“I was diagnosed with PD in 2016. As my symptoms gradually worsened over the years, I tried a variety of exercise programs to help maintain strength, balance, and coordination and avoid falls. I found Gary Brill through my neurologist and have worked with him for over two years. Gary knows boxing but specializes in applying it to people with Parkinson’s. He approaches clients the way I practiced surgery: every case is different. Gary’s personalized training means each session is tailored to my condition, stamina, and symptoms—the effects last long after the workouts are over. Besides my medications, training with Gary has been the single best thing I have found to combat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.”

“Regular exercise had been a way of life for me for over 20 years, first as a dedicated runner and later as an avid cyclist. Then I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
All the experts say that exercise is the best medicine for Parkingson’s.
But one by one, Parkinson’s robbed me of the exercises I loved: running, power walking and biking. I tried new ways of keeping fit: yoga and weight training, acupuncture and transcendental meditation. Some kind of worked. Some didn’t help at all.
Last spring, a friend who also has Parkinson’s told me about boxing and how much he enjoyed it. He urged me to join his boxing group. I went to a session with about 20 other people. It was crowded and I couldn’t get any individual attention. Then I happened to see a brochure in my neurologist’s waiting area for Gary Brill and his Strike Clubs.
I’ve been working with Gary for about six months now. Working with neurologists and drawing on a lifetime of exercise, he’s developed an impressive arsenal of exercises to deal with my specific issues. My gait, which was my most bothersome issue, has drastically improved under Gary’s tutelage.
Every workout is different. But the constant is Gary’s ‘up close and personal’ approach. He has a laser-like focus on every move I make, urging me on, keeping me safe. He gets as excited as I do when I accomplish some new exercise or surpass my previous performance.
The most surprising aspect for me is how much I look forward to hearing Gary say ‘Let’s box!’ It’s really fun. I walk out of every workout tired but exhilarated. Gary’s enthusiasm is contagious. He loves what he does and he’s damned good at it.
If you’ve got Parkinson’s, get Gary!
”

“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2009, but experienced major symptoms beginning in 2007. I have worked with various physical therapy programs which did nothing for me and, in one case, worsened my back pain. After having failed back surgery, no physical therapy program or therapist agreed to take me on as their patient. My dystonia from PD worsened my back pain. My balance and gait problems made me feel crippled, doomed to becoming increasingly restricted in my activities. Gary understood my limitations, but he also has shown me that I can get stronger and improve my balance through his evidence based approach. Gary has an innate, almost psychic, ability to understand what areas of my PD condition need the most attention. He doesn’t over exert me, but rather, strongly encourages me during my workouts; always being there ready to prevent me from falling if I start to lose my balance. He really cares about his clients’ health and well being and is truly dedicated, willing to accommodate his schedule to meet our needs. He loves his work as seen by his positive attitude, his always present empathy, his exuberance and his terrific sense of humor. I truly feel blessed to have him in my life.”

“I am seventy years old and was diagnosed with PD about seven years ago. I started boxing training with Gary recently and I see a significant improvement in my movements especially during the training where I can walk normally and entirely symptoms free! Gary’s boxing training is not just about punching. It is much more than that. It is about stretching, balance and concentration on conscience movements. Most importantly, it is about empathy, dedication, encouragement and motivation. Gary is a great trainer and a real mentch. I am very lucky to work with him.”

“Strike Club’s Gary Brill is an innovating practitioner of his calling. Mixing the various exercises to the capability of his patient. I have had yards of Physical Therapy, much attendance at the Alexander Technique, Tai Chi and none of it compares with Gary’s boxing clinic. I look forward to it each week and I get a good workout, and let’s face it, there is nothing like beating up a hanging bag to get the aggression out of you. I think it’s a very good program for the Parkinson Patient administered by a caring instructor. Here’s to Gary and his, “attaboy, only 20 seconds, You can do it.””

“My wife was diagnosed with PD 15 years ago, and for years we lived without feeling the effect of the disease. About a year ago, her walking and balance began to be affected, and it was obvious that she needed and would continue to need help to keep her mobile and independent. In a visit to her neurologist we saw a flyer which offered the services of Gary Brill and the boxing program that he has developed that is designed to improve balance, posture, coordination and strength. We called Gary and were immediately impressed with his warmth, caring, and determination to help improve my wife’s condition. The benefits of his program were immediately felt, as she looks forward to her one on one sessions with Gary, and importantly, responds to his caring and concerned approach with extra effort and enthusiasm.”

“Dear Fellow Parkinson’s Fighters,

I’d like to let you know about my tremendous good fortune in picking up a flyer about Gary Brill of Strike Clubs at a meeting with your patients’ support group. Working with Gary over the last 2 months has changed my life!

Following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease 12 years ago, I have participated in a series of training programs — strength and flexibility, Pilates, LSVT Big — but I found them boring, and none of them really made a difference, while my condition gradually worsened. Then I discovered Gary Brill — an extraordinarily sympathetic and cautious trainer, with a deep background in boxing, who specializes in training seniors and in fighting Parkinson’s with exercise. I find that boxing with Gary exercises my strength, balance, endurance, and rapid response, while it adds to my personal satisfaction in literally “fighting back”. At the same time, it’s fun! Really great fun!! I look forward with impatience to my three times a week hourly sessions. Following each session I stand straighter, walk better, and feel more like myself as I was before.”

“My sessions with Strike clubs Gary Brill reduce discomfort and stiffness, increase strength, flexibility and balance, and for days afterward inhibit tremors. Gary tailors our sessions to my particular needs, abilities, and interests and varies routines to keep the workouts interesting and challenging. Gary’s positive attitude and personal warmth provide encouragement. I feel like I’m working out with a friend who knows me and cares about me. Above all, the work I’ve done with Gary—in its physical and psychological dimensions—leaves me feeling like a fighter and not a victim. I can’t put a price on that.”

“After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year I decided to do whatever I could to battle this disease. I learned that a great medicine for me was exercise, especially boxing. So at 73 years old I did my research and found that Strike Clubs​ ​Gary Brill did​ ​private boxing training for PD here in New York City.

Gary has a heart of gold and is a joy to work with. I am stronger than ever. My balance is improved and I look forward to every session.

Gary has such a positive attitude and is so encouraging, it rubs off on me and I feel empowered and confident that with Gary’s help I can beat this disease.”