Author: systemadmin

Before RSB I had never boxed and hadn’t been in a gym since high school. Now, I look forward to RSB every week for the camaraderie with other people with Parkinson’s in a doable, empowering 90 minute program dedicated, unlike other exercise programs in which I participate, just to those of us with PD.

Doctors’ appointments, short-term and/one-off PD wellness programs, conference days, occupational and speech therapy programs, once-a-month support groups have all been valuable, but those are about being a patient with a degenerative illness.

At RSB we are in that tribe, with that tribe, but actively engaged together in what we CAN do and enjoy. We are experiencing our capabilities, not our problems. With Al Latulippe’s dependable and enthusiastic leadership, RSB has become my community and attending is the highlight of my week.

– Paul Bonaparte-Krogh

Rock Steady Boxing has provided a place to workout and a staff to help improve my Parkensonian symptoms. There are many words I could use to describe the program, here are four: intense, safe, challenging, and fun.

The staff is knowledgeable and creative, and the members of the group are inviting and supportive. This is an environment where you don’t need to hide your symptoms but instead you can work to minimize them one day at a time.

What better way to stay motivated and improve your condition.

– Ralph Vinciguerra

It is hard to believe that I am in my tenth month at Rock Steady Boxing Boston because in my 71 years I have never lasted this long with any exercise program. Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s about a year and a half ago, I was eager to learn as much as I could about this disease. My first step in my learning process was registering myself and my family to attend a Partners in Parkinson’s conference and that is where I met Al Latulippe and Greg Geheb.

My family thought that this was something that I should look into further, so three of us (myself, my husband, and one of my sons) went to the gym for an introductory class. At that time, I registered for two months twice a week. I really couldn’t do much. Between being out of shape and being in my golden years, it was hard to get this body used to exercising.

After the initial two month commitment, I signed up for three classes a week and am still at it. Coach Al is very accommodating. If there is something that I can’t do because of a medical reason, he will have me do something else. If I have difficulty with a certain exercise, Al has always been encouraging by reassuring me that I am getting better and stronger.

Classes are always different with innovative changes to keep it interesting and yes we also have some fun. I have made new friends that are helping me to deal with this disease. RSBB has given me inspiration and hope to have the best quality of life that I can with Parkinson’s.

– Barbara Valarose

I started going to the Rock Steady Boxing Boston classes about two years after I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I had always been fairly active but I didn’t know what types of exercise would be helpful in my situation. I was very happy to find something that was geared for participants with PD.

The class is a combination of stretching, calisthenics and aerobic exercise that gives a great workout. I enjoy the camaraderie and always feel invigorated after class (tired, but invigorated). Al is a great coach and provides the right combination of support and encouragement to get you to do your best.

Rock Steady Boxing Boston has helped me maintain an active lifestyle and improve not only some of the voice and balance issues but has also given me a more positive, upbeat attitude. I feel like I am literally doing something to fight back against Parkinson’s.

Thanks Al and Greg!

– Joellen Jacod

I started attending the Rock Steady Boxing at the beginning of this summer. I have found that I am getting a lot out of it, some things I was not expecting. I knew I would meet great people and I did. I knew I would get a good workout and I do, every time. But there are a few things I wasn’t expecting to get out of it. Here are some of them.

1. I don’t always want to go to class because it is hard work, but I go anyway! It’s worth it and we all do the work together.

2. It has also helped me become stronger for other things such as bicycling and dancing. My symptoms are less of a problem, I feel better, and my core muscles are stronger.

3. I have a reserve of energy that I didn’t know I had. When Al, our trainer says, “One minute left – make it count!!!!!!” I can give more. I use to think that tiredness meant I had used up all I had.

4. Rock Steady Boxing has shown me that I can stick with something physically and mentally challenging, which is what Parkinson’s requires, too. I don’t give up as easily now.

This is definitely a win-win for me. Besides, I really like punching things.

– Julia Huestis

It’s been 10 years since my Parkinson’s diagnosis and 1 year participating in Rock Steady Boxing Boston with Coach Al Latulippe. My mobility, strength and motivation have increased remarkably. When I would lose my balance, I would fall. Now, I have the strength to catch myself, breaking the fall. If I do fall, I now have the ability to fall correctly avoiding injury.

The intangibles of camaraderie working out with my fellow Parkinson’s brothers and sisters, the support we give to each other whether we are “ON” or “OFF” have been an extra bonus. We are now family.

My Neurologist thinks I look great and I’ve had no medication increase the past year. The Neurologist has recommended Rock Steady Boxing to other patients and has Rock Steady Boxing brochures displayed in the office. My Neurologist commented after seeing a video of the workout, “that’s cool.” I replied, “yes, it’s fun to hit the bag.”

We are lucky to have a Coach like Al who understands the disease and can adapt to all the complications and side effects of the medications we take.

In short, thanks to Rock Steady Boxing Boston, I am physically and mentally stronger than I ever was since my diagnosis.

– Madeline O’Mara

One thing that I like about Rock Steady Boxing is that not only do we get a great work out, we are like a family and a support group at the same time.

I feel great after our 90 min work out and I feel normal when I’m working out.

I think that anyone with Parkinson’s would benefit from this program. To me it’s the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.

I highly recommend Rock Steady Boxing to anyone fighting PD.

– Jim Beidler