Rock Steady Boxing enables people with Parkinson’s disease to fight their disease by providing non-contact boxing-style fitness programs.
Rock Steady Boxing, the first and only boxing program of its kind in the country, was founded in 2006 by former Marion County Prosecutor, Scott C. Newman, who is living with Parkinson’s.The seed for what would eventually become Rock Steady Boxing was planted when Newman began intense, one-on-one, boxing training just a few years after he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s at the age of 40. Newman witnessed the dramatic improvement in his physical health, agility and daily functioning through the intense and high energy workouts. Newman’s quality of life improved dramatically in a short time due to his fighting back against Parkinson’s disease. Private donations and a personal passion to help others living with Parkinson’s allowed Newman to open a small gym and boxing ring in a donated corner of a corporate employee gym as Rock Steady’s first home.
Recent studies, most notably at Cleveland Clinic, focus on the concept of intense “forced” exercise, and have begun to suggest that certain kinds of exercise may be neuro-protective, i.e., actually slowing disease progression. Our classes help, by moving your body in all planes of motion while continuously changing the routine as you progress through the workout.
Rock Steady classes are divided into four levels based upon each person’s unique Parkinson’s symptoms and overall level of fitness. These classes have proven that anyone, at any level of Parkinson’s, can actually lessen their symptoms and lead a healthier/happier life. We are in your corner, to help you fight back against Parkinson’s.
