Exercise & Parkinson’s Disease: What 109 Clinical Trials Reveal About Movement and the Aging Brain
Parkinson’s disease isn’t rare. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's.
Posts by:
Maria Stevens, MD - Director of Fitness & Education
Dr. Stevens has been a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise since 2007 and has pursued additional training in corrective exercise, yoga, medical fitness, and metabolic health. Her work reflects a long-standing interest in plant-based nutrition, therapeutic stretching, and hands-on approaches to movement and recovery. She has a background in elite endurance sports and mixed martial arts, and has spent many years training and coaching across a wide range of athletic and clinical settings.
How Heavy, How Often, How Many Sets? What 192 Studies Say About Getting “Stronger”
When a new or returning member sits down with me at FITNESS SF, I’ll often hear
Food as Medicine for Menopause — What a New Clinical Trial Reveals
Hot flashes aren’t subtle. They interrupt your workday, your sleep, your confidence, and your quality of life. Hormone therapy can help, but many women want additional options — especially lifestyle approaches that support long-term health.
Stress Leaves Clues: Biomarkers, Health Impact, and Effective Interventions
We often think of stress as a feeling—but your body treats it as a full-scale event. And over time, chronic stress leaves measurable fingerprints throughout the body.
When You Eat Matters — The Science Behind Time-Restricted Eating
Most people focus on what they eat and how much, but rarely on when. Yet your body runs on a 24-hour internal rhythm — a circadian clock — that orchestrates hormone release, metabolism, digestion, recovery, and energy.
Caffeine & Sleep — What the Science Really Says
Most of us reach for coffee because we’re tired. But that fatigue often stems from the very thing caffeine disrupts the most: sleep. As both a physician and lifelong trainer, I’ve watched clients chase energy with caffeine… and then lose the recovery they desperately need.
Your Muscles Have Something to Say — Exercise Lets Them Speak
Most people think exercise is about calories or discipline. But your muscles are actually biochemical organs, constantly sending signals that shape your metabolism, inflammation levels, and long-term health. Movement is what activates that conversation.