Gyms of every sort have been popping up all over Capitol Hill, from yoga studios to open fitness studios. One that you might not have heard of has actually been on the Hill for more 10 years.

Founded by professional boxer Carla Wilcox, Capitol Hill’s Seattle Boxing Studio is currently located in the basement of 1432 Broadway. It’s an underground institution that until recently has been kept mostly under wraps. Only about 30 people belong to the studio, which although tucked away with no fancy exterior or even a sign outside, spans 5,000 square feet and is very slick and well maintained with weight machines, free weights, a boxing ring, and ample open space.

Brock Gavery

WIlcox is the founder, who originally opened the BQ Workout Gym in the Broadway Market in the early 1990s. She offered personal training to her clients while competing as an amateur boxer for six years and as a pro for another six years.  In 2004, she battled for the superflyweight world title.

Her gym relocated to 12th and Pike in 2001 and again in 2005 when it came to its current subterranean space on Broadway.  That same year, WIlcox was honored as “Best Zen Boxing Instructor” by Seattle Weekly.  Wilcox is presently on a hiatus, leaving Brock Gavery in charge, with trainers Henry Kleaveland, Paul Fischer, and Wade on hand to run classes.

Gavery focuses on endurance training and has a host of notable accomplishments, ranging from being named one of the fittest men in America by Outside Magazine, to completing his self-titled “Triple Threat” event that involved biking 120 miles, summiting Mount Rainier, and running 94 miles, all within 75 hours.  Kleaveland, also known as hip-hop artist Scribes, has been training with Wilcox for nearly 10 years, so his classes are more in the realm of technical boxing work. Each class is an hour long and can have you doing anything from plyometric cardio circuits, to medicine ball slams, to shadow boxing.

Seattle Boxing Studio does not aim to train professional boxers like Cappy’s.  Instead, the goal is to provide a place to stay motivated and have fun while focusing on strength, fitness and boxing.  While the studio still wishes to remain private and largely underground, there is plenty if room for new members.

For those interested in a more technical boxing class, there are plans to start Boxing 101 on Saturdays and Sundays (inquire within for details). Prospective members should also be forewarned that the studio does not always meet everyone’s fitness style, so a private consultation and trial class is required.

For more information, visit Seattle Boxing Studio’s Facebook page, or email [email protected]. Current rates are $20 for a scheduled drop-in and $150/month for unlimited classes.