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March 2023 by Aaron Davis
Short Story: Aaron and Dave have a great thing going! They're wonderful people to be coached by no matter the skill level and will introduce you to a loving, inclusive, and accepting community! Long Story: Their success story of overcoming the adversity brought by COVID is inspiring. From having a gym to losing it--to their continued growth and success by repurposing a roof and the local park-- and to eventually securing a new gym space in Silver Spring--DBC is a true attestment to the power of what dedication, love for the sport, and community involvement can create. I started DBC on that awesome rooftop 8 months ago with no prior experience. It's amazing to witness the care and intricacy with which Aaron and Dave coach and teach. The coaching is very personal, and every session has a unique and specific purpose to the individual. Personally, I wanted to avoid the \"workout class\" environment (i.e. rumble) and find a gym that I could learn the art of the sport. Within a month, Aaron and Dave introduced me to sparring--and I'll have to say, it's probably one of the most fulfilling and hardest cardio workouts I've done. Aaron and Dave hold safety as paramount, and I've always felt they've had my best interests at heart while effectively pushing me to make me grow as a boxer. Anyways, enough words. I'll see you all at the gym and you all can see for yourselves!!
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March 2023 by Sense Studios
Boxing with Aaron is one of my favorite parts of the week! Dave and Aaron guide with expertise, confidence, and fun. They are so encouraging and supportive. Plus it's very cathartic : )
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February 2023 by Angela G.
I was anxious about trying boxing for the first time and kept putting it off, but I'm so glad I finally tried out Downtown Boxing Club. It's so much fun, a great stress reliever, and a solid workout. Fitting in a few lessons per month has improved my physical and mental well-being. Plus, Coach Aaron and Coach Dave are the best. DBC is a rare find in DC. If you're thinking about trying boxing for the first time, I 100% recommend giving them a try!
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February 2023 by Alexandra Mourad
Downtown Boxing Club has been an integral part of my boxing journey! Aaron is an amazing and patient coach with a strong emphasis on proper technique, and working closely with him has taught me so much about the sport. His lessons are fun \\u0026 empowering!
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February 2023 by Diege
Downtown Boxing Club is best boxing gym I’ve been to! Coach Aaron is very easy to work with and an excellent teacher. The training atmosphere pushes you to get in shape and learn the fundamentals. Check out Downtown Boxing Club if you’re looking for a new gym or just trying to get back in shape.
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February 2023 by Kensley Dunagan
Dave and Aaron are fantastic coaches. They create a great atmosphere and are very knowledgeable about boxing.
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August 2022 by Vina Basas
Hands down the best boxing gym/club in the city. This is the only gym in the city I've tried that gives the kind of attention to correct form and technique that really sets you up for success (and avoid injuries!). Aaron is the best coach I've work with, he will push you to your limit to get you to the next level. I also love how the student boxers and coaches have a pretty solid "family feel" to it - very much like old school boxing gyms do. I can't wait to get back in the ring!!!
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August 2022 by Karen Livingston
DBC is like no other boxing gym in DC. I’ve trained here for years for a lot of reasons. To start, I saw immediate and lasting results in my overall conditioning. I value and respect the trainers’ methods and guidance. I appreciate how the classes are structured. I’m able to focus on improving my technique while figuring things out at my own pace. It’s a welcoming and supportive environment for new or experienced boxers, regardless of whether you’re there for a serious workout or sparring in the ring.
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June 2022 by Nikki Smith
Without a doubt the most rewarding and enjoyable workout experience I've ever had. Been a member (no contract; pay-as-you-go) for 4+ years now. I lost 30 pounds and have kept it off. Went from running an 11-minute mile pace to a best of 7:28 per mile largely because of the endurance and breathing techniques I've developed through boxing. I had never boxed before I joined this gym, but I was a competitive athlete until college. I joined because I wanted to get fit again after too many years of sedentary lifestyle, and now I'm in the best shape of my life. I feel happier and more confident. I love the sense of community this gym offers. A lot of the same folks, young professionals, men and women, have been coming here for years. New folks are always welcome. We help each other. Group workouts mean we suffer together. :-) Having a trainer creates a sense of accountability, too. I find it motivates me more than a regular gym. Our trainer knows what he's talking about, and he invests in every member, no matter the experience level or gender, any of that. As a testament to the quality of his training, we have three guys who have won belts and accolades like \"All American.\" (Sparring is optional, though, and most people don't spar.) He runs this gym by himself, too, a small business owner. Offering trials or customized sessions would take his attention away from members, which wouldn't be fair. ** Readers may also notice from reviews that DBC has a loyal following of athletes who love this gym and our trainer. Negative reviews tend to come from salty people who have not spent real time at the gym and, quite frankly, have no idea what they are missing in terms of community and fitness. More bag time for the rest of us!
