Boxing has recently remerged with fists flying (and elbows in). Top supermodels including Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss and Chanel Iman (hello, body goals) swear by boxing workouts for good reason.
Along with blasting fat and improving coordination, this high intensity workout is also known for developing muscles in just the right spots—aka those elusive abs that are playing keep-away. Equally importantly, boxing gives you the rare opportunity to channel your creativity and pummel a bag like it’s your monstrous mother-in-law.
Strap on your hand wraps ladies, here are the best places to jab away.
Leo Berry's Gym
Richmond
Approaching over 70 years in the business, Leo Berry’s Gym is an institution in Richmond. A not-for-profit organisation obsessively committed to providing the best training possible, classes change each day to keep every workout challenging (so no, the classes are never going to get any easier, ever). Classes are a tenner per session, run for an hour and a half, and may or may not leave you feeling like your favourite childhood jelly.
All trainers are experienced boxing instructors and keep one keen boxing eye out for newbies. If you’re still not convinced, there’s a solid sense of community that comes with being a regular at Leo Berry’s Gym—which might just be the not-so-subtle peer pressure you need to finally achieve those #fitspo goals. Classes run every Monday afternoon, Wednesday afternoon and Saturday mornings.
Fight Fit
South Melbourne, Collingwood
Come into summer swinging with professional training from the Fight Fit team. Combining boxing, kickboxing and circuit training into one explosive, high intensity workout – their range of four classes focuses on improving coordination, technique and overall fitness. Personal training and boxing matches are also held at Fight Fit.
Yoga XTC
South Yarra
Everyone knows the best work is always done with a smidge of peer pressure. At Yoga XTC, their group fitness training classes are dynamic and focus on training a range of muscle groups. With classes limited to just eight participants, there’s no room to hide in their Boxing Training (BoxTC) classes.
Power Play
Brunswick
Power Play’s range of group boxing classes will have you hook, line and kicker. From beginner mixed classes to a pro fighter-only class, you know you’ll be learning real boxing moves from the best.
Facilities include two boxing rings, movable and modular boxing bags, plus treadmills and free weights for a well-rounded workout. Ladies only and kid-friendly classes also run regularly throughout the week so you can feel comfortable punching your way into a new figure!
Fighters Factory
Blackburn
Catering to everyone from professional boxers to fitties dipping their toes in the boxing arena, Fighters Factory offers a non-contact Boxing Circuit specifically designed for weight loss and toning.
The hour-long training exercise may very well render you a couch potato for the rest of the evening, but this cross-training circuit is guaranteed to blast fat. Exercises will include bag punching, skipping, speedball and stomach exercises in rotating 3-minute circuits. Prepare for the burn.
Doherty’s Gym
CBD, Dandenong, Campbellfield, Brunswick
One of Melbourne’s most popular 24-hour gyms, Doherty’s Gym Boxing Classes are suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced boxers. Running at four Victorian locations, these hour-long boxing classes involve cardio, real non-contact boxing and static crunches.
Classes are just $10 per class, making this also one of Melbourne’s most affordable workouts.
Healthy Balance Fitness
Fitzroy, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Caulfield
Along with award-winning group running training, Healthy Balance Fitness also offer non-contact boxing classes! Boasting different sessions every week so you’ll never fall into an exercise slump, classes are promised to boast a mix of boxing combinations and cardio.
Technique is a focus with participants learning how to strike with their elbows, knees and hands (of course). High intensity bootcamps with integrated boxing is also available, if you’re nervous about the punching side of things.
Fitness Ring
Richmond
Run by an ex-world champion boxer, don’t be scared to jump into the ring with Fitness Ring. Boxing classes can be incorporated with early bird boot camp classes, suspension training or high intensity interval training.
Most classes can be customised for all fitness levels, so you don’t have to worry if you’re sceptical about doing more than five straight minutes of exercise. Personal training is also available if you need some extra work on your uppercut!
Need more workout #inspo? Check out the Melbourne's Best Places To Workout, voted by you!
Image credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
