Are You Ready to Rumble?

With the planned launch of their new studio in late March, Rumble Boxing Studio was primed and ready to shake up Vancouver’s fitness scene with a “Fight Club meets Nightclub” vibe that crosses cardio-fitness and heavy-bag boxing.

But then the coronavirus stepped into the ring and Rumble’s founder and CEO, Cissy Chen, shut the doors. Chen, whose parents had already been in pandemic lockdown in China for over three months, knew it would be a while before she could bring Rumble back. “There are some things you can’t punch your way out of, and a global pandemic is one of them,” she says, half-jokingly.

But far from throwing in the towel, Chen pivoted. With so much upheaval and uncertainty, she recognized that existing clients from Rumble’s two Calgary locations, as well as early Vancouver-based adopters, might want — or need — to sweat at home.

“We take physical and mental health very seriously,” she says. “We know we’re an outlet for so many people, and we had to come up with a way to continue to help them through the anxiety and fear of confinement.”

During that confinement, Chen made Rumble’s cardio-boxing training available to everyone by producing dozens of online “Boxer Body” videos in addition to offering virtual online personal training. By charging a monthly subscription fee, Chen was also able to keep dozens of staff on the payroll.

“The videos and virtual personal training exceeded our expectations in terms of subscriptions,” she says, adding: “That said, our clients and staff could not wait to get back to it and, finally, the time has come.”

Four months out from its original grand opening, Rumble has now opened the doors to its sleek, 5,800 square-foot Vancouver studio. Located at 968 Expo Boulevard (inside Yaletown’s renowned ARC building), Rumble Boxing Studio welcomes people of all fitness levels for a fun, high-energy, and badass boxing-style workout. Chen and her team have implemented stringent and meticulous safety standards that follow all public health guidelines and distancing rules.

Rumble’s physically distanced, high-intensity, 50-minute workouts don’t pull any punches. It’s lights down, music up, as one of Rumble’s highly skilled motivators keeps you on the beat with a series of hooks, jabs, and crosses — combined with that all-important fancy footwork.

“Boxing fitness has really taken off, but many old-school boxing gyms aren’t very inviting,” says Chen. “And the instructors can be intimidating. What sets Rumble apart is the combination of boxing fitness with nightclub energy and a ‘we fight together’ spirit. There’s a camaraderie, even with the smaller classes and distancing protocols, that you don’t often find in other places. And right now, human connections are more important than ever.”

Rumble will offer its signature Heavy Bag classes as well as a Guts and Glory bootcamp seven days a week. Personal training, small-group training, team building and Junior Rumble classes for ages 7-13 will also be available. In compliance with health guidelines, classes must be reserved in advance via the website: www.rumbleboxing.com.

To celebrate its launch, Rumble will be offering free classes to the first 1,000 people to signup via its website at www.rumbleboxing.com.*

Hey Vancouver! It’s Time to Rumble!

*Free introductory classes available on a first-come basis. Free class includes glove rental, but not mandatory wraps required for wrist safety. Wraps are $15 per pair.

ABOUT RUMBLE
Rumble offers a one-of-a-kind, badass fitness experience, with a fight club meets nightclub vibe. We bring together a high-intensity boxing workout with the powerful platform of group fitness. We are more than just fitness; we are a community. All experience levels are welcome. Founded in 2016, we have two studios in Calgary, and one in Vancouver, with plans to expand nationally.

RUMBLE BOXING STUDIO – YALETOWN
968 Expo Blvd, Vancouver, BC
(604) 336-6939
www.rumbleboxing.com

SOCIAL MEDIA
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Media release, image and video provided by Kate MacDougall, Camber Communications.