HAVEN Boxing

⸻ I’ve been going to Haven for almost 1.5 years now, and I absolutely love it there! Both Gabby and Andrea are wonderfully kind, supportive coaches who continually challenge me to keep growing my skills. Before going to Haven, I never thought I would find a boxing gym that not only gives me a great workout but leaves me feeling mentally and physically amazing, and makes me want to keep coming back for more. Not only are Andrea and Gabby amazing, but the community they’ve built is so great as well. Every class I learn, sweat, and have a great time — and it always leaves me wanting more!

Before I came to my first class at Haven, my only experience with fitness had been mostly working out in male dominated gyms. It was always a battle with anxiety and most of the time I was disassociating just to cope. Haven was the first place where I felt like I belonged at a gym, where I felt truly comfortable, supported, and safe. Not once in all my time here have I felt out of place or unwelcome. I’ve been part of this gym for over two years now, and in that time I’ve not only grown stronger and more skilled at working out and boxing (I could barely punch my first few classes) but I’ve also gained confidence and resilience in my personal life. Gaby and Andrea put an incredible amount of care and intention into every class they program, and it SHOWS. I’ve felt it in each of the 200+ classes I’ve taken, that’s not even counting open gym. I’ve never felt as good in my body as I do today. It genuinely hurts to see people tear down a queer owned space that means so much to so many of us. To leave such harsh, unsettling reviews, sometimes a year later, feels like a disservice to the community this gym has built. Haven isn’t just a place to work out it’s a place where people like me finally feel safe, seen, and supported. I love this gym!!!!!

I started almost two years ago with zero boxing experience and slowly learned real technique, footwork, defense, and the mindset you need to stay committed. The environment is incredibly inclusive and supportive, and you can feel the community rooting for you every step of the way. What stands out to me most is the coaching. Co-owners Gaby and Andrea are fantastic and bring expert knowledge to every session. They push you to improve, but do so with kindness and respect, which makes you want to work harder without ever feeling overwhelmed. Over the years, I’ve taken both the basics and the skills classes, and each offered clear progression that matched where I was starting. The structure helps you build confidence, technique, and conditioning at a pace that feels approachable yet challenging. If you’re curious about boxing or you’re looking to level up in a supportive setting, Haven is the place to go. It’s a space where you can test your limits while feeling genuinely cared for and encouraged. Highly recommended!!

I dropped in on two classes during my short visit to NYC! The Functional Training class led by Gaby prepped me for the full-body workout I needed. On the first half of the circuit, we were encouraged to raise questions through a Q&A which addressed confusions/difficulties—helpful for first-timers and beginners like myself. Gaby is a great teacher and pumps you up just in time when you need it. Bonus points for ending the class with myofascial release! The Haven Basics (boxing) class led by Andrea has a solid structure of preparing you for the basics of boxing which consisted of a warmup, heavy bag work, and partner drills. We were reminded to listen to our body and take it at our own pace which helped me get through the entire class. It was wonderful to be taught by Andrea as she had good command of the class and displayed excellent boxing and coaching skills. It takes discipline, focus, openness, and presence of mind to persist through the classes. Rest, recovery, and listening to your body in-between movements were highly emphasized. The best part is how friendly and welcoming the coaches and staff are! The social time after class was the icing on the cake. I would definitely visit again on my next trip!

Hostile and passive-aggressive owners, exclusionary “community” expectations, and gross shared gloves. I took 10 classes here over 2 months. I have 2 years of boxing experience at other LGBTQ+ gyms, so I came in very comfortable with group fitness etiquette and community spaces. The negativity and attitude I experienced at this gym was deeply concerning. I encourage prospective members to read a range of reviews (including owner responses) and Reddit discussions before entering this space. The owners were friendly my first 2 classes, then quickly became very passive-aggressive. I was spoken to with unnecessary hostility any rare moment I took a second to grasp their rapid, often confusing instructions and was accused of not paying attention despite watching closely. I also witnessed owners scold people for brief water breaks. Despite always arriving early, following instruction, being respectful, and having prior boxing experience, I was told I couldn’t attend a “skills-level” class because I wasn’t “connecting enough with others.” I was shocked. I’m always kind and supportive towards everyone, especially when partnering up. I’m simply just more introverted and soft spoken. In my final class, an owner asked how I was doing in front of the group. When I said, “I’m doing good,” they replied, “Are you? Because you haven’t made eye contact with me since you got here.” This public call-out felt humiliating and unwarranted. She wasn’t even at the desk when I checked in, so I had no idea what she was referencing or why there was such pointed hostility toward me. I spoke with them privately afterward and shared that I didn’t appreciate the way I was being treated. I explained that I can be socially anxious in group settings but am always polite and engaged: I say hello when I arrive, thank them when I leave, call out combos during partner work when asked, and even occasionally chat with members after class. I was told this still “wasn’t enough”, it was “closed-off” and that I needed to “do more to connect with them” if I wanted a positive experience there. Their response felt argumentative and increasingly hyper-critical: even down to critisizing how I “stand” between instruction (resting weight on one leg while listening). I questioned why they take such a negative-driven approach vs positively encouraging people instead. They repeatedly insisted they are “not like other gyms” and that they are a community space that “holds people accountable.” An “inclusive community” that scrutinizes socialization levels, eye contact, the way you stand, and speed of response - feels more like policing than community. Also worth noting: the shared boxing gloves have a disgusting smell that lingered on my hands after washing and even showering. I’ve never experienced that at other gyms with shared gloves.