Abu Dhabi has a rich history of combat sports, tracing its roots back to the Bedouin tribes who would showcase their strength and skill in hand-to-hand combat. Today, the city is home to some top class boxing gyms.
Let’s explore:
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 Abu Dhabi boxing gyms in the comments at the bottom and I’ll continuously update this page to make it as useful as possible!
The 7 Best Boxing Gyms in Abu Dhabi🥊
1️⃣ Perform Boxing Studio
- Summary: A real deal authentic boxing gym
- Address: Abu Dhabi Al Douj Street, Al Danah 15-88 Tower A (Al Danah)
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: Su-Th: 5-10pm
- Pricing: 500 AED / month
- Best for: beginners, pros, and everyone in between
- Online: website, Facebook, Instagram
Perform Boxing Studio comes highly recommended – seriously, go check it out its reviews on Google. People really love this place. And it’s a genuine boxing gym that focuses exclusively on boxing technique, boxing fitness, and sparring.
If you want to learn actual boxing and none of that commercial boxercise stuff, then look no further than PBS.
Coaches Luci and Mohammed are very popular figures who clearly know what they are doing and take the time to make sure that everyone is striving towards their own personal training goals. As far as authentic, pure boxing gyms in Abu Dhabi go, I think Perform Boxing Studio might be the best of them all.
Nothing fancy, just boxing as it should be.
2️⃣ Kane’s Boxing Academy
- Summary: A gem of a pure boxing gym
- Address: Fotouh Al Khair Shopping Centre (Al Danah)
- Google rating: 4.8
- Opening hours: M-F & Su: 10am-9pm
- Pricing: 675 AED / month
- Best for: everyone
- Online: website, Instagram
Whether you’re brand new to the sport or you’re a pro looking to get some rounds in, Kane’s is for you. This is the only pure boxing gym in Abu Dhabi and it’s a real gem.
The facilities look amazing, the coaches are top class, and the environment is extremely professional yet welcoming to all.
It’s hard to find a bad word said about Kane’s (apart from someone complaining the aircon wasn’t strong enough), with members praising how much attention the coaches give you and how dedicated they are to training you in the real art of boxing. Someone said they felt like they were “training to become a superhero”!
Kane’s offers a wide variety of boxing classes for kids, women, and men. One on one training, sparring, advanced boxing technique. Everything. 7 days a week.
I would love to train at this gym. Undoubtedly one of the best boxing gyms in Abu Dhabi, check it out!
3️⃣ PTA Boxing
- Summary: Get genuine boxing instruction from a seasoned pro
- Address: 19th St – Shakhbout Bin Sultan St (Al Mushrif)
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: n.a.
- Pricing: 480 AED / m
- Best for: beginners and friendly types
- Online: website, Facebook, Instagram
Despite what “boxfit” the name implies, PTA is actually a lot more than a boxercise place.
Very popular head coach, Pio (pictured above), trains its members in authentic boxing technique while giving them a full-on workout.
He’s a certified boxing coach with over 35 years of experience who has won countless boxing championships back in his home country of New Zealand.
There’s not a bad word said about PTA by its members who praise Pio for his personal care to each and every student, and for his extensive knowledge of boxing and fitness.
The gym is next to a park so sometimes training happens in the open air for a nice change of scene. PTA looks really cool, a genuine community of boxers, led by a man who clearly cares.
4️⃣ Cobra
- Summary: Top class mixed combat gym with boxing classes
- Address: Upper Basement, Al Raha Blvd. (Al Bandar)
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-F: 6am-10pm, S-S: 7am-7pm
- Pricing: 900 AED / month
- Best for: those looking for mixed combat training
- Online: website, Facebook, Instagram
At first glance this place looks pretty intimidating: champions train here, their motto is “push till ya spew”, and they host semi professional and professional fights. Even then name is kinda terrifying. But don’t let any of that put you off.
Cobra has a motivational, respectful, and very friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to people of all ages and abilities. Its members talk of the strong community that’s been created by owner Matt and his top quality staff who care for each and every member’s personal development.
