I recently completed specialist training with PD Warrior, and I am now certified as a NeuroActive Trainer. This evidence-based training approach is designed specifically for people living with Parkinson's disease, with the aim of improving movement, maintaining independence and helping slow the progression of symptoms through targeted exercise.
PD Warrior is built on the principle that the brain can be retrained through specific, high-effort movement strategies. The program focuses on improving how the brain drives movement by training people to move with greater intention, power and awareness. The exercises are designed to stimulate neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural pathways through practice.
Two of the core pillars of PD Warrior training are Power and Complexity.
A key goal in Parkinson’s training is restoring the size, speed and clarity of movement, which often becomes reduced as dopamine levels decline.
People with Parkinson’s often develop a reduced sense of movement scale, meaning movements become smaller than intended. Training therefore focuses on exaggerating movement size, encouraging people to move bigger than normal to recalibrate how the brain perceives movement.
Speed is important, but it is not usually directly cued. If someone is told to move quickly, they often produce fast but very small movements.
There is a linear relationship between amplitude and speed. When movement size increases, speed naturally improves. For this reason, PD Warrior coaching focuses primarily on amplitude, which then drives improved speed.
Movements should finish with crisp, defined end positions. This helps reinforce more precise motor control and encourages the brain to relearn efficient movement patterns.
PD Warrior training also integrates cognitive challenge to strengthen the connection between thinking and movement.
Many people with Parkinson’s find it difficult to perform dual tasks, such as walking while talking. Training encourages the brain to restore more automatic movement control.
Exercises require concentration and mental engagement, helping improve attention during movement.
Gradually layering motor and cognitive tasks helps reduce the interference that can occur when performing multiple tasks at once.
The aim is not just exercise, but learning movement skills that carry over into daily life.
The PD Warrior approach includes 10 core exercises that form the backbone of the program. These functional movements are designed to reinforce large, powerful and controlled movement patterns.
Below are the exercises along with demonstration videos.
PD Warrior Penguin Waddles Exercise
PD Warrior Banded Side Steps Exercise
PD Warrior Over the River Exercise
PD Warrior Scarf Snatch Exercise
You can learn more about the program and resources at:
Becoming a NeuroActive trained coach allows me to integrate these principles into my coaching, helping people with Parkinson’s stay strong, mobile, and neurologically engaged through targeted movement training.