Hustle Boxing Brings One-Size-Fits-All Workouts and Nightclub Vibes to a Luxe New Studio in Brisbane

Brisbane isn’t short of gyms. But a luxe studio with a pumping nightclub atmosphere – complete with nightclub-quality speakers, LED lighting and black lights – is certainly a step up. That’s the MO of Hustle Boxing, a Sydney-born boutique gym designed to make the somewhat intimidating sport of boxing accessible to all.

“Even if [a client has] never put a glove on in their life, they’re just having a fantastic time,” co-founder Simon Maree tells Broadsheet. With the uplifting energy and come-as-you-are nature of the classes here, you can see why.

The brand new 400-square-metre, custom-built studio opened on Brookes Street in Fortitude Valley in March. It’s the second site for the brand, following its debut in Sydney’s Potts Point in 2019.

The workouts – timed rounds of high-intensity cardio and resistance training – have been put together by Aussie fitness instructor Andrew “Pap” Papadopoulos and Hustle’s lead trainer Sam Maree (who is also Simon’s brother). The 50-minute boxing sessions – which are named after pop culture identities like Mick Jagger, Beyonce and Kobe Bryant – are guided by a trainer and consist of drills with an aqua bag, Ybell weights, resistance bands and sliders. For each of the eight to 16 rounds, screens show instructional videos of the punches and functional exercises on loop to give guidance every step of the way.

Track classes are a new addition to the Hustle offering and currently exclusive to Brisbane. Fifteen screen-fitted treadmills are set up in a second studio where, as in the boxing classes, exercises change each round, swapping between floor and machine.

While it can sound like a lot for the unfamiliar or less confident, the intensity and speed of the workout is left completely up to you, making it ideal for beginners and pros alike.

“We want to cater for people who have been in fitness all their life and people who are just starting their wellness journey, whether it’s post-having a baby, injuries or ‘I’ve just never felt comfortable in the gym’ – we’re really trying to cater to all of that,” says Sam.

“There’s nothing worse than going to a gym and not being able to achieve a class and feeling like you’re out of your depth, so we want everyone to feel like it’s achievable to a certain level.”

The studios are fitted out with nightclub-quality speakers, LED lighting and black lights to make it feel more like a party than an exercise class. Hugo Gruzman (one half of Sydney electronic duo Flight Facilities) curates the playlists, sending through mixes of pop, R’n’B and house to lift the mood and movement.

The experience is elevated by sleek white interiors in the foyer (designed by architect Tomas Scerbo), where you’re also given a warm welcome by studio manager Joel Byrne. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the space with natural light, and there are large murals paying homage to cricket legend Shane Warne and Olympian Cathy Freeman. In the bathrooms, you’ll find spa-style facilities like make-up stations, Dyson hair dryers and luxury shower products. When you finish your class, you’re given cold, scented hand towels to freshen up with.

Nice perks, but for the team, community, service and fun is at the brand’s core. “People are number one,” says Sam. “Fit-outs are awesome, but anyone can fit something out and spend lots of money on it – you’ve then gotta back it up with a great product, so that’s what we’re trying to do.”

It clearly resonates with members – more than 15 visiting Sydney members have already dropped in for a class at the Brisbane site since it opened in March. The team has now set its sights on expanding to a more holistic fitness offering, plus new locations in Brisbane and Sydney.

Hustle Boxing is open Monday to Friday for 50-minute classes in the morning and evenings. Visit on Saturday morning for a 60-minute “Godfather” session every week.

hustleboxing.com