Class Review: Box + Flow

The Scoop on Box + Flow:

You might not guess this by looking at me and my petite 5’2″ frame, but I was a karate beast when I was 10-years-old. I quit before middle school to focus on singing, acting and dancing. Also because everyone got much bigger than me and I realized I’m more of a lover, not a fighter 🙂 But thanks to my karate roots, I’ve always loved martial arts based workouts. What can I say, punching shit is oddly therapeutic.

Now a boxing workout fused with yoga? Count me in! Enter Box + Flow, one of the newest studios in town blending blending boxing with yoga.

I legit gasped with excitement when I saw Box + Flow added to Fitreserve’s roster of studios, that’s how excited I was.

It did not disappoint. I’ve now taken two classes here and I think it’s safe to say I’m obsessed. Who knew boxing and yoga were the perfect match?

The Deets:

Box + Flow
55 Bond St, New York, NY 10012
Website || Facebook || Instagram
$31 per class. Class Packages available too.

 

The Studio:

By Manhattan standards, Box + Flow is a bit barebones as far as studio amenities go with no showers. For me personally this isn’t a major issue, I rarely shower at studios these days, but I can imagine it being tricky if you’re taking a morning class here and heading out to work right after.

The stairs leading up to the second floor space are reminiscent of Y7’s infamous, hip-hop inspired, stairs, but I still think they’re cute and somewhat instagram worthy.

Note: You will need boxing wraps for class — I ended up purchasing a pair of easy to wrap velcro padded ones for $4. Yes I own legit boxing wraps, but I forget how to wrap my hands each and every time. Gloves are provided and shockingly not stinky, considering. Mats + towels provided as well.

 

The Class:

In the two classes I’ve taken (both with the same instructor) I’ve found the boxing portion to be stronger than the yoga portion. And I don’t think I’m saying that because I’m a yoga teacher.

The class starts with a quick warm-up on your mat, jumping jacks and the like. We then quickly go through the basic punches before putting on our gloves and heading over to the heavy bags.

At the heavy bags, we did a ton of different combinations and then three rumble rounds. Rumble rounds are when you partner up with someone and hold the bag for them while they first punch as fast as they can, and then as hard as they can. I don’t usually love partner bits in fitness classes, I’m always worried no one will pick me a la high school gym class, but I’ve found the partner bit here to be anxiety-free.

The boxing portion might be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the vocabulary and technique behind the punches. You’ll go over the basic punches but not in great detail.

Just when you think your arms are going to fall off from all that punching, it’s time to slow it down and flow it out with an 18 minute yoga flow.

In my opinion the yoga portion has been good but not great per say. It hits the spot and is a lovely way to end class, but doesn’t replace a devoted, 60 minute yoga class since it’s rather quick and dirty in nature. I wish a bit more thought would be placed into sequencing since it’s only 18 minutes and that savasana was more drawn out.

Long savasana or not, I’ve always left class feeling like both a warrior princess and pretty freaking zen. I’ll take it 🙂

 

Bottom Line:

 

I dig it. It’s pretty rare I add a new class into my weekly workout rotation, but Box + Flow has definitely secured a spot. 👊🏻🙏🏻💦

Want more class reviews? Check out my other studio reviews here.