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June 2022 by Edson Florez
This ain’t a gym this is a movement. Through the pandemic this club got better. The people that have joined this community at Downtown Boxing Club are stronger for it. Thank you for showing me what passion fitness really looks and feels like. ??
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February 2022 by Seth B.
This place was great when I was able to attend. It was exactly what I was looking for with a great workout and very informative and helpful guidance on form and technique.
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April 2019 by Kenneth B.
This was my first boxing gym and I worked out here for about a year and a half. It has a few good things going for it (parking, convenience, etc.), but the place is honestly kind of a sinking ship at this point. I can't in good conscience recommend it... The owner, Dave White, was probably at one time an okay boxer/trainer. He is now on his last leg physically, but also sadly becoming more mentally ill each day. Dave comes off as strict or methodic at first. He is often described as "running a tight ship", or "old school", and that might have once described his demeanor; however, it's increasingly become just sporadic fits of yelling or feedback that doesn't seem to align with reality. For a good long while, I simply brushed this off and stayed the course because his gym is cheap and convenient to attend. I began to become concerned when he began expressing severe signs of paranoia and hostility. For example, for two weeks, out of nowhere, he made everyone keep their gear and change very close to where he sits, because he was sure that "people were stealing things". No one had heard of anyone ever having anything stolen. He also began becoming increasingly agitated when noticing anyone in the gym having conversations (before/after workouts) of which he was not included. You will notice him walking over to do things nearby to eavesdrop, as if he's having anxiety that people are talking about him. Dave has some sort of major issue with the owner of the gym that he shares space with. He forbids his students from working-out there (citing old school theory that lifting weights makes you a bad boxer). You'll see his sign on the wall. He takes it a step further by forbidding his students from talking or associating with the owner/workers at that gym, and even further by forbidding students from buying Gatorade from their desk. I've witnessed him have intense verbal altercations with the owner out of nowhere. This kind-of came to a head with me personally when Dave tried to forbid my visiting elderly dad (who has no association with Dave at all) from working out there through me. About once every week or two, Dave will randomly have an altercation with a student and "kick them out". This was where he began to take particular issue with me. He did it with a new guy who I saw working very hard. Dave randomly blew up on the guy and kicked him out because Dave said he was not progressing fast enough on day 2. I spoke with the guy a few minutes on his way out and tried to give him some encouragement. Dave was furious, later accused me of butting into his business, and called the guy a psycho, and thug (he was a very polite professional African American guy). I suspect he made Dave nervous because he was very large and African American. I've noticed this behavior to be much more frequent with African American students. If you are interested in ever competing in a tournament, this is not the place. Dave's Gym is actually not registered, nor is he a certified Corner-man with any boxing Assoc. Ask him about it and he goes on a rant about how they are garbage, take part in illegal activities, cheat, and how "you don't want to get involved with them". He will eventually kick you out if he suspects you're training for anything outside of his gym (seen it happen). You can learn how to box here, but not because of the owner, really more despite him. He has a decent beginner lesson that get you started week 1, but after that, most learning will come with repetition, watching others, and Youtube. You'll get 3-4 minutes of basic mitten work per class (if he has the energy that day) which will only consist of basic right straights, circling, and an occasional left jab. Personally I think this place will end with Dave having some sort of nervous breakdown as I see he is very quickly degrading to that end. It is very sad, but unfortunately the truth. I will be far away from it when that happens, boxing elsewhere.
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April 2018 by Norah A.
I have been coming to Downtown Boxing Club for almost 4 years now. Best workout in town. Gym is open 7 days/week with very convenient workout times. Whether you are looking to simply get a good work out or learn boxing, this is the place to do it. Dave White is a phenomenal trainer. I can't recommend this place enough.
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February 2018 by Gene I.
I have been going here since November 2017 and can only say that it's old school and it's legit! The coach knows that every potential fighter needs to come in and learn it his way know matter if you've been trained elsewhere or not. In boxing, one must have patience. It isn't going to happen overnight. I've trained at other gyms but Downtown has been the best! It's grungy and basic but that's all you need. For fighters with experience, this is a place you come to when you need to get back to the basics or like in my case get rid of bad habits. Coach Dave is a stickler on being able to shoot the jab perfectly and sometimes it can wear on you but there's a saying, "A good Cross will take you around the block but a great Jab will take you around the world".
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January 2018 by Logan Dobson
been going to dave for years now and he's the best there is -- will teach you all the basics from beginner up and help you grow over time. runs a tight, efficient class and cares about each student. He's got a few rules, but if you follow them and are willing to listen and learn you'll succeed.
