Jeff Bennett a month ago

TLDR: If you are serious about learning to box - for fun, for the challenge, for competition - Josh is the best technical boxing coach in PDX. I started working with Josh to prepare for the Las Vegas masters boxing tournament. Josh took me all the way - starting with a skills assessment, developing and honing my skills through personal lessons and his masters boxing class, coaching through sparring sessions, guiding me through the competition in Vegas, and cornering for me in the fights. I had one of the most incredible experiences of my life, won my bracket, and brought home the belt. The three things I value most working with Josh are Technical skills - Josh met me where I was at, built a strong foundation in the basics, and developed a fight strategy that played to my strengths and minimized my weaknesses. His experience working with all levels, from novices to pro fighters, was obvious in the way he balanced developing new skills with making sure I was effective with the skills I had. Mental prep - Training is hard work, getting beat in sparring can be demoralizing, and facing an unknown opponent in the ring can be terrifying. Throughout fight camp and during the Vegas event Josh knew the emotions that I would experience and helped me build a fighter’s mentality to prepare me for the challenge ahead. Safety - Boxing is inherently dangerous and Josh takes this seriously. He knows that people need to feel safe to learn. No brawling, no throwing people to the wolves in the ring. He started me out with simple jab sparring and worked up to high-intensity sparring. By the time I was in Vegas I felt ready and competitive. Part of this was being brutally honest - there’s a certain physical and mental strength you need to make it to the ring and be competitive in the fight. Josh made it clear that if he thought I wasn’t ready and there was a risk that I’d get hurt, he wouldn’t take me to ring. This honesty builds trust. The last thing I’ll say is that Josh makes boxing fun. Training is hard work and requires serious dedication, but with Josh and the people who gravitate towards him it’s a good time. Often, wrapping up a session is the best part of my day.

Abby Mills 4 months ago

I've been training with Coach Josh for 18 months and can confidently say I'm a completely transformed athlete. I came to Josh with about 4 months of fitness boxing experience (arms only, no footwork, no ring IQ, no defensive skills) and he turned me into a machine! Thanks to his coaching, I push myself harder in all areas of my fitness practice, and am stronger, faster and more confident. Josh creates custom training programs for all this clients, depending on their goals, background and fitness level—he doesn't stick to a single cookie-cutter process and expect it to work for everyone. Even though I'm not one of his competing boxers, he takes me and my training seriously; he never just goes through the motions. As a woman, walking into a boxing gym can feel intimidating, but Coach Josh creates an environment that’s welcoming, respectful, and supportive. He makes me feel comfortable, encouraged, and taken seriously as an athlete. I can't recommend Coach Josh more highly!

Abby Mills 5 months ago

I've been training with Coach Josh for 18 months and can confidently say I'm a completely transformed athlete. I came to Josh with about 4 months of fitness boxing experience (arms only, no footwork, no ring IQ, no defensive skills) and he turned me into a machine! Thanks to his coaching, I push myself harder in all areas of my fitness practice, and am stronger, faster and more confident. Josh creates custom training programs for all this clients, depending on their goals, background and fitness level—he doesn't stick to a single cookie-cutter process and expect it to work for everyone. Even though I'm not one of his competing boxers, he takes me and my training seriously; he never just goes through the motions. As a woman, walking into a boxing gym can feel intimidating, but Coach Josh creates an environment that’s welcoming, respectful, and supportive. He makes me feel comfortable, encouraged, and taken seriously as an athlete. I can't recommend Coach Josh more highly!

Anna Rego 5 months ago

Absolutely couldn’t recommend Coach Josh more. I started boxing with him two years ago and the community he’s built quickly became a huge part of my life. Josh is a patient, encouraging, and dedicated coach, and will push you to show up for yourself when it’s the last thing you want to do. He’s one of the few coaches I’ve had in any sport that leads by example - putting in the miles, the bag work, the rounds - to show you what it means to be consistent and what it takes to improve. I came into the gym with zero boxing experience and no intention of ever getting in the ring, and I have come so much farther than I ever thought I could. Within six months, I was sparring, running regularly, working out at the track, and generally just wouldn’t shut up about this awesome gym I found, this kick ass coach, and all the cool people his program brought into my life. I take private lessons and train with the masters group (35+) once a week, and I genuinely don’t think you can find a more welcoming, supportive, and inspiring training environment, whether you want to compete or just learn for fun. If you’ve ever considered learning how to box, do yourself the biggest favor and work with the best of the best!!!

Anna Rego 5 months ago

Absolutely couldn’t recommend Coach Josh more. I started boxing with him two years ago and the community he’s built quickly became a huge part of my life. Josh is a patient, encouraging, and dedicated coach, and will push you to show up for yourself when it’s the last thing you want to do. He’s one of the few coaches I’ve had in any sport that leads by example - putting in the miles, the bag work, the rounds - to show you what it means to be consistent and what it takes to improve. I came into the gym with zero boxing experience and no intention of ever getting in the ring, and I have come so much farther than I ever thought I could. Within six months, I was sparring, running regularly, working out at the track, and generally just wouldn’t shut up about this awesome gym I found, this kick ass coach, and all the cool people his program brought into my life. I take private lessons and train with the masters group (35+) once a week, and I genuinely don’t think you can find a more welcoming, supportive, and inspiring training environment, whether you want to compete or just learn for fun. If you’ve ever considered learning how to box, do yourself the biggest favor and work with the best of the best!!!