Choosing exercise you enjoy is key to sticking with it

Adam Locke
Belfast, Northern Ireland

Year of diagnosis: 2022

Exercise of choice: My main passion is lifting weights and strength training. This is something I’ve done since I was around 15, and it’s always given me a focus. 

Favorite outdoor exercise: I like going on forest walks with my family. 

Most proud of related to outdoors: Making training videos I share on my social media pages in hopes that it helps give the PD community some motivation.

Exercise gear that is a must: Punching bag.

Advice for someone recently diagnosed who wants to stay active:  Finding something you enjoy that gets you moving, and do it as often as you can, but also trying new things to keep the brain guessing is important.

Advice for someone with PD who is just starting to exercise: Build up to it. Don’t go from zero to a hundred, or you won’t stick to it. Again, find something you enjoy, whatever it may be, and do it a couple times a week, then build from that.

Biggest challenge with Parkinson’s right now: Dyskinesia definitely, a side effect of the levodopa. It causes involuntary movement especially in my leg, making everyday things like walking and driving difficult.

How I try to stay positive: Advocate, share my training videos, listen to music.

Advocacy work for PD: Posting on social media and working within local support groups.

Other interests/hobbies: I used to play drums in rock bands, but unfortunately because of bradykinesia I struggle to do that anymore.

How to find me online: Instagram: adamjlocke35 and ac2fb. TikTok: Parkthefear41

A man walks in the woods behind his 4-year-old child.
Adam and his son, Freddie, on a walk in the woods.

If you have Parkinson’s and outdoor exercise is part of your life, you could be featured in Unshakable Voices, too. Email unshakablehiker@gmail.com.