New boxing gym to open in Basingstoke this weekend

Basingstoke Boxing Classes, a new gym offering boxing, Muay Thai, MMA and the only wrestling classes in Basingstoke - coached by a member of Team GB - for people of all ages, will open its doors on Sunday, November 9.

Co-founders Liam Greenfield, 26, and Lewis Shepherd, 26, explained that they want to build a community and encourage members to become more confident in themselves.

Liam said: " The vision behind the boxing club is to get the community together, get young people into boxing and show them the benefits of it."

Liam has been boxing for 15 years (Image: Newsquest)

The pair come from a martial arts background - Liam has 15 years of boxing experience, including coaching, and Lewis has practised different martial arts for seven years.

Liam and Lewis established Basingstoke Boxing Classes back in February, operating out of Bermuda Hall Community Centre in Popley. Now, less than a year later, the pair have their own gym in Unit E7, Grafton Way.

Lewis explained that taking up martial arts helped him to overcome a rough time in school, and he wants to help others build confidence just like he did.

He said: "I got bullied in school and I had no confidence, so I started martial arts to build that and it made me a way more confident, social person. I was very anxious and had low social skills before doing martial arts."

Liam with one of his classes (Image: Basingstoke Boxing Classes)

Liam added: "Another thing is just seeing people make friends with people they wouldn't usually talk to day-to-day.

"We've got a couple of 40-year-olds in the adult class, and they get on very well with the 16-year-olds in the younger classes."

The new gym offers Kids Boxing classes for children aged 5-10, Teens Boxing classes for ages 11-16, Adults Boxing classes for ages 16+ along with boxfit, Muay Thai, MMA, wrestling and private coaching sessions.

Free trials are available for anyone who wants to give the classes a try before officially signing up, visit basingstokeboxingclasses.co.uk/ or email hello@basingstokeboxing.co.uk for more information.

Equipment-wise, the gym offers two double-end bags, heavy standing bags, wall balls and medicine balls, boxing bars, a PT area with strength and conditioning equipment, and open space for boxing partner drills. The pair aim to have a boxing ring installed in the near future.

Liam said: "We've got a Rocky-style sledgehammer and tyre, we're going to get some battle ropes in and make a functional strength training environment, over conventional training.

Inside Basingstoke Boxing Classes (Image: Basingstoke Boxing Classes)

For anyone thinking about getting into boxing, Lewis gave the simple advice: "Just do it."

Liam added: "That's the big thing. A lot of people procrastinate and think 'what if everyone's really good?'

"The reality is, it's for everybody."

The pair ultimately hope that their gym will produce world-class talent.

Liam said: "One day, we'll coach a world champion, that's the dream."