Dumfries boxing club boss helping Parkinson's sufferers with new training regime
31.05.2024 - 08:45
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A Dumfries boxing club boss is helping Parkinson’s sufferers with a new training regime in his gym.
Ross Phillips owns Southwest Boxing Club and has been putting people with Parkinson’s through their paces in weekly sessions to help improve their confidence and fitness.
And it has been voted a roaring success by the members who take part in a series of other activities to help slow down the progress of their symptoms.
Ross, 30, said: “This all came about through a physio called Erin Traill who owns Positive Steps.
“She asked me if I would like to get involved in working with Parkinson’s sufferers and I said I’d love to.
“We just do everything that the members are capable of in boxing training, apart from sparring.
“So they do bag work and ladder work plus kettle bells.
“The members love it. They say it is one of the best classes they go to and one told me it was his best class.
“They have a lot going on and some go to five different things in a week. Everyone enjoys it and it is good for socialising, building confidence and keeping fit.
“The youngest person in the group is in his mid-50s and there is a lady who comes along who is in her 60s.
“I also have an older adults group in my gym that I train in the over 60s.”
Ross, who is also a personal trainer, has up to seven members taking part and insists there is room for more to join up.
He added: “I do boxing classes for two junior classes, two youth classes and three boxing classes so it keeps me busy with my personal training clients as well.
“I used to be a boxer when I was younger and fought in the feather weight and light weight categories.”
Physio Erin Traill owns Positive Steps based at Galloway House in The Crichton.
She developed a specific