A WARRINGTON boxing club is launching a new project to celebrate World Parkinson’s Day this Thursday (April 11).
Rock Steady Boxing – which also has a branch in Widnes – is starting a new active project to help local people living with Parkinson’s to get active in a fun and social way.
The non-contact boxing sessions will run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on l at Unit 6, Crown Street, Warrington, WA1 2AE.
The taster session will be an opportunity for local people who live with Parkinson’s, their relatives and carers to try non-contact boxing in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Non-contact boxing promotes high-intensity workouts and can be of great benefit to people living with long term health conditions such as Parkinson’s. It not only targets many of the motor symptoms associated with the condition, but it can also have major benefits for mental wellbeing as well.
Parkinson’s UK has already supported the Rock Steady Boxing programme in Widnes through physical activity grant funding and it is now hoped that the success of non-contact boxing in the area can be replicated in Warrington.
Participants don’t need prior experience of boxing and protective equipment is provided by staff at Rock Steady Boxing. Trained coaches are also on hand to help people make the most of their boxing experience and to build their confidence.
Tim Morton, physical activity programme lead for Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our support for the team at Rock Steady Boxing and we hope that the new hub will help more people living with Parkinson’s to try something new and stay active with the condition.
“Rock Steady Boxing has already had great success with their high intensity non-contact boxing group in Widnes and we hope that more people living with Parkinson’s in the North West will be able to try the new Warrington class and feel the benefits of being active with Parkinson’s in a fun and social way.
“Being active is so important for people with Parkinson’s as it can help manage symptoms, maintain health and lift your mood. It can make you feel good inside and out. The more physically active you are, the easier it is to live well with Parkinson’s.”
Michelle Fox, company secretary at Rock Steady Boxing, said: “We are delighted to be opening our new Parkinson’s boxing hub in Warrington which will allow more of our Parkinson’s superheroes in the North West to access our non-contact boxing classes.
“The hub will also create a link to other exercise classes and we hope it will be a place where people living with long term health conditions can make lasting connections and friendships, no matter where they are on their physical activity journey.
“We’re also excited to have two new coaches joining us for the boxing sessions and that means we can deliver more weekly classes at our Widnes and Warrington sites.”
