Hamabe Dojo: Boxing and Fitness School in Irvine — Local services in Irvine

If you’re serious about boxing and ready to push yourself to the limit, this is the place to be. From the moment I stepped in, I could tell this dojo was something special. It's not just a gym; it is a community of dedicated and passionate people who are all working toward the same goal, excellence.

The head coach? Simply put, he’s the real deal. With years of experience under his belt, having trained with some of the best in the sport, his knowledge and expertise are unrivaled. But it’s not just about his own accolades, this coach has a track record of taking raw talent and turning it into champion level skill. Some of his past trainees have gone on to win titles themselves, a testament to the depth and caliber of his coaching. You won’t just be learning techniques; you’ll be learning from someone who’s dedicated their life to shaping future champions.

Now, let me be clear, this dojo is not for the faint of heart. It’s a strict environment where effort and commitment are expected from everyone, and the coach won’t hesitate to hold you accountable. In fact, if you’re not putting in the work, you won’t last. Clients who aren’t fully committed have been shown the door before, and that speaks volumes about the quality of the training here. But here’s the thing: the tough love approach is what makes this dojo so effective. You won’t be babied, but you’ll grow faster than you ever imagined.

And yet, despite the strictness, there’s a warmth here that’s hard to beat. The community is one of the most supportive I’ve ever been a part of. Everyone, from the seasoned fighters to those just starting, are willing to lend a hand, offer advice, and cheer you on when you hit a milestone. It's like a family where everyone is rooting for each other’s success. Whether you’re struggling with a new move or nailing a combination, the encouragement is always there.

The facilities are top tier as well. From heavy bags to speed bags, there is ample sparring space; this dojo has everything you need to take your boxing to the next level. It’s a place where you’ll feel challenged, but also motivated and inspired every single time you step through the door.

If you’re looking for a place to just work out and punch a bag, this may not be the right fit for you. But if you are serious about becoming a better boxer, test your limits, learn from the best, and join a community that pushes you every day; then this dojo is where you want to be. It’s a place where champions aren’t just made in the ring, but built through hard work, dedication, and a whole lot of heart. And believe me, once you experience it for yourself, you won’t want to train...

I've been coming a little over 1.5 years now so this review is overdue.

When I had initially started, I am the type to do a lot of research before committing into anything and had been to numerous boxing gyms but none of them felt right. Most were either "boxer-cise" gyms (focused on cardio but no technique) or mass-production gyms with little self instruction.

This is where Hamabe dojo defers and is truly one-of-a-kind. From the moment you step in, you can already tell it's a tight knit community of supportive members. You will receive a personalized, almost one on one type of instruction from an instructor who is wholly invested in your training and goals. The class is unique in a sense that it consists of all age ranges, from 20-65 years old, who all have different goals which the instructor will help you reach Whether its trying to get in shape or compete, the coach will help you get there.

As a side note about the coach, he is incredibly knowledgeable with boxing and is passionate about teaching. Classes are very challenging, get ready to be pushed harder than you've ever gone. The instructor is great at knowing how to push you further just when you think you're done. The other important thing is that he'll also know when you are mentally or physically tired and therefore at risk for injury. Unlike other gyms where I injured my hand since they gave me little instruction, this coach makes sure I have proper technique therefore minimizes injury. My hands are my livelihood and so any injury at my age (40) will take time to recover, but thankfully no injuries yet after 1.5 year.

When I had first started, I was looking for a way to learn self defense and get in shape but this has evolved into something much more. I've always hated doing any form of cardio, but boxing has been a great way for me to have fun while getting in the best shape of my life. In all, I feel proud to be involved in such a tight knit and supportive community. Although I have much more to learn, I feel more confident than I've ever been.

TLDR; If you're at all curious, give it a try! It might be the best decision...

Let’s first establish the most important thing you need to know - this is not some fashion boxing class studio. You will need to come in with the expectation to push yourself to your limits, learn and apply real techniques, condition both your mind and body to keep up, learn how to receive punches, and eventually spar.

Boxing is a huge learning curve, but I’m learning something new every session whether it is directly from the trainer or tips from other members. The trainer is very good at thoroughly explaining a technique (how, why), and members are open to sharing tips.

You will be part of a great community consisting of mostly high quality people with professional backgrounds / business owners, and everyone is pushing themselves to the limit. If you are interested in joining Hamabe Dojo, you can buy a 1-day trial, but a decision will be made whether you can join so it is not automatic. You can consider this as being part of an exclusive community, because the owner/trainer really makes it a priority to maintain a great community.

The other intrigue is that the gym is located in a nice area - Irvine. The owner/trainer is Japanese and true to Japanese mannerisms, the gym is immaculately clean and organized.

When I joined Hamabe Dojo, I was in terrible physical condition from years of detrimental habits and neglecting my health. I still have a long ways to go to improve physically, but after 6 weeks at Hamabe Dojo, I have lost nearly 8 pounds, burned a lot of fat and gained muscle. I thought my best years were behind me when I reached age 40, but now I feel my best years are just beginning.

While I am still a new member, I consider Hamabe Dojo an integral part of my life. The most important thing I am getting out of Hamabe Dojo is that I am strengthening both my mind and body - this will allow me to keep up with the rest of the...