Engineer Daniel Cox, 47, of St. John, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than two years ago. Parkinson’s is a condition marked by tremors, loss of balance and the progressive deterioration of motor skills. Parkinson’s is most commonly diagnosed in seniors, but it can also appear in younger patients. The rapid onset of symptoms had Cox “going downhill fast.” Until he discovered Rock Steady Boxing.
The fitness program for Parkinson’s patients is offered at Community Hospital Fitness Pointe®, in Munster and at St. Mary Medical Center’s Physical Therapy Clinic located in the Valparaiso Family YMCA.
A nationally licensed program, Rock Steady Boxing incorporates training activities from boxing into a robust fitness routine that has been shown to reduce the severity of tremors, improve balance and delay the progression of other symptoms.
“I feel incredibly different,” Cox says following a recent workout at Fitness Pointe. “I came into this program in May of last year. I’ve lost weight and gained muscle. I actually feel like I’ve reversed my symptoms.”
Those symptoms included poor balance, an unsteady gait, muscle stiffness and anxiety issues. All of these have improved with his training, Cox says.
Rock Steady Boxing coaches combine friendly encouragement with a touch of competitive intensity, guiding their boxers through a variety of drills and exercises to improve strength, balance and flexibility. Four class levels are available depending on participant’s symptoms.
To learn how to join Rock Steady Boxing in Munster or Valparaiso, contact Fitness Pointe at 219-924-5348 or Physical Therapy at the Valparaiso Family YMCA at 219-286-3890.
