Westway Boxing Club: Parkinson’s Punchers

Tucked away in the East of Scarborough, Westway Boxing Club hosts one of the most prominent Parkinson’s boxing classes: Parkinson’s Punchers.

Undoubtedly a resounding success story for the community boxing club, the session has grown from four participants to 25 dedicated individuals who train across three weekly sessions. The sessions are fun, vibrant, and well-attended, and they’re making a positive social impact and enhancing the participants’ health, fitness, balance, and coordination at the same time.

One individual who lives with Parkinson’s and attends Westway’s weekly sessions said, “Wednesday’s boxing session is the highlight of my week. On top of the physical exercise, we get a massive dose of friendship, support, encouragement and, above all else, fun.”

Another added: “I feel that since joining the group, it has been a breath of fresh air and supplied a new burst of energy. It has also helped with my balance, given me more confidence, new friends, encouragement and well-being, and there’s an excellent coach who gives you lots of encouragement.”

The coach in question is Ryan Ashworth, who is the head coach of Westway Boxing Club, which lies five miles southwest of Scarborough’s beach. Every ship needs a captain, and Ryan has been the one to figurehead the club’s Parkinson’s project – a fact that is acknowledged in the gushing praise he receives from the participants:

“Ryan has made Westway Boxing Club a safe place for those of us trying to make a stand against the progression of our Parkinson’s. He brings his experience to coax the best out of each and every one of us, and the difference it has made to us all is fantastic.

“Not all heroes wear capes – some wear boxing gloves.”

“What would my world be without boxing for Parkinson’s? Ryan is not only highly experienced in boxing, but he also has an understanding of Parkinson’s, which affected his Grandad. He just knows how to create boxing sessions that have made me more balanced, coordinated, and stronger and have transformed me into someone who has rediscovered his natural body rhythm.

“Each week, he encourages us individually to improve our lives through the magic of boxing. His skills and personality are both very rare and amazing.”

“Boxing with our brilliant coach Ryan has given me such a confidence boost. I’m stronger, fitter, and I have great friends around me. I’m so proud to say I box at Westway.”

“The change in both my physical and mental strength has been incredible. The exercise, combined with the professionalism of Ryan and the heaps of fun, is a weekly booster that can not be measured.”

The growth of the club’s Parkinson’s boxing classes is a testament to the value and enjoyment boxing can provide to the Parkinson’s community, alongside all of the physical and mental benefits. Ryan at Westway’s Boxing Club has done an incredible job with these sessions, proving the magic of boxing is real.