Nerdcore Boxing

I had become pessimistic about my search for a new boxing gym after my recent visits to clubs in the area. Friday I visited a new club run by Russians immigrants. It’s in a nearby neighborhood where many East European immigrants settle. Coincidentally I am a 4^th generation Polish immigrant, though all traces of my ancestor’s heritage died before me.

At this gym there are no classes. It’s a traditional boxing gym, which I prefer. This means I can go there 6 days a week and train whenever I need to. In a class setting I need to attract trainer attention by standing out, at this gym I’ll pay a trainer’s (affordable) rates to get attention. This means no more dodging cardio boxers that want to do a shitty job holding mitts for me — bonus!

The gym’s facilities are excellent, far better than my old club. I really like the crowd too. They have a good mix of young and old guys, and some of the old guys are very impressive. The trainer told me that there are a few retired pros that workout there to stay in shape.

After the owner gave me a tour and we had a brief Q&A session, there was an awkward silence. It all looked good, but how am I to make such an important decision on the spot? I broke the silence saying, “I’ve been with my last club for 6 years and built up many personal relationships, this is a hard decision.”

The owner is one of those ice cold brands of Russians that don’t smile. But he almost smiled and said, “Make yourself at home. Hang out as long as you like.”

I hung out for well over an hour. As the time rolled on instead of spotting the club’s flaws, I felt increasingly at ease. Then finally it felt like home.