Despite being the birthplace of the GOAT, Mohammad Ali, Louisville is sadly lacking in top quality boxing gyms. Don’t worry though, there are a handful of decent places to train and we’ve reviewed them for you here
Let’s have a look:
My preference is always for those rare, pure, old school boxing gyms, free of ego, and full of passion for the sport. But sometimes I include the odd boxercise place because I know that not everyone wants the nitty gritty of actual combat.
Why listen to me: I’ve been boxing as an amateur for 6 years and trained in countless boxing gyms around the world from Seattle to Spain. I’ve learnt that picking the right gym can literally change your life and want to help you do the same. Learn more about me here.
PLEASE leave your own opinions and experiences about Louisville boxing gyms in the comments at the bottom and I’ll continuously update this page to make it as useful as possible!
The 6 Best Boxing Gyms in Louisville🥊
1️⃣ Derby City MMA
- Summary: a top class, experienced MMA gym with lots of boxing classes
- Address: 8021 Dixie Hwy
- Google rating: 4.8
- Opening hours: M-F: 6am – 8pm
- Pricing: n.a.
- Best for: beginners, kids, pros, and everyone in between
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Sure Derby City is an MMA gym rather than a pure boxing gym but it holds 2 or 3 boxing classes everyday so there’s plenty for you here if you just want to stick to the Sweet Science.
The have kids classes, beginners classes, and advanced boxing classes so there is something here for everyone, no matter your age or ability. They also have BJJ, kickboxing, cardio, and strength training sessions. And, as they’re open dawn to dusk, it’s safe to say they work hard here!
Derby City has been doing its thing for over 20 years and head coach Chewy and his team are an extremely welcoming and knowledgeable bunch.
Definitely one of the best gyms to learn boxing in Louisville. Go check it out!
2️⃣ Top Knotch Boxing
- Summary: A non-profit gym with a big heart and plenty of passion
- Address: 4402 Kiln Ct
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-F: 3-8pm
- Pricing: free
- Best for: kids wanting to compete
- Online: website, Facebook
Top Knotch flies below the radar. But that’s how old school boxing gyms tend to be. Nothing flashy, just plenty of passion for the sport.
It’s a non-profit gym that provides boxing training for anyone but in particular local youths, giving them a way to fulfill their potential.
They claim to be the last true boxing gym in Louisville. And while I’m quite sure that’s true as House of Warrior is a pure boxing gym, they are definitely one of the best places in town to train.
They are welcoming of all ages and abilities, and also often compete in competitive bouts. So if you’re looking to take your fighting up a notch and get into the ring then Top Knotch could be the place for you.
3️⃣ Area 502 MMA
- Summary: extremely welcoming and friendly MMA gym with boxing
- Address: 444 Downes Terrace, Louisville, KY 40214
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: M-F: 5:30-8:30pm, Sa: 11am-1pm, Su: 1-2pm
- Pricing: $100 / month for boxing program
- Best for: begginers, kids and anyone after varied combat training
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
As the name suggests, Area 502 MMA is not a pure boxing gym. It also teaches kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. But we’ve included it on this list because boxing is a core part of its offering, with boxing classes everyday, and also because it’s a damn good gym.
It has over 100 5-star reviews, with most of the praise directed at the family-friendly positive atmosphere that has been created by head boxing coach Aaron. The gym itself is also huge, clean, and full of top quality equipment.
They have a boxing course for beginners if you’re just getting started, and they also have a competitive boxing team for those who are more advanced and are looking to fight in a competitive bout.
They only have boxing classes in the afternoon so if you’re a bit of a morning lark then it might be hard for you to fit them into your schedule.
4️⃣ House of Warrior Boxing
- Summary: a pure boxing gym, great for kids
- Address: 3103 Fern Valley Rd Unit 106
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: M-F: 4:30-9pm
- Pricing: n.a.
- Best for: kids looking to compete
- Online: Instagram, Facebook
House of Warrior is one of the few pure boxing gyms in Louisville.
Here they are all about boxing and only boxing, training everyone from newbie kids to local champs.
In fact they’re so focused on their boxing that they haven’t got round to making a website yet but you can keep up with them on their social media channels.
Owner and head coach Abdullah will make you work hard and is big on discipline. He’s a very popular figure among all his students and gets the most out of everyone he coaches. Him and his small team are responsible for creating a respectful, fun, and motivating atmosphere.
