YMCA Strengthens Monmouth County with Pedaling for Parkinson’s Program BY DONNA BERIONT
Dean Seda, director of Healthy Living at (top right) the Red Bank Family YMCA (top left) and instructor Polli Schildge review progress of the Y’s Pedaling for Parkinson’s program with participants Carol Shulte, Michael Toscano and Elizabeth Carr. DID YOU KNOW that YMCA is one of the top five recognized brands? Did you know that basketball and volleyball was invented at the YMCA? Or, the mere idea of group exercise was also born at the Y? In fact, without the YMCA, Father’s Day and the Boy Scouts wouldn’t have had the start they did. The Community YMCA has a big footprint in Red Bank and has been recognized by the Monmouth County community for 145 years. Most people think of the Y as a place to take a swim lesson, play basketball, get on a treadmill and yes, you can do all that but you can do so much more. For the past decade, The Community YMCA is committed to strengthening the foundations of our community through initiatives and partnerships that encourage the positive development of our youth, encourage healthier lifestyles and promote social responsibility for all ages. They also have over 350 programs to offer our community. After speaking with YMCA President and CEO Laurie Goganzer about all these programs, I began to wonder what the world would be like without the Y. Goganzer said, “The purpose of the Y is to exist to strengthen the
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Participants in the YMCA Pedaling for Parkinson’s program are experiencing improved health and well-being from rapid pedaling and spending time together.
community.” Because a BIG part of The Community YMCA’s mission is social responsibility, it cares about the things the community struggles with, like the incidence of suicide and the increase in local opioid and drug abuse. They also have programs around diabetes prevention, a cancer program called Livestrong, and a newer program that I think most people didn’t know about called Pedaling for Parkinson’s disease.
a road bike in a group, and he’s very strong. He’s learning to pace himself to maintain 92rpms longer. The other two women, Beth and Carol, have never been on a road bike and are completely new to being on a spin bike. They have all become able to maintain high cadence for a longer time, and are feeling strong and confident. We have a lot of fun together with motivating music, and a variety of intervals. I’m enormously proud of them. It’s What is Pedaling for Parkinson’s? It is a quite incredible to see the progress program that has brought a feeling of - it’s definitely not easy, even challenghope for those suffering from the dis- ing for an individual unaffected by ease. Pedaling for Parkinson’s is held Parkinson’s.” The members also unat many YMCA’s across the country, derstand now that they can maintain and started in Red Bank under instruc- high cadence and adjust resistance to tor Polli Schildge in October of 2018. make the most out of every ride, and find their individual challenge. Schildge says, “As a cyclist and certified Spinning instructor, when I An enthusiastic member of the class, saw the videos How a Bicycle Ride Elizabeth Carr said, “I look forward to Led to Groundbreaking Parkinson’s Tuesdays and Thursdays. Not only do Research and Cycling for Freezing Gait I enjoy the class, but I get more out of in Parkinson’s Disease, and learned it than any other activity I’ve been in of the amazing effects of cycling and as far as helping with Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s patients (particularly movement.” fast cadence), I did more research. I got a certification (accredited by ACE Michael Toscano, another YMCA pedAmerican Council on Exercise) and aling for Parkinson’s class member then reached out to The Community said the program has helped him overYMCA in Red Bank. There are three come depression, make new friends, dedicated participants and they are and “keeping Parkinson’s at bay.” awesome. Mike had experience riding People may not realize but anxiety and
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