FAQs
If you’ve got more questions after you’ve read through this lot, you can contact Enzo on 07956 293768, or e-mail info@lefthook.co.uk
I’ve never been to the club before; do I need to book?
No, there’s no need to book.
For people who’ve never boxed before, we usually suggest coming along on either a Tuesday or Thursday evening at 7pm or a Saturday lunchtime at 12 noon. We run classes at other times, as per the timetable, but on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays one of club’s trainers is available to show you the club, help you put on your bandages / wraps (to support your wrists under your boxing gloves), take you through some basic moves and so on. Newcomers tell us that they find this introduction very helpful.
If you’re not new to boxing and don’t feel you need the basics over again, just show up for the timetabled start of your chosen class.
I’ve never boxed before. Are your classes suitable for me?
Yes. Classes are structured and mixed to cater for men and women of all abilities and fitness levels. Everyone is welcome. If you are new to the discipline we will look after you, show you the ropes, teach you about every aspect of the sport in a friendly, safe and non-threatening environment. If you’re a boxer, you’ve come to the home of boxing in the UK for support and intense training. Welcome to Left Hook.
How fit do I need to be to start with?
If you’ve already got some level of fitness – great. If you don’t, well you soon will! The beauty of the circuit arrangement we work to is that you get a minute’s break every three minutes, or you can even sit out a three-minute block if you’re knackered. All shapes and sizes come to the club. We’ve got some superfit male and female supermodels, of course, but the majority of club-goers will forgive me for saying we’re all pretty normal really.
Will I lose weight and tone up?
Oh yes - as long as you come regularly. You can wave goodbye to beer guts and double chins or wobbly bums if you show up a couple of times a week and watch what you eat (which is much easier if you’re enjoying your exercising). We can advise you on diet if need be, but we generally find that those who have the motivation to come to the club regularly also have the motivation to stick to a bit of a diet. Recently, for example, one of our male boxers has trimmed down over a few months by several stone into a lean, mean fighting machine and one of our female boxers will tell you she has dropped two dress sizes. All that said, you’ll certainly tone up from the exercise alone, so if you’re happy with your weight, but just want to look a bit firmer, that works too.
Sparring in the boxing ring?
We get a lot of questions about this – some newcomers are eager to jump straight into the ring and others are less sure. First of all, no-one is obliged to spar. Then again, for those who want to give it a go there’s plenty of encouragement. Everyone gets at least two rounds of sparring per training session, but many do plenty more than that.
Newcomers do body-sparring, i.e. there are no punches to the head – it’s neck down only. When you get more experienced you can have a go at the real McCoy wearing the appropriate headguard, under supervision. Until then, you’re unlikely to get a black eye, a fact which most club-goers seem to appreciate.
We won’t say that no-one ever leaves the club with bruises because that wouldn’t be true. But you can choose how hard to go in and with which sparring partners so the chances of getting hurt even in a minor way are very low.
Ladies: we have a selection of protective upper body shields for ladies who wish to use them – we can help you get them on and away you go. Many girls who fancy a go in the boxing ring start off with them and then chuck them aside once they realise they can defend with their elbows, like we’ve taught them. If you get really into it, there are special types of protective underwear for lady boxers – ask one of the female boxers at the club for advice on this.
What should I wear?
Most men wear a t-shirt, shorts and standard trainers. If you get bitten by the bug there are various pieces of more professional clothing you can buy later, including boxing boots.
Most ladies wear a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms or shorts and standard trainers.
Note to both sexes: if you have long and flowing hair you will want to bring a hairband of some sort. You won’t be able to push your hair out of your eyes once you’ve got your boxing gloves on.
Is all the equipment supplied?
Everything is supplied – gloves, pads, protective gear etc – except for wrist bandages / wraps. You can buy a pair at the club for £6.
How much does joining the club / attending classes cost?
£50.00 annual membership fee, then £8.00 per single class for adults and £5.00 per class for under 18s.
A slightly cheaper way of doing it is to buy a block of 10 classes for £70.00 (to be used within 180 days from date of purchase).
If you won’t be sure that boxing is for you until you’ve tried it, what about a trial class? An adult trial class is £15.00, an under 18 trial class £10.00.
Ways to pay: Left Hook accepts cash and cheques (with cheque card, please). You can also pay by card online for training gift vouchers.
Transport links / directions?
Check out the little maps on the club website to pinpoint us.
Islington Gym
We’re at the Hornsey Rise end of Hazelville Road (north of the Archway, south of Crouch End). The nearest Tube is Archway – then we’re a 10-minute walk up St John’s Way. Finsbury Park tube is also within striking distance. Leave Finsbury Park station via the Wells Terrace / bus station exit at the back, then look for the 210 bus (usually a single-decker) which will take you up Hornsey Rise (takes 5-10 minutes depending on the traffic).
Some club-goers come by bike – these can be stored (at your own risk, please, so bring your padlock) upstairs inside the club.
We also have a free car park in front of the club building.
Shadwell Gym
We’re directly opposite Shadwell DLR. If you’re coming to us from Liverpool Street station, you can get to us by taking the 100 bus.
There is pay-and-display parking available close to the gym.
What sort of people come to the club?
We get all sorts – you could call it a lively mixture. Some club-goers live and work very locally whilst others commute into office jobs in the centre of town and come boxing to relieve their white-collar stress. Ages range from kids who come along with their dads (and sometimes mums), through to teenagers, and a diverse crowd of 20-40 somethings. Probably our oldest regular at the moment is in his 50s. The club is popular with women – we have a dozen regulars and many more who come in and out.
Can I get private boxing lessons through the club?
Yes. We take private clients in the club at mutually agreeable times. Please contact us for prices.
Many of our private clients do one-session-a-week’s personal training and then attend a couple of open sessions per week to practice what they’ve learned.
Can I learn to box competitively?
Left Hook is aimed at those who want to enjoy themselves and keep fit rather than those who want to be the next Mohammed Ali. But if you show promise we’ll give you a headguard and point you in the right direction – probably to the amateurs’ nights that also run in the premises Left Hook uses.
sign up now
to recieve
Left Hook’s News Letter
