Pd Gladiators, Inc

PD Gladiators is a nonprofit organization devoted to combating Parkinson’s disease with vigorous exercise. Our mission is to focus the attention of people with PD and the medical community on the role of exercise in slowing the progression of PD and to make community-based exercise programs available to people with PD and their care partners. We hope that by demonstrating the value of vigorous exercise and community-based programs to practicing neurologists, they will spark an increase in participation in the PD community by people with Parkinson’s, leading to a more robust exercise/physical therapy infrastructure, a freer flow of information among Parkinson’s patients through increased social interactions, and greater participation in clinical trials. We operate the PD Gladiators Metro Atlanta Fitness Network, an affiliation of independent fitness instructors, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, physical therapists, personal trainers, experienced volunteers with PD and care partners offering a package of PD-specific exercise classes and support that will help people with PD design a personal exercise program that is effective, fun and sustainable. The Network’s offerings are growing but now include low-cost adapted group exercise programs conducted in a safe environment (including noncontact boxing training, Zumba Gold, tai chi, yoga and general fitness classes), the "PD Gladiators at the Y" program (an alliance with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta), convenient online scheduling, a free functional assessment by a physical therapist and more. The PD Gladiators Metro Atlanta Fitness Network is sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association-Georgia Chapter, the Georgia Parkinson's Association, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and Ability Rehab. We are looking for Atlanta area fitness instructors or clinicians who are interested in offering group exercise classes to people with PD and their care partners. See our website for details.