Doing the Same Parkinson’s Balance Exercises? Balance Needs To Be Challenged in the Right Order

If you have Parkinson’s, working on your balance regularly is important. But there’s a common mistake I see: doing the same few balance exercises every day and assuming that’s enough.

People often tell me, “I do your YouTube balance exercises every day!” I’m always glad to hear that folks are taking advantage of my free exercise videos. But there’s an important difference between doing random balance exercises and following a balance training program.

Your balance needs to be challenged—and in the right order.

Think of how a baby learns to move upright: they start by crawling, then taking steps, walking, running, jumping, and skipping. It has to go in that order because the brain adapts to each progression. It’s the same with regaining your balance, one step at a time.

Once an exercise becomes easy and familiar, your body has adapted to it. That’s a good thing, but it may also be a sign that it’s time for a new challenge.

Balance is complex. In everyday life, you have to shift your weight, turn, step in different directions, react when you lose your balance, navigate obstacles, and sometimes maintain your balance while doing something else at the same time.

That’s why an effective balance program shouldn’t consist of the same exercises repeated indefinitely. It should challenge different aspects of balance and progress as your abilities improve.

An Exercise Is Not the Same as a Program

A program has a purpose and progression. Exercises are selected and gradually changed so you continue challenging yourself rather than simply getting better at doing the same familiar movements. The goal is to train your brain-balance.

If the exercises you already know have started to feel easy, that’s not a reason to stop—it’s a signal that your brain has learned them and is ready for the next step. Keep the habit of practicing every day, but treat balance like a skill that has to keep growing.

If you’re ready to start growing your balance skills, specialized courses like our Balance Builders Academy can help. This five-week intensive provides small challenges and daily practice in a progression that makes sense to your brain. Classes are held once a week, and you’ll also get recorded videos that you can do at home. For more information, email Kimberly.

In addition to Balance Builders Academy, we offer a variety of online courses to address specific Parkinson’s symptoms. Level up your workouts with one of our courses below:

• Rebel Fit Club Posture School
• “From Cramping Feet to Happy Feet!” Course
• PD Exercises to Improve Hand Dexterity & Mobility

💜 Coach Kimberly