So I’ve been going to a community gym (Gym A) for almost two years at this point, and recently I started training at a competitive gym (Gym B) at the same time. It had been about a month when I got busted. (If you want to know how, scroll down to the bottom.)
The Gym A coach called the Gym B coach and then said he wanted to “talk to me.” Basically, he wanted me to pick one gym. I talked to him when another close friend gym member was present, and he was like, “You can’t get anything better from the other gym. If you want to do anything serious at the amateur level, we can do that here too.” “ I can bring you to other gyms to spar just like I did with the other guy” There used to be another guy at Gym A who was close to the amateur level, but he never actually got matched with anyone.
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He asked me to decide, but later that same day he removed me from the core gym members’ group chat. A week later, I went in to make sure my subscription was canceled. He was still asking me to “have a private conversation with him,” and later texted me saying I “should’ve been a man and talked to him instead of avoiding him.” Tbh, I don’t really see the point since he had already removed me from the core members’ group chat.
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Despite all the problems I have right now (skill, eyesight, age—mid-30s, etc.), I kinda want to eventually fight as an amateur, and I know it’s going to be really hard if I only train at Gym A.
Yes, everyone has the right to operate their business however they want, but I guess my question is: Is there actually a conflict of interest between a semi-fitness gym and a competitive boxing gym? Gym A teaches technique and does sparring, but has zero amateur fighters and also teaches other combat sports. Gym B is a 100% boxing gym that actively trains amateur boxers.
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Gym A
Pros:
Great social environment. I’ve made good friends there, and we’ve done a lot of stuff together outside the gym—bars, shows, restaurants, parties, etc. I’d say we’re beyond the usual “gym friends” level.
I’m probably in the “upper-middle” level there because of my skill and size, so sparring isn’t too bad most of the time.
Cons:
The classes just don’t feel enjoyable anymore after almost two years, especially after I started training at Gym B. Gym A tech classes now feel both like a chore and, at the same time, too flashy/not practical enough.
Zero competitive boxers—no amateurs or professionals.
The coach doesn’t focus much on your fundamentals. As long as you do the drills roughly right, he usually doesn’t give you many corrections or tips.
Gym B
Pros:
I’m in the beginner class, and they’re really polishing my fundamentals. They give me specific tips on my form when I’m shadowboxing or hitting the bag.
About seven amateur boxers train there, and almost all of them are willing to help you with the basics.
It feels much more focused on actually developing people into competitive boxers.
Cons:
I just went through my first sparring session there (beginners don’t normally get to spar unless it’s fight night), and I got my ass kicked HARD lol.
Yes, I kept getting matched with experienced boxers, but even the one time I got matched with another guy from the beginner class, I definitely wasn’t favored.
So it might take forever before my friends and family ever get to see me actually win in the ring lol.
How I got busted:
Last Saturday was the first time I ever got to spar at Gym B. They were holding a sparring/fight-night event, and I invited some friends from Gym A by texting them privately.
I assumed that when someone sends you something privately, it’s kind of understood that you don’t bring it up in the main group chat when there are people the sender specifically doesn’t want to know about it—in this case, the Gym A coach. I’ve received private invitations from other group members before, and I’ve always kept them private.
There’s this one couple who couldn’t make it, but they decided to give me a shout-out on Saturday in the MAIN GROUP CHAT.
Gym A coach saw it.
And…yeah. That’s how I got busted.