After moving to Downtown LA I found myself getting tired with the monotony of the standard workout I was completing in my small apartment gym. In my efforts to branch away from the standard routine, I visited multiple local gyms. I eventually found a love for group High Intensity Interval Training sessions. This new found love for HIIT workouts led me down the path of exploration that landed me at the door of Rise Athletics LA. This gym offers boxing, jiu jitsu, cardio kickboxing and yoga.
Having never stepped into a boxing gym before I was a little intimidated. However, as with most things in life, these early fears dissipated as I got to know the friendly instructors and fellow members. After I had taken the time to learn the basic combinations, I found a real love for the high intensity boxing classes. I found that I would get so absorbed in the combinations that I would push myself a lot harder than I would do in other classes.
The beauty of the boxing classes is that you are using all the major muscle groups in your body. As a result, I am not only getting the full body workout I desire but am also now more confident walking around Downtown on my own.
For anyone in LA that has never thought to try a boxing exercise class but enjoys group HIIT workouts, I highly recommend checking out one of these boxing studios.
Prevail
Membership:
$240/month or $30/class
5957 W 3rd ST, Los Angeles, CA 90036
This small gym in La Brea packs a real punch. The classes are an intense mix of boxing technique and full body conditioning. This place is great for beginners as they offer complimentary glove and wrap rentals.
BoxUnion
Membership: $199/month or $30/class
120 N. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles,CA 90048
1755 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
BoxUnion is probably the most fun of all the boxing classes I have now tried. The instructors have you throwing combinations in time with the music. The high tempo beats keep you throwing punches at a high intensity. This results in an exhausting but extremely enjoyable fast-paced workout.
Gloveworx
Membership: approx. $169/month or $24/class
10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
1415 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Gloveworx is a great option for someone who is interested in progressing from boxing for exercise to boxing for defense. Unlike many of the other boxing studios the group sessions at Gloveworx include mitts sessions in the ring with the trainer. These one on one mitts sessions provide opportunities for advanced technique coaching that you would have to take private lessons elsewhere to receive.
Rise Athletics LA
Membership: $199/month
714 S. Hill St. BSMT, Los Angeles CA 90014
Rise Athletics LA not only offers boxing but also yoga, Jiu jitsu and kickboxing. I would say that out of the studios I have listed Rise is most suited for someone looking to learn overall practical self defense and not just improve their fitness. As always parking can be a hassle downtown but you can get passes through the gym that help out if you have to drive.
Box N Burn
Cost: $32/class $270/ 10 classes (No membership)
1654 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
11980 San Vicente Blvd. #106, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Since they offer your first class free, I would highly recommend Box N Burn to anyone who has yet to try a boxing based workout class. Like Gloveworx, Box N Burn offers in ring one on one mitt training with coaches as part of their standard 60-minute multi station workout. With six trainers working per session you get a lot of individualized attention. This really helps to develop the correct punching techniques.
Kaitlin is a travel writer and marketing consultant. On any given day, you can find her surfing, reading, and/or on the eternal search for the cutest cafes (with tons of power sockets, of course).
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