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Boxing

Non-contact boxing, when performed safely and in the proper setting, can be a fun and beneficial type of exercise. Programs like Rock Steady Boxing and PD Fight Club work exclusively for people with PD. Boxing classes combine many aspects of exercise that are important for people with PD, including aerobic, strengthening, balance/agility, and dual task practice.

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Members of PD Fight Club in Birmingham, Alabama gather several times a week to encourage one another and keep moving! Other Rock Steady classes are also available throughout Alabama. 

Boxing, they say, is as much a match of mental agility as it is physical ability. Anyone who has ever trained and stepped into the ring knows this is true. Inner struggle and mental warfare are pervasive themes in boxing. We know boxing is a sport that forces individuals to look deep inside themselves and discover who they are and who they want to be. Some of the world's most famous and greatest boxers of all time have faced not only their relentless opponents, but also themselves.

We are learning every day that there are ways in which people with PD can enhance their daily quality of life and even build impressive power, strength, flexibility, and speed! By exercising with coaches who know the ropes, you can fight your way out of the corner and start to feel and function better. Boxing works by moving your body in all planes of motion while continuously changing the routine as you progress through the workout. These classes have proven that anyone, at any level of Parkinson's, can actually lessen their symptoms and lead a healthier and happier life as well as minimize depression.

There are a variety of boxing classes available that are specific to Parkinson's in Alabama. These include Rock Steady and PD Fight Club.

Rock Steady Boxing

Rock Steady Boxing, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, gives people with Parkinson's disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing fitness curriculum. The mission of Rock Steady Boxing is to equip our affiliates and empower the coaches to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson's disease through a non-contact, boxing-based fitness curriculum.

Rock Steady Boxing is the first gym in the country dedicated to the fight against Parkinson's. In our gym, exercises are largely adapted from boxing drills. Boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork, and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. At RSB, Parkinson's disease is the opponent. Exercises vary in purpose and form but share one common trait: they are rigorous and intended to extend the perceived capabilities of the participant. Learn more about Rock Steady. 

PD Fight Club

PD Fight Club classes - taught by head coach Martin Juarez and assistant coaches

Dany Egli and Molly Swain - include an exercise program that attacks Parkinson's

at its vulnerable neurological points. While focusing on overall fitness, strength

training, reaction time, and balance. No boxing experience is necessary, and people

of all ages are invited to participate. PD Fight Club boxers range in age from 36-90.

The club provides not only therapeutic exercise and instruction, but also

community support as we fight this disease together. Contact Martin Juarez,

jaurezboxing@yahoo.com, 1.205.370.8992.

The classes that are available are listed in alphabetical order by city below.

Reach out to a boxing class instructor near you to schedule your assessment

to get started.

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ANNISTON
Rock Steady - YMCA of Calhoun County
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am
29 West 14th Street
Anniston, AL 36201
Facilitator: Ann Angell
Website


BAY MINETTE
Rock Steady - Just Fitness
Call for Schedule and Assessment
115 East First St.
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Facilitator: Pat Clay
bayminette@rsbaffiliate.com
251.232.1950


BIRMINGHAM
PD Fight Club - Juarez Boxing
Call for Schedule and Assessment
1630 Crestwood Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35210
Facilitator: Martin Juarez
juarezboxing@yahoo.com
205.370.8992
Website


Rock Steady - Birmingham
Call for Schedule and Assessment
2825 2nd Place NW
Birmingham, AL 35215
Facilitator: Orlando Paulding
tkoboxing@rsbaffiliate.com
205.470.7215


Rock Steady - Oyama Karate
Call for Schedule and Assessment
1804 29th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35209
oyamakarate@rsbaffiliate.com
205.879.4841

Tuesdays and Thursday at 10:30 am
Visitors Welcome!


