Manya Klempner has opened three of the most state-of-the-art boxing gyms in years and opened a fourth in 2023, writes Matt Christie
Walk into most boxing gyms and the first thing that catches your eye is the smell.
But there wasn’t even a drop of sweat inside the Camden Boxing Club’s lavish reception. Instead, the aroma of fresh coffee and freshly baked bread leads you downstairs, not a faded battle poster of the past but modern art framed in the past by Amy Winehouse, ca. Legendary artist lived a mile away and frequented even closer pubs. In short, this neon-lit club is not your ordinary boxing lab.
The modern gym, like the recently opened sister clubs Rathbone and Bermondsey, is affiliated with Boxing. The three gyms are under the umbrella of The Boxing House and are the brainchild of the highly determined Manya Klempner, who discovered a hole in the market while falling in love with boxing after giving birth to her first child. heart. Klempner, a former banker who worked in New York, Moscow and London, explains: “All I knew about boxing before I started training was that Mike Tyson bit off someone’s ear,” she explains. giggle. “But I realized that boxing is a way of life, I got caught up very quickly, into the characters, the passion, the discipline. The authenticity and honesty of boxing, in its purest form, is incredibly compelling.
“But the majority of gyms in central London are fitness studios. That’s not what I want. The real the boxing gyms, on the outskirts of town, on the council premises, they were very intimidating and inaccessible for someone like me, a 40 year old ‘Marylebone mom’. That’s when I got the idea. To have a gym is the real deal, keeping the core values of the sport and an accessible gym in the center of town, an instant gym ie welcome. “
She opened Rathbone Boxing Club in 2019 after years of convincing investors that there was a need for clubs like these. Before that, she also convinced Adam Booth – one of the best coaches in the world – that her vision was 20/20.
Now the CEO, Booth told BN: “Boxing and London have a historical relationship with each other. The popularity of boxing in the commercial bodybuilding world has grown rapidly, and unfortunately the training methods have been diluted to accommodate the ‘shoe industry’.
“At Camden, Rathbone and Bermondsey Boxing Clubs, we truly respect the sport in what we do and who we are. We have a true love for the sport, our vast experience and coaching acumen, not to mention the facilities that make the sport proud – and provide our patrons with translation services. the customer service they deserve. “
The majority of gyms and clubs around the country are run on shoelaces, barely surviving on the surcharge they charge, but this – along with those in Rathbone and Bermondsey – has a very different philosophy.
Classes vary from group classes to arenas, from individual training to advanced training for amateurs and professional boxers. It’s not cheap – there aren’t many bargains in Camden, let’s face it – but you get the attention and service you pay for. The premise is simple: wealthy clients pay for courses and classes with qualified coaches, which in turn subsidize amateur clubs in gyms. For investors, it was a sound business proposition and Klempner continues to work hard to attract capital.
Camden BC opens in 2021, two years after Rathbone. Meanwhile, a pandemic has hit the throats of the world and many businesses are struggling to breathe. Klempner, however, recognized an opportunity to run for free. Business rental rates are down, even in desirable areas. The location for the Bermondsey branch was secured and opened in August. A fourth gym is under construction, located near Gloucester Road station and will open next year.
“We basically turned lemons into lemonade,” explains Klempner of how she grew the business in the early stages of the economy. “It’s so scrary [during the pandemic], we didn’t know what was going on and of course it wasn’t a great time to start a business. But due to the lockdown, we got some great deals [from landlords]. By then, we had received support from our customers and investors.
“We are playing the long game. In my opinion, Boxing is the next lifestyle sport. We are creating that lifestyle, we are creating our own community within communities. Every site has a sense of togetherness, community. Everyone who walks through the door is special and will get the same attention, no matter if it’s the first time they’ve boxed it or the ten thousandth time.”
As well as those classes, which take place seven days a week for boxers of all levels, the clubs – which open at 6 a.m. and close at 10:30 p.m. – host amateur events , both in the gym and in places like York Hall, starring Rachel Bower who loves to drive as Head of Amateur Boxing.
The head coach of each gym has experience working with professional and amateur boxers. At Camden, Troy Williams is the boss. Rhys Verlander took over at Rathbone while Steven Broughton – who spent two weeks at Boxing News was an intern but perhaps better known for his stellar track record with Joe Joyce – lead at Bermondsey and also executive as Head Coach for The Boxing House.
Although each gym is decorated with post-modern touches, the old-school values remain in their hearts. “We aim to keep the ego at the door and people come in and give 100 per cent,” says Coach Newman. “Boxing changes lives, but it all starts with having the right mindset/psychology. The Coaching team works hard to develop that trait in the gym. “
Klempener added: “There’s no reason why people can’t participate. We have a lot of newcomers here, of all ages, doing it for the first time and then never leaving. It’s called the boxing error for a reason. It was a very special sport that changed my life. “
*** Anyone wishing to join the journey of The Boxing House should contact Manya via email – [email protected] ***
