Exercise is good for both the body and mind, especially when living with a chronic condition like Parkinson’s disease. But tremors and balance issues can make it challenging to find safe ways to stay active. For many people, cycling on a stationary bike, whether at home, in the gym, or during physical therapy sessions, is safe and beneficial.

Carol Brower, who cares for her husband, Joe, said one of the most important lessons they’ve learned during their Parkinson’s journey is the value of consistent movement.

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“It’s important to keep your loved one active and moving,” Brower said. “This could include going to the gym, joining a boxing program, going for a walk, or riding a stationary bicycle. Joe did that for the longest time. [His doctor] said that was really good.”

Depending on your fitness level and symptoms of Parkinson’s, you may prefer either solo workouts or supervised training sessions. Some people ride stationary tandem bikes with a care partner. Whichever route you take, here are seven potential benefits of bike therapy.

1. Better Motor Control

Studies have shown that cycling can improve motor function and lead to higher scores on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Motor III test. Using MRI, researchers found that exercise activates areas of the brain involved in global motor function. This means that even though cycling mainly uses the legs, it can also improve motor skills throughout the body.

A study of 14 people with Parkinson’s found that high-speed cycling on a recumbent bike improved their balance.

Cadence (how quickly you pedal) matters. Motor function benefits have been associated with cycling at 80 revolutions per minute. One study found that some people with Parkinson’s experienced some improvements in motor function after just three sessions at this cadence.

2. Improved Balance and Fewer Injuries

Cycling can also improve balance and reduce the risk of injuries. A study of 14 people with Parkinson’s found that high-speed cycling on a recumbent bike improved both static (staying still) and dynamic (in motion) balance. Supervised by a trainer, participants rode a recumbent bike twice a week for six weeks. Each 30-minute session included a warmup and cooldown. By the end of the study, participants demonstrated better overall balance. Researchers suggested that these positive changes may help reduce the risk of serious, potentially disabling falls.

On MyParkinsonsTeam, members have shared how exercise helps them maintain stability. One member said, “For balance, I do physical therapy. My physical therapist is now teaching me boxing. Plus, I go to the gym three times a week for the treadmill or stationary weights.”

You can use cycling as your main activity or mix it with other forms of exercise to stay active with Parkinson’s.

3. Healthier Heart

People are typically diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their 60s, around the same age that cardiovascular disease becomes more common. Some studies also suggest that Parkinson’s may be linked to higher rates of heart disease. Aerobic exercise like cycling is an enjoyable way to raise your heart rate, support cardiovascular health, and stay active.

“I find exercise is the best way to keep fatigue at bay. It also helps lift my spirits.”

— A MyParkinsonsTeam member

The American Heart Association recommends that most adults aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week. Cycling or bike therapy can be part of a higher-intensity exercise routine when it’s safe to do so. That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all exercise plan for Parkinson’s disease. Your healthcare provider can help set activity goals based on your fitness level, your diagnosis, and any other health conditions you might have.

4. Improved Dopamine Use

Aerobic exercise triggers a surge in dopamine, the “feel-good” brain chemical that plays a key role in pleasure, motivation, memory, reward, and movement. Low levels of dopamine cause many of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as hand tremors, stiffness, and slow movement.

Studies in animals suggest that exercise may help counter some of the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Research in mice shows that physical activity helps brain cells use dopamine more efficiently and may help its effects last longer.

In a 2025 study, researchers focused specifically on the effects of exercise in aging mice. They wanted to see whether the brain benefits of exercise also apply to older animals. The results were encouraging. Aerobic activity increased dopamine release in older mice. These findings may help guide future treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

Early research in humans is also promising. In a small 2024 pilot study of 10 people with mild and early Parkinson’s disease, six months of high-intensity exercise was linked to better health and improved function of dopamine-producing brain cells. By the end of the study, these brain cells were using dopamine more efficiently. While the results are encouraging, this is the first human study of its kind, and further research is needed.

5. Less Fatigue and Insomnia

Fatigue is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. While it may feel strange to work out when you’re tired, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation, exercise is one of the best ways to manage fatigue. Many members of MyParkinsonsTeam agree.

“I find that regular exercise is a necessity for me trying to handle fatigue,” said one member. “I ride my Theracycle every day for an hour or a half hour, and I go to Rock Steady Boxing three times a week for 90 minutes. Sometimes, if I’m really fatigued, I make myself ride my Theracycle for at least 15 minutes, and it does recharge me.”

Theracycle is a brand of stationary bike designed to help improve motor symptoms in people with neurological conditions.

Other members shared similar experiences. One member said, “Chronic fatigue is better some days than others. But if I can push myself to get out and do something, it seems to help.” Another member shared, “I find exercise is the best way to keep fatigue at bay. It also helps lift my spirits.”

A bike ride can help boost your energy and mood during the day. It may also support better sleep by helping your body feel ready to rest. On days when a long workout feels like too much, even a short session can still help.

6. Enhanced Cognitive Function

Parkinson’s disease can cause cognitive (thinking) changes in some people. These changes can make it difficult to pay attention, remember things, and perform daily tasks. Research shows that exercise can help support brain function and slow cognitive decline.

One study evaluated 120 people with early Parkinson’s using MRI scans and physical fitness tests. The researchers found that regular exercise may help slow disease progression and preserve cognitive function. This can significantly improve quality of life for people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones.

Exercise is also important for people who experience hallucinations and delusions, which some people with Parkinson’s develop. Carol Brower has seen these symptoms affect her husband.

“He was seeing all kinds of things,” Brower said. “He thinks he’s seeing rabbits coming out of his bed. He thinks there’s a dog sitting there, a cat sitting there, and there’s nothing there. He’s been having a lot of hallucinations now. I just have to go with it.”

While exercise in general benefits people with Parkinson’s, cycling may offer some unique cognitive benefits. In one study, participants (both with and without Parkinson’s) performed some mental tasks better while cycling. Tasks that involved recall memory, visual processing, and executive function showed faster response times during cycling.

Parkinson’s can make doing two tasks at once particularly hard. Cycling may support cognitive function in ways other types of exercise do not, making it easier to think clearly while moving. More research is still needed to better understand and confirm these effects.

7. Greater Social Connections

Cycling and other forms of group exercise can provide valuable opportunities to connect with others. Whether you join an online cycling program at home or attend a class at a local gym, exercise can be a way to meet others who share similar interests and experiences.

Ask your neurologist or another healthcare provider if they know of any cycling programs for people with Parkinson’s disease, or explore organizations like Pedaling for Parkinson’s. Your local senior center or YMCA may also offer cycling classes or other group exercise options.

Exercise has many benefits. To stay safe and get the most out of cycling, you may want to work with a trainer or physical therapist who has experience with Parkinson’s disease.

Join the Conversation

On MyParkinsonsTeam, people share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you use a stationary bike or other form of exercise therapy to improve your Parkinson’s symptoms? Let others know in the comments below.