Philadelphia – the home of Rocky! Sadly, Mighty Mick’s from the movie isn’t a real boxing gym, but the good news is that there are many other top class authentic boxing gyms for you to choose from in the City of Brotherly Love. Let’s take 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 Philadelphia boxing gyms in the comments at the bottom and I’ll continuously update this page to make it as useful as possible!
The 10 Best Boxing Gyms in Philadelphia 🥊
1️⃣ Front Street Gym
- Summary: Philly’s world famous boxing Mecca
- Address: 2076 E Clearfield St (Port Richmond)
- Google rating: 4.7
- Opening hours: M-F: 4-7pm
- Pricing: $25 / month (access only)
- Best for: those passionate about true boxing
- Online: website, Facebook, Instagram
Featured in Hollywood movies like Rocky Balboa and Creed, Front Street Gym is certainly Philadelphia’s most famous place to fight. Pure boxing has been seeping out of the walls here for over 50 years.
It’s one of those rare real deal, old school boxing gyms. No frills, but an abundance of passion for the sport and experience.
It’s set in an old red-brick garage, and there’s no standard class schedule. You have to ring them up, have a chat, and they’ll let you know if they’re what you’re looking for.
But don’t be intimidated by it’s pedigree. Front Street is just as welcoming to beginners as it is to pros. As long as you’re willing to work hard and commit yourself, they’ll take you under their wing.
The gym is a core part of the local community and has long had a reputation for supporting kids, and helping to keep them out of trouble.
Undoubtedly one of the best boxing gyms in Philadelphia. Go check it out.
2️⃣ Lets be Elite Boxing & Fitness
- Summary: Great atmosphere. Great coaches. Great pure boxing gym.
- Address: 3122 Willits Road (Winchester Park)
- Google rating: 4.9
- Opening hours: M-T: 6am-12pm & 4pm-9pm, Sa: 8am-12pm
- Pricing: $170 / month for unlimited classes and open gym
- Best for: everyone
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
As a writer I can’t help but notice the grammar error in the name of the gym, but I’m willing to let that slide because Lets Be Elite is a pretty great boxing gym!
It’s hard to find a bad word said about this place with the members praising its motivating environment and the friendly, respectful nature of Coach Octavio and others.
It’s well organised, professional, clean, and welcoming of boxers of all ages and abilities. This is one of those rare, traditional boxing gyms that feel more like a family than anything else.
You’ll work hard, the trainers will get the best out of you, and you know you’ll be getting taught the proper art of boxing.
If you’re looking for proper boxing gyms in Philadelphia you can’t go wrong with Elite. I’d love to train here – highly recommended.
3️⃣ Maleek Jackson Boxing
- Summary: High-end, even higher quality.
- Address: 926 N 2nd St (Poplar)
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-F: 7-11am & 3-7pm, Sa: 9-11am & 3-5pm
- Pricing: $250 / month
- Best for: everyone
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
It’s hard to find a bad word said about this place. It’s members rave about the quality of the coaches, Maleek and Hanif, and the awesome atmosphere that they have created.
Seriously, go check out the Google reviews – plenty of people credit Maleek to changing their lives. Rich praise indeed.
Boxers of all skills and ages are welcome here, and the coaches will tailor the experience to meet your specific needs.
Be warned, you will be pushed to your limit! The classes are fun, challenging, and focused on training you in the true art of boxing.
The facility itself is clean and well kitted-out but, at $250/month for access and a maximum of 8 classes, it does feel expensive compared to other options.
4️⃣ James Schuler Boxing Gym
- Summary: Highly experienced, authentic boxing gym
- Address: 750 Brooklyn St (Belmot)
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-T: 8:30am-7:30pm, F: 8:30am-6pm, Sa: 8:30am-3pm
- Pricing: $40 / month
- Best for: those on a budget who don’t need anything fancy
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
James Schuler’s has been coaching champion boxers for nearly 30 years. They really know what they’re doing.
This isn’t some commercially-minded gym trying to rinse it’s members, it’s a family run place that lives and breathes boxing. It also has a big community focus, with an emphasis on using the sport of boxing to get kids on better paths in life.
For just $40/m you can come in and use the gym and get tips from any one of the many experienced coaches they have. Or you can book in for some 1 on 1 coaching for $85/hr and get trained like a champ by a Hall-of-famer coach. Sadly they don’t seem to offer large group classes.
They host regular amateur fight nights here so if you fancy watching some live action (highly recommended!), or even getting in the ring yourself, then head on down.
5️⃣ Pivott Boxing Academy
- Summary: “Boxing is life” Tells you all you need to know!
- Address: 2807 N 6th St (West Kensington)
- Google rating: 5.0
- Opening hours: M-F: 10am – 8pm, Sa: 11am-3pm
- Pricing: $55 / month
- Best for: everyone, especially youths
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
“Welcome to Philadelphia’s toughest boxing gym, where boxing is life”
This is the first thing you read when you check out their website – love it! No doubt as to what you’re in for when you come and train here.
Owner Lando has built a hugely popular boxing gym that also acts as vital part of the local community. Pivott welcomes boxers of all ages and skills and, in particular, has developed a reputation for helping local youth through instilling values of integrity, discipline, and respect.
The facility itself looks sparkling clean and full of top quality boxing equipment.
