BYRON CENTER, Mich. — This is an update to a story we first brought you at the end of 2023. The Rock Steady Boxing Center in Byron Center has moved a couple of doors down to a larger facility and is now the West Michigan Parkinson’s Support Center.
Director Amy Hooyer says the new location is nearly three times the space, going from 1,600 square feet to 5,200.
13 ON YOUR SIDE was there to check out the first location in 2023.
Hooyer says she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 45 in 2012, and that after learning the benefits of boxing she brought the national gym chain, Rock Steady Boxing, to West Michigan.
The larger facility, which opened at the beginning of 2024, now offers many other programs besides boxing to support those living with Parkinson's. It’s a facility Hooyer believes to be the only one of its kind in West Michigan.
“We have cardio drumming, we have yoga, and we’re working on bringing the ballet in here and tai chi and several other exercise programs. We also have support groups here and we have a medical equipment lending closet. So, that’s an offering we hadn’t had before,” she said.
She says what makes the facility unique is that you don’t have to be referred by a medical facility and that it’s open to anyone living with Parkinson’s.
The medical equipment lending closet includes things like walking assistance or weighted forks to help with tremors.
Hooyer hopes the facility will give people the motivation to get out of the house and get moving. She also hopes to help combat depression and anxiety which she says are also symptoms of Parkinson’s.
The West Michigan Parkinson’s Support Center be having a grand opening celebration on Friday, April 19. April marks Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month.
The new location is at 2241 84th Street SW in Byron Center.
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