I Tried This $1000 At-Home Boxing System, and It Put Some Studios to Shame

Anyone who knows me knows I love a boxing class. Granted, I've never been to a space that purists would call a "real" boxing gym, but I'm well acquainted with the variety of boutique boxing studios in New York City. Name any given one, and odds are good that I've worked out my frustrations towards an ex-situationship there.

Said studios always have a carefully curated ambiance (dim lighting, killer beats) that's not easily replicated at home; cueing up a YouTube video to shadowbox in your living room just doesn't offer the same vibe. So it was with cautious optimism that I decided to test out FightCamp, a popular at-home boxing system with thousands of boxing, kickboxing, strength, and conditioning workouts. And to my surprise, I really liked it. Ahead, my honest feelings and review.

What I Like About FightCamp

My first impressions of FightCamp were positive, largely since the initial set-up was quick and easy. The starter kit includes a standing punching bag, console, wrist and ankle wraps, heart rate monitor, gloves, and four rechargeable movement trackers that you tuck into the wraps for an interactive workout.

Before the first session, you plug the console into an outlet and the HDMI port of your TV and download the FightCamp app on a smart device. From there, you create an account, sign up for a membership, and answer a few questions about your goals/boxing experience to get personalized recommendations. If you don't want to use a TV, you can also view the workouts on your smart device instead. I found the process pretty easy and straightforward — and I'm no tech whiz.

Once you're set up, you can filter the workouts on the app by duration, type, and difficulty level (beginner, intermediate, or open). I tried each type but focused on boxing and kickboxing, since that's what FightCamp is best known for. Each workout included a warm-up and some basic combos. I appreciated that the warm-ups were effective at gradually limbering me up and increasing my heart rate before the actual workout (something not every boutique studio class makes time for). The workouts themselves were also challenging, but incorporated enough rest where I didn't feel like I was winded.

One of the aspects of FightCamp that I really liked was the accuracy of the tracking compared to other interactive workouts I've tried. During boxing and kickboxing, the number of punches/kicks you throw and the power you put behind your movements is reflected in a score at the corner of the screen. Both numbers seemed accurate and popped up without delay.

What's Worth Noting About FightCamp

One of the most obvious downsides of at-home boxing is that you miss out on the personal form critiques you'd get from in-person instruction. Although, to be fair, I've also been to high-volume boxing classes where the instructors didn't provide any individual feedback.

FightCamp does have programming that covers the fundamentals, allowing beginners to learn the basics of form. There are tutorials on the app that break down things like the mechanics of stance and how you should generate momentum or transfer your weight at every point of a given maneuver.

I'm still convinced that the most effective way to learn boxing technique is to work with an in-person coach who can watch you and correct your form in real-time. But FightCamp has the most in-depth instruction I've seen in an at-home alternative.

Who Is FightCamp Best For?

While FightCamp has beginner workouts and tutorials, I still think it's best reserved for people who have taken at least a few boxing classes. It's quite an investment (more on that later), so it's worth confirming that you even like boxing before buying the system.

Some people prefer to work out with the encouragement of a trainer or instructor; others favor self-motivated workouts. FightCamp is best suited to the latter group. It does have an element of gamification — you can compete against a bot during workouts — but you have to hold yourself accountable. I had sufficient motives for completing the workouts (this article, for one), but I didn't push myself to the extent that I would've in a high-octane group workout setting with an instructor who could actually see me. That said, if you're a self-motivated queen and prefer home workouts, FightCamp provides a great workout, detailed instruction, and just as much fun as some in-person classes.

Just make sure you have enough room in your house before purchasing. FightCamp is better for people with extra office space or a more spacious home gym. If you live in a quaint studio apartment like I do, a punching bag occupies a lot of precious real estate.

Is FightCamp Worth the Splurge?

The FightCamp Starter Kit ($800, originally $1000) is not cheap. If you want to save some money, there's also a $400 package that includes everything but the bag. Upfront cost aside, you'll also need to pay $39 per month for the membership in order to access the workouts.

According to my girl math, if you're in the habit of booking one-off classes at boutique boxing gyms (which can cost $35+ in cities), and you see yourself transitioning to more home workouts in the long run, FightCamp is probably worth the initial spend. I also think FightCamp makes financial sense for those who really enjoy boxing/kickboxing, but prioritize convenience and/or don't live close to a boxing gym or studio.

Additional Details

Rating: ★★★★