It's the only program of its kind in the state and its right here in the Treasure Valley. Non-contact boxing for people with Parkinson's, the fitness program is offered at Rock Steady Boxing in Meridian.
John Terrell has had Parkinson's disease for eight years. A friend of his saw a program on T.V. about boxing for Parkinson’s and told him about it.
"So I went on the internet, found out about it and introduced it to Scott and another gentleman," said John Terrell, Rock Steady Fitness member.
Scott Anderson is a trainer at Rock Steady Boxing who has also been affected by the disease.
"I have a friend that's dad had Parkinson's and it kind of hit home," said Scott Anderson, Rock Steady Fitness trainer.
When he heard about the idea, he had to be a part of it.
"With us having the facility here, uh it just made sense," said Anderson.
Scott went to Indianapolis to become certified for non-contact boxing for Parkinson’s. Now the program has been running for a few months and Scott has already seen it benefiting his clients.
"Me personally, I’ve seen changes in everybody that is in the program, um, from less tremors to their posture being better to um not falling down as often," said Anderson.
For more information head to the website https://www.rocksteadyboxing.org/
One of those clients is John.
"It's made me stronger and more limber," said Terrell.
He says it helps him helps him fight his disease.
"You actually take control rather than the disease controlling your nervous system," said Terrell.
He just hopes more people with Parkinson’s will take advantage of the program.
