WANT TO REGISTER FOR MY FREE ONLINE CYCLING CLASSES?
|
Powered by ...
|
What is Pedaling For Parkinson's?
Pedaling For Parkinson’s was founded by Dr. Jay Alberts, a neuroscientist and researcher at the Cleveland Clinic, and Cathy Frazier, a woman living with Parkinson’s. While riding a tandem bike at RAGBRAI in 2003, they discovered that cycling reduced Cathy’s symptoms. With Dr. Alberts guiding the bike and Ms. Frazier on the back, she noticed something interesting after the day’s ride: her Parkinson’s symptoms were greatly reduced!
This experience led Dr. Alberts to study the effects of aerobic exercise (and cycling in particular) on cognitive and motor function through a project funded by the Davis Phinney Foundation in 2009. The results of that research defined a therapeutic protocol that was subsequently deployed in a few cycling studios across the country. Delivering almost immediate results, the test environments were converted to indoor stationary cycling classes that quickly became available to people living with Parkinson’s, and thus Pedaling for Parkinson’s was born. Since 2013, Pedaling for Parkinson’s has taken hold in YMCAs, gyms, and other community spaces across the country. Taught by local instructors, these accessible classes engage participants in a simple protocol three times a week and are proven both scientifically and anecdotally to help people with Parkinson’s feel better and live well today. In 2023, the founder of Pedaling for Parkinson’s, Dr. Jay Alberts, chose the Davis Phinney Foundation to become the stewards of this innovative and effective program. With Davis’s roots in cycling and the Foundation’s history as an advocate for exercise, this was a natural next step to ensure the sustainability and broad availability of this program for people living with Parkinson’s across the country. Click here to learn more about Pedaling for Parkinson's |
|
Do you offer cycling classes?
|
Yes! Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10am (Pacific Time) Start date: Tuesday Sept.2nd/2025
All you need is a stationary bike, a computer device/tablet/smart phone and a cadence sensor* (if your bike doesn't have one), as well as a bottle of water and a small towel. Many indoor bikes (eg. Peleton or Echelon brands) have built in computer screens which will display your cadence while you ride). If your bike doesn't have this feature, do not fear! Cadence sensors are readily available and not expensive - a very worthwhile investment in your health! *What is a cadence sensor and why do I need one? A cadence sensor measures your revolutions per minute (rpm), essentially how many times your pedals complete a circle per minute. Knowing your cadence throughout the PFP class is crucial, as this is how intensity is measured, and intensity matters. HOWEVER - it is possible to take part in class without measuring your cadence - you will just go by "feel" or perceived exertion |
|
FAQ's
WHAT'S INVOLVED IN A TYPICAL CLASS?
PFP CLASS OUTLINE
0-10MINS: LOW TO MID 60 BPM (Warmup) This is the portion where we slowly ease into the workout by pedalling easily with light resistance. It's important to start slow and let your body adapt to the increasing demands you are placing on it.
10 – 30MINS: 75-90 BPM(AEROBIC / ENDURANCE portion) The "bread & butter" of the workout! This is where you work at a level that allows the magic to happen. Cadence is key! Cadence in cycling refers to the rate at which a cyclist pedals, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), and the entire Pedalling For Parkinson's program revolves around it.. It's important to get your legs moving at a faster pace than during the warmup.
30 – 50MINS: INTERVALS (a great way to push intensity and keep class more interesting!) This is where you push yourself a little more for short burst of time. It will feel hard, but also exhilarating! How hard you push is completely related to your fitness level and current health. Do YOUR workout, and don't worry about what the others are doing.
50-60 MINS: COOLDOWN (60 BPM OR LESS) You've done the hard work, and now it's time to get your heart rate and breathing back down. Enjoy the feeling! Exercise can often release "feel-good" chemicals, and now is when you will start to feel the natural "high" that can come from a good session. Enjoy the win!
