Boxing Gyms in South East London - Complete Guide

South East London is well-served for boxing. From community clubs to modern gyms, there are options across Greenwich, Lewisham, Bromley, and beyond.

We're based here ourselves - Honour & Glory in Kidbrooke - so we know the area. Here's a genuine rundown of what's available for South East Londoners looking to box.

Boxing in Greenwich

Greenwich borough has several options, ranging from traditional clubs to more modern facilities.

Honour & Glory Boxing Club, Kidbrooke

That's us. We're located in Kidbrooke, making us accessible from Blackheath, Greenwich town centre, Lee, and Eltham.

We focus on proper boxing coaching in a welcoming environment. Classes suit complete beginners through to experienced boxers. Youth programme for kids too.

What makes us different: real boxing technique (not just cardio with gloves), qualified coaches, and a community atmosphere where people actually support each other.

Book a free trial and see for yourself.

Greenwich ABC

Traditional amateur boxing club with a solid reputation. Focused more on competitive boxing pathways. Good coaching with an old-school approach.

Best for those interested in amateur competition or serious boxing development.

Charlton Boxing Academy

Community-focused club serving the Charlton area. Good youth programme and welcoming to beginners. Traditional club atmosphere.

Other Greenwich Area Options

Various general fitness gyms offer boxing-style classes, but these typically lack proper coaching. If you want actual boxing skills rather than just a workout, the dedicated clubs are better choices.

Boxing in Lewisham

Lewisham borough has a strong boxing tradition with several established clubs.

Lynn AC, Lewisham

Long-established amateur boxing club. Produces competitive boxers and has excellent coaching. Traditional club environment.

Better suited to those committed to serious boxing than casual fitness.

TKO Boxing, Catford

Modern gym with proper boxing focus. Good balance of accessibility and quality coaching. Works well for various levels.

Crofton Boxing Club

Community club with good youth programme. Friendly atmosphere. More recreational focus than some traditional clubs.

Lewisham Area General Gyms

The usual chain gyms (PureGym, The Gym, etc.) have Lewisham locations and offer boxing classes. These are fine for general fitness but won't develop proper boxing skills.

Boxing in Bromley

Bromley Amateur Boxing Club

Established club with competitive pathways. Proper amateur boxing coaching. Traditional club structure.

Empire Boxing Gym, Beckenham

Modern approach to boxing training. Good facilities and coaching. More accessible to beginners than some traditional clubs.

Penge ABC

Community amateur club with a friendly reputation. Good for those in the Penge/Beckenham area wanting proper boxing instruction.

Boxing in Bexley

Erith ABC

Amateur boxing club serving the Erith and Bexley area. Produces competitive boxers. Traditional approach.

Bexley & Sidcup Options

Various fitness gyms offer boxing classes, but dedicated boxing instruction is more limited. Many Bexley residents travel to nearby areas for quality boxing training.

What to Look for in a South East London Boxing Gym

Coaching Quality

Qualifications matter. Look for England Boxing qualified coaches, especially Level 2+. DBS checks are non-negotiable for gyms working with young people.

Beyond qualifications, watch how coaches actually teach. Do they correct technique? Do they engage with individuals? Do they adapt to different ability levels?

Atmosphere

Some gyms are intense and serious - great if you want to compete, potentially intimidating otherwise. Others are more relaxed while still teaching properly.

Visit before joining. The atmosphere is hard to judge from a website.

Facilities

Traditional clubs often have basic facilities - this isn't necessarily bad. Fancy changing rooms don't make you a better boxer.

What matters: quality bags and equipment, enough space, clean and safe environment. Everything else is secondary.

Class Times

South East London has decent public transport, but travelling across the area takes time. A gym with perfect reviews isn't useful if you can't make the class times.

Consider realistically when you'll train and choose somewhere that fits your schedule.

Cost

Pricing varies significantly:

• Traditional clubs: often very affordable (£40-70/month)
• Modern independent gyms: typically £60-100/month
• Boutique/fitness gyms: often expensive for less actual boxing

Value matters more than absolute price. Expensive doesn't mean better, and cheap traditional clubs sometimes offer the best coaching.

Choosing Between Traditional Clubs and Modern Gyms

Traditional Amateur Clubs

Advantages:

• Often excellent coaching from experienced boxers
• Affordable membership
• Pathway to competition if desired
• Authentic boxing environment

Disadvantages:

• Can feel intimidating for complete beginners
• Fixed schedules with less flexibility
• Facilities may be basic
• Culture doesn't suit everyone

Modern Boxing Gyms

Advantages:

• More welcoming to beginners
• Better facilities typically
• More flexible schedules
• Broader range of class types

Disadvantages:

• Quality varies significantly
• May cost more
• Some prioritise fitness over technique

The Right Choice

Neither is objectively better. Traditional clubs suit people who want competitive boxing or thrive in no-nonsense environments. Modern gyms suit those who prefer more accessible atmospheres while still wanting proper instruction.

The wrong choice is picking based on marketing rather than visiting. Trial sessions tell you more than any review.

What About General Fitness Gyms?

Chain gyms across South East London (PureGym, The Gym, David Lloyd, etc.) offer boxing classes. These are fine for general fitness but typically won't teach you to actually box.

The instructors often have fitness backgrounds rather than boxing backgrounds. Classes focus on cardio with boxing movements rather than technique development.

If your goal is pure fitness and you don't care about learning real boxing, these work. If you want actual skills, choose a boxing-specific gym.

Questions Worth Asking

Before joining any gym, ask:

1. What qualifications do your coaches hold?
2. What does a typical session involve?
3. How do you handle complete beginners?
4. Is there a pathway for those interested in sparring or competition?
5. Can I try a session before committing?

Good gyms welcome these questions. Evasive answers suggest problems.

Our Recommendation (Obviously Biased)

We think Honour & Glory offers the best combination of proper boxing coaching and welcoming atmosphere in South East London. We're in Kidbrooke, accessible from across Greenwich and surrounding areas.

We teach real technique - not just fitness with gloves on. Our coaches know boxing. Our community supports each other. Complete beginners feel welcome while experienced boxers can develop.

We're not the only option, and we won't be right for everyone. If you want hardcore competitive boxing, a traditional amateur club might suit better. If you just want a workout and don't care about skills, a general gym might work.

But if you want to actually learn boxing in an environment that doesn't feel intimidating, we think we're worth trying.

Try Before Deciding

Whatever gym you're considering, do a trial session. The feeling of being in the space, meeting the coaches, seeing how classes actually run - none of that comes through in online research.

Most gyms offer free or cheap trial sessions. Take advantage. Visit a few places. Then decide based on experience, not marketing.