I think the best thing for you is to call and arrange a visit at a Rock Steady or other PD boxing program near you. There might even be more than one to choose from. Talk to the coaches. I have balance issues, but coaches and volunteers always help me when I need it, so I am able to fully participate. I know other boxers who struggle with pain and weakness, but still come because non-contact boxing is terrific for PWP. This is the best thing I do for my PD, and I get to do it with a built-in support group.

Most people like it and the research supports it.

Boxing Training for Patients With Parkinson Disease: A Case Series
Stephanie A. Combs, M. Dyer Diehl, William H. Staples, Lindsay Conn, Kendra Davis, Nicole Lewis and Katie Schaneman
PHYS THER. (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators).
Outcomes. Six patients completed all phases of the case series, showed improvements on at least 5 of the 12 outcome measures over the baseline at the 12-week test, and showed continued improvements at the 24- and 36-week tests. Patients with mild PD typically showed improvements earlier than those with moderate to severe PD. Despite the progressive nature of PD, the patients in this case series showed short-term and long-term improvements in balance, gait, activities of daily living, and quality of life after the boxing training program. A longer duration of training was necessary for patients with moderate to severe PD to show maximal training outcomes. The boxing training program was feasible and safe for these patients with PD.

Rock Steady Boxing Foundation
@https://www.rocksteadyboxing.org

Darrell Jack
@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member Steady Boxing Milwaukee
9730 W. Greenfield Ave
West Allis, WI 53214
Email: (Email address can only be seen by the question and answer creators)
Phone: (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators)
Website: http://milwaukee.rsbaffiliate.com

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2015 Dec;51(6):693-704. Epub 2015 Jul 3.
Complementary physical therapies for movement disorders in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.
Alves Da Rocha P1, McClelland J, Morris ME.
To evaluate the effects of complementary physical therapies on motor performance, quality of life, directly target wellbeing, enjoyment and social participation, and falls in people living with PD. Dancing, water exercises and robotic gait training were an effective adjunct to medical management for some people living with PD. Virtual reality training, mental practice, aerobic training, boxing and Nordic walking training had a small amount of evidence supporting their use in PD.
On balance, alternative physical therapies are worthy of consideration when selecting treatment options for people with this common chronic disease.
Complementary physical therapies such as dancing, hydrotherapy and robotic gait training appear to afford therapeutic benefits, increasing mobility and quality of life, in some people living with PD.

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