How One Florida Gym Became a Lifeline for Parkinson’s Patients

Nick Penziotto’s love for fitness began at a young age. Growing up, he was constantly active, playing sports and seeking out new physical challenges. 

• That search led him to discover CrossFit early on. By 2014, Penziotto was competing at Regionals, and two years later, he opened CrossFit 561 in Greenacres, FL.

Penziotto, now a CF-L3 trainer, wanted to share it with as many people as possible, and his vision for the gym was ambitious.

Introducing Rock Steady Boxing 

Eventually, Penziotto joined forces with a physical therapy company to co-own his facility. That partnership opened the door to something bigger than just group CrossFit classes. 

They saw the potential for an integrated fitness and health hub that combined performance training with targeted rehabilitation.

• The first step was “PhysFit,” a program designed for “seasoned” athletes. It provided older members with a training environment tailored to their needs – balancing strength, mobility, and longevity.

Then came a program that would change the direction of Penziotto’s career: Rock Steady Boxing.

When the opportunity arose to add Rock Steady Boxing to the gym’s offerings, Penziotto admits he didn’t know much about it at the time, but has since become a huge proponent.

• “Rock Steady Boxing is a nationwide program that offers classes for Parkinson’s patients,” he explained in an interview with the Morning Chalk Up. “They have a franchise model, and we were part of the pilot program.”

Founded in 2006 by Scott C. Newman after his Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 40, Rock Steady grew from his training with former Golden Gloves boxer Vince Perez, whose intense boxing drills eased Newman’s symptoms. Today, the program has over 800 affiliates across all 50 states and 14 countries.

Why It Works

Once CrossFit 561 committed to hosting the program, Penziotto stepped up.

• “They sent me to explore the program up in Indianapolis. I went and got certified, and it was one of my favorite courses I’ve ever done,” he recalled.

Rock Steady’s approach is rooted in forced, intense exercise, which research shows can slow the progression of Parkinson’s.

• “There’s a range of age groups in the classes,” Penziotto explained, “and the biggest challenge can be getting creative so everyone can train with intensity, even if they have mobility or fitness limitations.”

Classes run daily – some focusing on strength and weights, others on boxing drills and coordination. The mix keeps participants engaged while targeting the varied symptoms and challenges of the disease.

• “A lot of neurologists are great about referring Rock Steady, and we’re one of the very few locations in the area,” Penziotto said. “Plus, we had the built-in connection with our physical therapy partners, who were already treating Parkinson’s patients.”

A Deeper Purpose

For Penziotto, offering the Rock Steady classes carries even more weight than offering CrossFit.

• “It’s higher stakes for these people,” he said. “If you let Parkinson’s take its course, it’s nasty.”

Teaching these classes has changed how he coaches – and how he sees life.

• “You see these guys get a diagnosis with no cure, knowing it’s going to get worse regardless. But they still show up every day to get fractionally better, to enjoy a couple of hours,” he reflected.

That perspective has sharpened his message to all athletes, from Games hopefuls to weekend warriors:

• “We get to do this. We’re so lucky. You move your body, you feel good. These folks fight for that every day.”

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Featured Image: Nick Penziotto