Personal Trainers
We are often asked for referrals to personal trainers knowledgeable about Parkinson's Disease (PD) in our geographic area. Here's a list of some we have heard about or know. Many trainers listed below teach in-person PD exercise classes.
For other recommendations, ask members of your local Parkinson's support group. And, consider virtual PD exercise classes run by experienced instructors.
It is advisable to have an assessment done by a physical therapist who specializes in PD prior to hiring a personal trainer, and annually thereafter. Physical therapists have advanced degrees and can suggest a safe exercise program customized for you.
Brent Brayshaw
Location of Services: Little House, Menlo Park (see monthly activity guide) and Oshman Family JCC Fitness Center, Palo Alto
PD-Related Credentials: PWR! Moves certified personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist, certified Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Exercise Trainer (DNS-ET). Specializes in working with adults ages 55 and over, as well as those with neurological conditions.
Daniel Burkhardt
Location of Services: Contra Costa and Alameda counties, in-person (no virtual)
Cell: 925-471-5432, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Master Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Senior Fitness Instructor. Certified RSB coach and affiliate Owner (Albany/Berkeley, Danville, and Hercules).
Virginia deRaddo
Location of Services: San Jose, CA, in-person (no virtual)
Cell: 202-997-1200, Email
PD-Related Credentials: 10 years as a personal trainer with some Rock Steady Boxing training. Trains at a micro-gym in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose. Watch this inspiring short film by Virginia about how one of her clients manages her Parkinson's through exercise.
Jomer De Leon
Location of Services: San Francisco Bay Area, in-person and virtual
PD-Related Credentials: 23 years experience as a personal trainer. Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) certified.
Lori Dodd, PT
Location of Services: Modesto, CA, in-person and virtual
Cell: 209-606-6410, Email
PD-Related Credentials: 35 years experience as a physical therapist. Opened Power Over Parkinson's (POP) Fitness in 2017 to offer PD-focused exercise for individuals and small groups.
Brian Doyle
Location of Services: San Francisco Bay Area, In-person (no virtual)
Cell: 650-235-6494, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Privately working with specialty groups, including people with Parkinson's since 2006. Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!) certified.
SteF Farina
Location of Services: Marin and San Francisco counties, in-person and virtual
Cell: 415-336-0456, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Co-founder of PD-Connect. Certified Fitness Trainer with eight years experience teaching exercise and education for people with Parkinson’s. Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR!), Brian Grant Foundation and other PD certifications.
Petra Fibrichova
Location of Services: Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek,
in-person and virtual
Cell: 510-520-4523, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Personal trainer and certified yoga therapist, with certification in Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR! Moves) and more. Teaches small classes or one-on-one.
Dante Kirkman
Location of Services: Zenith Boxing, 1605 Mariposa Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (no virtual)
Cell: 650-575-9452, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Stanford alumnus, owner Zenith Boxing Palo Alto, professional boxer, Olympic trialist, 15 years boxing experience, Rock Steady Boxing & Peninsula Parkinson’s Place Coach.
Larry Hovland
Location of Services: San Francisco Bay Area, in-person (no virtual)
Cell: 650-930-6787, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Personal trainer with 16 years experience teaching Parkinson's Wellness Recovery (PWR) and Delay the Disease exercise classes.
Jennifer Larsen
Location of Services: San Francisco Bay Area, in-person and virtual
PD-Related Credentials: 30 years experience in sports medicine. Teaches PD exercise classes and one-on-one.
Damien Opperisano
Location of Services: San Francisco Bay Area, in-person and virtual
Cell: 415-845-9204, Email
PD-Related Credentials: LSVT BIG certified.
Freddy Silva
Location of Services: Peninsula Parkinson's Place, 262 Harbor Blvd, Building A, Belmont, CA 94002 (no virtual)
Phone: 415-385-5668, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Strength and conditioning coach for amateur and professional boxers. Certified personal trainer, Certified Rock Steady Boxing Coach. Owner operator of Rock Steady Boxing Peninsula for 13 years.
Daune Turner
Location of Services: San Carlos, in-person (no virtual)
Phone: 650-295-9286, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Certified personal trainer, Rock Steady Boxing coach.
David Vecta
Location of Services: San Francisco Peninsula, in-person and virtual
Phone: 510-703-6364, Email
PD-Related Credentials: Certified personal trainer with 23 years experience. BS Kinesiology (2001). Helped develop first study of the effects of exercise on Parkinson’s at OHSU (2006).
Perez Personal Training (Parkinson's Vitality Institute)
Location of Services: Santa Rosa, in-person and virtual
Phone: 707-695-6370, Email
PD-Related Credentials: PD-certified coaches with years of experience offering strength, balance, gait, and cognitive programs.
Last updated July 2026 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach. Are you a fitness trainer who would like to contact us about this page? Email Robin Riddle.