Local Boxing Program Helps Parkinson’s Patients Fight Back

A powerful fight is happening right here in the Coachella Valley and it’s not inside a traditional boxing ring.

At Power Fitness, a program called Rock Steady Boxing is helping people living with Parkinson's disease take control of their symptoms, one punch at a time.

Led locally by trainer Chris Boni, and inspired by his father’s diagnosis, the classes focus on building strength, balance, and coordination. Participants meet several times a week, working through boxing drills designed to slow the progression of the disease.

Health experts, including the World Health Organization, say there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, and cases are on the rise worldwide. But research shows that regular exercise can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Participants say the program offers more than just physical benefits, it also helps reduce anxiety and builds a strong sense of community.

For many in the class, the fight against Parkinson’s is personal. But inside the gym, they’re not facing it alone.

Organizers say every jab and every step forward is part of a larger mission: to keep moving, keep fighting, and never give up hope.