Joe Hand Boxing Gym, Takes it Back to the Essence
The 411
Joe Hand Boxing is a no-frills boxing gym geared towards getting sweaty, not social. It's a two-ring boxing studio with a few treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, heavy bags, speed bags, barbells and a small area for agonizing body-weight drills that could make The Rock quake.
They make up for their small size, lack of luxe and oft-delayed class start times with boxing interval workouts that will have you sweating like an overdose of Bikram yoga. Maleek Jackson (@maleek_jackson), the self-proclaimed "body doctor," has a workout prescription that consists of a variety of boxing drills in the ring (no prior experience necessary) combined with high-intensity interval (HIIT) strength and resistance training.
For example, 2 minutes in the ring hitting mitts or body pads, (he teaches you various combo's and techniques as you go along), followed by a timed circuit of the HIIT strength and resistance work which he lays out in the beginning. It doesn't sound that hard, but 2 minutes in the ring feels like 15. I sport MOA's (Michele Obama Arms) and I am spent halfway through.
Class
Overall, the workout could look something like this: 2 -3 minutes in the ring, one minute of V-ups, then a 1 minute forearm to hand plank, followed by burpees, ball slams, jump rope, push-ups, hitting the heavy bag, speed bag, triceps dips (the possibilities are endless), then back in the ring and start all over again. What I like about this style of workout is it's full body, the time goes by quickly and I'm completely focused. I never look at the clock or think about my "to do list."
Like most heavy sweat sessions, it's therapeutic, but actually putting on the gloves and boxing takes the therapy to Freudian levels.
Vibe/Space
Walking into Joe Hand Boxing feels like a throwback to when gyms were, well...gyms. There aren't any fancy products or locker rooms.
Instructor
Maleek has a harrowing life story that ultimately led him to rule the ring. It makes his impressive roster of clients that much more remarkable. Maleek trains everyone from the 60-something-year-old Ms. Myrt, who is ‘adopting a healthier lifestyle’, to an impressive list of Philly celebs and professional athletes.
$$$$
Joe Hand Boxing is cash only at $50 a session or $300 for a package of 8.
