A movement for positive movement

GREEN BAY – Though a diagnosis of Parkinson’s can be devastating and confusing, new research shows that movement and exercise can be among the most effective methods for keeping symptoms at bay.

Rock Steady Boxing helps people with Parkinson’s to do just that by providing a boxing program with exercises tailored to rehabilitation for people living with the disorder.

Kari Merrill, programming director at Western Racquet and Fitness, said that the program came to Western a few years back and has changed the lives of countless people.

“We run Rock Steady Boxing classes with four certified coaches. We got involved seven years ago. There was a husband and wife that came to us wanting to add this class because they did it in Florida and they saw the benefits of delaying the progression in him, so they wanted to add something here in Green Bay,” said Merrill.

“They built a foundation and then raised money to get it started here in Green Bay. They went to the hospital system with their idea and the hospital system contacted us, so we were able to start the program here. We are an affiliate of Rock Steady boxing, so there are a total of over 870 throughout the world. We had two certified coaches and nine boxers at that time and just built it to now we have over 50 boxers in the program.”

Merrill said that she has seen the effects of Parkinson’s in her life first-hand and is thrilled to be able to help people to lessen the effects of their symptoms and gain more confidence in their everyday lives.

“I actually started on a whole different career path and took a leap of faith about 15 years ago. I worked at the Brown County Jail as a correctional officer and then decided to go into fitness full time. I ran the fitness department at Western and did some personal training, and when Rock Steady Boxing was brought to my attention, I was ready to go. My grandfather had Parkinson’s, so I was ready to pay it forward with helping and assisting people living with Parkinson’s,” said Merrill.

“When my grandfather had Parkinson’s I was in my 20s. It was before there was scientific background on how people with Parkinson’s should be moving and how beneficial exercise is to them. It wasn’t until I got certified and learned more about Parkinson’s that I was really able to see what exercise could really do for people with Parkinson’s. I wasn’t able to help my grandfather in the way that I help everyone in that class, so this is kind of my way to pay it forward because this is something that they need to keep them functioning and living independently for the rest of their lives.”

What to expect

Rock Steady Boxing classes are tailored specifically to the needs of those with Parkinson’s, so each exercise has its own specific benefits to help mitigate the effects of the disorder.

“Because we are an affiliate of Rock Steady Boxing, you have to have an official Parkinson’s diagnosis or a diagnosis that’s under the umbrella of Parkinson’s to participate. We have some Lewy body dementia, or other Parkinson’s-isms in class, but we are specifically certified to treat people living with Parkinson’s which allows us to tailor exercises to what will help them delay their progression and retain their function for life.”

According to Merrill, for each symptom of Parkinson’s there is an exercise or an athletic focus that they practice in order to combat it.

“We have everything from voice, to hand-eye coordination, to dexterity, to big movements, flexibility, the boxing movement, the speed bag element so we can create a 75 minute class and combat anything that Parkinson’s attacks or affects for anyone that walks through our door,” said Merrill.

“Every class looks a little different based on how the coaches create the class, but in each one you’re going to see the same warm up circle. We spend about 20 minutes with voice activation, breathing and catching up on each other’s lives because it is community based. Then we do big movements focusing on flexibility and mobility before splitting off into different stations. We have a heavy bag station, a speed bag station and then we have all the equipment that we pull out for different balance and strength exercises. We have cognitive elements, too — we bring games out, do different things from their childhood, we have great music playing, so there’s a lot of nostalgic elements, as well.”

Comfort through community

Merrill said that in her experience, the most effective part of the class for many participants isn’t even the exercise — it’s the community.

“I would say there’s two things I love. I love when someone just gets diagnosed and finds us, because that is the best time to start. When they are first diagnosed and confused about it and what is happening with their mind and body, we can introduce them to a community of people that have possibly had Parkinson’s for many years,” said Merrill.

“I also like to see people walk in nervous and unsure, because they are now with people who are dealing with exactly what they are dealing with and they are able to express themselves in a positive way through the movements and exercises. When they can calm down and their anxiety goes out the door, they are able to fight back with the rest of us.”

Parkinson’s is a unique neurological disorder, and its effects can be equally unique on each person.

“Parkinson’s looks different on everybody. There are different levels in everybody and there are different times people get diagnosed, but movement is definitely something that helps them tremendously. We’ll see it when they walk in the door versus when they leave. Some people walk in using a cane or a walker and then forget their cane when they are walking out the door. Sometimes they walk in with really apparent tremors and as they calm down you see them subside a bit,” said Merrill.

Participant EJ Waters said that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2004 — the longest diagnosis in the group.

Waters first heard about the program through his neurologist in Milwaukee.
“I’ve got a lot of nice people through it,” said Waters, whose favorite part about class is working with the speed bag.

Living with Parkinson’s for two decades, Waters said he has some advice for people who are facing a recent diagnosis.

“You can make it last a long time. When I first was diagnosed, I was working as a telephone operator and I had to retire because I couldn’t get my work done with the wires because my hands were shaking, but I can do that all now after the classes,” said Waters.

Even though the concept of boxing can seem intense and may be intimidating to some people, the Merrill said that each person can benefit in their own way from participating in Rock Steady Boxing.

“I would say to someone that feels intimidated by the idea of boxing that we spend little time on the heavy bags. It’s part of it, for sure, but we have volunteers and coaches that are right by your side for the first couple classes throughout the movements. We have all ages, all sizes, all fitness levels, male and female, all diagnosed at different times so once you step in, there’s someone in there that’s been in your shoes before. When you walk in, you’re going to connect with someone who has been where you are,” said Merrill.

Classes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. each day.

Anyone living with Parkinson’s interested in becoming a part of Rock Steady Boxing can call Western Racquet and Fitness Club at (920)-497-1161 and tell them they would like a Rock Steady Boxing assessment and they will connect them with Merrill for a free assessment to get to know you and see how you move. Then those interested can try a class for free.