At Grit Box, we believe that fitness is for everyone, regardless of age or ability! Which is why we are proud to team up with Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) to bring a unique fitness program to our fighters with Parkinson’s. Our goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where members can improve their quality of life through a non-contact boxing based fitness program.
Insights from Certified RSB Instructors
We sat down with certified RSB instructors, Coach Dani and Coach Storm, to get their perspectives on the program. Dani has been a Rock Steady coach since 2017 and explains that the benefits of boxing specifically have been proven to help with symptoms related to Parkinson’s Disease (PD). “We program classes with everyone’s symptoms in mind, and it’s easy to scale exercises to make them easier or harder based on the individual. In addition, we program exercises so that they’re functional but also challenge the specific symptoms related to PD such as gait, balance, and dexterity,” she says.
Storm adds, “We require an intake assessment to make sure that we understand each person’s individual needs and how to best program for them. We also ask that members who need more assistance bring a cornerman (or spot person) with them to class so they can feel more comfortable doing exercises. We have gait belts to offer more assistance, as well. It’s not about being a pro boxer, it’s about using these movements to improve your balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility within a welcoming and inclusive community.”
Fostering Community and Connection
At RSB, building a sense of community among fighters is just as important as individual progress. Members appreciate the camaraderie that this program offers, and to maintain that sense of inclusiveness, the warm-up provides an interactive activity that allows members to connect with one another. Storm elaborates, “At the beginning of class we’ll go around and state our first and last names. We also have a question for them to answer, like what’s your favorite ice cream, who is the most famous person you have ever met, what’s your favorite fashion or fad you wish would come back in (they have style, just saying). Just keeping everyone sharp, which helps them stay positive and motivated.” Beyond the gym, RSB hosts a quarterly ‘Taco Tuesday’ lunch, which serves as an additional opportunity for members to strengthen their relationships outside of class.
Transformative Testimonials
Dani has had members tell her about the positive changes they’ve experienced since joining the program. “I’ve had members tell me that they’ve been able to regain their license and drive independently, that their family can tell their difference in mood and mobility, that their tremor has completely gone away, and that their quality of life has improved so much, they can’t imagine not coming to Rock Steady. It gives me goosebumps!”
The Grit Gang takes pride in being an affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing. It’s more than just fitness; it’s about building a community that’s built on resilience, camaraderie, and mutual respect, and it’s truly inspiring to be a part of! Whether you’re someone with Parkinson’s looking to knock out the challenges of the condition or a fitness enthusiast looking to make a difference in your community, Rock Steady Boxing at Grit Box is the ultimate knockout combo to fight back against Parkinson’s.
