The Scoop
Boxing is having a moment in NYC right now. First it was yoga, then spin, then rowing and now? Boxing for sure and I’m loving it. I’m totally late to the Shadowbox party and finally got to check out this shiny and still relatively new Flatiron studio.
The Deets
Shadowbox NYC
28 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011
$34/class plus $1 for glove rental + $4 for wraps
website || instagram
The Studio
[photo credit]
When I think about a boxing studio, I expect the space to be dingy and smelly. Shadowbox is the exact opposite and gives boxing the Soul Cycle treatment– spotlessly clean studio, a gorgeous locker room and an instagram ready color palette.
The waiting area outside is bigger than most studios and features a small cafe and the boxing ring above where I believe they hold small group classes and private sessions. There are lockers with electronic locks both outside the classroom and in the locker room. I only took a quick peak into the women’s locker room and can report it was super clean although a little small if a ton of people are getting ready.
The actual class takes place in a dark, mirror-filled, soundproof studio equipped with 40 heavy bags. Something about it reminded me of a fun house and it was a bit disorienting with all the mirrors and rows of heavy bags. I love that you choose your heavy bag beforehand, like you would a bike for a spin class, so there’s no pushing and shoving to get a good spot.
The Class
I arrived 15 minutes early, as recommended, with my own gloves and wraps. You can also rent gloves for $1 and purchase a pair of reusable quick wraps for $4.
The front desk staff informed me she didn’t know how to wrap the type of wraps I brought, and I haven’t wrapped them in 5+ years so definitely don’t remember how. I ended up purchasing a pair of quick wraps and they only had large sized ones left. Disappointing because I have tiny hands, but not the end of the world.
Before class started instructor Jaws gave all the newbies a quick intro and went over the basic punches– jab, cross, hook and uppercut. I grew up doing karate and used to work with a trainer at a martial arts studio so I was pretty familiar with the basics. She did mention that lefties, like myself, should actually stand with their right leg forward. This is probably common knowledge to most people, but I had NO idea this was a thing.
After the quick tutorial it was go time! We started off with a short body weight warm up and soon after started doing punching combinations on the heavy bags. There were short strength bursts throughout class with things like squats and plank holds. We ended class with an endurance section– one continuous move right after another.
It was one of those workouts that you get what you put in– it’s hard if you work hard, but if you half-ass it, it won’t be incredibly difficult. You’re kind of in your own, isolated zone because of the way the classroom is set-up and the fact that there’s roughly 40 people in class with you which means less personal attention.
The 45 minutes totally flew by, partially because I was unaware of time and what the structure of the class was, and partially because it felt like a total nonstop whirlwind. Classes are only 45 minutes long yet still manages to pack a punch (couldn’t help myself to one bad pun). I was super sweaty before the end of class and my arms were tired– it’s an upper body heavy workout.
Throughout the whole class there was hip-hop music blaring over the speakers. There’s something really satisfying about punching a heavy bag while super loud hip-hop music is playing…
As I mentioned, the room is disorienting with all the mirrors and it wasn’t always easy to see Jaws. If you’re totally new and don’t know what a jab is, try and get a bag as close as possible to the instructor. The space can also get crowded when you’re doing things like burpees. I was happy to be in my own little corner somewhat isolated, and even still had to watch out for those around me.
Bottom Line
The class is definitely pricey at $34 plus the fee for gloves and wraps for a 45 minute class. Ah, New York City fitness, you’re killing me. I had a great time though and left the studio feeling like a total badass. I mean, who doesn’t want to feel like a badass before 8:00AM?
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I have been meaning to try ShadowBox! Love this review! xx
aw thanks! Definitely recommend checking it out
This is definitely on my list of must review classes!! Great review!
Saw you went to Overthrow, I went there Saturday, I’m apparently on a tour-de-boxing studios in NYC. Shadowbox has a totally different vibe but definitely worth checking out.
Sounds like things are maybe a little diff re: format of class from when I tried it back when they opened. I totally agree though about the crowding when doing certain exercises and difficulty to always see the instructor. I don’t know if I would have been as bothered by the sight-lines issue though if I hadn’t been a total boxing newbie. A great workout though and I do want to give t another shot!
Everything I’ve read about Shadowbox makes me think that I probably wouldn’t enjoy it too much. I’m by no means a boxing expert, so I appreciate the personal attention that I’ve gotten in my classes at Overthrow, and also my first class at Work Train Fight earlier this week.. Also…when it’s described as the “Soul Cycle” of boxing it makes me apprehensive because I’m one of those strange birds who isn’t even a soul cycle fan! But I guess I can’t knock it till I try it, so I’ll definitely add Shadowbox to the “try” list. Thanks for the review!