In The Beginning

Helping The Kids

In 1993 Paul Ryan, a former lightweight National Champion, rented the top floor of an old transmission shop with the purpose of opening a non-profit youth centre - a place where underprivileged kids could come, build a skill, socialize, learn, have fun, and ultimately stay off the streets. Ryan had one punching bag, a great idea, and a lot of heart. Part of the youth centre's motto was, "we believe in inspiration, guidance, and truth." This motto has stayed with the gym and even now personifies our facility's cause and purpose. With word of mouth, the gym soon opened to the public with a small, yet building, clientele. So, yes, the beginnings of the gym were humble; the building was dilapidated - there were no windows, the ceilings were leaking and there was no heat, but the people kept coming - the classes were that good.

Training Expertise

Since then, the Bloor Fitness & Boxing has become a leading boxing training facility for competitive fighters for both men and women. We have helped create numerous Ontario and Canadian champions. Though fundamentally known as a boxing gym, the space and atmosphere has also been successfully transformed into a fully facilitated fitness centre inclusive of all ages. The space has been completely renovated. Gone is the leaky roof, gone is the no-heat, gone are the windows with no glass.

The gym has grown as well; it now encompasses the full two levels of the entire building, with newly renovated change rooms, lockers, offices, and reception area. Our social environment includes a complete fitness centre with new equipment; cardio and weight machines, and free weights. Available to you is personal weight and machine training, and personal fitness and boxing training. We have an array of classes which include Yoga, Muay Thai, Kick-Boxing, and, of course, challenging instructional-boxing classes which are sure to whip you into shape - all included with your membership.

The classes are taught by former members (men and women), all of whom have persevered and learned with the gym. Their instructional methods and attitudes push, inspire, and help our clientele reach their goals. Let's be sure to clarify though - our classes are not "boxercise" classes per se, but rather recreational boxing programs incorporating real boxing training. The classes are exactly the same training regime Paul Ryan did when he was competing; they include skipping and other cardiovascular exercises, heavy bag work, speedball, double-end bags, push-ups, sit-ups, isolation exercises, punching techniques, foot-work, squats, and lunges. And ladies, don't be intimidated by our classes - women often outnumber the men in attendance. Those who take our classes sweat up a storm and leave feeling great. And the ultimate bonus: there is no need to feel you need to dress up to come to our gym - we are not fashion conscious - there is no need to"pose" - we work our bodies here, and work them hard! Don't waste good lipstick.

Looking Ahead

We have future goals as well. We plan on expanding the gym, and also have aspirations to reach out to other communities. We treat everyone here as an athlete and an individual - each of us striving and reaching for our goals. And, with our boxing knowledge and reputation, we hope one day we will help create a world champion … perhaps there is already one amongst us …