Parkinson’s Cycling Coach Prerequisites

Module Objectives:

  • Learn what’s required to become an ACE Approved Parkinson’s Cycling Coach.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Parkinson’s Cycling Coach. We’re looking for quality fitness professionals who are passionate about helping others.

Coaching a room full of Parkinson’s people is very different from teaching a traditional Indoor Cycling class… so different that we describe your future role as that of a coach, not an Instructor. Classes are coached off the bike, with you working the room, addressing individual needs and motivating your class.

To qualify for this training you’ll need to possess a verifiable combination of the following prerequisites:

#1. Current Certification in CPR and AED
AND
#2 Current National Group Fitness Certification – ACE, AFAA, NETA or similar
OR
Current Personal Training Certification – ACE, AFAA, ACSM, NASM, NETA or similar
OR
BS in Exercise Science or related Medical field
OR
Athletic / Endurance Coaching Certification – USA Cycling, ITCA, USAT or similar

2 or more years experience in conducting indoor cycling classes is helpful, but not mandatory for this program.

Do you meet these qualifications ? Coaches completing this training will receive 0.5 ACE CEC’s.




Beyond your established education, the personality traits of the coach are important too. Having the following personality traits are helpful.

  • Compassion– having concerns for the misfortunes or sufferings of others.
  • Intuitiveness – having the ability to know or understand things without any proof or evidence.
  • Flexibility – willingness to change or compromise.
  • Empathy – the ability to share and understand the feelings of another.
  • Patience – accepts that each individual’s progress is their own.

Parkinson’s Cycle Coach Codes of Conduct

  1. Uphold the integrity of the Parkinson’s Cycle Coach program by following the guidelines and parameters demonstrated in this Continuing Education Certificate.
  2. Always demonstrate conduct in a professional and conscientious manner.
  3. Respect the rights, dignity, and privacy of all participants and their care givers.
  4. Acknowledge the limitations of the coach’s skills and scope of the program and practice.
  5. Being prepared for emergency situations and responding appropriately when they occur

The Parkinson’s Cycling Coach could be a man or woman, young or “seasoned” with age and should have an easy rapport with the participants.

Organization skills will be a key part of success. As the program begins, the better the coach is organized, he or she will become more efficient and at ease coaching a Parkinson’s Cycling Class.

The coach does not need to know everything about Parkinson’s Disease. Having the basic knowledge presented in this training can be augmented by connecting with the local chapter for American Parkinson’s Disease Association or the National Institute of the Neurological Disorders. Your local chapter already has an outreach program with which is easy to connect.

If you know someone with Parkinson’s disease, you are not alone. In the United States, 50,000-60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed each year. This is in addition to the one million people who are already living with this disease. Worldwide, it is estimated that 5-6 million people have been diagnosed. Parkinson’s disease affects both men and women but statistics show that it occurs 50% more in men that women. The average age for Parkinson’s Disease is 60 years of age, however 5-10% can be “early onset” beginning at the age of 40.

Here is another statistic from National Parkinson Foundation:

By the year 2030, one billion people on our planet will be older than 65. Those over the age of 50 will be greater than those under the age of 17! This means that the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is expected to increase substantially in the next 20 years due to the aging population.

The need for these cycling classes will continue to grow each and every year. If you meet the qualifications, we would love to have you join our team.