3/27/19)

*Class is cancelled on Thursday, February 7, 2019 due to an event at First Presbyterian Church. In case of inclement weather, the Joy of Movement class will follow the Springfield School District closure schedule.

Quincy, 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 am

Quincy, IL (Adams County)

Rock Steady Boxing* 
Johanna Voss 217.222.9622
3101 Main Street
Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Quincy, IL (Adams County)

Rock Steady Boxing* 
Johanna Voss 217.222.9622
3101 Main Street
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 – 12:00 pm

Quincy, 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 am

Quincy, 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 am

*Denotes non-affiliated exercise program

WINTER WEATHER INFO: In inclement weather, we will cancel exercise classes at the APDA Resource Center if the Parkway School District is closed. For exercise classes in other locations, please call the number listed for the class.

 

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