Turnstone Celebrates One Year of Rock Steady Boxing Program
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Nov. 7, 2022) – Turnstone’s Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) class is celebrating its one-year anniversary on Wednesday, November 9. As one of only two locations in the Fort Wayne area offering this program, Turnstone has seen its Rock Steady Boxing class quickly grow to 36 participants so far, fulfilling a great need in the Fort Wayne community.
“The first year of RSB at Turnstone has been so full of growth. We have more regular participants than we imagined. The boxers have really come out of their shells and found a family within each other. I think that this program gave each one of them the courage to fight their Parkinson's even harder and lean on each other while doing it,” said Arianna Petty, Rock Steady Boxing instructor.
Rock Steady Boxing, an adaptive exercise program for people with Parkinson’s disease, utilizes training based on professional boxing programs. The program involves regular exercises, such as stretching, bicycling, running, jump roping, push-ups, balancing and lots of non-contact boxing, led by experienced trainers/coaches. Rock Steady Boxing classes welcome both men and women of all ages and levels of ability.
“When I think of milestones from class, one boxer comes to mind. He started RSB using a walker and had a lot of freezing episodes where [his muscles] would be stuck. He had to live in a nursing home. Since being at class regularly he has ditched his walker, moved home with his wife and now they are planning to move to Florida to celebrate life together,” said Petty.
Besides the physical improvements that instructors have witnessed, the start of this class has also created a tight-knit community where boxers look out for each other both in and out of class.
“The unique thing about this program is the care and compassion that the boxers have for each other. If someone misses a week they are constantly asking questions if they are okay or will reach out to them personally,” said Zach Lothamer, Rock Steady Boxing instructor.
This program has been a result of the generosity of Chick-Fil-A Coliseum. Those interested in joining this class should contact Zach at [email protected] or call (260) 483-2100.