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SPECIALIZED TRAINING
Since 1994, Kreig Marks has been improving the lives of those living with Neurological and Orthopedic Disorders through unique exercise, health and fitness programs.
Specialized Exercise Programs:
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Parkinson's Disease
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Multiple Sclerosis
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Ataxia
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Inclusion Body Myositis
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Myasthenia Gravis
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Fibromyalgia
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Total Knee Replacement
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Total Hip Replacement
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Total Shoulder Replacement
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Cervical or Low Back Injuries
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Shoulder Injuries
Kreig and his program are in high demand. He is affiliated with the Cleveland Clinic of Weston, Florida, along with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Kreig has been interviewed by local news media in South Florida along with CNN, CCTV, the New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, and many other media outlets. In 2014, the National Parkinson Foundation began offering a limited number of grants to local businesses offering unique therapeutic support to people living with PD. Kreig's program received one of the first Grants. However, Kreig now refuses any grant funding so other practitioners can benefit.
Kreig Marks has been interviewed and featured in national media:
The Miami Herald
Ft. Lauderdale Sun Sentinel
Tampa Tribune
Orlando Sentinel
CNN
CCTV
New York Times
New York Post
Washington Post
Chicago Tribune
Akron Beacon Journal
Chattanooga Free Press
The Gulf Times
Getty Images
Trilium Health
Capital Area Parkinsons
Michael J Fox.Org
NPF.Org
APDA.Org
APTA.Org
KREIG MARKS
-Since 1994, Kreig Marks has over 27 years experience and has accumulated over 100,000 documented clinical hours working with people living with Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and other Movement Disorders.
They are boxing, they are doing an indoor interval circuit training program, or stair training...or sweating outside on a mountain bike training course. They have Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, Ataxia and other movement disorders and they are going way beyond their limitations because...A Kreig Marks, the founder of the Parkinson's Fitness Center (PFC), doesn't give up on them. They all train with Kreig because of this. What I notice today, as he is training two clients who have Parkinson's and another with Multiple Sclerosis and Ataxia is...it takes energy to train people who are afraid to fall or are afraid of freezing up. I also notice his clients drawing their strength from Kreig's resolve to get them where they need to be.
"Honestly, I don't want them sitting around, and I don't want them to not exercise when they are not at the PFC either...I encourage them to move, to practice the goals I give them, and to enjoy a better quality of life...they are living with Parkinson's, with M.S., with Ataxia, Essential Tremors, you name it... and it is a holistic necessity to balance proper supplements, diet, the right medication and always fitness."
The statistics prove that Kreig's ideas over twenty years ago are now the standard when you speak to neurologists about this: levels of dopamine in the brain can be improved much more with regular fitness and can actually slow down the progression of Parkinson's. Additionally, regular exercise helps to lessen the symptoms of M.S. Kreig relates, "Three to five years from now I believe that the clinical trials for vaccines to reduce Parkinson's and M.S. symptoms, maybe even cure them altogether (through stem cell research)...all of this is encouraging and so I do talk about it around the center...until then, my work is to help my clients improve their strength, balance, endurance and agility."
On this day I see Tysan, age 38, come in. Diagnosed three years ago, he has been training for about two years with Kreig. To look at him, you'd have no idea that he has Parkinson's. He begins his workout and is jumping rope for a long while. Next he is doing push ups, rotational burpees, squat jumps, crossovers; he is on fire. He pulls out his notebook and I ask him about it. "I take notes each session about my exercises, on nutrition, what to improve, Kreig knows all about the different medications and how they affect all of us. He can read us like a book as we walk in the door, knowing if we just took our meds or if it's time for a visit with our doctors for a change of meds. He will pick up the phone and call our doctors right there and discuss what's going on with us and make suggestions to our doctors. And, our doctor listens and doesn't question Kreig. That's how much respect he has in the medical and Parkinson's community. I pick Kreig's brain because in my opinion, he is the best in the country at what he does, has been doing this longer than anyone else and has gotten me this far." Tysan explains further, "Kreig changes what we do every single time...I don't want to miss anything or forget what to do when I leave here." Tysan has the right attitude and I am tremendously impressed and am wondering why we don't have more places like this across the country...it is invaluable and life changing. Kreig is on to something special.
