Rock Steady in the fight against Parkinson's

By TARA MONASTESSE
Posted 9/3/19

By TARA MONASTESSE TPP Fitness, a gym that relocated from Pawtucket to the Airport Plaza in Warwick this summer, is taking a literal approach to fighting Parkinson's disease: by arming patrons with boxing gloves and challenging them to bring the thunder

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Rock Steady in the fight against Parkinson's

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TPP Fitness, a gym that relocated from Pawtucket to the Airport Plaza in Warwick this summer, is taking a literal approach to fighting Parkinson’s disease: by arming patrons with boxing gloves and challenging them to bring the thunder during the weekly Rock Steady boxing program.

After a few laps around the gym, participants in last Thursday’s 10 a.m. boxing class were soon doing wall stretches and darting through an agility ladder to get in the zone. Once they were sufficiently warmed up, they lined up on either side of a long row of punching bags and started with the hits. Under the guidance of instructor Rich Gingras, they chanted as they alternated fists to take jabs. Coming from all different skill levels and backgrounds, the act of boxing gives them the opportunity to experience the physical sensation of combating the disorder.

Gingras, the gym’s founder and owner, says that boxing is the perfect activity to slow – and even reverse – the impact of Parkinson’s disease, a disorder that impacts the nervous system and reduces motor skills. The wide stance required for boxing, the arm extensions required to throw a punch, and the out-loud counting during training exercises all seek to improve balance, strength, and vocal ability. 

“They’re not patients, they’re people,” said Gingras. A former champion boxer, Gingras now hopes to use his passion and talent for athletics to help those fighting Parkinson’s to unlock their true potential. After an experience working with someone with Parkinson’s as a personal trainer, he was inspired by the progress he was able to make with just an hour of focused exercise. The rest is history; after getting certified, Gingras pursued his newfound dream of founding The Parkinson’s Place in Pawtucket in 2010. Shortened to TPP Fitness upon finding its new home in Warwick, the gym offers classes for those with and without Parkinson’s, targeting all kinds of skills. 

While the gym has been active since last June, a formal grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 14 at 12 p.m. featuring raffles, games, prizes, and food, as well as a grand opening sale.

Rock Steady boxing classes currently take place four days a week at TPP Fitness: Monday, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.; and Saturday, 11 a.m. A balance class for those with Parkinson’s is also offered at 10 a.m. every Tuesday. A full schedule can be found online on tppfitnessri.com.

The toughest part, according to Gingras, is getting people in the door, either due to apprehension or simply being unaware of the program. But once they’re in, Gingras promises to transform their lives as long as they show up willing to put in the effort.

“It’s a place of support, love, and understanding,” he said. “It’s like a family.”

A monthly fee of $100 is charged to participate in Rock Steady at TPP. Approximately 50 members who attend the program only pay half-price, thanks to a grant from the Rhode Island branch of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association. The only requirement for those receiving the grant is to attend classes on a regular basis each month.

Gary Harlowe, a member of TPP Fitness and a grant recipient, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about three years ago and began the Rock Steady program roughly a year and a half later at a gym located in Cranston. After that gym relocated and the program became inaccessible, Harlowe and his wife Lucy were ecstatic to hear that a new gym offering Rock Steady would be coming to Warwick - only a ten-minute drive from their home. 

Alongside his training, he has found solace and support in group therapy sessions for people with Parkinson’s. TPP Fitness will soon be offering these sessions for patrons in addition to athletic training.

“Emotional support is equally as important as physical support,” Harlowe said. 

Harlowe also said that the program has improved his stamina and strength immensely; while once unable to even stand for more than a brief period of time, now he’s back to doing yard work and looking after his grandson. 

While not fighting Parkinson’s herself, Harlowe’s wife Lucy is one of the many family members who shows up to classes to cheer on their loved ones as they refuse to let Parkinson’s stop them from living their lives. She says that the community formed by the class is vital to finding others with similar experiences with Parkinson’s, and to eliminate any shame some may still associate with the disorder. Lucy also finds that the large proportion of women taking the classes dispels the widespread belief that Parkinson’s only affects men, when in actuality it affects women in significant numbers as well.

The gym sees about 80 patrons with Parkinson’s who regularly attend the program, the majority of which hear about the program directly through their doctors as a way to aid treatment. With a grand opening on the horizon and a new, more accessible location, that number could be rising soon. 

“You can tell he truly, truly cares,” said Lucy Harlowe, watching the class get started as Gingras yelled words of encouragement. “It’s not just a job.”

The grand opening coincides nicely with the American Parkinson Disease Association’s 21st annual Rhode Island Optimism Walk, held just a week before on Saturday, September 7th, at 9 a.m. at Goddard Park. Online registration is strongly encouraged, and can be completed at apdaparkinson.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=register.start&eventID=914. 

Are you or someone you know interested in fighting Parkinson’s or getting a gym membership? Contact TPP Fitness at 267-8227, or send an email to tppfitnessri@gmail.com.

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