I’m not going to pretend that I’m an expert on boxing classes - but I can say that I’ve taken my fair share of boxing classes at different studios in NYC over the past couple of years (Work Train Fight, Overthrow Boxing Club, Everybody Fights, Punch Pedal House, Rumble, Shadowbox, NYSC, Kickbox Haus and Tapout Fitness).
Recently, a new studio joined the fray, and similar to the guerrilla-marketing campaign that accompanied Rumble’s arrival, this newcomer came in HOT with the Instagram sponsored advertisements, intro packages and beautiful models. Would you expect anything less from the boxing gym backed by none other than Mr. Worldwide? That’s right - one of Grit Bxing’s investors is Pitbull! Another big name behind the boxing gym? Tony Robbins. What a squad.
Grit Bxing has another gimmick though - it’s a fitness studio with a bar! No, not a barre. And not a smoothie bar or a juice bar - a straight up, “hit me with a tequila shot” BAR.
Naturally, I signed up for their intro package when it came across my phone screen - $36 (the usual cost of 1 Grit Bxing class) got you:
2 Classes
1 Guest Pass
An “MZ Wallace-esque” Gym Bag
2 Free Drink Tokens
A definite deal! I appreciated that as the expiration date on the classes inched closer, and I struggled to get myself in for a class in the midst of triathlon training, they quickly answered my email and extended my classes.
I showed up for a 7 AM class at the Union Square studio (there are already plans to open the next Grit Bxing in San Francisco) with Evan Betts.
It’s worth nothing that Grit pays two of their trainers $1,000 an hour - and most make $450 per class! They’ve been very vocal about the fact that they wanted to find and hire the best of the best trainers - which meant auditioning over 500+ before selecting the 9 founding trainers you can now take a class with.
The Studio
The studio’s entryway was fancy, clean, and staffed by friendly front-desk folk. There are rhinestone studded gloves and punching bag spinning in the window, stadium style seating for people to wait for class, bright lights, and plenty of other extra AF touches.
Also in the lobby is the bar - but it’s not huge…there are only about 8 seats at the bar. At the morning class, the bar obviously wasn’t very popular (though they do serve coffee and kombucha) but when I went for a second class in the evening, there were quite a few people staying after class for a drink.
The Locker Rooms
The locker rooms have a lot of nice amenties - dry shampoo, tampons, hair dryers, fancy moisturizers, etc. While the locker rooms were nice - they were just SO crowded. I waited almost 40 minutes following my morning class to get in the shower. This is a product of the class size being so massive. This was also noticeable while waiting to go into class - when one class lets out and everyone is waiting for the next one to start, the waiting area is completely packed.
The Class
The class is split into three areas - you’ll start at either the bags, the treadmill or the weights section and cycle through twice during the 50 minute class.
Treadmill
Approximately 12 minutes of intervals (jog, run, run at an incline, sprint)
Bags
You rotate through different :45 combinations that are showed to you on a screen to make it easier to follow!
Floor
Ladder of the following exercises:
Prisoner Squats
Med Ball Burpee
Squat to Med Ball Lateral Raise
8-6-4-2-4-6-8-etc.
The second lap on the floor was:
6X Side Lunge Left
6X Side Lunge Right
12 X Shoulder Taps
6X Single Leg Glue Bridge Left
6X Single Leg Glute Bridge Right
Finally we finished with:
5 Medicine ball squat to press
5 Medicine ball burpees with plank jack
Last :45 was all med ball burpees with plank jacks
On our way out after class, we were offered up a shot of electrolyte margarita! Pretty kitschy, but people seemed to love it.
What I Liked
The instructor was very impressive at giving direction to the three difference areas of the class - it was a lot going on, but he managed to keep things from getting too confusing.
They use my favorite type of bunching bags - they’re filled with water and very satisfying to punch!
This class would be great for people that get bored doing one thing - you’re constantly switching it up which makes things go by really fast! Class was over before I knew it.
What I Didn’t Like
I’m not a huge fan of classes that include treadmills. I love running so much, and can’t run a ton of mileage, so I want my runs to be outside in the park with my friends! Not on a treadmill.
There were SO many people in the class. The instructor was shouting directions the entire time but had no time to really encourage people or have any one on one time with people in the class. Corrections on form was impossible.
There was almost no teaching of the boxing moves. It’s pretty much expected that you already know jab, cross, uppercut, hook, etc.
Class Size
As I mentioned, the class size is very large. There are 50+ people in each class. But they must be doing something right, because many of the classes fill up a week in advance!
Sweat Scale
Boxing classes always get me sweat and this was no exception. Though my arms weren’t as dead as they have been after some other boxing classes, I certainly felt that I got in a great and very well-rounded workout. It’s a good mix of cardio and strength.
Cost
The intro deals were definitely worth it. Class costs are in line with other boutique fitness classes, but on the higher end at $36. You’ll also need to either rent or purchase gloves and wraps which is an added cost that bothers me at boxing studios.
Bottom Line
Despite the founder claiming that creating community is the reason behind the bar-in-studio formula being tested by Grit, I didn’t get very friendly vibes during my two trips. I think this is mainly due to the fact that there are just so many bodies in the studio at any given time - it’s overwhelming and also makes it almost impossible to have any sort of connection with the instructors.
It’s a great workout, it’s fun and sweaty and feels like you’re in a nightclub. Some people might light being able to just blend into the crowd and not draw any attention to themselves in the midst of the loud music, flashing lights and crowded room. If that’s what you like in a class then you’ll probably have a great time at Grit! It’s not for me but I wouldn’t discourage anyone from going and making up their own mind! Just go at night when you don’t have to shower and get to work afterwards…
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