RANDOLPH TWP. - Rock Steady Boxing, the first and only boxing program designed exclusively for people living with Parkinson’s Disease, is offered at the Randolph YMCA. This non-contact, boxing-inspired fitness routine improves the ability of people with Parkinson’s to have independent lives by delaying the progression of the disease. “As kickboxing was gaining popularity, I became intrigued with the sport of boxing,” said Kathy Fisher, aquatics and program house operations director at the Randolph YMCA. “I found boxing empowering and the high interval training is an amazingly efficient and intense cardio workout.” People of all ages and disease progression are welcome. No boxing experience is necessary and all workouts are modified to each person’s ability.
Training Classes
Training classes include an exercise program that attacks Parkinson’s at its vulnerable neurological points. While focusing on overall fitness, each one-hour workout includes a circuit of heavy bags, speed bags, double-end bags, core work, balance, functional and weight training where Rock Steady Boxers move from activity to activity. Each class works on all muscle groups, but exercises are varied to keep everyone’s interest. In addition to the physical benefits of Rock Steady Boxing, class participants form a camaraderie because they are all fighting the same disease. Rock Steady boxers, some with early symptoms and others with significant Parkinson’s symptoms, encourage and embolden each other, all under the careful eye of certified trainers. Fisher is the lead instructor for the program and has more than 20 years of boxing experience, both as an amateur boxer and a certified USA Boxing coach. She opened her own boxing gym, Durango Kid and the Bad Girl Boxing with former professional boxer Peter Alindato, who trained under the legendary Cus D’Amato. Alindato and Fisher shared their experience and enthusiasm for the sport with men and women of all ages, providing them with training, discipline and self-esteem.
Fisher credits her fitness/rehab and boxing background with her interest in bringing Rock Steady Boxing to the Randolph YMCA to help those afflicted with Parkinson’s. She explained that rigorous exercise emphasizing gross motor movement, balance, core strength, rhythm, and hand-eye coordination can favorably impact activities of daily living such as range of motion, flexibility, posture and gait, for those living with Parkinson’s. The concept of forced intense exercise to individual ability, suggests that certain types of exercises are neuro-protective, which means that boxing is a type of exercise that may slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s Disease
Rock Steady Boxing has been helping people with Parkinson’s since 2006 and the Randolph YMCA is the second location in New Jersey to become a national affiliate of the program. “No one living with Parkinson’s is turned away from Rock Steady Boxing,” said Fisher. “After an initial assessment for balance, range of motion and fitness level, anyone with Parkinson’s may participate in Rock Steady with a medical clearance.” Special clothing is not required and all participants receive boxing gloves and wraps at their initial assessment. Fisher observed that in the few weeks that the YMCA has been running Rock Steady Boxing, participants are enjoying the class and are hesitant to miss a workout. Both the boxers and trainers are noticing small improvements in balance, voice and range of motion.
UH20 Boxing
In addition to Rock Steady Boxing, the Randolph YMCA offers UH20 Boxing, an aquatic boxing program that is part of the YMCA’s Aquatic Rehab program featuring underwater boxing heavy bags. “The Randolph Y has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to aquatic fitness and rehab,” Fisher said. “We are the only facility in the entire United States who offers UH2O-Underwater Gym including our underwater heavy bags, X80 underwater treadmills and Hydrorider bikes. We are lucky to have it as part of our Fight Parkinson’s Program.” In addition to using the UH2O Underwater Gym with boxing and cardio equipment, the Parkinson’s class offers underwater unstable surfaces such as balance beams and trampolines so participants are able to work on these skills without fear of falling or further injury. “Let’s face it, the worst that can happen to you is that you will get wet,” Fisher said. “Training in an aquatic environment dramatically improves balance, gait and range of motion.
Other affiliated Rock Steady Boxing Programs do not offer underwater boxing.
She explained that swimming skills are not necessary for UH2O Boxing since participants train vertically in a shallow warm water pool with heads above water for the duration of the class. “In addition, the properties of water add a component to a boxer’s training that complement land exercises,” Fisher said “Many of these gains would not otherwise be achievable through typical land training.”
Rock Steady Boxing currently has 231 locations worldwide and participants and their caregivers, known as cornermen, attest to the improvements of symptoms.
Rock Steady Boxers
Pete Schuh said that becoming a Rock Steady boxer was one of the best decisions he made in his 78-year lifetime. “After participating as a boxer for four years, I feel I have not just maintained my physical well-being, but improved my starting conditions,” he said. “My stamina has improved, my balance has at least maintained, I am stronger and I can run again.”
Rock Steady Boxing is a fee-based program and is offered Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Anyone with Parkinson’s and their caregivers are welcome to observe a class before registering for an assessment.
UH2O Boxing is offered Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Membership to the Randolph YMCA is not required for either program.
The Y offers financial assistance for anyone who demonstrates that they cannot afford the assessment and/or classes.
For more information about Parkinson’s programs at the Randolph YMCA, contact Fisher at kathy@randolphymca.org or calling 973-366-1120 ext. 14.