Terry Simons, Writer/Triathlete
Washington Health Journal 2015
Private Training
Private Training sessions are 50 minutes in duration and are designed specifically to meet the goals of the individual. After your initial consultation and complete assessment, an exercise program will be developed specifically for you, based on your goals. Our team of experts will help to streamline your goals, make them realistic, and achievable.
The founder of the PFC – Kreig Marks, is an internationally known name in Parkinson's and Movement Disorder fitness training. His lengthy background in Movement Disorders, along with Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology, as well as his dynamic approach to creating innovative challenges, is a big reason why.
Because every client responds differently to exercise programs, our Private Training program at the PFC is designed with each individual client’s health and personal goals in mind. Our team of experts utilize the latest research in Parkinson's, MS and other Movement Disorders along with the fields of Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, Sports Science, Sport Psychology, and injury prevention and rehabilitation.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Kreig Marks began his HIIT Program for people living with PD in 1995. He firmly believed that exercise performed at a high level of intensity rather than slow, controlled exercises, (within each client's limitations), was necessary to improve the functional levels of these people. His case studies confirmed this theory. Kreig also believed that these types of exercises would help control the symptoms and slow the progression of PD. In 2015, several research studies have confirmed Marks' long held beliefs.
Interval Training (indoor and/or outdoor circuit training,) is a system of exercises (private or semi-private or in a group,) designed to achieve your desired goals in the shortest possible time. It combines two resistance and cardio, all in a shorter period of time (30 to 40 minutes in duration,) with minimal rest in between sets.
For all of our Parkinson's Exercise Programs, we emphasize cognitive involvement along with multiple joint and muscular movements. We place emphasis on the duration of the exercise repetitions and sets over the resistance.
Resistance is created through the use of weights or bands or simply your own body weight. The sessions are designed as short bursts of activity, followed by even shorter periods of rest to enable recovery. This extremely effective way to maintain your metabolic rate greatly benefits people who have Parkinson's by helping the brain stimulate dopamine production.
Non-Contact Boxing (Where it all began)
Our Non-Contact Boxing program, (the first of it's kind in the country), which Kreig was the first to develop back in 1994, is a very dynamic exercise that utilizes your entire body and continuously challenges and strengthens your balance, endurance and coordination.
Utilizing non-contact boxing drills including heavy bags and speed bags, after a 30 minute session, you will be ready to take on the world!
Stair Training
Are you ready to "step up" your training?
Our Stair Training Program, safe and effective, was designed to improve your strength, balance, coordination, muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
You will learn how to conquer curbs, ramps and steps in a safe and energy conserving manner.
Taking it one step at a time, this is a program that reaps results in a very short period of time. At the PFC, this is a very important part of our program we encourage our members to participate in.
Mountain Bike Training
-Reminder: All exercise programs at the PFC are designed specifically for people with Movement Disorders. Age, stage and ability levels are taken into consideration before beginning any of our programs.
Want more of a challenge or a change of pace set in nature? Then it's time to progress to our Mountain Bike Training Program. This program enhances balance, coordination and cardiovascular endurance. Featuring multi-levels from beginner to advanced and different terrain from flat surfaces to low hills. A fun, safe program - rapidly gaining popularity in the exercise community.
What is the Parkinson's Fitness?
PF is a one-of-a-kind (concept developed in 1994 by Kreig Marks) type of exercise program. It is a uniquely effective form of physical exercise for people living with Movement Disorders. This includes support for family members and care-takers, too. Designed by Kreig Marks, CPT/ATC in 1995, the program improves the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, MS and other Movement Disorders. Clients begin to enjoy a more independent type of life, as well. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any disease. All content, including text, graphics, images and information on this website is for general informational purposes only. You are encouraged to discuss any information found on this website with your physician.
