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ICOR Boxing teams up with The University
Club to offer a new fitness class
Boxing is traditionally presented as a male-dominated sport for the young and daring. ICOR Boxing is attempting to change that with the help of some women in the community. As a family-run gym with the goal of creating an inclusive and welcoming community, ICOR Boxing’s doors are open to all gender identities, races, ages, and experience levels. One of the biggest steps towards that goal was starting their Rock Steady Boxing program.
“Clif had heard of Rock Steady Boxing for people with Parkinson's Disease. It was kind of taking off at that point," Coach Emily Klinefelter said. She has been coaching Rock Steady Boxing classes for nearly five years. The goal of these therapeutic classes is to slow the progression of symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s Disease. The program focuses on flexibility, mobility, balance, voice activation, dexterity, and strength and conditioning through boxing training.
Coaches Clif Johnson and Emily Klinefelter have created a supportive and tight-knit community of individuals 50 and up through their Rock Steady Boxing classes. The class members include people with Parkinson Disease and their caregivers. This is how Ann Allaire and Joni Bosch were introduced to the sport. “When [my husband and I] found out about this place, I thought: I'm gonna do it with him,” Allaire said. Her husband has Parkinson’s and regularly attends the classes. She fell in love with the fast-paced drills. “I like the creativity of the coaches. They always have a new plan for us. I'm always learning. I love that,” Allaire said. Joni Bosch has a similar story.
Bosch has been boxing with her husband at ICOR for nearly three years. She never thought she would start boxing in her sixties, let alone fall in love with it. “I always thought that boxing seemed like a weird thing for women. But you know this is not a fight club, it’s actually fun. There's a variety of exercises, strengthening, conditioning, toning, all that. Plus, you know, unwinding at the end of the day with the speed bags,” Bosch explained. Bosch and Allaire wished to share this newfound passion with other women their age. This led them to team up with Coach Klinefelter and Coach Johnson to start a new program open to women 50 and up outside of the Rock Steady Boxing setting. “The goal of this class is to encourage fitness and camaraderie for middle and retirement-aged women. We're not going to throw you in the ring with a bunch of 20-year-olds and expect you to keep up. This class specifically focuses on the fitness needs of women 50 and older. You are going to get a good workout, you are going to get stronger, you're going to get in great shape. We also want to introduce boxing to people to combat the stigma sometimes associated with boxing as being a dangerous sport,” Klinefelter explained.
Klinefelter understands that many women would never “in a million years think to try boxing” and hopes that this class can introduce the sport in a fun, low-pressure way. She emphasized that anyone can box, regardless of having never taken or thrown a punch. The class is meant to unite older women in a physical/recreational activity to strengthen both the body and mind. Klinefelter and Johnson wish to show other women that boxing is for everyone, not just the young.
Bosch understands there may be hesitancy about joining something that is seemingly violent. “What we're doing is not actually a fight club, it is just a fitness kind of thing. If you think about it, boxing does work on a lot of things that women need as they grow older. We're working on balance, we're working on speed, we're working on hand-eye coordination, strengthening, conditioning, toning, all things that we need,” Bosch said. There are physical benefits to boxing as an older woman. “Physical fitness is neuroprotective. So it's also going to help your cognition as you age. And as we know about the aging process, you're going to lose some bone density and muscle mass. Boxing training is a great way to combat those losses just in terms of the strength you're going to gain” Klinefelter said.
This class is also more interesting than simply cardio. The exercises vary and are always able to be modified to any ability level. The level of contact is entirely up to the participant, every activity will be at your own pace and at your own comfort level. “It's fun. The coaches here are passionate and caring and ready to teach anybody no matter what their skill level is,” Allaire explained. The coaches work hard to adapt the workouts for everyone. Klinefelter emphasizes that anyone can participate. “Boxing is for everyone. No one is too young. No one is too old. And no, you don't have to hit anybody else and you don't have to get hit. It's a great workout.” Emily added.
Classes start in January and will be held at 11AM on Mondays and Thursdays. Members of the University Club receive a 25% discount off the standard pricing. For those interested in joining the class, more information is available on their website, www.icorboxing.com or you can contact ICOR Boxing by emailing icorboxing@gmail.com or by calling or texting (319)244-8282. Newcomers are welcome to try a free class or two before signing up.
Photo and story by Madeline Smith
Stephanie Goodman with the RSB affiliate in Overland Park, KS will be teaching a two-day, 16 hour certification course for coaches and therapists working with Parkinson's patients. Stephanie has graciously agreed to conduct the course, free of charge, at our gym in Iowa City, Iowa.
Stephanie has a background in drama and created this program to help Parkinson's patients. The course teaches coaches and therapists how to incorporate drama-based exercises into classes. These exercises help individuals with PD to boldly express themselves with voice projection, presence, gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, eye contact, and movement. The course is free and we would be happy to help with hotel recommendations if you need to stay overnight. We are super excited about this amazing opportunity to gain more knowledge so we can help our Rock Steady Boxing members fight back against Parkinson's Disease. We would love for you to join us! Please email, text, or call with questions or to sign up.
Check out the video below!
icorboxing@gmail.com
(319) 244-8282
Stephanie has a background in drama and created this program to help Parkinson's patients. The course teaches coaches and therapists how to incorporate drama-based exercises into classes. These exercises help individuals with PD to boldly express themselves with voice projection, presence, gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, eye contact, and movement. The course is free and we would be happy to help with hotel recommendations if you need to stay overnight. We are super excited about this amazing opportunity to gain more knowledge so we can help our Rock Steady Boxing members fight back against Parkinson's Disease. We would love for you to join us! Please email, text, or call with questions or to sign up.
Check out the video below!
icorboxing@gmail.com
(319) 244-8282
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