If you want a serious workout among people who are dedicated to getting in shape and to learn proper combat technique then Cobra is the place for you. Definitely one of the best places to train in Abu Dhabi.
Note that Cobra is not a pure boxing gym. It also has classes in Muay Thai, strength and conditioning, cycling, even pole dancing, but usually has 2 boxing classes every day to choose from.
5️⃣ Abu Dhabi Muay Thai
- Summary: Passionate Muay Thai gym with some boxing classes
- Address: Saeed Bin Ahmad Al Otaiba St – Al Danah
- Google rating: 4.7
- Opening hours: Sa-Th: 6am-10pm
- Pricing: 500 AED/m
- Best for: friendly types and those looking for MMA
- Online: website, Facebook, Instagram
As the name suggests, this place is primarily a Muay Thai gym but it does also offer boxing classes everyday.
Founded in 2007, these guys really know what they are doing and will give you proper combat training and one hell of a workout. It’s welcoming of all ages, skills, and goals.
If you want to really learn how to fight, or if you’re just looking for a fun way to get in the shape of your life, then Abu Dhabi Muay Thai is a great option.
And wow do they work hard here, it’s open from dusk till dawn 6 days a week. That’s passion and dedication right there. Reviews praise the superb coaches, epic sparring sessions, and the positive energy.
There’s nothing flashy or pretentious at Abu Dhabi Muay Thai, it’s all about the training and the environment.
6️⃣ STRIKE
- Summary: Open air fitness and combat sports studio on the beach
- Address: Corniche Street Al Bahar Beach (Corniche Beach)
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: Class schedule very varied. Main late afternoons. See website for details.
- Pricing: 800 AED / month
- Best for: fitness fanatics
- Online: website, Instagram
Strike wins the prize for the coolest location: it’s an open air gym on the beach, which explains why it only does classes in the evening once temperatures have cooled down. Workout to the sound of the sea as the sun is setting…
Strike isn’t really a boxing gym, it’s more of a fitness studio that hosts many different types of classes including boxing, muay thai, yoga, circuits, and calisthenics. And note that the boxing classes are mainly focused on fitness although there is a significant element of technique.
It sounds like there’s a great energy to this place and by all accounts the instructors are a cool bunch. Definitely worth trying if you’re looking to mix up your training and break a sweat in the open air.
7️⃣ PUNCH Boxing Club
- Summary: Boxercise studio with fancy nightclub vibes
- Address: International Tennis Complex (Zayed Sports City)
- Google rating: 4.5
- Opening hours: Class schedule very varied. See website for details.
- Pricing: 800 AED / month
- Best for: fitness fanatics, women
- Online: website, Instagram
If you want a great workout, eardrum-busting music, flashing lights, and instructors shouting motivational lines at you, then Punch will hit the spot.
It’s a bit like fighting a bag in a nightclub. Its many fans talk of the fun classes, high quality trainers, and great atmosphere.
But if you are looking for a boxing gym that focuses on the fundamentals of the sport like technique and real combat then this place isn’t for you. The only contact during these classes is with the punch bags.
They have mixed classes and classes exclusively for women.
Related links:
How to pick a boxing gym in Abu Dhabi❓
- 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 – for me this is so important. 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 Abu Dhabi cost? 💰
- Monthly memberships: 500-900 AED per month. Most places offer unlimited classes to their members. Be sure to check for this.
- One-on-one personal training: This can vary a lot but expect to pay around 250 AED per hour as a minimum.
- Drop-in boxing classes for non-members: ~90 AED 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 around 200 AED
12th Round 🔔
I must admit I wasn’t expecting Abu Dhabi to offer much on the boxing gyms front. But I’m happy to say I was wrong. There are some top quality places to train here like Perform and Kane’s. And as Abu Dhabi grows in stature and style, so too will its boxing scene.
Happy fighting!🥊🥊
“There are a lot of things and in order to be at the top and maintain your focus you have to have something that motivates you. For me, it was what I perceived as a lack of respect from the boxing world as well as the media, which made me want to work so hard and be great.”
—Marvelous Marvin Hagler
