Punching Parkinson's

Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities in Fort Wayne offers a unique exercise program to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Feb 10, 2022
Jennifer Blomquist
Jeffrey Crane

It’s called Rock Steady Boxing and it’s a game changer when it comes to battling the debilitating effects of Parkinson’s disease.

“The boxing-related skills and other strength training exercises that we do really help slow the progression of Parkinson’s-related symptoms,” says Zach Lothamer, lead fitness specialist at Turnstone in Fort Wayne. “We focus on balance, hand-eye coordination and agility. We also work on muscular power and mental focus, trying to keep the rhythm of hitting a bag over and over again. It’s non-contact. We never actually box other people, just the bag.”

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease; a progressive, degenerative neurological disease that slowly robs the brain’s ability to produce a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Over time, those with the disease lose motor and non-motor function. More than 1.5 million people in the United States have the disease.

Medications are available to temporarily relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but exercise is the only medically proven treatment to slow its progression.

Rock Steady Boxing was founded 15 years ago in Indianapolis by former Marion County prosecutor Scott Newman, who was just 39 years old when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He realized that non-contact boxing workouts lessened his symptoms.

 “Rock Steady is being used all over the country and all over the world in places like Japan, Italy, Australia and Sweden. We’ve known about this program for several years, but until recently did not have the funding to offer it to our clients,” says Lothamer. 

“We were incredibly fortunate to have an ‘angel donor’ step forward and provide enough funding for us to be able to offer the Rock Steady Boxing class for five years,” says Stasha Carrasquillo, chief marketing technology officer for Turnstone Center. “Jeff Hoffman, who owns the Chick-fil-A on Coliseum Boulevard in Fort Wayne, stepped in and made this possible. He really believes in Turnstone and in the benefits of Rock Steady, and recognized the importance of making this available at our facility.”

Rock Steady Boxing classes started on Nov. 1 and are taught by Lothamer and Turnstone fitness specialist Arie Petty, both of whom underwent specific training to be certified as Rock Steady instructors.

“We have four classes each week and the turnout has been very good – higher than what we expected,” says Petty. “Our clients have said they’re really happy that Zach and I have backgrounds in exercise science. We make sure their form is correct and that they’re doing more good than harm, instead of just going through the motions of boxing.”

“The nice thing about this program is that it’s for anyone with Parkinson’s,” says Lothamer. “As a Rock Steady affiliate, we do require an official diagnosis from the client’s neurologist before they can start. We split the class into levels so we can push a little harder with some people, but take more precautions with others who need it. For people who have mobility issues, we ask that they bring a caregiver to class with them to prevent falls. Turnstone is one of only two places in Fort Wayne offering this class.”

Both Lothamer and Petty emphasize this is merely the beginning. 

“Right now we offer class from 10 to 11 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 3 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but we’re looking to add more classes,” says Lothamer. “We’re hoping to eventually have volunteers help with the classes as well.”

“Our clients really like the idea of boxing and I know they enjoy being around other people going through the same thing they are,” says Petty. “There’s a lot of camaraderie in the class with people talking about different medications they’ve tried, and what has worked for them and what hasn’t. They’ve created their own support network.”

As more research is done to find a cure for Parkinson’s, Rock Steady provides a resource to help patients enjoy a better quality of life today.

“Boxing is one of those intense exercises that allows people to take out their frustrations and anger about their symptoms,” says Lothamer. “I like to think it’s the analogy of them fighting back against the Parkinson’s disease.”  


To find out more about participating in the Rock Steady Boxing program or to volunteer, contact Zach Lothamer: zach@turnstone.org

Turnstone Center

Phone: (260) 483-2100

Website: turnstone.org

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