Andy Devaney
For people living with Parkinson’s, exercise can be as important as medicine—and now there’s a new way to find the right trainer. A fresh initiative, backed by Parkinson’s UK and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), is putting specialist personal trainers on the map through a nationwide database created by wellbeing provider 4D Life.
The National Register of Parkinson’s Specialist Personal Trainers (NRPSPT)—try saying that after two cups of coffee—recruits, trains, and promotes accredited fitness professionals who actually know what they’re doing when it comes to working with the Parkinson’s community. No more guesswork, no more rolling the dice on whether your coach understands the condition.
A trusted source for movement
The register has been designed to make it easier for people with Parkinson’s to connect with qualified trainers and exercise coaches in their area. It’s about peace of mind, but also about building trust and encouraging more people to stay active.
And the benefits of movement? They’re hard to ignore:
- Improved balance and coordination
- Lower risk of freezing and falls
- A healthier heart
- More energy and better sleep
- Greater strength
- Reduced anxiety
Anna Castiaux, Physical Activity Programme Lead at Parkinson’s UK, put it plainly: “We are delighted to be continuing our work with 4D Life and we hope that the new register will help more people with Parkinson’s to find trusted personal trainers and exercise professionals in their area.
“The new register will also mean that the Parkinson’s community can be confident that any personal trainers or exercise coaches they work with will have a good understanding of the condition and be able to provide the appropriate activities and exercises to help them manage their Parkinson’s.
“Being active can be one of the best ways for people with Parkinson’s to manage their condition and this register is a trusted source for people with Parkinson’s to get active at a local or regional level, and for exercise coaches to provide more active classes across the UK.
“Parkinson’s UK continues to deliver more information and resources about the benefits of being active with the condition and we are thrilled to be supporting this new register.”
More than just a database
Behind the project is 4D Life founder Nick Berners-Price, who knows the stakes. Living with a neurological condition since 2006, he’s made it his mission to help others live well with Parkinson’s and long-term health challenges.
Nick explained: “The new register has been created with the goal of ensuring everyone with Parkinson’s in the UK has access to a Parkinson’s specialist personal trainer, should they wish to work with one.
“It also offers a clear pathway for personal trainers (PTs) to develop their careers and knowledge. The NRPSPT is much more than just a database of Parkinson’s specialist personal trainers. We actively connect people with Parkinson’s and personal trainers. We recruit and train personal trainers in areas where there are currently no specialists.
“A trainer who is a member of the NRPSPT will be able to design and evolve an exercise programme that is tailored for every person with Parkinson’s. They will be able to teach Parkinson’s participants how to get the many benefits available from movement, including cardio, strength, mobility and flexibility training. They will also be able to use the 4D Life programme to help improve nutrition, function and lifestyle.”
Changing the game for Parkinson’s
At its core, this is about handing back confidence. For too long, people with Parkinson’s have faced uncertainty about whether the person leading their exercise session truly understands their needs. With this register, that uncertainty starts to disappear.
It’s exercise, yes—but it’s also empowerment. A reminder that movement is not just about keeping the body in shape, but about holding onto independence, joy, and dignity.
For more information about the new professionals register, visit nrpspt.org or email info@4dlife.org.
