Fighting Parkinson’s One Punch at a Time
If you happen to be at Takedown Gym on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, you might notice a trail of people entering with walkers, canes, and thick, red boxing gloves. This was the sight of Jerry Bergstrom, a Rock Steady Boxer for over three years.
Jerry says his father wanted him to be a Golden Gloves boxer where he grew up in Wahpeton, Minnesota. “I told him I didn’t want to fight because that looks like it hurts!” Today he gets to fight against an opponent he never thought he’d have to face—Parkinson’s Disease.
Takedown Gym hosts one of over 870 Rock Steady Boxing affiliate programs around the world. Rock Steady Boxing is designed specifically to work on mobility, building strength, mental sharpness, and creating a supportive community. The class has spread fast to help the growing number of individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease each year.
Lynda and Michael Erickson have been trainers at Takedown for four years. Lynda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease over nine years ago. “It has been proven that exercise is the most important thing for recovery,” Lynda said during class Tuesday night, holding up her boxing gloves and waiting for the next round of instruction.
These aren’t simple instructions. Mike, the trainer, yells out, “Elbow, backpedal, six…” All of the participants, a room of about 12 individuals, follow along as best they can. Some are seated in chairs, and others are standing. There is no right or wrong way to do it—the only thing one needs to do is show up and participate.
Lynda makes the class engaging with a beginning ice-breaker question to get to know the group better, a warm-up, and a cool-down. There can be as many as four trainers working with one Rock Steady Boxing class, which is slim for the necessary support.
“I don’t usually attend classes,” Takedown Gym Manager Joe Ciardelli said, “But I always attend this one to help out with activities and just be there for support. It’s a different sort of class that’s really inspiring to be a part of.”
Rock Steady Boxing is hosted every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:45-3:45 pm. If you’re looking for ways to help, Takedown is looking for extra volunteers to assist the boxers during the class. For more information about Rock Steady Boxing, visit rocksteadboxing.org.
To learn more about our Rock Steady Boxing class at Takedown, call 218-454-1770 or check out our website at takedowngym.com/advocacy.