Our Courses
Author and Founder of Bridges for Parkinson's, Colleen Bridges, has written educational courses for fitness professionals to hone their skills and gain confidence in their professions.
Learn more about each course by clicking "Get Started"
Bridges for Parkinson's Fitness Specialist Certification Program
Every nine seconds a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. By this time, the patient has been experiencing symptoms for years. Over the past decade, numerous exercise methods have surfaced all claiming to “slow the progression of the disease.” Research studies reveal more and more information about the epidemiology of the disease while fitness professionals are offering more personal training and/or coaching of group exercise classes specifically for those living with Parkinson’s disease. The goal of this course is to bring the research, medical and fitness fields together so that fitness professionals gain a comprehensive understanding of Parkinson’s disease, and learn how to work with those who have it.
Course offered by MedFit Network
Course length: 12.5 hours
Parkinson’s Disease
Exercise Prescription
Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disease and, to date, there is no known cure. While medication and nutrition slow down Parkinson’s symptoms, when you add exercise to the mix, individuals living with Parkinson’s will experience an extra kick in keeping Parkinson’s symptoms at bay. This course presents a three-prong prescription focusing solely on exercise – a one-stop shopping guide for fitness professionals to help clients give their best “fight” against Parkinson’s Disease.
For those who have completed the Parkinson’s Disease Fitness Specialist course, this short course reinforces concepts and introduces you to new exercises to integrate with your Parkinson’s “fighters”. If you have not yet completed the specialist course, this course can serve as an introduction to exercise for Parkinson’s, but it is recommended you complete the Parkinson’s Disease Fitness Specialist course to fully understand how to best work with those with Parkinson’s.
Course offered by MedFit Network
Course length: 2 hours
Planes of Motion
Join Colleen Bridges as she expertly covers the concept of planes of motion (POM) and how they apply to program design. This course will allow you to apply the planes of motion to program design for clients of all ages.
Dr. Carlene Johnson, an occupational therapist, will join her later in the course to teach some “tricks of the trade” for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). This course is for all fitness professionals who want to take their craft to the next level.
Course offered by MedFit Network
Course Length: 2.5 hours