fight-city-gym-elephant-and-castle-1900x500.jpg

Meet Fight City Gym, Elephant & Castle

If you’re looking to train like a pro, or become one – say hello to Fight City Gym. Meet the team opening the latest gym in Elephant and Castle.

Arts and culture
  • 24 Jan 2022
Be combat ready with Fight City Gym

 

The combat training specialists Fight City Gym have a new 5,459 sq. ft space on the New Kent Road, offering a varied and dynamic list of training and programmes for all ages and levels. With two successful sites at Balham and Moorgate, Elephant Park will now become their largest venue offering Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and more.

Opening early 2022, we hear more from their founders about their new gym and boxing ring at Elephant Park.

 
Tell us about you and how Fight City Gym started

 

Fight City Gym (FCG) launched in 2013 by Leon Jason, Mani Johal and Ross Adkin. All 3 came from different backgrounds in the fitness industry.

Leon has 15 years’ experience as a personal trainer and is still a professional athlete and respected coach within Muay Thai and K1 Kickboxing. He won the World Kickboxing Organisation English K1 title in 2018 and has produced and coached over 15 amateur and professional fighters whilst at FCG. 

Ross has over 13 years’ experience in the fitness industry, of which 11 have been spent as a Personal Trainer. Mani worked in the city for over 10 years and the gym was just a hobby!

Mani had tried many other venues over the years, but none ever met his needs as he felt intimidated when entering a new combat gym. This led to Leon, Ross and Mani coming up with a new concept and space – Fight City Gym.

Together we saw the problem facing the everyday person wanting to access high-level combat coaching in a fun and friendly atmosphere, with clean facilities.

 

What will the new gym facilities be like? 

 

Fight City Gym bridges the gap between the ‘spit and sawdust’ combat gyms which offer great technical training, but usually poor facilities; and mainstream gyms with good facilities, but nothing more technical than ‘boxercise’ type classes. 

We’ve created an atmosphere where anyone feels welcome, whether they’re completely new to combat sports or a seasoned veteran.

With 5,459 sq. ft. of training space, you can find many machines and cardio equipment, an amazing 18ft boxing ring, boxing bags, functional training space and a chill out area to get to know fellow members outside of a gym class.

 
Why did you choose Elephant & Castle? And why did you choose Elephant Park? 

 

In our other locations, Moorgate and Balham, we knew the areas and the regeneration going on there. When exploring Elephant Park as a location, we saw that this will be the perfect mix of residential and office workers. 

After speaking with the Lendlease team and understanding the Elephant Park project further with their aim to support independent retailers, our vision aligned in that we are a family/community gym with classes for kids too. 

Elephant & Castle is up and coming and our favourite thing about this part of London is the people. Once we are open, we not only hope to have the local community as members but some maybe even part of the FCG team!

 

What do you think of Elephant Park? 

 

We look forward to spending more time here to learn more about the area and engage with the community but, so far, we think it will be a great place once completed!

 

How do your sustainability goals tie in with Elephant Park? 

 

It is important that we can cut down on any waste where possible. At FCG, we do not provide disposable cups; instead, we ask members to bring their own bottles to refill at our water fountains. All our lighting is LED and on PIR sensors so they will cut out and switch off when an area isn’t in use. Another great thing is that all our coffee/shake stations reward those that bring their own cup or shaker!

 

How helpful were the Lendlease and EP team in helping you get set up? 

 

There are always a few obstacles when opening a new location but, so far, the Lendlease and Elephant Park team have been very helpful! 

 

What are your top tips for leading a healthier lifestyle? 

 

  1. Make sure to Drink 2.5L of water a day.
  2. Get the goodness in - plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad, lean proteins, and healthy fats. (Use the 70/30 rule – 70% of the time follow the plan, and 30% allow real life food!)
  3. Move more – aim for 3 structured exercise sessions per week.
  4.  

 

What training or programme would you recommend for health & wellbeing? 

 

We have a 6-week transformation programme, not aimed at transforming your body but your habits and providing accountability.

 

Give us 3 reasons why we should join Fight City Gym, Elephant and Castle?!

 

1. You are never alone and will become part of our community
2. You'll learn a great life skill – how to defend yourself
3. Overall, it’s great fun!

Fight City Gym, Elephant and Castle will open in February 2022 on New Kent Road. Check out their website for more details on their programmes and training.

 

To read more Q&As from our other retailers, check out the below links:

SoLo Craft Fair

Kennington Osteopaths & Physiotherapy

Fix Your Cycle