Come for the Work Out, Stay for the Camaraderie
When owner, Carolyn Kosiba-Quiterio decided to open RSBEG, her dream was to create a place where individuals with Parkinson’s and their families could find the support, evidence-based services, and community, that they needed. Now, RSBEG has fulfilled that goal and continues to provide support to an ever increasing number of people in our community. It has become a home away from home.
Our Classes
Our classes are unique and shaped to support every individual and their specific needs. Each class targets various aspects of life with PD and challenge strength, endurance, cognition, communication, balance, and so much more. You will never get bored with a RSBEG class and you will never find an exercise that we can’t modify to suit your ability!
Our Partners
Partnering with local universities has given RSBEG an additional edge in becoming the one-stop-shop for PD. Fostering interprofessional relationships with Johnson and Wales, New England Institute of Technology, Tufts, and URI, allows the individuals at RSBEG to receive speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy at no additional cost. Students constantly bring new and exciting interventions to support the already challenging and dynamic workouts at our gym. Individual and group therapy offerings are based on the athlete’s individual goals and can extend to any aspect of their daily living.
Support Groups
RSBEG offers two monthly support groups at their East Greenwich location for individuals with PD, as well as their care partners. This is a closed group where members can open up to the people who understand their situation best, others living it every day. Topics are chosen by the group and cover relationships, symptom management, navigating medical visits, and many other topics. Athletes and care partners alike always come away with new information and understanding from our support groups.
You may have heard about how boxing has been shown to improve the lives of people with PD…. but here’s more evidence from research done at our very own gym!
A retrospective study of pre and post test data of RSBEG athletes was performed by Shilpa Bhalla OT/S, ByoungMan Chae, OT/S; Zachary Morris, OT/S; and Dr. Randal Fedoruk, OT/D, OTR/L from New England Institute of Technology. The study showed that, “RSB participants were able to achieve improvements in measures of functional mobility, balance, and strength through participation in the program for 6 months.”
Check out the national Rock Steady Boxing website for more research and information about the benefits of high intensity boxing for individuals with Parkinson’s.
We can talk about the benefits of RSBEG all day, but why not see what some of our athletes had to say about the program?
“Since coming to RSB my attitude and emotions are 80% better. I love the challenge, camaraderie, and respect. I became a coach because I want people to feel as good as I do and show them that this program works. The community here is so great, no matter what your level is, we are all the same. We all check on each other and see each other as equals. We lift each other up”
— Scott T, Age 63, Fighting Parkinson’s since 2011
“There’s a support group intrinsic in RSB. The structure here, it certainly helps you. I don’t work as hard if I’m alone.”
— Alan, Age 69, Fighting Parkinson’s since 2018
“This is the best thing for me. The biggest thing for me is it gets me out of the house. I try to come all the time. The other good thing for me is the camaraderie.”
— Howard, Age 72
“Before RSBEG I could barely get out of bed. Now I can function normally. People tell me how different I am now, this program really makes a difference. I am truly amongst friends when I am here.”
— Pat A, Age 76, Fighting Parkinson’s since 2022
“RSB has improved my physical conditioning, my mental outlook, and has made my PD diagnosis a whole lot less scary. I love working my body hard. I love the caring that comes from this place. RSB is as essential to my treatment as any medication possibly could be.”
— Stacey, Age 64, Fighting Parkinson’s since 2019
“RSBEG always keeps me going. I truly believe my PD would be more advanced if I had not started here. The environment is so positive and everyone is always here to lend support and advice.”
— Pat P, Age 75, Fighting Parkinson’s since 2021