Fighting Parkinson’s
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” was boxing great Muhammad Ali’s mantra, characterizing his speed, grace and precision. The grace part is an important element of a groundbreaking approach to a therapeutic exercise program called Rock Steady Boxing. This program is tailored to those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is offered at Fitness Forum Sports and Wellness, located at the LifePlex in Plymouth, Indiana.
In this program, there are no “patients”; there are “boxers” — fighting against Parkinson’s. For those faced with the challenges of this neurodegenerative disease, the Rock Steady Boxing classes build strength and confidence through exercises that promote balance, strength, agility and coordination. The format of the classes pairs boxers with activities to improve control of movement and overall fitness, aided by volunteers and led by their head coach, Shelley Beaumont.
Beaumont has been leading the Rock Steady Boxing program in Plymouth since November 2024, after earning her head coach certification at the Indianapolis headquarters. She is a passionate advocate for the program that helps people afflicted by the degenerative path of the neurological disease. She acknowledges that participants often report increased confidence, improved mood, better posture, enhanced motor skills, and a sense of community and support. She also says that “families of boxers receiving the grim diagnosis of Parkinson’s also benefit from Rock Steady Boxing in multiple ways, including seeing their loved ones smile again, being able to take critical breaks from caretaking and availability of a caretaker support group.”
The concept of Rock Steady Boxing was the brainchild of Scott Newman, a prominent Indianapolis-based attorney and former Marion County prosecutor who was diagnosed at the early age of 40 (known as young-onset Parkinson’s, as most diagnoses occur after age 60). Scott was determined to fight back, so he started to train with his friend and former Golden Gloves boxer Vince Perez. He found this training was helping his symptoms to the point where his tremor was controlled and he felt “rock steady.” He started gathering others to work out with him, and Rock Steady Boxing was born.
Why boxing? Beaumont admits that any intense workout could benefit someone with Parkinson’s; however, the big movements, coordination and key footwork inherent with boxing are especially beneficial to people with Parkinson’s.
Activities in the Rock Steady Boxing classes include working on heavy bags, standing bags, speed bags and, of course, the boxers’ favorite opponent named Bob — a freestanding, man-shaped mannequin training bag. Core strength, nimble footwork and big arm movement are just a few of the benefits from working with the different varieties of training bags. Class activities also include strength training with weights, balance training on a floor-level balance beam and posture-focused shoulder exercises that practice looking forward to encourage better balance. Back posture and rigidity are common ailments with Parkinson’s, so Beaumont also leads participants through 15 to 20 minutes of stretching and walking on the track to combat the progression of stooped posture from the disease.
The format of the classes is strategic. They are specifically designed to address Parkinson’s symptoms such as slow or small movements, imbalance, stiffness, flexed posture and respiratory weakness, and the curriculum can be adapted to any level of Parkinson’s. Beaumont and volunteers guide and assist boxers through eight sessions of a non-contact boxing activity for 2 minutes each, then a short intermission.
Then another eight sessions with activities that build strength and coordination, such as dumbbell exercises, throwing a Velcro ball back and forth to build eye-hand coordination and dexterity puzzles that address the tremors that come with Parkinson’s.
Beaumont notes that 1 million people in the U.S. are dealing with Parkinson’s disease, and it is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease, the first being Alzheimer’s disease. To help spread the word about the Rock Steady Boxing classes, Beaumont has shared information with doctors’ offices in the area and has organized various activities during Parkinson’s Awareness Month each April. The group has also engaged the community through a local fundraiser and “yard sale” to help raise awareness and generate funds for new equipment. They also have a presence on Fitness Forum’s social media sites, including Facebook and Instagram.
The Rock Steady Boxing classes at Fitness Forum typically have 10 to 15 boxers and five volunteers, many of whom are family members, friends or spouses. One volunteer is Beaumont’s own father, who simply enjoys helping the class members. Others who have volunteered have included college students interested in learning about Parkinson’s or who are considering medical school.
Boxers have also had their grandkids who are home on spring break join the class as volunteers, which Beaumont acknowledges is a healing experience for everyone. Many of the spouses who volunteer have also chosen to use some class time to meet with other caretakers and spouses in the newly launched Care Partner Support Group. The group meets every other Monday in the LifePlex conference room to share experiences and for therapeutic conversation.
Rock Steady Boxing fosters a supportive and empowering culture. Everyone in a Rock Steady class is fighting back against Parkinson’s disease, and each 90-minute class focuses on every ailment of Parkinson’s. Beaumont reports there are more than 800 Rock Steady affiliates worldwide — across the United States and in at least 14 countries. Classes at the Plymouth Fitness Forum location are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2 p.m. EST. Cost is $60 monthly for three classes per week, and enrollment in the program requires a physician’s referral. For more information and to learn about the class enrollment process, contact Fitness Forum Sports and Wellness at (574) 936-2333 and ask for Shelley.
Rock Steady Boxing is located at Fitness Forum Sports and Wellness in the LifePlex building at 2855 Miller Dr., Plymouth, IN.
