Fitness, friendships, and fun: The benefits of boxing with Parkinson’s

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015, I didn’t know anyone else with the disease. Then I joined Rock Steady Boxing, a program designed specifically for those of us with Parkinson’s. I’d found my people!

I had read about the program and its benefits, but thought it was weird. Eventually, though, I decided to give it a try. Rock Steady Boxing was new in our area, and the owner was a retired boxer with Parkinson’s. Classes took place at his boxing gym. The other coach was a young fitness instructor who was a powerhouse.

What was the gym like? Think of every boxing gym you’ve ever seen in the movies: a little dark and a little worn and dingy, located right in the middle of our downtown. It was the real deal. We had to climb 50 steep steps to get into it. Most people were breathless by the time they reached the top.

The gym had a boxing ring that we used during every class, along with hanging heavy bags.

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Fighting back

How do I describe what climbing into the boxing ring feels like? Well, it gives you confidence, and it’s a real thrill to punch the focus mitts in the center of a ring. We all cheered one another whenever we did this.

Since I joined, the program has evolved. We’ve moved to different gyms a few times now, and the program I currently attend has switched to something called Knock Out Parkinson’s Disease, which is run by a local physiotherapy clinic. It’s the same principle as Rock Steady Boxing, which is that boxing can change those of us with Parkinson’s disease for the better. Fighting back gives us hope.

My current classes are a workout! They’re 90 minutes long, but the time flies. Going three times a week gives us the most bang for our buck in terms of fitness.

In case you’re wondering, the classes are noncontact. The only things we punch are heavy bags and focus mitts.

A typical class involves a 15-minute warmup and a half-hour of exercises, such as core work, agility exercises, footwork, and even vocal exercises. Squats, jumping jacks, and sometimes line dancing are also included. We always focus on having fun but also must push ourselves to benefit from the exercise.

The next 30 minutes focus on the actual boxing. Is anybody angry? Take it out on the bag!

Finally, during the last 15 minutes of the class, we do stretches and cool down. The most challenging part of the workout is often just getting up from the floor!

Why is boxing so good for those of us with Parkinson’s disease? Punching the bags improves our coordination and posture, strengthens our core and hand-eye coordination, and builds strength and muscle.

And while we tend to highlight the physical benefits, being around others who share the common goal of doing what we can to fight back against Parkinson’s is an absolute joy.

Over the years, I’ve made wonderful friends, learned so much, and laughed hard, all while keeping Parkinson’s at bay to the best of my ability. The camaraderie and support we provide one another in these classes are just as important as the physical benefits of the exercise.

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.