Rock Steady Boxing in Irmo is an organization giving hope to people living with Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative movement disorder that can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech, and sensory function.
The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates there are more than 1 million people in the United States diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and more than 60,000 people are diagnosed each year. Rock Steady Boxing Irmo is one of a network of gyms dedicated to the fight against Parkinson’s. Trainers here in the Midlands are continually learning new ways to help people with Parkinson’s enhance their quality of life by lessening the disease’s symptoms. In this gym, exercises are largely adapted from boxing drills. Boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. At Rock Steady Boxing, Parkinson’s disease is the opponent. Exercises vary in purpose and form but share one common trait: they are rigorous and intended to extend the perceived capabilities of the participant.
Discover more at rocksteadyboxing.org.