New York is home to some top class boxing gyms like Church Street, Gleason’s, and Trinity. Let’s take a look:
(This article is mainly focused on boxing gyms in Manhattan. If you’re after Brooklyn gyms then check out this dedicated piece instead).
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 New York boxing gyms in the comments at the bottom and I’ll continuously update this page to make it as useful as possible!
The 8 Best Boxing Gyms in New York🥊
1️⃣ Church Street Boxing Gym
- Summary: a much loved mixed combat sports gym welcoming to all
- Address: 25 Park Pl (Lower Manhattan) & 153 W 29th St (Midtown)
- Google rating: 4.8
- Opening hours: differs slightly by venue so see website for details
- Pricing: $180 / month (unlimited classes)
- Best for: beginners, pros, and everyone in between
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Church Street Boxing Gym is the real deal. Or “gyms” I should say. They have two locations, one in Lower Manhattan and the other in Chelsea. Both are proper, authentic boxing gyms teaching real technique.
If you picture in your mind an old school boxing gym, it would look exactly like Church Street: a slightly rundown industrial building, boxing memorabilia and flags all over the walls, wooden floors. It’s sick.
They’ve been training boxing (and Muay Thai and BJJ) here since they opened their doors in 1997. Today they hold up to 8 different classes every day of the week for you to chose from, including kids classes, advanced sparring, and ladies only. Beginners very welcome.
And if all that wasn’t enough, at $180 / month for unlimited access, it’s one of the best value boxing gyms in New York. They even give new members a set of boxing gloves. Love it.
Only good things to say about Church Street. If you can give it a try. Do. You won’t be disappointed.
2️⃣ Gleason’s
- Summary: the world famous gym is as old school and passionate as it gets
- Address: 130 Water St
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-F: 5am-10pm, S-S: 6am-6pm
- Pricing: $120 / month plus any one on one training
- Best for: passionate boxers wanting to take their training to the top
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
OK, so Gleason’s is actually in Brooklyn but we’ve included it here because it is one of the most historic boxing gyms in the world, let alone in NYC.
It’s trained the boxing royalty since it was founded way back in 1937, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Forman, Mike Tyson and many other legends of the sport.
Nowhere has seen more champions grace its ring than Gleason’s.
So, obviously, this is a place that takes its boxing seriously. That doesn’t mean it’s not open to beginners, it certainly is, just so long as you’re committed to learning the true art of the sport and will put the work in.
Unlike most other boxing gyms, Gleason’s doesn’t offer classes. Instead you can come in and train yourself on the equipment, or work one-on-one with the several literal-world class trainers who work out of the gym. Note, this does make it quite expensive.
They also cater for kids, those with Parkisons, the neurodiverse, and veterans.
Gleason’s, and everyone in it, lives and breathes boxing. If you wan’t to train with the best, and walk – or should I say punch – in the footsteps of the best, then Gleason’s is the only option for you.
I’d honestly give my left nut to train here regularly…
3️⃣ Gotham
- Summary: a high-end, modern boxing gym catering to wealthy New Yorkers
- Address: 600 Washington St
- Google rating: 4.5
- Opening hours: M-T: 6am-9pm, F: 6am-6pm, Sa: 8am-4pm, Su: 8am-2pm
- Pricing: $350 / month (estimated)
- Best for: hot, fancy fitness fanatics and beginners
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
If Gleason’s embodies the NYC of the 1900s: gritty, irreverent, storied, then Gotham embodies NYC of the 2000s: modern, flash, hot.
The facility is cool, clean, and full of supermodels (which may or may not be a good thing depending on who you are…I personally wouldn’t mind it). Everything is monochrome, the equipment feels brand new, and it all feels like it was designed by Nike.
Beneath the fancy exterior though is a top quality boxing gym that offers a lot more than just a killer workout. Their classes teach real boxing technique: you won’t just be hitting bags on your own like some other “boxing gyms” in New York.
All the coaches like Rob and Big Mike are extremely friendly, experienced, and professional and have managed to create an ego free, motivating environment, that is welcoming of everyone.
The focus here is a little more on fitness than on fighting so if you’re looking to compete at the highest level then it may not be quite right for you but, all in all, Gotham is a top class boxing gym, well worth your time and money.
4️⃣ Mendez Boxing Gym
- Summary: a passionate pure boxing gym focused on one-on-one coaching
- Address: 56 W 125th St
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-F: 7am-9pm, Sa: 8am-8pm, Su: 9am-5pm
- Pricing: $209 / month
- Best for: those wanting extra attention and fast progress
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Mendez Boxing Gym is back! After shutting down for a while and dealing with the death of its founder, Mendez has reopened its doors in a new location in Harlem and it’s as good as ever.
This is a proper boxing gym focusing on footwork and technique, and getting a solid fundamental base. They’re affiliated with Boxing USA so you know it’s a genuine boxing gym, not just a boxercise studio.
They don’t operate classes here. It’s one-one-one training with their quality coaches, or you can come in and train by yourself using their extensive and high quality equipment (lots of weights, cardio stuff, two rings etc).
Head coach Rob Acevedo and his team are all highly experienced trainers with decades of fighting experience each, so you can rest assured you’ll be learning the true art of the sport here.
