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At ZOOZ Fitness, a group of people gathers each week—not just to exercise, but to fight back.

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They’re not professional fighters. 

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They’re not training for competition.

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They’re living with Parkinson’s disease.

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And inside the Rock Steady Boxing program, they become something else entirely: fighters.

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More Than a Workout

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Rock Steady Boxing is a non-contact boxing program specifically designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. Founded in 2006 and now offered nationwide, the program uses boxing-inspired movements to improve balance, coordination, strength, and overall quality of life.

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But according to Dean, founder of the Woodland Hills program, the impact goes far beyond the physical.

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“People come in here for the physical benefits… but one of the biggest things they end up getting is a sense of community—a sense of camaraderie. It shows them they’re not alone.”

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That sense of not being alone is something nearly every participant echoes.

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A Diagnosis—and a New Fight

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For many, Parkinson’s can feel isolating. It affects movement, balance, speech, and even confidence. And often, people are left searching for ways to take back control.

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Karen found the program through her doctor shortly after being diagnosed.

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“If you have Parkinson’s—take it. Absolutely take it,” she says.

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She describes the class as a place of “balance, camaraderie, coordination,” where even on difficult days, she leaves feeling better than when she walked in.

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“It lets me know I’m not alone… we’re all taking part and having power.”

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The Science Behind the Movement

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While the emotional impact is powerful, the physical benefits are just as important.

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Coach Tristan explains that boxing is uniquely effective for Parkinson’s because it challenges both the body and the brain:

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“We’re constantly crossing the body, crossing the midline, which makes both hemispheres of the brain communicate more… that’s really impactful for balance and coordination.”

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The workouts are intentionally intense. Parkinson’s is linked to a loss of dopamine, and exercise helps stimulate its production. The harder participants work, the more benefit they can gain.

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But it’s not just about intensity—it’s about purpose.

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“It’s actually fighting back,” Tristan says.

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Strength in Community

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For Ron, who has been attending classes for over two years, the structure and consistency have become a vital part of his life.

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“Monday, Wednesday, Friday—I look forward to it tremendously,” he says.

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The class has helped him stay active, improve stiffness, and even lose 20 pounds. But what keeps him coming back is the people.

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“This is a class surrounded by people with similar issues… it helps to be around others.”

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That connection extends beyond the gym. Participants check in on each other, carpool together, and build real friendships.

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As Tristan puts it:

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“It’s like an incredible support group… they take care of each other.”

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Showing Up—No Matter What

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For another Ron, now nearly 80 years old, simply getting to class is sometimes the hardest part.

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Parkinson’s has changed his body in profound ways. Walking is difficult. Energy is limited. Some days, getting out of bed is a challenge.

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And yet—he still comes.

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“How does it not help me?” he says. “No activity is bad… you have to be active in some way.”

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Even if he’s no longer at the front of the class, even if he’s working at a different pace, he shows up and keeps moving.

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Because that’s what this program is about.

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From Patient to Fighter

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Dean often reminds participants of one simple but powerful idea:

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“When they come in here, they’re not a patient—they’re a boxer. They’re fighters.”

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That shift in identity matters.

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Parkinson’s may be part of their lives—but it doesn’t define them.

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Inside ZOOZ, they punch bags, challenge their limits, laugh with friends, and support one another through the highs and lows of the disease.

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They fight back—together.

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Join the Fight

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Rock Steady Boxing at ZOOZ continues to grow, serving dozens of individuals in the Woodland Hills community and beyond. For those living with Parkinson’s—or anyone looking for supportive, functional movement—the program offers something rare:

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Hope, strength, and connection.

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Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is to keep showing up and throwing punches.

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