In January 2023, I was feeling my mental health straining, trying to recover from the pandemic. Struggling with anxiety, I knew that to support my mental health I needed to move my body in an intentional way, but I didn't know how to find something sustainable. I could never commit to going to a gym or even doing personal workouts at home. Nothing felt accessible to me.

I have been on a long journey of relearning to accept my body and exploring what it's capable of, but felt like every gym or studio that I joined had me slipping back into old habits of comparison and judgement. I left feeling awful about my body and incapable of meeting the expectations.

Doing workouts at home was nearly impossible as a professional with two kids at home and so I decided to try out Underdogs as an experiment. I had zero expectations and was sure that I would last only a couple weeks, but the club intrigued me.

A not-for-profit club that was explicitly an inclusive, progressive space.

When I walked in, I felt immediately at ease and welcomed. The individuals that I met were people like me. They weren't wearing fancy workout clothes, taking selfies in the mirror, or trying to out-pace each other (ok...some would have friendly competitions during a drill).

There was a sense of camaraderie that I hadn't experienced elsewhere and I was welcomed just as I was. There was no push for "personal best" or striving for unrealistic health goals or targets. I could come and move my body and enjoy the process.

After a few weeks I felt confident in the sequences and I left each class feeling empowered and stronger both physically and mentally. If you're looking for a gym that is going to push you to your limit, set far reaching goals that you'll never achieve and focuses on the shape and size of your body, Underdogs is not for you.

But if you are looking for a club that accepts you just as you are, empowers you to feel strong, and gives you a fun and sweaty workout, then Underdogs is where you belong.

~~~ Suzanne, member since January 2023

Underdogs is a great club. Laura is a very kind and patient coach and trainer. The club is very welcoming to all. I personally felt comfortable immediately. There is always a lot of laughter, which helps with my lack of coordination and the reminder of which is my jab.

~~~ Jeannette, member since February 2022

Underdogs is the friendliest workout in the world. It feels like going to the gym with all your friends. It's completely relaxed, and everyone goes at the pace that's right for them. Laura will give you an amazing workout, but she's so nice that you'll thank her for it at the end. If you're looking for great exercise but you find traditional gyms intimidating or sterile, this is where you want to be.

~~~ Hugo, member since October 2017

There isn't one day I am not thankful I found Underdogs. I have never been a gym person, I was never athletic, and quite frankly I never felt comfortable in those spaces. Underdogs and Laura have helped me find a sport that I enjoy immensely while creating a wonderfully inclusive atmosphere. Through boxing and strength training I have been able to find out what I am capable of and have gotten stronger than I thought I could. Laura has listened to my goals and supported me getting there step by step. She has incredible knowledge and experience, and has always been willing to listen and work with me for any accomodations or modifications my body may need. 

The people that come to Underdogs are wonderful and I am so happy to have made so many friendships and connections. Underdogs has had an incredibly positive impact on my life. 

~~~ Zoë, member since February 2022

I originally joined Underdogs for fitness and exercise-related goals, but I found more than that. I found a community. It became a space where I could be myself, with no fear of judgement or criticism but just a group of individuals who unconditionally supported one another.

Laura offers a great selection of workouts at convenient times so you will always find something that fits with your lifestyle; a great combination of boxing and body exercises for absolutely any level.

The best part of it, you bring what you can to each class; there is no expectation to be the best or constantly “on”. There have been times where I felt like I had zero energy and could not punch the bag to save my life! But when you join Underdogs Boxing Club, you join a group of people who come together on their good and bad days and just have fun.

At the end of each class, it doesn’t matter if you needed to take extra breaks, asked for extra assistance on a combination, or felt like you just couldn’t bend those knees low enough for the squat, you leave the class knowing that this community will support you through it all.

~~~ Stephanie, member since November 2022