Become A Knockout: LA’s Latest Fitness Trend
Want to become a knockout? Then you have to try the hottest trend to hit the LA fitness scene since hot yoga.
I’m talking about boxing!
While the sport itself is nothing new, what’s changed is that everyone is doing it.
Supermodels, pop stars, and celebs alike are hitting up packed classes to punch, kick, and sweat among the rest of us.
According to NY Post, there’s been an 80% increase in boxing classes booked on ClassPass since January. People are actually fighting to get into these classes.
Cara Delevingne, Adrianna Lima, Doutzen Kroes, and Kendall Jenner are just a few of the leggy beauties seen ringside lately. And it’s easy to see why — boxing can burn up to about 700 calories an hour, all while making you feel like a bad girl.
Speaking of bad girls, it was after attending an empowering boxing workout held by Puma recently with Rihanna’s trainer Jamie Granger, that I got my first taste of this new trend.
I had so much fun that I set out to find the best boxing classes in town.
You’ll be glad to know, I did not come back empty-handed. Literally — I ended up buying my own gloves and wraps because I love it so much.
Interested in trying your hand — er, fist — at it? Here’s a rundown on my three favorite boxing studios in Los Angeles:
This Hollywood hotspot is always teeming with tall, sports bra-baring models and vaguely familiar actors. I def saw one of the guys from Orange is the New Black there.
Don’t let that intimidate you though — I also saw a 60-something, 5 ft woman duking it out like she was on Total Divas.
At Prevail, it’s all about attitude.
The 45-minute workout consists of a cardio warm-up, followed by a circuit including bag-work, strength-training, plyometrics, abs, and sparring with the instructor.
Every class is different, but it’s always an incredibly fun, fast-paced, sweaty mess.
Oh yeah, and all the instructors are super hot too — guys and gals alike.
Not quite ready to rumble with the boys? Or perhaps you’re just saving them the embarrassment of a babelicious beatdown?
Foxy and Fierce’s Muay Thai Conditioning class is all about girl power (in case you didn’t get that from the name).
The female-only kickboxing bootcamp is located in an authentic martial arts studio in Hollywood and let me tell you — it is no joke.
The session begins with about ten minutes straight of jump roping.
Have you ever jump roped for ten minutes straight? It’s a workout by itself.
After the warm-up, you pair up for bag-work, shadowing boxing, kicking pads, and more.
My partner and I were both newbies and we were hesitant to really go full throttle on each other with the kicks, but they encouraged it. No one got hurt, and everyone left feeling pretty fierce.
Ready to rumble in the ring? Gloverworx will having you feeling like Evander Holyfield.
This Santa Monica based studio has everything from cardio equipment to a full-on boxing ring.
The one-hour signature class includes hardcore cardio, conditioning, bag-work, and one-on-one boxing in the ring with the instructors.
The coach to student ratio is never more than 1:5, so you really get personalized instruction and walk away with some legit skills on top of an incredibly effective workout.
You can find both Prevail and Foxy and Fierce on ClassPass. Gloveworx offers the first class free to new clients.
All three studios let you borrow hand wraps and gloves for your first time and offer day rentals there after.
I’ll bet once you try one though you’ll be scooping up your own pair like I did. This fashionable and fierce white pair was only $40.
Well worth it to transform yourself into a total knockout!
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Liz says:
Boxing/kickboxing is one of my passions! I was in the best shape ever when I took regular kickboxing classes and am really itching to get back in to it probably after the holidays. Such an insanely good workout! I loved learning all the different punches.
Whitney English says:
Yeah it’s really fun and makes you feel so tough!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says:
I love boxing! I’ve been doing some boxing and kickboxing with my trainer once a week for years. It’s my favorite workout day
Whitney English says:
Mine too – next to cardio dance parties!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says:
Believe it or not, this is one of the few workout classes I’ve yet to try. But I know there are a couple of good studios in the Bay Area for boxing, so maybe I’ll consider! I’ve got to be part of this trend hahah! :)
Whitney English says:
What?! I find that hard to believe – you better get with the program girl, haha ;)
Bethann says:
You are pretty bad ass! There’s a boxing gym near my house I’ve been meaning to get to! The husband loves it and swears it’ll be my new favorite workout. It looks SO fun!
Whitney English says:
Why thank you my dear – I consider that a pretty big compliment :) You should def listen to your hubs and try it – and then come try it with me next!
Krissy @ Pretty Wee Things says:
Wow! I’m so terrible at boxing, I have the worst upper body strength. And goodness knows I definitely need it, my arms ache after carrying around my son!
Whitney English says:
This is a great way to work on that! Try 12 oz gloves to start and ease into it!
Jennifer Dene says:
Thanks for the rundown! I love boxing and have just wrapped up (ha!) private sessions with my trainer so I will definitely be checking out some of these spots. My gloves are pink though … maybe not so cool?! XO
Whitney English says:
Pink gloves are DEF cool :) We’ll have to go take a class together sometime!
Barely Vegan says:
Boxing, huh?!?! Your post has me a little hyped and now I want to try a boxing class, but like another commenter stated, I have HORRIBLE upper body strength (and I used to be in JROTC! Ha! A disgrace, I know.) Maybe I’ll try 12 oz gloves like you suggested for her. Ugghh…who knows. I’m already exhausted just thinking about it!! I need to do better. :)
Whitney English says:
Haha don’t let that dissuade you! It’s all about building strength! These classes are all very accommodating to newbies too so you can take it at your own pace.
Deanna @ The Live Fit Girls says:
I LOVE boxing!! Can’t wait to try some of these studios! My favorite is definitely a “hook”, I love feeling my obliques working it! ;)
Whitney English says:
Yes! It’s crazy how many different muscles go into each move that you wouldn’t really think about!
Claire says:
It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm boxing is gaining ever since Yoga really hit the scene. It while be interesting seeing how this spreads to other parts of the country.