My dad’s weightlifting regimen helped him fight back against Parkinson’s
Even as the disease progressed, Dad was determined to keep training
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We opened the door to a chilly cellar that ran the length of the house and descended into the half-finished basement. A musty scent filled the air. It was a portal opening into a 1970s weightlifting gym lit by a 24-inch basement window.
My dad, Jack, had been a weightlifter since he was a teenager. Men like Jack LaLanne and Arnold Schwarzenegger inspired him. For six decades, religiously, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, he benched, squatted, and pressed iron. Then he topped off his efforts with a milkshake and two scoops of plain chocolate ice cream.
When Parkinson’s disease became his reality, his neurologist told him that to be safe, he should always train with a partner. As a middle-aged daughter with more than a few pounds to lose, I was elected as the perfect training buddy. To him, at least.
“Sue, you are going to love it! I’ll create a program for you!”
That unfinished time capsule was like a meat freezer in the winter. Spiders and bugs invaded every spring after a heavy rainfall. I was not thrilled. My dad, acting as lead spider philosopher, said that if a creature didn’t die on the second or third swat, the creepy crawler deserved to live. It was a hostile environment.
Quickly, we fell into a training regimen twice a week. To my surprise, I genuinely enjoyed the lifting, and as his care partner, it gave me an active pulse on what the disease was doing. Everyone experiences Parkinson’s differently. Tremors were rare for him. His version of the disease manifested as serious balance and stiffness issues.
Shortly after we started, my nephew joined us once a week. In between sets, we teased and told old stories. Laughing was an important part of the program. What can I say? It’s good for the abs! Working out was fun and something he looked forward to, but it was also a tool that gave my dad a weapon to push back.
A battleground emerges
Most people think of cardio for Parkinson’s disease because it preserves memory, learning, and mental flexibility. Weightlifting protects in ways cardio can’t, making the body’s framework stronger by improving balance and reducing rigidity — the very issues my dad was fighting. Parkinson’s destroys critical neurological pathways, eventually resulting in the loss of mobility. Strength training can create new pathways after the old ones have been destroyed.
Gradually, a battleground was starting to emerge. I could see the disease push forward, and my dad push back. It was a constant tug-of-war, with one side determined to dominate the other. Dad was not one to let circumstances define him. Parkinson’s disease may have been a relentless adversary, but so was he. When tackling the weights, Dad wore a game face with gritted teeth.
Occasionally, I would catch him looking over. I pretended not to notice that it was getting harder for him; I kept encouraging him to keep up the good work. The disease was advancing, and it was most obvious in the bench press. Right out of the gate, he needed me as a spotter. I saw what he could press when he was diagnosed. He was strong and had a lot of muscle to work with, but over time, the disease was consuming his reserves.
Later, the steps were a struggle as well. For a while, my nephew assisted him. I was afraid Dad would fall even with help. He finally could no longer make the trek to his underground oasis. Like any seasoned warrior, he adjusted his strategy when conditions changed. Time for a troop movement.
The location adjustment did not affect his resolve. If he couldn’t go to the gym, the gym would go to him. No excuses. His upper-body exercises were performed sitting down, since his balance was an issue. When doing squats, he held on to the kitchen counter.
Independence was at stake, and emotions ran raw. Week after week, he struggled to maintain basic mobility.
Eventually, he became bedridden and lost the battle, but refused to surrender completely. There was no pause in his teenage exercise practice. He was still determined to press on. My brother bought him a mini dumbbell set, and he exercised in bed.
The weights were his allies, like an old, familiar friend that the disease could not steal. My dad was bedridden for more than four years. The regimen held strong until the last three months of his life, when his body would no longer permit it.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
Steve White
Lovely story Susan.
I only started weight training 2 years ago, and surprisingly love it!