Phightclub Oakland Boxing Training

I’m coming out of years of «yelp retirement» and writing this review for my longtime friend, mentor, and boxing trainer Gilbert Jackson.
I met Gilbert back in 2010 while he was still operating out of King’s Boxing Gym in East Oakland, CA. I’ve had weight problems my entire life, and struggled sticking to a routine. At the time, I was training in Muay Thai with former Thai boxing champions Bunkerd Faphimai and Neungsiam Samphusri in San Francisco, CA. I loved the sport and the trainers, however I grew frustrated with my repetitive injuries (ankle, knee) which stagnated my weight loss and skills improvement.
It’s at this point in my life that I turned to boxing for my weight loss. Muay Thai took me down from about 300lbs to 280lbs throughout the course of a year. When I started boxing with Gilbert, the results were staggering — it took me 6 short months to drop down from 280lbs to 200lbs (before and after picture in my Unilocal profile). When I was in peak physical condition training with Gilbert, I was running 10 miles per day at the gym (in 2 hours) and then boxing for another 1 – 2 hours at King’s. I was never once injured in any way, shape, or form other than bruised knuckles once, and that issue was resolved by purchasing high-​end boxing gloves.
What most people need to understand about Gilbert is that he’s a truly special boxing trainer. The man is a genuine sports scientist — he’ll have you perform a mix of plyometric, isometric, aerobic, and anaerobic exercises which will shock your body (if he feels you’re ready for it). I’ve watched HBO’s 24/​7, and he has me do the same exercises world-​class professionals do when they train for championship fights. It never gets repetitive or routine — the only things that remain static are the stretching and combinations (there is 7 you have to learn). Even then, he calls them out in different succession depending on the specific situation you’re in when in the ring.
Now, let’s get into the boxing perspective of the review. Gilbert is in his 40’s and still sports a ripped 6-​pack of abs. I’ve tied up with the guy in the ring, and he’s incredibly difficult to move around (like I can’t really move him) — this coming from a 5“11 220LB man who can bench press 245lbs and squat 315lbs. A former professional boxer himself, Gilbert trains professional boxers for professional boxing fights. I’ve also seen him spar other professional boxers who are equally, if not in greater shape than he was (and bigger!). These were guys in their 20’s and I was FLOORED when I saw Gilbert schooling them in the ring — a privilege to watch.
Unfortunately, I joined a start-​up in Silicon Valley in 2013 where I frequently traveled all over the country and couldn’t consistently fit boxing into my schedule. Fast forward to the present, and I’m working in SF again. Gilbert owns his own gym now, and I see Gilbert every week for private boxing lessons. Already well on my way to peak physical condition, with side benefits of better mental and emotional health. Gilbert is worth every penny, and I couldn’t fathom the thought of having someone else train me. You’ll feel the same way.
–Jorge

This is the workout place for me. Although listed for boxing, I’m so glad I signed up to work with Gilbert. I didn’t want to be embarrassed by my weight or age, and thought boxing may be something different than other gyms, This is My Place. Gilbert does work with other people who are into amateur boxing, but he’s doing wonders for me just looking for a great workout. He’s gentle but challenging, and Carmen his girlfriend office manager are really the best, period.

I have been a member of Phightclub for 5 years and have followed Gilbert Jackson to several gyms. He is the man that makes this gym what it is. He’s a skilled boxer, a physical and emotional motivator, and a true pleasure to be around.
I’ve brought several friends to Phighclub and they always ask what the training will be like– and part of what makes this gym so unique is, every day is different. One day you may be working mitts and the bag, another day could be conditioning, and one day you may find yourself doing offense/​defense drills. Phightclub is an all over body work-​out that will leave you soaked in sweat and coming back for more.
Simply put, Phightclub is a «must do».

Phightclub is a boxing gym in the heart of the Fruitvale — which means it’s about as far as you can get from the SF financial district in 20 minutes or less. But that’s one of the things I like most about the gym. A few minutes into my workout and my mind is no longer stuck in a corporate high-​rise — and I’m learning a few things about how to box in the process.
Gilbert Jackson’s special ability to connect with fighters just as well as he does with lawyers makes Phightclub a welcoming environment for a remarkably diverse array of people looking for a good workout. On any given weeknight, I could be working out with a professional fighter on my right and someone who can hardly throw a jab on my right. Gilbert always manages to be multiple places at once — and we all work out together.
I even enjoyed the Saturday morning «Boxercise» session — which I attended under some protest. But Gilbert makes it work — cardio boxing with a little bit of an edge. I would recommend Phightclub to just about anybody.

2011 rings a bell so vividly in my mind, the same sound I hear every time I walk into the gym at phightclub. 2011 I joined this amazing club, and it has been life changing for me since day one. I was approaching 200lbs, the heaviest I have ever been. I was in a very dark and miserable place. I still remember the first time I met Gilbert, my coach, and the incredible man and person behind phightclub. He was so encouraging, uplifting and reassuring that as long as i showed up to put in some work, he would do everything in his power to assist me in attaining my fitness goals. I can truly and honestly say that I have gotten so much more than I ever expected from joining. Not only have I lost over 50lbs, I feel like a completely different person. If you want to lose weight, learn the amazing sport of boxing or just pick up a new hobby, phightclub should be your first and last choice. Walking into the gym it feels like home, and Gilbert makes you feel like family. almost like you’ve known him your entire life. It feels like family when you train with others, and everyone is so encouraging. I highly encourage and recommend joining, as this to me was the best kept secret, and I am eager for everyone to know who phightclub is, as it is an honor to be a part of such a great club and be coached by such a beautiful, professional, kindhearted and dedicated man Gilbert is. Check it out folks, you will not be disappointed.

I have been training with Phightclub since 2010 and since then my body has definitely changed for the better! When I first came, I was over weight and not in the best of shape. I didn’t really know how much a boxing workout would benefit me, and tried to stay out of the ring as much as possible. But with my trainer, Gilbert Jackson, I have slimmed down, and I now enjoy being in the ring, and am thinking about sparring. Gilbert Jackson is a great coach/​trainer. He makes the workouts fun and safe and will make sure that he works on your problem areas as well as the body overall. If you want to have fun, work the body, and have a great workout day after day– come to Phightclub!