The Best Boxing Fitness Franchises To Open
Step inside the ring to learn which boxing fitness franchise opportunities are right for you
Boxing’s roots go back centuries, and as a workout, it continues to grow in popularity. But today’s gyms don’t look like the old-school boxing gyms your grandfather once attended. Now, boxing clubs are as sleek and tech-savvy as any boutique fitness studio, and they’re a prime investment opportunity for fitness entrepreneurs and business-savvy individuals.
The key is finding the boxing franchise that aligns with your investment goals, budget and your desired rate of return. Some studios are focused on regional growth, while others are setting their sights internationally. There are certain franchises that are drilling down on technology, and others that see the value in providing workouts beyond boxing. Deciding which outlook aligns with your business vision is critical in choosing the right franchise to invest in.
Ready to start doing your research? Athletech News highlights five boxing franchises to watch.
Rumble
Investment: The franchise fee is $60,000 and the investment range is $370,810 to $566,680.
About: In just seven years, Rumble Boxing has grown to over 90 locations worldwide. Initially, the company focused on growth in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, and Philadelphia. But, when Rumble was acquired by Xponential Fitness in 2021, it quickly expanded across the U.S., Canada, APAC, Mexico and the Middle East.
“Born on the streets of New York City, Rumble has cultivated a loyal cult-like following. It’s founded on a lifestyle,” says Shaun Grove, president of Rumble Boxing.
In each Rumble class, there’s a 10-round, 45-minute fight that is evenly divided between two styles of training. “Half of the class is spent exploring the skills and drills of boxing, and the other half is spent on the transformative power of resistance training,” explains Grove.
The class is led by a trainer who’s part DJ, part coach, and the mega-watt sound system pumps out custom playlists that keep the room moving and upbeat. While boxing may sometimes seem intimidating — Rumble’s goal is to make it both inclusive and positive.
“When we say, ‘10 rounds, 2 fists, zero experience necessary,’ we truly mean it. It’s not uncommon to see first-time boxers next to professional or amateur fighters. No matter your fitness level, we squad up and Rumble together,” says Grove.
When vetting franchisees, Rumble looks for candidates who have experience in team development and leadership, ideally with a background in the corporate world or as an existing business owner. Looking to the future, Rumble is focused on emphasizing the importance of strength training for longevity and presenting more efficient class options.
Learn more here.
RockBox
Investment: The franchise fee to open a RockBox location is $59,900, and they look for franchisee candidates who are equally passionate about business and fitness.
“We find that owners who put in the work and are excellent at leading and motivating their team can thrive in the boutique fitness industry,” says Roger Martin, co-founder and CEO.
About: Concentrated in the Southeast U.S., RockBox has opened 60 locations since launching in 2017. The program offers a combination workout, bringing together kickboxing, boxing and functional strength training for a more comprehensive approach to fitness.
“The workout experience is wrapped in an amazing member experience set to curated playlists and color adaptive lighting,” explains Martin.
The RockBox approach is meant to be welcoming to all fitness levels. The company prides itself on meeting members where they are on their fitness journey, with a supportive mixture of fitness, nutrition and accountability. The focus is on utilizing technology in the workout, but it’s done in a way that feels inclusive and judgment-free. The goal is to be as un-intimidating as possible.
RockBox has even made one bold decision to make it more approachable. “To keep members from feeling self-conscious, we have built our studios without mirrors, so the only thing that matters is working hard and having a great time getting in the best shape of their lives,” says Martin.
Learn more here.
Legends Boxing
Investment: The franchise fee is $54,000, and Legends looks for potential franchisees who want to empower others.
“Remarkably, many of our franchisees initially joined our program as members and were inspired to become part of the company after experiencing its transformative impact firsthand,” says Rob Scott, co-founder and CEO.
About: Legends Boxing is sanctioned by USA Boxing, which is the national governing body for boxing, and the company upholds its studios and coaches to rigorous certification standards. This includes ensuring sparring members adhere to the USA Boxing rules and are covered by insurance. Scott explains, “With boxing instruction at the forefront, our no-contact classes focus on real USA Boxing techniques. Our curriculum includes a comprehensive 8-punch system, enhancing your boxing prowess compared to the standard 6-punch system.”
