Keeping the hits coming in Rock Steady Boxing

He might be 84 years old with Parkinson’s disease, but John Blake is not letting those factors slow him down. Blake is active in the Rock Steady Boxing group exercise class at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA, to help stave off the effects of Parkinson’s.

“I’m getting better at a lot of things,” Blake said of how his body feels by doing the program. 

Blake also likes that he can interact with people going through the same things as him.

“It’s a way to associate with people who have the same problem that you do,” Blake said.

Rock Steady Boxing is a program designed for those with Parkinson’s. Boxing is a portion of the class while it also includes exercise and activities that improve agility, endurance, balance, hand-eye coordination and strength.
“Offering Rock Steady Boxing at the Marshalltown Y has been such a blessing to 

all involved with the program,” said Keisha Lockhart, Health and Wellness Assistant Director at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA. “Our participants have an amazing bond with one another— they share stories, uplift each other, and have a lot of fun in each class, all while working out together.  And, we have a couple of the most compassionate instructors encouraging each of them to be the best they can be.”
April 11 is World Parkinson’s Day and there are nearly one million Americans living with Parkinson’s.