Whether you want to train to compete, or whether you just want to get in shape while learning how to fight, then I’d recommend Pivott Boxing Academy. For sure one of the best boxing gyms in Philadelphia.
6️⃣ Warrior Boxing
- Summary: Top class, intimate authentic boxing gym
- Address: 2550 S Bancroft St (South Philadelphia)
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: M-F: 9am-8pm, Sa: 10am-4pm
- Pricing: n.a.
- Best for: those wanting hard work and personal attention
- Online: Facebook
Warrior Boxing Gym is so focused on the Sweet Science that they haven’t got round to setting up a website.
This place is all about boxing. You won’t find any selfies or superfood smoothies here. But what you will find is a great community atmosphere, and a club that is welcoming of all levels and ages.
Head Coach and owner, JD, is described as “kind but tough” and gives each of his students the personal attention they need. He’ll train you hard, give you a serious workout and, if you’re willing to get stuck in, will treat you like family. It’s probably the closest you’ll get to 1-on-1 boxing training in the city without booking a personal trainer.
This isn’t one of those large commercial gyms, it’s an intimate no-nonsense club that cares about each of it’s students: a great addition to the Philly boxing scene.
7️⃣ Joltin’ Jabs
- Summary: Boxing fitness from a former pro fighter
- Address: 115 West Ridge Pike (Conshohocken)
- Google rating: 4.6
- Opening hours: 4/5 classes per day at varying times, check website for specifics
- Pricing: n.a.
- Best for: fitness fanatics and fun lovers
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
Founded by former pro boxer and Manayunk native, Joltin’ Joey DeMalavez, Joltin’ Jabs describes itself as a boxing fitness gym.
Across 4 or 5 classes everyday, Joey takes his students through 50 minutes of cardio, agility and strength training, training the same way Joey trained during his pro career.
Joey himself is a veryyyyy popular figure who ensures each workout is great fun, hard work, and motivational. Don’t be late to his classes though, or he won’t let you in. Discipline is key in boxing! 1 on 1 boxing training is also available.
“Joey is a special dude, and Joltin Jabs is a special gym, stop in and see him, you’ll see what I mean” – says one of many 5-star reviews about this place.
8️⃣ Philly’s Next Champ
- Summary: Top class boxing gym with a focus on kids and youths
- Address: 1810 Grant Avenue (Krewstown)
- Google rating: 4.7
- Opening hours: M,W,F: 5:30-8pm, Sa: 10am-1pm
- Pricing: $15 / class
- Best for: youths
- Online: website, Instagram, Facebook
I’ts not entirely clear whether this gym trains adults or not. Their website only explains the kids and youth boxing classes and then has adult fitness classes.
I think this is poor communication rather than reality. Confusion aside, Philly’s Next Champ is a great spot to train, especially if you’re young.
Head coach Mike has been on the Philly boxing scene since the 1980s when he was an amateur fighter and has trained some of the city’s best boxers. It’s safe to say that the coaches here really know what they are doing.
All classes are drop-in classes and take place in the evenings during the week and on Saturday morning. Each class is a mixture of cardio training and boxing technique.
9️⃣ Rumble Boxing
- Summary: Boxercise. Great workout but not really boxing.
- Address: 1520 Walnut St (Center City)
- Google rating: 4.7
- Opening hours: M-T: 7am-8:15pm, F: 7am-6:15pm, Sa: 8:30am-1:30pm, Su: 9:30am-1:30pm
- Pricing: $185 / month (8 classes)
- Best for: fitness fanatics wanting to avoid combat
- Online: website
Rumble Boxing is a large boxercise franchise with gyms all over the USA.
If you want a great workout, eardrum-busting music, flashing lights, and instructors shouting motivational lines at you, then Rumble will hit the spot.
But the classes are non-contact, and not very focused on actual boxing technique. Great workout and fun classes but you won’t learn proper boxing technique here.
They have a full schedule of classes, often 9 classes every day of the week, morning till night, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a time that suits your schedule.
🔟 Mighty Mick’s
- Summary: The legendary (but fictional) home of Rocky Balboa
- Address: 2147 N Front St (East Kensington)
- Google rating: 10
- Opening hours: always
- Best for: dreamers
- Pricing: legends only
No blog about boxing gyms in Philadelphia would be complete without a mention of the legendary Mighty Micks gym from the Rocky films.
This place has trained world champions like Rocky Balboa and Tommy Gunn so there’s no messing around here. Prepare to give it your absolute everything in this place.
Sadly this isn’t a real gym (probably been turned into some swanky apartments by now), but if you’re in town you can go visit the location for a bit of inspiration and boxing / Hollywood sightseeing.
Related articles:
- The Best Boxing Gyms in Washington DC
- The Best Boxing Gyms in Brooklyn
- The Best Boxing Gyms in Boston
How to chose a Philadelphia 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 – 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 Philadelphia cost? 💰
- Monthly memberships: ~$50-$250 per month. Most places offer unlimited classes to their members. Be sure to check for this. If the gym looks very cheap it probably doesn’t include classes for that price.
- One-on-one personal training: This can vary a lot but expect to pay around $50 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 🔔
Train like Rocky, fight like Rocky. With places like Front Street, Elite, and Maleek Jackson, there’s no shortage of top quality authentic boxing gyms in Philadelphia so we have no doubt that you’ll find the perfect place to suit you.
Happy fighting!🥊🥊
“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” – Rocky Balboa
