Naples Personal Training exercise specialist Lee Pinkham works with Bella Appelman, who has Parkinson's disease, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in North Naples.Jon Austria, jaustria@gannett.com; 239-227-7803
For people with Parkinson’s disease, certain kinds of exercises are crucial to help them maintain balance and motor skills, but it’s key to find the right mix of movements and a motivating group environment to do them in.
To fill that need, Naples Personal Training kicked off its Power Over Parkinson’s class on Thursday, Jan. 10.
The inaugural class drew fewer participants than trainers hoped for, but it was a start nonetheless.
Lee Pinkham, an exercise specialist with Naples Personal Training, works with Bella Appelman, 72, who has Parkinson's disease, on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, in North Naples. (Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News)
Kevin Chiddister, who owns Naples Personal Training, said the classes seek to improve physical symptoms and help socialize participants, too.
“Our goal is to educate the community and to help the community lead a better overall healthy lifestyle,” he said.
Bella Appelman, 72, of North Naples, was the only prospective client to show up for the group exercise class Thursday, which meant it turned into a one-on-one session.
Husband and caretaker Bernie Appelman said balance is the big issue his wife struggles with. She’s fallen four times, including one tumble that kept her away from home for three months while she recovered. Her short-term memory is rusty, too, he said, but balance is the biggest obstacle they face.
Bella Appelman, who has Parkinson's disease, works with trainer Lee Pinkham on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Naples Personal Training in North Naples. (Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News)
Bernie, 77, has cared for his wife for seven years now. It was challenging at first, but he said Bella has slowly regained some of her autonomy and has made strides physically.
It’s taken a toll, Bernie said, but it’s worth it.
“She’s my wife and I love her,” he said. “When you take that pledge, ‘for better or for worse’ … She would do the same for me.”
And so he keeps her busy and active as much as he can, making sure she gets her exercise. That, coupled with Bella’s struggles with balance, brought the couple to the Parkinson’s class.
Usually, according to trainer Lee Pinkham, the sessions would involve people exercising together. Group sessions might include boxing and elliptical work, Pinkham said, and are meant to improve things people with Parkinson’s struggle with, like gait pattern, posture and balance.
Bella Appelman, who has Parkinson's disease, does arm curls with trainer Lee Pinkham on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Naples Personal Training in North Naples. (Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News)
The hour-long class costs $20 per session, or 10 classes for $150. The Power Over Parkinson’s group fitness class is planned to be held every Thursday at 1 p.m.
Pinkham had Bella Appelman warm up by walking up and down the length of the room before she moved into more physically demanding exercises, like raising her legs or repeatedly standing up from a chair.
By the end, Appelman said the class was a “great experience.”
“I feel limber,” she said.
Bella Appelman, who has Parkinson's disease, works on her coordination with trainer Lee Pinkham on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, at Naples Personal Training in North Naples. (Photo: Jon Austria/Naples Daily News)
If this class succeeds, Chiddister said, he’d love to expand the classes.
Bella and Bernie Appelman said they would need to talk about whether they’ll come back, but both mentioned they’d be interested in giving the class another go.
Power Over Parkinson’s
What: Group exercises meant to help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their gait pattern, posture and balance
Where: Naples Personal Training, 1575 Pine Ridge Road, #20, North Naples
When: Planned for 1 p.m. Thursdays; call to confirm
Cost: $20 per session, or 10 classes for $150
Contact: 239-597-2370 or naplespersonaltraining.com
https://www.naplesnews.com/story/life/diet-fitness/2019/01/14/naples-personal-training-starts-power-over-parkinsons-group-fitness-class/2451875002/
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