Santa Monica's Gloveworx Is A Sexy, Supermodel-Approved Boxing Gym

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We’ve been pinning Adriana Lima and Doutzen Kroes photos under our "Fitness Inspo" folder for years and now, our favorite Angels’ workout has hit Santa Monica in the form of a sexy, state-of-the-art boxing studio better known as Gloveworx. The gym’s most popular workouts, which include group sessions, intense one-on-ones and "boom sessions"-perfect if you want to sweat with your closest friends, might be our latest obsession heading into bikini season.

The 5,000-square-foot holy grail is equipped with everything from a competition boxing ring and speed bags to Spin Pro bikes, rowers and VersaClimbers that are much scarier than they look. There is also an impressive recovery room with whirlpool ice baths and hot water therapy where you can treat those muscles that will have a love/hate relationship with you for the next two days. We had a gnarly sweat sesh with Leyon Azubuike, the man behind the westside’s new craze and our new favorite workout, and managed to get some answers between jabs and uppercuts.

Describe a typical Gloverworx workout.

All Gloveworx workouts are designed to bring out the "athlete" in each client. They are structured like a Division 1 sports practice. The client practices accountability by arriving early and going through a structured dynamic warm-up led by an experienced coach. This warm-up is followed by 30 minutes of mitt work, heavy bag work, speed bag work, core conditioning, and is followed by a cool down. The workout spans 55 minutes.

Boxing is all the rage right now, what is it about the workout that has models like Gigi Hadid and Olivia Culpo runway ready?

In the boxing workouts, a "lean" emphasis takes place over things such as "hypertrophy" or bulking. So you are able to achieve a sculpted slender look, while remaining lean and fighting mass.

What are some basic boxing terms we should know for our first workout with you?

First things first, I preach defense. A common term you will hear is "answering the phone" which means the reciprocal hand, which is not punching, is resting on the chin for defense like a phone. Another term is "turning the hand over." This results in a flush shot where all the knuckles are horizontal resulting in the most powerful blow you can achieve and the biomechanics alignment of the arm is safe.

How often should one get their Adriana Lima on to see results?

I typically recommend boxing 3-4 times per week for 1 hour at a time to start. Once comfortable with the regiment it can and should increase.

What is the biggest misconception about boxing as a workout?

That it is not for everybody or you will get punched in the face. This is false. The workout can be modified to all levels, and sparring is not mandatory, in fact it has to be requested.

What famous faces have you trained?

I have trained Kristen Cavallari, Nick Carter, Andre 3000, Amare Stoudemire, Jake Gyllnehall, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz, Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins, Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, Tyler Lepley, Eric Braeden, and J.R. Lemon to name a few.

That's quite a roster. What is your fitness motto?

No pain, No gain!

Boxing can be intimidating in the beginning, what advice would you give newbies?

Just relax, be receptive, and trust the process and wonderful things will happen.

What part of your brand-spanking new gym is your favorite?

I like my athletic performance side. It caters to so many different types of athletes and clients. The workout programming is endless!

What are you favorite tunes to sweat to?

"Summer" by Calvin Harris, "Welcome to the Jungle" by X Ambassadors and Jamie X Commons, "Am I Wrong" by Nico and Vinz, "Party Rock" by LMFAO, "Beach Is Better" by Jay-Z and anything from Drake, Outkast, JayZ, Ellie Goulding, and Zedd!

Gloveworx

1415 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA