There was a time when the UAE indoor exercise scene consists of apartment building gyms, big chains like Fitness First or really exclusive and high-end gyms/clubs like the Aviation Club. 

Even five years ago, it is estimated that big chains had about 50% of the gym market. That has changed, independent fitness studios now make up around 80% of the market share. This has happened for a variety of reasons. There is a big trend in different kinds of exercise, and there is real innovation happening with fitness gurus and entrepreneurs. 

Often these studios are hidden away, they are independent so don’t have big budgets to let people know about them, but once inside, you realise they are amazing places with great people. 

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This fitness summer series is designed to let people know about the best fitness studios in Dubai. We are going to do it by discipline because there are just so many. 

Summer Series Part 2/4: Boxing gyms

Once in our lifetime we have all watched a great boxing movie like Rocky or have quoted a legend like Mohammed Ali, giving us that inspiration to run up a 1,000 steps and enter that ring like a champion. Boxing is one the best ways to enhance cardiovascular health as well as improving your strength and endurance all while burning anywhere between 50-800 calories per session. Lovin Dubai has reviewed some of the top boxing classes in the city and given a thorough breakdown on each. Get ready to fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee (ok I know this is cheesy but it just had to be done).

Team Noguira: “One stop shop”

As the name suggest, the Team Nogueira brand was created in 2009 by twin brothers Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira and Rogerio “Minotouro” Nogueira, who are both heavy weight champions. As soon as you walk into the fully equipped facility you can feel the environment of champions. This is your one stop shop as they have Brazilian jujitsu, Mixed martial arts, Muay thai, Boxing, Judo, Aikido, Karate and Circuit training under one roof!

The gym caters for everyone regardless of your level of fitness. Whether you are training to be an athlete or just for the love of martial arts, this is the place for you!

Classes run from 6.30am to 8.30 pm, so you won’t be stuck for options. I attended the 8pm beginners boxing class led by Coach Mejdi Garzoun who is an Arab, Mediterranean as well as a Tunisian boxing champ (don’t be scared, he is one of the most encouraging coaches). The class started promptly at 8pm and we started in the ring doing a warm up of various cardio drills, followed by technique work with a partner. In between each drill was a sequence of ab exercises, so before you know it you’ve done 500 reps of abs exercises by the time the class is done!

Who is it for? Those who want to train like an athlete and for those who love the camaraderie of group classes

Cost: You can do a monthly package for AED 499 or they have a summer special running at the moment where you get two disciplines for the price of one.

Location and class times: Located in Al Quoz, here is the class schedule Schedule – Team Nogueira Dubai

1six8: “great for maximum calorie burn”

This is one of the most unique boxing classes I’ve attended! Run by Bryan, the mastermind behind Punch, this was an intense 45 min session which left you wanting more. I don’t know if it was the hip hop playlist which makes you feel invincible or the extremely well planned layout of how the class is run, but wow what a vibe! 

The class consists of 12 rounds of punching variations which is made easy by using numbers for the combinations which is mixed with cardio drills, upper body, lower body and ab exercises. Each person has their own punching bag which makes it even more intense and personalized when you’re surrounded by pumping tunes and a dark room (which thankfully masks the sweat pool you’ve created).

Who is it for? Anyone who wants to burn some serious calories in a simple and effective way.

Cost: Here is the price list

Location and class times: There is a branch in Jumeirah(only boxing branch for now) and Al Quoz. Here is the schedule 1SIX8 | Boutique Group Training Dubai

Fit Boys: “no fancies and frills just your hardcore workout”

This hidden gem in JLT is definitely not for the faint hearted. I attended the 9am class run by one of the best boxers in the UAE, Gerad. This is a raw gym with no frills attached.

We started off with 30 minutes of cardio sequences which included tire flips, ab exercises, upper and lower body exercises amongst many more! After this I was thinking to myself how will I still combat 30 mins of boxing, but with the motivation of the coaches you feel like you can do anything. The last 30 minutes consisted of various boxing sequences with a partner, where you practice certain boxing techniques as well boxing combinations.

Who is it for? Those who want to work on technique while getting a good balance of an intense workout

Cost: Here is the price list 

Location and class times: It is in JLT here is the schedule

Round 10: “pure boxing”

This is one of the few gyms that solely dedicated itself to boxing, with two locations either in Al Quoz or Jumeirah Island Pavilion. You can feel this as soon you walk in and are surrounded by boxing rings, speed bags and motivational posters of the greatest boxers.

I attended the 8.30 am class run by the man of steel, coach Medi. We started off doing running laps around the block which was followed by a Tabata session of skipping just to doubly make sure that our heart rates were up!

We then went upstairs to a room filled with punching bags where he ran us through some boxing techniques, partner work and punching sequences. This was interlaced with cardio, ab work and the dreaded word “burpees” (five more burpees never sounded so evil).

From cardio boxing to power boxing, they’ve got you covered!

Who is it for? Those who want a great group workout

Cost: Here is the price list

Location and class times: It’s in Al Quoz and Jumeirah Island Pavilion. Here is the schedule Round 10 Boxing Club

KO boxing club: “go in and get it done”

If you have entered most gyms in the Marina, you are welcomed with refreshing towels, well-manicured bathrooms and a sprinkle of glitter. Well if this is your thing, then KO may not be up your ally. This is a place where you walk in and get it done, simple as that!

I attended the 6.30pm class and before I knew it I was tire flipping, burpee’ing, planking and wheezing like a 90-year-old man! Then it hit me when I was laying in my puddle of sweat, we hadn’t even started boxing yet. But don’t worry my fit friends, they started us off with some technique work which lowered the heart rate and allowed you to start breathing like a normal person. This continued into some sparring with a partner, going into various boxing techniques such as upper cuts, jabs and so on.

Who is it for? Those who want a pure boxing class with technique work

Cost: AED 60 per class

Location and class times: Dream tower 1 Marina. Daily 6.30 and 8pm, Sat 9am, Sun 8pm ladies only, Mon 6am, 8.30am ladies only, Tue 8am ladies only, Wed 6am, 8.30am ladies only, Thur 8 am ladies only.

Summary

So whether you are a beginner, wanting some major calorie burn or working on specific techniques, these gyms got you covered.

They all have their own special qualities that make them unique, it’s up to you to find which one will match your specific needs. All gyms had showering facilities and spare boxing gloves. Most of them had some sort of special running for the summer, so get in there before the end of August!

Summer Series – up next

• Gyms
• Crossfit boxes

Let us know if you’ve got a studio or a gym you would like us to check out or if you attend one that you think is awesome!

Check out the last Summer Series on indoor cycling classes here