From the Team here at Lifepro, we want to spread a little awareness your way! Many of our members and friends are dealing with or know someone who has Parkinson’s Disease (PD), so here are some information and health tips in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month and maybe some solutions for you or someone you may be caring for.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that develops through the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which can develop into various neurological and mobility-related issues.
Some statistical highlights from The Parkinson’s Foundation
- 1 million people living with Parkinson’s in the United States
- Estimated 60,000 new diagnoses every year
- There are over 10 million cases worldwide
- Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson's disease than women
A 2019 collaborative study of Parkinson’s organizations, including the Michael J. Fox Foundation and other industry partners, revealed that the financial burden of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the U.S. is $51.9 billion – nearly double previous estimates.
Parkinson’s Disease often requires medications, physical therapy or other medical interventions to manage symptoms, but there is a lot that can be attributed to keeping yourself healthy and active. In fact, for people living with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is a critical factor in maintaining balance, mobility, and day-to-day living. Exercise and physical activity have been shown to improve many symptoms and can even help slow progression.
Your exercise program should include a few key elements. Lifepro has a few innovative tools that will help complement these critical components:
Aerobic activity
Lifepro members of all ages are loving our new VeloCycle Folding Exercise Bike. No power is required for this unique stationary bike offering a full-body workout that feels like riding a galloping horse. Start outset on a traditional ride, then build up to more challenges and progress to both lower and upper body at the same time!
Strength training
Cleverly engineered to save space without losing variety, our PowerUp Adjustable Dumbbells make it simple and straightforward to add or remove weight. 4 weight sizes to choose from.
Balance, Flexibility & Agility
If you have never used a vibration plate, you are missing out on one of the most well-rounded tools for almost any user. The use of the oscillating platforms is very inexpensive, and positive clinical findings have been noticed with the use of whole-body vibration in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (1)
There is no cookie-cutter “exercise prescription” ideally suited for every person with Parkinson’s Disease. The type of activities you should do will vary based on the severity of symptoms and individual needs. Talk to your doctor about the best plan for your self-care.
Sources:
- PInto, Nelson et al. "The effects of whole-body-vibration exercises in Parkinson´s disease: a short review." Journal of Medicine and Medical Science, 2011; 2(1): 594-600. Published 2011. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228892332_The_effects_of_whole-body-vibration_exercises_in_Parkinsons_disease_a_short_review
Author
Joel Gottehrer is the Co-Founder of Lifepro Fitness and has dedicated his life to helping people transform theirs. With over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and owner of two personal training studios, Joel has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping transform lives. After suffering from physical injuries, Joel and his business partner, Abraham Brach, came together with a common goal to alleviate the pain caused by their injuries.
They continued to find themselves disappointed with the results stemming from various products promising to relieve their pain, and with that – Lifepro Fitness was born. Joel's mission is to have a positive impact on millions of lives with the Lifepro brand. Whether it's finding new and innovative ways to help people recover from injuries or developing products to improve overall wellness, Joel is always looking for ways to push the boundaries. Thanks to his commitment to help people live their lives free of pain, Lifepro has been able to do this for thousands of people since its founding in 2017.