0-10MINS: LOW TO MID 60 BPM (Warmup) This is the portion where we slowly ease into the workout by pedalling easily with light resistance. It's important to start slow and let your body adapt to the increasing demands you are placing on it.
10 – 30MINS: 75-90 BPM(AEROBIC / ENDURANCE portion) The "bread & butter" of the workout! This is where you work at a level that allows the magic to happen. Cadence is key! Cadence in cycling refers to the rate at which a cyclist pedals, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), and the entire Pedalling For Parkinson's program revolves around it.. It's important to get your legs moving at a faster pace than during the warmup.
30 – 50MINS: INTERVALS (a great way to push intensity and keep class more interesting!) This is where you push yourself a little more for short burst of time. It will feel hard, but also exhilarating! How hard you push is completely related to your fitness level and current health. Do YOUR workout, and don't worry about what the others are doing.
50-60 MINS: COOLDOWN (60 BPM OR LESS) You've done the hard work, and now it's time to get your heart rate and breathing back down. Enjoy the feeling! Exercise can often release "feel-good" chemicals, and now is when you will start to feel the natural "high" that can come from a good session. Enjoy the win!
WHAT DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE CLASS?
The classes are offered free, thanks to the generosity of the Davis Phinney Foundation! Please check them out here.
WHAT YOU I NEED?
To participate in online classes, you will need an internet enabled device (smart phone, iPad, tablet, laptop, etc.) and access to an indoor, stationary bike, such as:
To help with participant safety, we also ask that all riders use a device that offers a camera and microphone, so you can be seen and heard as needed by your instructor. Also, we ask riders to provide emergency contact information when registering.
Helpful to Have (But Not Required!)
These items can make your ride more comfortable or help you track your progress, but you can join without them:
- Bicycle trainer stand that uses your existing bike’s gearing and/or wheel.
- Indoor exercise bike (standup or recumbent) with a computer or display to show you resistance/speed/cadence.
- Indoor stationary studio bike typical of a bike you’d find for class use at gyms.
To help with participant safety, we also ask that all riders use a device that offers a camera and microphone, so you can be seen and heard as needed by your instructor. Also, we ask riders to provide emergency contact information when registering.
Helpful to Have (But Not Required!)
These items can make your ride more comfortable or help you track your progress, but you can join without them:
- A water bottle (strongly recommended to stay hydrated)
- A cadence monitor (optional, but useful for following the class pace)
- A heart rate monitor (optional)
- Comfortable clothing or padded cycling shorts
- Clip-in shoes (optional)
- Seat pads, gloves, or other comfort accessories (optional)
Where can I buy an appropriate indoor stationary bike?
I highly recommend looking for a good quality second hand bike on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, etc... there are a lot of good used bikes on the market - why pay for a new one? Most of the second hand bikes you will see have hardly been used and are often sold for a fraction of what they cost new
A NOTE ABOUT MUSIC BPM (BPM in music stands for "Beats Per Minute," which is a measurement of the tempo or speed of a song.)
During much of the class, we use music to help guide how quickly we spin our wheels. We try and match BPM (Beats per Minute) with RPM (Revolutions per Minute). However, this can be challenging for some. Not everyone is able to hear the "beat" of a song as easily as others. Please do not fret if you have trouble matching your cadence with the beat of the music; just try and get close. If the music is slow, pedal slow, if it's got a faster beat, pedal faster! Don;t get hung up on the odea of matching up perfectly.
During much of the class, we use music to help guide how quickly we spin our wheels. We try and match BPM (Beats per Minute) with RPM (Revolutions per Minute). However, this can be challenging for some. Not everyone is able to hear the "beat" of a song as easily as others. Please do not fret if you have trouble matching your cadence with the beat of the music; just try and get close. If the music is slow, pedal slow, if it's got a faster beat, pedal faster! Don;t get hung up on the odea of matching up perfectly.
I want to take part in a class! What are my next steps?
Please click the link below and you will be directed to the registration page for my class:
SEE YOU SOON!
