So you wanna be a boxer? You don’t need to be built like Sylvester Stallone to get into the ring – plenty of boxing gyms in London offer training for all levels, from total beginner to professional boxing. We’ve rounded up the best of the bunch, all welcoming, non-intimidating places where you can take your first steps with confidence. Put ‘em up!
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Designed to be a boxing space for all – regardless of age, gender, or background – London Community Boxing gym runs kids’ workshops, donation-only community classes and women-only sessions.
Units 3-4, Bellenden Road Business Centre, SE15 4RF. Peckham Rye Overground.
If you’ve had a jab at a few boxfit classes and are inspired to learn to fight properly, head to Paragon Gym in Shoreditch. Its eight-week boxing and kickboxing courses will soon have you, ahem, hooked.
6-8 Boundary St, E2 7JE. Shoreditch High St Overground.
There’s something for everyone at Miguel’s Boxing Gym. And we mean everyone. As well as one-to-one training, they offer women-only classes, white-collar boxing, a ten-week ‘beat obesity’ programme, sessions for over 60s and even £1 stress-busting workouts for the unemployed. The gym is tucked away under the railway arches near Loughborough Junction, but once you spot the Muhammad Ali mural, you’ll know you’re in the right place.
Railway Arches, 261-262 Hardess St, SE24 0HN
What do James McAvoy, Denise Van Outen and Sharon Small have in common? They’ve all trained at the North London Boxing Club, where the 90-minute classes will knock you out (not literally, with any luck). The classes start with circuit training, which includes sparring, shadow boxing, skipping and punch-bag drills, before ending with a cardio blast that’ll leave you seriously sweaty. If you don’t fancy venturing north, there’s also a sister branch in Walthamstow.
Unit 2A, The Mews, Truro Road, N22 8EL
Compared to some of London’s boxing clubs, Glove Up is relatively new on the scene. But they’re keen to stress their traditional approach: this is not boxercise, it’s proper boxing. They offer boxing, thai boxing, skills sessions and women-only classes, as well as circuit and conditioning classes to improve your overall fitness. There’s a professional boxing ring, punch bags, a weights studio and those all-important skipping ropes.
22 Hardwicks Square, SW18 4GS
Feeling flash? Swanky studio Kobox offers fast and furious HIIT classes combining heavy-bag sparring and functional strengthbuilding. Try the 30 Min Express.
Multiple locations.
If you’ve always wanted to take up boxing but never had the time, Box Clever Sports is the place for you. Their classes cater to all schedules, including a morning ‘wake up session’ and a non-contact technique-focused class, as well as a Saturday morning blitz to sweat out that hangover. They also offer personal training and private group classes, if you and your pals want to learn the ropes together.
Lowerwood Court car park, Westbourne Park Road, W11 1EU
When it comes to fitness, Clapham isn’t all hot yoga and pilates studios. 12 Rounds Boxing gym is run by John and Kat Bryson who are on a mission to prove that anyone can get into the ring (yes, that means you). The classes are split into levels and you can work your way up as you get more experienced, starting with ‘boxing fundamentals’ and finishing with 'Fight Skool’.
1A St John's Hill, Clapham, SW11 5EW
Scared to step into the ring? You’ve got nothing to fear at Ringtone Boxing Gym, which was set up by professional boxer Ben Day in an attempt to make boxing gyms less intimidating. Their extensive class schedule includes women-only boxing, sparring sessions and even classes for Uber drivers. The gym is kitted out with a boxing ring, punch bags and weights area.
141-153 Drummond St, NW1 2PB
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