Pedaling for Parkinson’s is a local success

MARQUETTE — Pedaling for Parkinson’s is a program with one session under its belt at a local fitness center, and the participants say they are loving it.

Last month ABC 10 reported that the class is based on research that says, if people with Parkinson’s Disease can bike three times a week, for 40 minutes at a certain heart rate, they can reduce their Parkinson’s symptoms by 35%.

The YMCA in Marquette brought the class to it’s facility in October and it has had great success. Participants have found that the class helps them physically and emotionally.

One of the Participants who suffers from Parkinson’s Sally Hupy Closser says, “First of all it’s very positive, you never hear anything negative. The word ‘Parkinson’s’ is never mentioned. We’re just treated as athletes training. The camaraderie of everyone else in the class is wonderful they are a great group of people. We have a lot of fun together. We have monitors, so we are professional athletes being trained that way.”

The class had seven participants this session, and YMCA Active Older Adult Leader Ruth Almen says that most will return for the next session.

“I think this is a really great testament again, certainly to the Marquette Community,” Almen added, “but the idea about how much people really want to take care of themselves, about the importance of quality of life, that the people are saying, like, ‘Wow, I have this really good opportunity to be healthy, and I’m going to do everything I can,’ and it’s fun to come to The Y.”

Winter one session begins January 11th, if you are interested in learning more about Pedaling for Parkinson’s or other opportunities at “The Y” click here.