If you’re looking for a passionate boxing gym where you’ll progress fast with personal coaching, then you can’t go wrong with Mendez’s.
5️⃣ Trinity Boxing Club
- Summary: a cool, friendly, old school boxing gym. Love it.
- Address: 20 Vesey St
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-F: 6am-8pm, Sa: 9am-2pm
- Pricing: $350 / month (estimated, unlimited classes)
- Best for: fun lovers, beginners, kids, and intermediates
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
This place is awesome. Seriously, just take a look at that photo. It’s laid back, down-to-earth, raw. Just how boxing gyms should be.
They’ve managed to create the perfect cocktail of fun and fighting, in large part thanks to hilarious and caring owner Martin Snow, who is known for catch phrases like “don’t fuck up” – go read their website, it’s funny shit and will give you a sense of the unique atmosphere here.
They have two group classes every weekday at 7am and 6pm, and on Saturday morning at 10am, for boxers of all levels. They also hold multiple kids classes. Private lessons are available too.
They have a sister gym over in LA if you find yourself on the West Coast.
If you don’t take yourself too seriously but want to learn real boxing with a great crowd then give Trinity a go. One my favorite boxing gyms in New York for sure.
It’s a little on the expensive side but if you can afford it then go for it. It’s worth it just to hang around with Martin and his team!
6️⃣ Victory Boxing
- Summary: a top class friendly boxing gym, perfect for beginners and intermediates
- Address: 455 W 37th St
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-F: 6am-9pm, S-S: 8:30am-1:30pm
- Pricing: $200 / month (unlimited)
- Best for: beginners, intermediates, and fitness fanatics
- Online: website, Facebook, Instagram
It’s hard to find a bad word said about Victory. Everyone who trains here raves about it.
Most of the praise is directed at the facility which is top class: it’s spacious, modern, well-equipped and clean. And also at the trainers John, Isaac, and others who could not be more friendly and welcoming.
They hold up to 4 classes everyday for you to choose from, which are a mixture of boxing based fitness, and “foundations of boxing”. They also have sparring sessions (the test for whether its a proper boxing gym or not) so you can start doing some actual fighting when you’re ready.
Also, at $200 / month for unlimited classes it’s one of the best value boxing gyms in New York.
Highly recommended.
7️⃣ The Last Round
- Summary: a humble but mighty boxing gym
- Address: 115 W 30th St
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-F: 6am – 9pm, Sa: 8am-3pm, Su: 9am-2pm
- Pricing: $250 / month (unlimited classes)
- Best for: boxers of all abilities
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
The Last Round has only been going since 2021 but it has already developed a reputation as a quality under-the-radar boxing gym in Midtown NYC.
There’s nothing fancy about the place but it’s very friendly, good value for money, and draws a solid crowd of people.
They’ll train you right up from total newbie all the way to a competitive fighter. Or just stick with the exercise side of things. Whichever you prefer. Everyone and their unique training goals are welcome.
They have several classes throughout the day, and I like how they limit them to a max of 10 people per class so that everyone gets enough attention from the coaches.
Yep, they have dedicated sparring sessions too and personal training is also available if you want faster progress. A great all round boxing gym.
8️⃣ Overthrow Boxing
- Summary: a great little boxing gym with a solid community and relaxed vibe
- Address: 9 Bleecker St
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-F: 7am-8pm Sa: 8am-2pm, Su: 9am-3pm
- Pricing: $350 / month (unlimited classes)
- Best for: beginners and hipster boxers
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
On the outside, Overthrow Boxing seems more like a cool speakeasy cocktail bar with it’s gratified and neon-light adorned facade.
Overthrow definitely isn’t a bar but it is cool. It’s got a very relaxed, friendly, community vibe to it. It’s anything but intimidating, as boxing gyms can sometimes be.
This unique atmosphere is set by trainers Adriel, Julian, Pete, and others who are all very popular among Overthrow’s loyal members. They keep the classes intense, varied, and fun.
Classes are 45 minutes long each and they vary across Boxing Burnout (cardio and strength emphasis) and Boxing Class (boxing technique). They also have sparring classes on Wednesday evenings so you can definitely get some proper fighting in.
At $350/month It feels a bit expensive for what it is (they gym is on the small side and can get pretty busy), but all in all, a really decent place to start leaning boxing in NYC.
Related articles:
How to pick a New York 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 New York cost? 💰
- Monthly memberships: Some places change by class, some by month. But expect to pay at least $200 / month, likely more, and definitely more if you want private coaching. Many places offer unlimited classes to their members. Be sure to check for this.
- One-on-one personal training: Depending on the gym, costs can be at least $100 per hour.
- Drop-in boxing classes for non-members: ~$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 ~$100.
12th Round 🔔
To be honest, a city like New York should have more good boxing gyms. The trouble is there are way too many boxercise places. But for those of you wanting to learn the true art, with Gleason’s, Church Street, Trinity, and a few others, you have a decent selection to pick from.
Happy fighting! 🥊🥊
“If there’s magic in boxing, it’s the magic of fighting battles beyond endurance, beyond cracked ribs, ruptured kidneys and detached retinas. It’s the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you.”
Paul Haggis
