Beartown ABC

FAQ

Reviews

• 

  Jack Webdale

  As a member of 6+ years, I can no longer recommend this gym. - A noticeable decline in class quality while prices have increased. - An unprofessional, confrontational owner with a comically over-the-top authoritarian teaching style, who doubles down on poor behaviour to protect pride rather than seek reasonable resolution. I have experienced hundreds of classes in Dalston from various coaches who have come and gone. This came to an end this week after a strange interaction with Carlos Moreno. During his class, I was unclear on a activity, so after the first round I asked my partner. In the next round I made a joke about messing it up before. Neither were during a briefing or otherwise disruptive. Out of no-where, Carlos said he was 'sick of us talking all the time', sentencing us to 100 push-ups, and threatened to remove us from the session. After 30 of the push-ups our arms were shot, I suggested we return to the previous activity. Carlos then told me to leave the gym for talking again and not finishing the full 100. His behaviour in those few minutes was absurd. It's a boxing class, not a labour camp. It was surprising given all previous classes were generally light-hearted, social and fun on a foundation of competitive hard work. Instead, I found myself in a poorly written and awkwardly acted boot-camp scene out of Jarhead or Full Metal Jacket. I requested a refund of my membership, He agreed, and I left. Later Carlos calls. I assumed it was to keep the membership intact. Instead, he explained why he thought he was right, and that he had asked the other participants if they thought so too. Any reasonable person would have found his behaviour obtuse as I had, and I noticed he uses this 'groupthink' tactic to justify poor decisions or behaviour when replying to criticism via e-mail and negative reviews. You can see for yourself. I told him that aside from the confrontation, what was detrimental to the class was the first 10 mins where we were all waiting around while he was on the phone, followed by 25 mins of poorly organised sprints which had all but one of us mostly stood around at resting heart. Carlos took the criticism personally. He monologued on how little I knew of boxing and asked how many championships I had won, before hanging up before I could respond. A text message followed to say that I’m banned from the gym (as if I was planning to return). On the plus side, the refund was handled promptly. Before the class I had read all the class descriptions to see if any changes had been made and chose TIB for the technical aspects. This class had almost no correlation to the description. Either the class was correct or the description, not both. Had I known it was going to be a half-baked cardio class I would have trained at home. Although I am no coach or 'boxing champion', he seems to forget my many previous attendances, which give me a decent perspective on what to expect with different classes and coaches. Carlos's were always hit and miss. I've had some good ones, including a 1to1, where he seemed present and prepared, and others where he seemed distracted and unprepared such as this last session. All had a sprinkling of clichéd or nonsensical philosophical ramblings. I didn't care, if the training was decent. Up to this point I was content with my membership, otherwise I wouldn't have spent the £1000's. However, after this recent episode I was reminded of other points of friction over the years regarding cancellation fees, contract wording, price contradictions, expiration of PT packages during covid, auto-renewing of contracts, and inability to freeze memberships over holiday periods when the gym was closed - all were resolved but it was clear that income protection is Carlos's primary concern (unless you question him, apparently), and to be careful with future purchases or be prepared to argue on the side of common sense, fairness and loyalty if any issues arose. To me it's equally important who represents a company as to the actual product. It's clear now that both leave much to be desired.

  07-05-2023
• 

  Stevie O

  I took the 30 for £40 trial and so far it's the best decision I've made in 2023. There's full calendar of classes to fit your schedule and the coaches are brilliant, providing first class instruction in an accommodating environment. Don't get it twisted, its hard work in there, coaches like Adrian and Guy will put you through your paces and take you into deep waters, but at the end of the class you'll thank them for it. If you want to learn a new discipline or just keep fit, I couldn't recommend it highly enough, Moreno Boxing is simply the best.

  30-04-2023
• 

  Sayed Fatahi

  Best boxing club in London.

  28-04-2023
• 

  Marta W

  28-03-2023
• 

  Emma Weinstein Sheffield

  Highly recommend Moreno boxing to anyone looking for a supportive and motivating environment to get fit and learn something new. The staff are all super welcoming and friendly and create fun and challenging workouts for all levels. Especially enjoy the IBXT classes which have improved my strength and fitness greatly!

  28-03-2023
• 

  Tori Keene

  After a year of not going to the gym / exercising following a period of illness and a major surgery, I went to Morenos and did a group class with Adrian. Adrian was extremely supportive the entire session, understanding of my circumstances and how challenging it was and I felt really looked after. He’s a great trainer. If you’re nervous about exercising for whatever reason, then Morenos and Adrian are a great place to start!

  28-02-2023
• 

  Mahmood Ahmed

  Great place for boxing and to stay fit, they make you work hard and defo worth every penny. Adrian’s coaching is amazing, patient and just what you need!

  28-01-2023
• 

  Ben Swart

  This is such a great boxing gym. Strikes the right balance between learning proper boxing but also feeling cared for. Quite rare for a boxing gym. Carlos the owner is a brilliant coach. So passionate. So experienced. When he coaches I feel like I could take on rocky! Thanks Moreno Boxing!!

  28-01-2023
• 

  Musa Kavalci

  Great staff and very welcoming.

  28-10-2022
• 

  Luke Benson

  Really lovely trainers who adapt to anyone's capability but will push you which is exactly what I need! Thanks so much!

  28-08-2022