Rock Steady Boxing Alton continues growth

Rock Steady Boxing Alton continues

growth helping those with PD

Senior Services Plus Special to Active Lifestyles

ALTON — When Senior Services Plus (SSP) Inc. became affiliated to Rock Steady Boxing, a program known to help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), began humbly in 2015, adding to an array of services already offered by the nonprofit senior center.

Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) began with only two members and two SSP classes a week that took place in a group fitness room, located in a repurposed elementary school. The equipment was scarce, comprised of a few used 50-pound bags, some worn gloves, folding chairs, a beach ball and swimming pool noodles.

“RSB is great exercise for people with PD,” boxer Don Joehl, 86, said.

“There is tremendous benefit to the class, but remember to fight every day.”

But the most creative boxing equipment used then was a row of foam golf balls hanging from the ceiling, whimsically nicknamed “cat toys.”

These cost effective, moving targets were soft, lightweight enough to be struck with bare hands and bounced around a lot, challenging the boxers to coordinate their strikes. The “cat toys,” as the class dubbed them, and keeping the beach ball flying in the air, became class members’ favorite drills. And with that kind of continued creativity, faithful membership who swore by the efficacy of the class and a driven staff, the Rock Steady program began to grow. Then in early 2017, the program was in limbo when SSP’s only certified instructors took employment elsewhere.

SSP Chief Executive Officer John Becker, in his determina

Photos for Active Lifestyles Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) Alton Assistant Coach Mark VandeHey, left, works with RSB class member, boxer Don Joehl, 86, at SSP Wellness.

tion to keep the program running, commissioned a previous assistant, Dustin Heiser, to earn certification in Indianapolis and become the program’s new head coach.

Now, Heiser has taught Rock Steady Boxing classes four times per week for more than three years — in addition to being the SSP Wellness full-time wellness coordinator. With a wide range of experience in training people of different ages and levels of fitness, Heiser still attests that coaching Rock Steady Boxing is always the best time of the day.

“Rock Steady Boxing is my favorite hour of my day,” said Heiser, RSB head coach and SSP wellness coordinator. “I have seen people, who start out as strangers, come together like family and work hard together to the maximum of their capabilities.

“I’ve never been around a group that is so inspiring.”

Joehl’s wife, Marilyn, agreed. “I notice the positive effects when (Don) attends,” she said, “especially in his attitude. “The class has a huge amount of camaraderie, socialization and community for caregivers and boxers,” said Marilyn Joehl, who’s an RSB Alton cornerman. “You’re not alone!”

In January of last year Rock Steady Boxing Alton and the SSP Wellness Center improved immensely with the all-new construction of a state-of-theart fitness center. In stark contrast to the old elementary school classroom, the new facility is 10,000 square feet with more than 100 new pieces of fitness equipment, including an indoor walking track, free weights, pin-loaded machines, cardio equipment and a 2,200-square-foot group fitness classroom.

The group fitness classroom was equipped with brand new TITLE boxing equipment especially for the Rock Steady program. The equipment includes 130-pound Thai punching bags, adjustable speed bags, double end bags, weighted gloves, agility ladders, hurdles and much more. The classroom also stores cardio equipment, such as new Keiser spin bikes, which boxers use to warm up or for intervals during workouts. A Century Body Opponent Bag, called BOB, that sports a Rock Steady Alton T-shirt, provides boxers with a bag for targeted strikes.

In addition to the Rock Steady classes, members meet up for group cardio sessions or strength training sessions. Some of the boxers plan together and take part in some of SSP’s other group fitness classes offered in the wellness center. Along with Rock Steady Boxing, more than 50 other group fitness classes take place each week at SSP Wellness. Those classes include tai chi, yoga, Zumba, spinning, kettlebell, chair exercise, circuit training, weekend boot camp and more.

Rock Steady Alton now offers two different levels of classes four times per week, including two mixed-level classes per month. The pair of mixed-level classes are

designed as a class game day, allowing all the class levels to come together and cultivate team camaraderie.

Heiser and assistant coach Mark VandeHey lead every Rock Steady Boxing class. The program has served approximately 50 Rock Steady boxers since it began in 2015. As the new year started, the class sizes hovered around 20 participants per two coaches in each class. The SSP membership brings primarily people with levels three and four Parkinson’s disease to Rock Steady Boxing Alton, but the program welcomes all members at any level of Parkinson’s disease.

“The two original members who started with the class in 2015, still participate in the program to this day,” Heiser said.

SSP, located in Alton, is a nonprofit social service agency that provides an array of services and support for the community and area senior citizens. SSP has offered

• Bar • Grill • Lotto • Convenience

Rock Steady Boxing Alton all-level class at SSP Wellness. Senior Services Plus (SSP) Inc. is partnered with United Way.

opportunities and resources to people as they age for more than 45 years. Services include SSP Wellness Center and Meals On Wheels program, as well as travel, transportation and non-medical in-home care services.

SSP is a leader in aging services in the community and region. It offers a mix of support and services, and works to make its programs affordable. The fee for service programs and revenue-generating programs benefit SSP’s mission services. As a locally owned nonprofit organization, partnered with United Way, SSP is a part of the community and wants to give back to people and keep the community strong.

Contact Senior Services Plus at 618-465-3298. Senior Services Plus is located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave., Alton, Illinois.

A Seasoned Firm With Fresh Ideas!A Seasoned Firm With Fresh Ideas!A Seasoned Firm With Fresh Ideas!

A Seasoned Firm With Fresh Ideas!

Active Lifestyles February 2020 11 415 E. Vandalia Street Edwardsville, Il 62025 • 618.692.1574 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday or by Appointment www.finishingtouchdecorating.com Custom Window Coverings Bedcoverings v Design Services Accessories v Furniture & Blinds 415 E. Vandalia Street Edwardsville, Il 62025 • 618.692.1574 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday or by Appointment www.finishingtouchdecorating.com Custom Window Coverings

Bedcoverings v Design Services

Accessories v Furniture & Blinds 415 E. Vandalia Street Edwardsville, Il 62025 • 618.692.1574 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday or by Appointment www.finishingtouchdecorating.com Custom Window Coverings Bedcoverings v Design Services Accessories v Furniture & Blinds 415 E. Vandalia Street Edwardsville, Il 62025 • 618.692.1574 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday or by Appointment www.finishingtouchdecorating.com Custom Window Coverings Bedcoverings v Design Services Accessories v Furniture & Blinds 20% off Custom Draperies and Top Treatments Sale Ends Feb 29th