Become a Parkinson's Champion at 12 Round fit
Welcome to 12 Round Fit's Parkinson's Boxing Program
This specialized program focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s disease through non-contact boxing training. By targeting balance, coordination, strength, and agility, participants feel empowered in their fight against Parkinson’s. Moreover, research has shown that vigorous and varied exercise is the only therapy that can slow disease progression, allowing our PD boxers to fight back with purpose!
Program Eligibility:
• Designed for individuals with Parkinson’s who can maintain balance while exercising without assistance.
• Individuals with more advanced disease may, in our trainer's discretion, participate in the program with modifications for seated exercise or if a capable care partner assists.
• Contact us for your free assessment with our lead trainer, Paul Delgado.
Key Benefits:
• Improved balance and coordination
• Enhanced cognitive function
• Boosted confidence and community support
• Personalized attention to each individual's specific impairments from PD
• Expert delivery of safe, fun and effective exercise focused on PD-specific needs
Equipment Needed: gloves and wraps can be borrowed from the gym for a limited time.
• Boxing Gloves - 16 oz. for men; 14 oz. for ladies
• Hand wraps - traditional or glove
• Wear loose-fitting gym gear, sneakers
• Water bottle
PD Class Structure
Round 1 - Warm-up: Light movement and stretching.
Rounds 2 - 11 - Drills: Ten three-minute rounds of boxing-inspired combinations to build balance, agility and multi-tasking, as well as aerobic and strength training. Our gym is equipped with heavy bags, Thai bags, double-end bags, speed bags, agility ladder, resistance bands, jump ropes, among other traditional boxing gym equipment and digital upgrades that will challenge PD fighters' motor skills and cognition. Boxers will get a one-minute break between rounds to rest and rehydrate. Gloves up and ready for the next round before the bell!
Round 12 - Cool-down: Breathing exercises and flexibility work.
benefits of our parkinson's program
Expert Coaches
Personalized Attention
Personalized Attention
Our coaches are experienced boxers and trainers who push our PD fighters to exercise outside their comfort zones, the level of activity thought to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Lead trainer Paul Delgado has been training amateur and pro fighters in Atlanta since 2009, and he pioneered applying boxing training techniques to people with PD in 2013. Paul completed Rock Steady Boxing's training course in 2014.
Personalized Attention
Personalized Attention
Personalized Attention
Our gym space is limited but fully equipped to handle the small class sizes we favor, particularly for our PD fighters, who each has his or her unique profile of symptoms and injuries. Close attention to each boxer allows us to focus on their specific impairments and provide personalized solutions. The small classes also facilitate the trainers sparring one-on-one with the PD boxers, a rare treat in other group exercise classes!
Community Atmosphere
Personalized Attention
Community Atmosphere
At 12 Round Fit, you'll join a community of boxers living with Parkinson's disease who support and motivate each other to maintain a hopeful, proactive approach to their disease. Our fighters (and their care partners) are encouraged to discuss other proactive measures that could improve quality of life, like nutrition, good sleep habits and meditation. The value of these friendships formed in battling a common enemy cannot be overstated.
PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND EXERCISE
The Importance of Exercise in Fighting PD
Exercise is good for everybody, but it is an essential element in any proactive approach to managing Parkinson's disease. Research shows that exercise can actually change the brain and possibly slow the progression of the disease (something no drug has yet been able to claim). Establishing early exercise habits is an essential part of overall disease management, which is why neurologists now recommend exercise as part of most PD treatment plans.
The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, the product of a long-term study conducted by the Parkinson's Foundation, shows that people with PD who start exercising earlier in their disease course for a minimum of 2.5 hours per week experience a slowed decline in quality of life compared to those who start later.
The Parkinson's Foundation, in collaboration with the American College of Sports Medicine, created new Parkinson’s disease exercise recommendations to provide people with PD guidance on safe and effective exercise programs and instruction. These recommendations are summarized in the infographic below.
The exercise guidelines include recommended frequency, intensity, time, type, volume and progression of exercises that are safe and effective for people with PD. Each recommendation is paired with specific types of activity and special safety considerations for people with PD.
The exercise performed in 12 Round Fit's boxing for PD classes will count towards meeting these guidelines.