Everyone is welcome here but they are particularly good at training kids so if you have a son or daughter keen to train then this is the place for you.
5️⃣ Terry Middleton’s
- Summary: a simple but experienced MMA gym
- Address: 117 E Market St (New Albany)
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-T: 4-9pm, Sa: 4-9pm
- Pricing: n.a.
- Best for: beginners and intermediate
- Online: website, Facebook
Terry Middleton’s has to be the oldest of all the boxing gyms in Louisville. For 50 years Terry has been training students in boxing, kickboxing, and Karate.
Terry and his team make a big effort to ensure that everyone in the class gets some one-on-one attention. They’ve also managed to create a strong community feel to the place that some members describe as a “second home”.
There’s nothing fancy about this place but it’s a solid option if you’re new to boxing and want to make sure you train somewhere that’s free of egos and dick heads.
Bear in mind that they only have 3 boxing classes a week which may not be enough for you or fit your schedule. Also, technically Terry Middleton’s is in Albany rather than Louisville but it’s a reachable drive away.
6️⃣ Title Boxing Club
- Summary: Boxercise franchise. Fun workout but no actual fighting.
- Address: 849 S Hurstbourne Pkwy
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: M-T: 6am-8pm, F: 6am-7pm, Sa: 7-11am, Su: 12-2pm
- Pricing: $139 / month (unlimited classes)
- Best for: beginners and fitness fanatics
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Title Boxing Club provides a decent fitness option, offering an intense workout regimen centered around boxing.
As part of a well-established franchise, Title consistently delivers exceptional facilities and a dedicated team of knowledgeable instructors to keep your motivation soaring.
It’s important to note, though, that Title primarily focuses on physical fitness rather than in-depth boxing technique refinement. While participants do engage in fundamental boxing exercises, the emphasis is not on combat or learning to engage in actual fights.
Think of Title as a sophisticated spin studio tailored for boxing enthusiasts rather than a traditional boxing gym.
They offer classes from morning till night, seven days a week, making it accessible for even the busiest of schedules.
Related articles:
How to pick a Louisville boxing gym❓
- Coaches – an experienced, motivating coach makes all the difference. Not just when it comes to improving your technique but also in encouraging you to keep coming back time and time again. Becoming a good boxer takes a long time and so it’s important you find a coach that you click with if this is something you want to do for many years. Reviews will often focus on coaches so try looking for those for some insights.
- Convenience of location and class timings – this is key. My boxing gym is on the same block as my home so I have no excuse not to go almost everyday, even if I’m not feeling up to it. Finding a gym that’s close to home or work will make your life much easier and help to make going to boxing training a habit. The same applies to class timings, if you have to massively disrupt your day to get to a class because it doesn’t fit your schedule then you’re going to be less likely to go.
- Gym focus – I don’t have a problem with boxercise classes, but make sure you know what you’re signing up for if you join one of these. Boxercise is very different than actually learning how to fight and getting sparring experience. If you truly want to learn how to box then you need to box. That involves punching other people and getting punched yourself.
- Trial class – most boxing gyms will allow you to have a free trial class so you can get a feel for the place before you sign up. This is a great way of evaluating whether you like the coach, the energy, and the focus of the gym. Always worth asking for a free trial class if you’re not sure whether it’s offered.
How much do boxing gyms in Louisville cost? 💰
- Monthly memberships: Roughly ~$50-150 per month. Most places offer unlimited classes to their members. Be sure to check for this.
- One-on-one personal training: Depending on the gym, costs are around $70 per hour as a minimum.
- Drop-in boxing classes for non-members: ~$15-$30 per class
- Initiation fee: not all places make you pay one of these (and I’m not a fan of it) but those that do usually charge a one-off fee of $50-$100
12th Round 🔔
Sadly there aren’t tops of great boxing gyms in Louisville. It certainly hasn’t built on Ali’s legacy. But with the likes of Derby City, Top Knotch, and House of Warrior, there are enough decent options for you to strap on your gloves and get going.
Happy fighting! 🥊🥊
“I wanted to show the world that it can be done. Anything is possible with the right mindset. If you believe in yourself and you sacrifice and dedicate, with the right help you can come back.” – Tyson Fury
