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How do you feel about Rock Steady Boxing?
Before the pandemic, my dad religiously attended Rock Steady Boxing classes. Unfortunately, during that same time frame, his local chapter closed down. So, he hasn’t been able to keep up with it. But I’m always curious to hear about others’ experiences.
How do you feel about Rock Steady Boxing?
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13 Replies
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I was diagnosed with PD 10 years ago. I tried several exercise programs such as yoga & Tai Chi. I found a class by a retired boxing pro and coach, Bret Summers. He uses boxing to help both mind and body. I have been in his class 7 years. We meet through Zoom. I highly recommend him. Call him at 425.760.0742, or [email protected] .
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I was doing Rock Steady three times a week for a couple of years and I felt that I was holding my own and keeping the progression at bay. Unfortunately, I needed shoulder surgery and didn’t recover enough to return to the boxing. As much as I miss the boxing workout I also miss the interaction with the coaches and other Parkies who were in the same situation. There was lots of laughter. Misery likes company.
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I love Rock Steady Boxing. I always feel much move vibrant and full of energy when I leave. Being with my RSB community always lifts my spirits, the coaches keep the elements of the circuit interesting changing up the stations regularly and adding fun to the morning. The power of boxing helps ignite dopamine. RSB covers more than boxing, we stretch, we sometimes have stations that focus on large and small motor skills needed for daily living. The coaches really care about each of us. I can’t recommend Rock Steady Boxing enough!!!
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Well said NanaLisa! I could not agree more nor said it any better. I’ve been in RSB 2+ years and, though I’ve nothing to compare it to, I’ve “progressed” very little in my symptoms. Is that due to RSB? Not sure but if nothing else between the camaraderie and the various stretching / core exercises I always feel better after a session (ours is 2x week for 1.5 hr).
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I agree with NanaLisa as well.
Rock Steady Boxing is one of the most fun exercise programs I’ve ever been involved in! Everyone from newly-diagnosed to advanced stage PD can participate, and the workouts can be very intense for those who still have minimal symptoms. The instructors are great and very creative. Never thought I’d be going regularly for boxing training at 73 years of age!
I’m less than 2 year’s diagnosed, so I can still move pretty well and hit the bags really hard. I haven’t felt this well in years, and give a lot of credit for this to RSB. That being said, I think the camaraderie and friendships I’ve made through RSB are even more responsible for keeping me healthy both physically and mentally than anything else I do.
In my opinion, all PWP should go to a RSB program several days per week. I can’t imagine having the same quality of life without it!
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Glad to hear it is working for you NanaLisa! Keep it up!
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Will also echo the above replies. Been involved twice weekly for about 12 months. Hard to judge what RSB has done but always feel energized upon completion. Have met many wonderful people and the coaches are so committed. Never been a “joiner” but so glad I did.
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I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s experience with Rock Steady Boxing. It’s tough when a favorite activity gets disrupted. Personally, I’ve heard great things about the program and its benefits for those with Parkinson’s. If you’re interested in exploring other fitness options, check out this article. U got it!
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I have had PD at least 10 years and attended Rock Steady Boxing for a few years before the Pandemic. My issue was the attendees were to old (i’m 65 and most were 75+) I switched over to an intense exercise routine 5 days a week with a Personal Trainer 2x’s a week. I’m talking 3 sets of pullups (3×10) twice a week with a focus on weight lifting and aerobic exercises and I am seeing excellent return on my time investment. My trainer introduced me to https://www.blazepod.com/ as part of my cognitive training focus and my Doctor now calls me the posterboy for managing my PD. I couldn’t be happier.
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My husband faithfully went to the boxing classes 2-3x a week. We both felt it was very helpful which is why I drove him to class. I think it is the reason that only after 30 yrs does he now have problems. if it was not for the pandemic I think that he would still be going. At 86 he has developed a heart problem and joint problems unrelated to PD. If not for that he would still be going but the heart issue has caused a slow down in activity. PS. the other reason for me to drive him to class was that the wives would sit on the sidelines and have our “sharing/griping/commiserating sessions which was very helpful for me.
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In my region (Northeast Tennessee) the only Rock Steady Boxing classes are only available by a woman who requires that you sign off your rights to your NIL (, Image, and Likeness) We have seen NIL’s used by major college sports participants that allows college athletes to get paid, or compensated by sponsors.The local Rock Steady provider wants to use my NIL and other RSB members’ NIL’s to promote her regional branding which promotes her business, and makes her more money. She uses videos, pictures, AND your name. Remember, she owns this now. to promote herself, instead of the advocacy of PWP. I do know that in a public gathering there isn’t a right to privacy, but to coerce people of a protected class (disabled-trying to stay enabled) is reprehensible and greedy. She will not disclose any historical information to show where she has given back to the PWP community.
The National RSB organization would not comment on this. I am a service connected veteran for PD, and the VA doesn’t ask for my NIL rights to promote itself. Isn’t paying for her class, and gym membership enough?
Keith Miller
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I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and was officially diagnosed with PD four years ago, but in retrospect had been showing symptoms for more than 10 years before that. To the best of my knowledge there is no official chapter of RSB in Calgary, but Darcy Irwin, a local boxing gym (GRIZZLY CAGE) owner has developed her own fabulous non-contact boxing based Parkinson’s-specific adaptive physical and cognitive exercise program. For the last year I have been attending her one hour classes two or three times a week and always come away exhausted but totally energized and exhilarated by the workout. My strength, flexibility and balance are much improved. Friends and family routinely remark on the positive changes the program has induced, both mentally and physically, proving once again that for PD, “motion is the lotion”.
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I went to my first session yesterday. I had a blast. I have never been very good at anything in the sports department other than bicycling and that is what I have always gravitated to. But yesterday I went in with the attitude that I was going to have fun and laugh at myself. And I did. I laughed at myself a lot. This is so much better than that ballroom dance class I let my wife talk me into fifteen years ago. I suspect that I am their only customer they have ever told not to come back. I kid you not…
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