Rock Steady - 280 Corridor, Westover
Call for Schedule and Assessment
1125 Highway 280
Westover, AL 35185
Facilitator: Traci Zehel
205.335.4627


DAPHNE
Rock Steady - Eastern Shore
Call for Schedule and Assessment
25478 Friendship Rd.
Daphne, AL 36526
251.509.3353

easternshore@rsbaffiliate.comTuesdays and Thursdays at 11am

DECATUR
Rock Steady - River City
Call for Schedule and Assessment
705 Beltline Rd SW
Decatur, AL 35601

256.468.1876
rivercity@rsbaffiliate.com


DOTHAN
Rock Steady - Dothan

Call for Schedule and Assessment
1480 Ross Clark Circle
Dothan, AL 36301
Facilitator: Sameka Parks
334.712.3726
wiregrass@rsbaffiliate.com


ENTERPRISE
Rock Steady - Mojukai Karate
Call for Schedule and Assessment
607 East Lee St.
Enterprise, AL 36330
Facilitator: Lennis Darby
334.475.3899
enterprise@rsbaffiliate.com


FAIRHOPE
Rock Steady - Fairhope
Call for Schedule and Assessment
251 Greeno Road, Suite B
Fairhope, AL 36532
Facilitator: Chris Wheeles
251.509.3353
easternshore@rsbaffiliate.com

FLORENCE
Rock Steady - The Basement Gym
Call for Schedule and Assessment
115 N. Court Street
Florence, AL 35630
florence@rsbaffiliate.com
256.740.1263

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4:15 pm

Rock Steady - YMCA of the Shoals
Call for Schedule and Assessment
2121 Helton Drive
Florence, AL 35630Facilitator: Renee York
ymcashoals@rsbaffiliate.com
256.246.9622
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30am


GADSDEN
Rock Steady - YMCA of Coosa Valley

Call for Schedule and Assessment
100 Walnut St.
Gadsden, AL 35901
coosavalley@rsbaffiliate.com
256.312.4947


GULF SHORES
Rock Steady - Wheeles Yoshukai Karate Academy

2050 E 2nd St.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
gulfshores@rsbaffiliate.com
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11 am


HUNTSVILLE
Rock Steady - Huntsville - Madison Co. Senior Center
Call for Schedule and Assessment
2200 Drake Avenue
Huntsville, AL 35805
Facilitator: Carolyn Rhodes
rocketcity@rsbaffiliate.com
256.513.8164
Website


Rock Steady - Redstone Village
Call for Schedule and Assessment
12000 Turnmeyere Dr.
Huntsville, AL 35803
Faci
litator: Jane Scrivner
redstonevillage@rsbaffiliate.com

256.881.6717

Rock Steady - Rocket City Parkinson's Dynamics PWR! Moves
Call for Schedule and Assessment
3228 B. Leeman Ferry Rd SW
Huntsville, AL 35802
Facilitator: Urban Poling
256.513.8164
rocketycity@rsbaffiliate.com


MOBILE
Rock Steady - Saad Healthcare
Call for Schedule and Assessment
1515 University Blvd
Mobile, AL 36609
Facilitator: Cary Cochran
251.343.9600
saadhealthcare@rsbaffiliate.com
Website

LEVEL 1/2:
Mondays at 9:30
Tuesdays - Fridays at 11am

LEVEL 3/4:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1pm

All Levels
Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30am

Assessments are required before taking a class and will be done one-on-one. Call or email to schedule your assessment. Spouses and care partners are welcome to participate.


MONTGOMERY
Rock Steady - Bell Road YMCA
Call for Schedule and Assessment
2435 Bell Road
Montgomery, AL 36117
Facilitator: Leigh Anne Richards
334.271.4343

bellroad@rsbaffiliate.com

PRATTVILLE
Rock Steady - Prattville YMCA Wellness Branch
Call for Schedule and Assessment
348 Hwy 82 W
Prattville, AL 36067
prattvilleymca@rsbaffilaite.com

334.361.0268

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