ROCK STEADY BOXING TAKES SWINGS AT PARKINSON'S

By: Brendan Epps

Rock Steady Boxing is one of the Greater Dayton Y’s niche classes catering to members who have Parkinson’s.  The class gets participants moving in a variety of ways, combining exercise, balance, and focus that helps slow the progression of Parkinson’s.  As the Y advertises, “Rock Steady is a knockout class that provides an incredible workout, amazing friendships, and holistic support for those battling Parkinson’s disease.” 

In the Dayton area, Rock Steady Boxing is also a support system for those affected by Parkinson’s.  In addition to the health benefits of being active, the class offers camaraderie and a network to help each other through the symptoms.  Participants share experiences, learn from each other, and get reminders that “it’s not just me.”  

From a fitness perspective, Rock Steady is more than a boxing class.  It combines the physical activity of boxing and cardio with cognitive activities like solving math problems while exercising or playing a game of Jenga with oversized blocks to fine-tune motor skills.  Although the workouts are self-paced and some Y instructors found they have to get thicker hit-mitts when sparring. 

One student Steve Harman learned about Rock Steady through a support group he attended.  He decided to swing away at the Downtown branch.  After his retirement from a career in sales, Harman noticed things were unfamiliar and becoming disorienting.  He began having difficulty with “basics” many of us take for granted like getting up off the floor and challenges with strength and balance that he had not experienced in the past.  He noticed bone spurs in the neck and became frustrated by what he thought were “old-age” afflictions, later learning these were Parkinson’s symptoms. 

Doctors encourage exercise as one of the most important things you can do to rally against Parkinson’s.  Movement is critical for general fitness, but even more important to slow the progression of Parkinson’s and help preserve quality of life.  In addition to movement, varying the physical activity is especially important. 

Sometimes we need the encouragement of others.  Sometimes we need the push.  “If it wasn’t for my wife’s insistence, I probably wouldn’t have come,” said Harman.  This reflects the indispensable role of caregivers and supporters to be nurturing and nudging. 

Doctors suggest that people get out, be active, and find ways to rise above Parkinson’s, which is a shift in perspectives from 10-15 years ago, when advice was more likely to be retreat than attack. 

It is important that incorporating activity in ways that are functional, relevant, and fun.  In the classes, he enjoys the music, changing themes, rhythm, and dance, simply saying, “We have fun.”  The variety forces cognitive engagement instead of muscle memory, making the (high-intensity interval training (HIIT)-like approach more effective than walking or running alone for countering progression of Parkinson’s symptoms.   

For those fighting against Parkinson’s, Rock Steady Boxing can be just what the doctor ordered.  If you’re considering a Rock Steady class, glove up and get active.