Boutique Boxing Studio Rumble Opens Next Week Downtown

A class in action
A class in action

Photo Credit: Rumble

If you walked by the corner of Sansome and Pine within the last couple of weeks, chances are you’ve noticed the “Rumble Coming Soon” signs. Although it was several months in the making, the boutique boxing studio is finally opening its doors in downtown San Francisco. The workout involves 10 rounds of exercises that alternate between a boxing punching bag and weight-training bench. There are six basic punches and digital projections that show the combinations.

unspecified-1Photo Credit: Rumble

The first Rumble opened just shy of two years ago in Chelsea, New York. With its fast pace, intense sequencing, and nightclub-like vibe, Rumble quickly developed a cult following with celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Katie Holmes frequenting class. Thanks to some big investors, think Sylvester Stallone and Equinox, Rumble is in expansion mode and opening more gyms across America.

Alvin Holden
Alvin Holden

Photo Credit: @alvinholden8020

With the Bay Area’s penchant for healthy living, it’s no surprise that the Rumble team chose to open here. Several beloved Barry’s Bootcamp trainers—Alvin Holden, Charlie Mejia, and Jon Valencia—left Barry’s to become founding trainers at the new Rumble. Their Instagram followers and past clients are anxiously awaiting for Rumble to open.

Gloves awaiting renters
Gloves awaiting renters

Photo Credit: Rumble

When Haute Living asked Holden why the city is ready for this type of workout, his reply was simple: “because they’ve said it. San Franciscans, I know better than anybody else, and they require a little bit of a harder workout. With boxing, it is the new cool thing for everybody to want to do.” Hand wraps and gloves are required to take the class but can be rented at Rumble.

Weight training benches
Weight training benches

Photo Credit: Rumble

Sixty students (30 on the bags and 30 on the floor) will be in each class. “At the beginning of the round, your instructor is going to go over all the movements and then start the clock,” Holden explains. “Your instructor will demonstrate the combo, and then it’s also going to be projected, and that round is going to stay up at the front of the room so everyone can follow along. On the bag side, that changes every 30 seconds and I coach through that too. It is a two-sided class.” The punching bags were specifically designed for Rumble. They are meant to move as little as possible. “They’re 185-pound water bags, so you’ve got to punch them pretty hard to get them to swing around,” Holden says.

Holden, Charlie Mejia, and Jon Valencia
Holden, Charlie Mejia, and Jon Valencia

Photo Credit: @charliemejia_

One of the things that make Rumble unique in comparison to other boutique workouts (like SoulCycle and Barry’s) is that personal training is offered. Anyone can sign up to take a customized class with Holden. The core opening team has spent the past five months teaching Rumble to New Yorkers. Now they are finally back in the Bay—and they are ready to rumble.

Rumble opens next Tuesday, December 18.