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Why I Opened Kimberly Berg’s Rebel Fit Club
Hello fighters and dancers,
When I first started my own business helping people with Parkinson’s disease I had the dream of being able to combine all of my specialties to create the most comprehensive training center.
I knew I could do so much more for my fighters and dancers. During these last few years I often felt like I was working with my hands tied. We were renting space in other people’s gyms, working in shared spaces, and navigating my class times around other people’s schedules. It was difficult, but we did it and we thrived.
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Is Parkinson’s Tricking You into Thinking You Are Moving Normally?
With the opening of our new gym last week, I have had a huge influx of new fighters. As I conduct the fighter’s initial evaluations for correct class placement, I am amazed at how many people are not aware of the complexity of Parkinson’s disease. I’ve always thought of myself as an educator first, and a forever student at the same time. My mentors are the researchers and my teachers are the people who actually navigate Parkinson’s in their own lives, both the “patient” and their family support team.
In the beginning, people me tell me they are doing fine with their PD and their symptoms are minimal and hardly noticeable. However, when they come in the door it’s obvious their symptoms are not minimal. They could actually be considered dangerous to themselves.
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A Cautionary Tale of a Parkinson’s Prescription Gone Wrong
About a week ago Steve (one of my fighters) shared with a story with our class about a really scary incident with his medication. I asked him to put it into writing so I could share it with my readers because it has a very important message. Here is Steve’s story:
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A Must-Do Hip and Core Exercise for Parkinson’s: The Spider Plank
This week in class I taught a must-do hip and core exercise called “The Spider Plank”.
So many of my fighters with Parkinson’s have a tough time getting a “leg up” because the hip flexors are so tight. We do a lot of exercises that require bringing a leg forward, everything from BOSU balance exercise to merely getting up from the floor. Being able to get your leg up is very important, especially if you fall.
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Motion Is The Lotion When You Have Parkinson’s Disease
I love the saying, “Motion is the lotion when you have Parkinson’s Disease.” I’ve used it for years with my personal training clients because it is a clever way to remember a powerful message. With sitting or resting too much, painful joints can become more painful. Moving your body regularly keeps joints and soft tissues flexible.
People will tell me that their doctor said to rest their back/knee/etc., but the truth is that moving is the therapy. Here’s why: it is widely accepted by doctors, physical therapists, trainers and other body workers that the body’s soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) will shorten and tighten if not moved through their full range of motion on a regular basis. If soft tissue is inflamed, it becomes more swollen if it is held still or isolated. When that joint is moved again, it will feel tight and painful. This makes the person feel like it’s a bad idea to move it, and they go back to resting which ultimately makes the condition worse.
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