The goal is to get you to your desired results, whether that’s skill acquisition, strength or weight loss. The skill-based fitness program is tailored to each individual and their goals and current fitness levels.
“Our core values distinguish us within our industry. We cultivate a welcoming environment where everyone belongs,” says Scott. Legends Boxing also focuses on their community and embracing every person who walks through their doors. There are off-site events to bolster a sense of community, and the company actively works against old-school stereotypes associated with boxing.
Legends Boxing opened in March 2012, and they now have 16+ locations across Utah, Texas, Michigan and Florida. The highest concentration of locations is in Utah, where there are 10 studios.
Looking to the future, Legends Boxing is thrilled to introduce EmpowerHer, a workshop tailored for women.
Learn more here.
UBX Boxing + Strength
Investment: UBX looks for franchisees who want to be actively involved in their gyms as owner-operators or active investors. Total startup costs, including the franchise fee of $50,000, come in at $130,147 to $307,797.
About: Founded in 2019, UBX Boxing + Strength was originally launched in Australia by fitness and tech entrepreneur Tim West and four-time world champion boxer Danny Green. It started with the Milton, Queensland location, and UBX now has 111 locations with 510 contracted across seven countries.
“Our growth was powered by strong community support, often seeing members, coaches and their networks becoming franchisees. Following our domestic success, we ventured internationally with locations in New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, Ireland, Japan and the U.S.,” says West.
UBX made the bold move of eliminating class schedules and offering flexible access times for workouts. These are updated daily and available to follow via on-site coaching screens.
UBX has a signature blend of boxing and strength training, conceptualized by Green. The workout provides a dynamic 12-round circuit, combining bag work, pad work with coaches and functional strength movements.
“This unique model caters to all fitness levels and schedules, from professional athletes to newcomers, ensuring every member can train on their own terms, bolstered by our on-demand app for remote access,” explains West.
As UBX looks toward an aggressive expansion across North America, Europe and Asia, the company will focus on its unique model, which integrates 1-on-1 boxing pad work within a flexible group training format. West says, “We have our sights set on 1,500 locations in the U.S. and 1,500 in the rest of the world.”
Learn more here.
Mayweather Boxing + Fitness
Investment: The initial franchise fee is $49,500, and complete start-up costs range between $347,000 and $660,000 based on studio/gym size. Mayweather Boxing + Fitness looks for franchise candidates who understand that their team is a sales organization, whether you’re at the front desk or a trainer on the floor.
About: When Floyd Mayweather announced the concept for Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in 2018, 6000+ inquiries flooded in from individual candidates and large, multi-unit investors. From that, over 100 franchise licenses were awarded, and development began in 2019. While COVID slowed initial growth, more than 70 locations are currently open, with another 9 U.S. locations to open by the end of 2024 plus another two international locations in Dubai and Uzbek. Currently, the locations are primarily concentrated in California, Texas, Florida and Tennessee.
The company prides itself on a high-energy, fast-paced and fun group workout experience designed to build strength and confidence. All Mayweather Boxing + Fitness workouts are designed by Mayweather himself with a focus on three values: Goal-Oriented, Variety & Balance, and Teamwork.
“In addition to expert instruction and quality equipment, screens throughout the studio track your performance, and Floyd himself guides you through boxing combinations that are both challenging and fun,” says Chan Gannaway, director of education and programming.
Mayweather Boxing + Fitness has also expanded beyond boxing with MBody, a fitness workout designed to give members an opportunity to build lean muscle and learn how to move properly while working with DBs, MBs, Rowers, and TRX.
“The more that like-minded individuals are added to the system, the more community is created, the more classes are full, the better the business. The systems and processes that drive marketing, memberships growth, and operational excellence are in place. What is needed are franchisees that will lean in and motivate their teams to create long-term membership value and a deep-rooted community among their patrons,” says Ryan Reeves, chief development officer.
Learn more here.