Boxing with Parkinson’s

Why boxing

Boxing trains everything Parkinson’s tries to take away in a single session: coordination, balance, reaction speed, strength, and rhythm. You throw combinations on the pads, catch and tap tennis balls to sharpen your reactions, and work on your posture and footwork. It’s also fun, and that matters: if you enjoy it, you’ll stick with it.

Let’s be honest about the research: it’s cautiously positive, not a miracle cure. A randomized trial showed improved motor function after ten weeks of boxing¹, and in a US program nine out of ten participants reported better motor control², while a systematic review stressed that results vary from person to person and program to program³. What we do know: vigorous exercise helps people with Parkinson’s, and boxing is one of the activities people stick with longest.

How it works here

You always train one-on-one: one trainer, one participant. With Parkinson’s, your balance can suddenly give way, so someone is right beside you at all times. And because no two people with Parkinson’s are the same, every session is tailored to you: one person works on footwork and combinations while standing, another trains seated on a plyo box and builds from there. Both are boxing, and both count.

Sessions are led by Cedric, who has studied Parkinson’s training and gains hands-on experience with it every week. His exercises come from boxing training and from methods proven to work for Parkinson’s, from pad work to reaction drills with tennis balls.

Together, if you want

Your training is one-on-one, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Once we have several participants, we’ll schedule sessions side by side and have coffee afterward: sharing experiences with people who know exactly what you’re going through can be worth just as much as the training itself.

Let’s be honest

Boxing doesn’t cure Parkinson’s. The goal is to slow things down and stay in control: stay fitter, stand steadier, react faster, and have one hour every week when you’re an athlete instead of a patient. Because the coaching is one-on-one, this falls outside our regular memberships; the cost depends on what you need, and we’ll discuss it upfront, no strings attached.

Come meet us

Stop by at Achtergracht, or get in touch for a no-obligation introductory chat. Partners, children, or healthcare providers who want to observe first are welcome too.