Bridges for Parkinson’s Exercise Prescription You Can ALL Swallow!

Written by: Colleen Bridges, M.Ed, NSCA-CPT, PDFS, Belmont University Occupational Therapy Advisory Board, 2020 MedFit Education Professional of the Year

Exercise Is Medicine: Introducing the Bridges for Parkinson’s Exercise Prescription

Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, our theme at Bridges for Parkinson’s is simple yet powerful:

 The miracle is in the movement. 

Every single week, my team and I witness countless “miracles” that occur because of one thing—your commitment to movement. Our fighters are fighting back harder than ever, and it’s not because you’re doing random workouts. No. You are following something very specific: a Parkinson’s Disease exercise prescription.

Now you might be thinking, “Colleen, what do you mean by a prescription? I already take enough medicine!” Fair question. But think about a pill bottle for a moment. It tells you how often to take the medication, how much to take, and why you’re taking it. Exercise for Parkinson’s should be no different.

Too often I hear people say, “I stay active,” or “I go to the gym,” or “I play pickle ball, so I’m good.” And while all of those activities are wonderful, Parkinson’s is a neurological disease—and neurological diseases require intentional, targeted, and purposeful movement.

That’s exactly why I created the Bridges for Parkinson’s Exercise Prescription. It answers the most common questions people living with PD ask:

• How many days a week should I exercise?

• What types of exercise are best for Parkinson’s?

• Why does a PD-specific routine look so different from a traditional gym workout?

  
  

This prescription isn’t based on opinion or trends. It is:

• Backed by research, including projects we have partnered on with Vanderbilt University

• Supported by real-life results and powerful testimonials from our fighters

• Shaped by over 20 years of hands-on experience working with Parkinson’s disease

  
  

Whether you prefer to exercise independently, attend structured classes, or combine both, one thing is essential: you need a plan. Not just any plan—but a Parkinson’s-specific plan tailored to your abilities, symptoms, and goals. Because when exercise is done the right way—consistently and with purpose—it becomes more than medicine. It becomes a miracle.

Throughout this year, my team and I are going to take you inside the Bridges for Parkinson’s Exercise Prescription. We’ll explain why we do certain exercises, what muscles they target, and how they benefit you both physically and neurologically.

So buckle up. We are about to embark on an educational experience unlike anything you’ve done before. And the best part? You’ll understand the “method behind Colleen’s madness”—and how everything you do in the gym translates directly into your life outside of it.

Because once again, and always:

The miracle is in the movement.