How did this Parkinson's Fitness program begin? In 1994. Kreig Marks, (the Founder of PFC), a physical therapist and personal trainer, designed specific exercise techniques including boxing and metabolic interval training years ago to help his father deal with his Parkinson’s symptoms and physical limitations. Since then, Kreig has worked with over 6500 people who have Parkinson’s Disease, M.S., Ataxia, and Dystonia and his program has been proven to have a high symptom stabilization/ containment rate of nearly 78%. Since years ago, Kreig has earned the respect of many neurologists around the country and globe for how he trains.
What types of exercise and fitness classes is this?
Parkinson's Fitness Exercise and Fitness Programs includes interval training, private and semi-private exercise sessions, non-contact boxing, stair circuit training and cycling circuits. For our boxing program, there is no contact involved and no boxing experience is necessary. People of all ages are invited to participate.
When did rigorous exercise start becoming the norm in Parkinson’s treatment?
In the early 1990’s several clinical studies began to support Kreig Marks’ long standing belief that rigorous exercise for people who have Parkinson's had a positive effect on their range of motion, flexibility, posture, gait and daily activity level. More recent studies, most notably at the Cleveland Clinic, focus on the concept of intense “forced” exercise, and suggest that certain types of exercise are neuro-protective. This means that continual rigorous exercise may actually slow down the progression of Parkinson's. All of the exercise programs at the PFC are designed specifically to enhance strength, balance, endurance, flexibility, burst, power, speed, coordination and agility.
Do any medical studies provide evidence showing exercise can help alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms?
Yes. According to a recent Cleveland Clinic study, aerobic fitness can be improved in Parkinson’s patients following forced and/or voluntary exercise. Studies are showing that exercise induces brain repair and accompanying behavioral recovery.
Cited Medical Studies:
A. “…Exercise or other motor enrichment methods might delay the onset of Parkinsonian symptoms or slow the degenerative process, but only when there are no substantial breaks in motor activity” (1763). – Motor Enrichment and the Induction of Plasticity Before or After Brain Injury (Kleim et al, 2004)B. “Our findings indicate that exercise reduces the behavioral impairments elicited by the dopaminergic neurotoxins as well as the loss of DA neurons” – Triggering endogenous neuroprotective processes through exercise in models of dopamine deficiency (Zigmond et al, 2009). “It is clear that exercise can influence the multiple levels of support necessary for maintaining optimal neuronal function, which is unique among proposed interventions for aging.” (Anderson et al, 2010)“…It is so encouraging to learn based on the observations of this study that exercise training can effectively reverse certain behavioral deficits, like impaired movement, imbalance and inconsistent gait pattern that are associated with the Parkinsonian syndrome in spite of the existing severe loss.” –Restorative effect of endurance exercise on behavioral deficits in the chronic mouse model of Parkinson’s disease with severe neurodegeneration (Pathakos, Kurz & Lau, 2009) Some studies suggest that continuous, intensive training may offer neuro-protection, and subsequently slow, stop, or reverse the progression of Parkinson’s or promote neuro-restoration.
What are the qualifications of Trainers? All trainers at Tru-Fit are either Certified Personal Trainers or Licensed Physical Therapists. They are also certified in first aid, CPR and the use of an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED).
How many classes should I attend once I get started?
To receive the maximum benefit we suggest you attend at least 3 - 4 training sessions a week, but there are no minimal requirements. It is very important to follow through with exercise at home; something our trainers will suggest and map out for you.
Can anyone with Movement Disorders participate, no matter their age or level of progression?
A full consultation, including medical history, will be conducted prior to beginning with the PFC. This intake will help us determine the fitness goals and assess what you will best benefit from, in terms of exercises. Nearly everyone with Movement Disorders can participate and receive benefit from the PFC programs.
Do I need a physician’s prescription or release to attend PFC?
For any of our personal or group training programs, a prescription is not required. We do not require every participant to have a physician’s release, however, we strongly recommend that every PFC member discuss their participation in our program with their physicians as part of their overall wellness plan. If you have a history of cardiac problems, we will require a letter from your physician clearing you to participate prior to your first session.