The MS Gym
- Mar 23
- 3 min read
After a long period of decreased stride length and imbalance, I finally got my body checked out by a neurologist and was diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). This rare, genetic condition is basically where my brain and my legs do not communicate. They are not on good speaking terms. From what I’ve learned, HSP is a cousin of MS except that it only affects my lower body. If I need to jump over a puddle or hop onto a curb, my brain knows what to do but my body doesn’t react. My mobility has drastically decreased to the point of always using a cane when I go outside of the house. I move around s-l-o-w-l-y and with great effort.
Since HSP is so rare, there aren’t a lot of resources available to counter or manage the symptoms. I swim, stretch, have been to weekly physical therapy sessions and do various exercises to help me but I’m still looking for the “secret sauce” to help rebuild my body. Many seemingly well-meaning medical professionals have suggested certain things…but they really don’t know since each patient is unique.
I haven’t been able to find a program that directly addresses the mind/body connection. Until recently.
A while back, a neuro nurse practitioner mentioned that some of her patients used The MS Gym as part of their health strategy but I kind of brushed it off.
Late in 2025, I saw some ads and Facebook posts talking about The MS Gym and I decided that I would give myself a Christmas present with my own membership.
It is awesome!
The founder and owner of The MS Gym, Trevor Wicken, is immensely qualified with over 10 certifications and 20+ years of experience as a therapist, clinician, trainer, speaker, and educator. He is the guy that you will see on the videos teaching you the “why’s” and “how’s” of each specific movement.
The goal of Trevor’s program is simple—to help people live a life by design and not by diagnosis—and the program will definitely benefit people with any kind of neurologic/muscular challenge whether it’s multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, Parkinson’s… even HSP.
The MS Gym will show you how to workout safely, correctly and efficiently. It involves vestibular (inner ear/vision) training for balance, focuses on the kinetic chain (how our joints and muscles are interconnected to produce force and movement), and the program will build strength, endurance and flexibility.
One thought about the strength “thing”. I have been fairly athletic throughout my life and trained and lifted since my high school days. I used to be one of those “go heavy or go home” guys in the weight room. The thought of using resistance bands was out of the question. Bands were for newbies and those not used to exercise. Let me tell you—the resistance band workouts included in this program are no joke! They continue to challenge me and make me a “good sore”.
The MS Gym is more than a run-of-the-mill online workout program. It is a neurologically based program designed with phases that gradually build on each other when done correctly and in order.
People dealing with any type of neurological challenge face a daily decision of whether to look for the good or look for the bad. We can find the positive aspects currently going on in our lives or focus on why our bodies don’t cooperate with us. Find the “wins” or find the “losses”. We are faced with that choice every morning when we wake up. It isn’t easy.
The MS Gym also assists us with this mental aspect. Trevor has an entire section dedicated to what’s going on between our ears and floods us with appreciation and motivation. There is also a Facebook group with over 33,000 members that are going through similar physical challenges and journeys. It really helps to swap stories and get opinions from people that understand.
Understanding is what I’ve been looking for. Most people don’t know what it’s like to have our bodies betray us and how our limited physical abilities impact every aspect of our lives. Neighbors, medical personnel, family members, co-workers, friends…they mean well but nobody seems to really “get it”.
The folks at The MS Gym “get it”.
Look them up on YouTube, Facebook or other social media platforms, or check them out at https://themsgym.com.
Keep moving forward!
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