I do not like to shed light on a global pandemic, but if we want to try to think about the positive that has come from it, we can point to an increased awareness and effort that people are putting into their health and fitness. For me, I started CrossFit last year, and that experience has been completely transformative, not just physically, but mentally. While this works for me, not everyone has access to a gym or just prefers to work out at home. With that said, the pandemic has led to the emergence of many home training systems with a boxing-focused system called FightCamp catches a lot of attention.
Think of FightCamp for boxing, as the Peloton is for cycling. You have a piece of equipment in your home and you use this equipment while being instructed for under an hour. The basics of this concept are that it should be engaging, fun, easy to use and works wonderfully for those who are well motivated.
I was recently asked to review the all-new FightCamp app for Android along with the FightCamp Personal setup, which includes a free-standing bag, quick wraps, gloves and punch trackers. In this post, I will review my time with FightCamp and tell you if I think the system is worth the $ 39 / month entry fee.
The system
FightCamp is a home fitness program based on the wonderful world of boxing and kickboxing. If you have ever seen a fight, you will know that fighters need an amazing amount of not only physical strength but also cardiovascular endurance. FightCamp’s goal is to transform the art of boxing into a fun and consumable training system for all levels that will definitely burn a wealth of calories, whether you’ve never worn a pair of gloves before or you’re an experienced veterinarian. There is something for everyone in FightCamp’s system, where the classes are led by amazing instructors like PJ Shirdan, Tommy Duquette, Raquel Harris and Shanie Smash. These trainers bring many years of experience to the FightCamps platform, useful for someone like me who has absolutely no experience fighting. I am, after all, a self-proclaimed pacifist.
What you need
To use FightCamp, the reason you need it is the membership, at a cost of $ 39 / month. If you compare the monthly price with the price of a normal boxing gym, you can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a year, so even now it is positive for those who do not want to break the bank with a fitness membership. If you want to take your FightCamp experience further and dive deep into the data behind your battles, you want the FightCamps Connect package for $ 399. This package includes quick wrapping and the all-important Punch Trackers. To quickly explain them, their purpose is in the name as they track your strokes in real time via a Bluetooth connection to your smart device. You can then use any bag or punching surface you prefer for your workout. FightCamp, however, sells a high-quality freestanding bag (weighted with either sand or water), smart gloves and a wide range of other goodies. I want to emphasize that none of this is necessary to use the system, but of course the trackers add a certain coolness factor and a tangible number to the amount of work you do.
The trainings
I can start by saying that boxing is hard work, but like any other workout, you get out of it exactly what you put in. If you go hard and really attack the bag and warm up with intensity, the gains will come faster. In FightCamp’s library of classes, there are hundreds and hundreds of pre-recorded classes for all levels of fighters. I started pretty easily with classes filled with light footwork, jabs, hooks and uppercuts. As you progress, you can dive into 10 rounds of pro-combination training and movements of the whole body.
For beginners like me, I recommend the Paths section of the app, where Prospect Path is the best place to start your journey toward fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. There is also a Foundations program, ideal for users who want to improve their cardio while preparing for their ordered equipment to arrive. Each workout can have a dynamic warm-up added, as well as a recovery and stretching program.
Inside the app’s Home section, you can choose from the following sections of training: Paths, Warmups, Boxing, Kickboxing, Shadowboxing, Core, Strength and Conditioning, Recovery and stretch, Drills and Skills. Each section is filled with a wealth of content, so when you become a member, I do not anticipate that anyone might get bored or run out of training. It’s just not possible. For those who do not pay for the punch trackers, every class that supports it is labeled Tracker Optional, which will help you know exactly what you are getting into. When you select a workout, it also shows how many rounds the workout is, which tells you how long you need to run.
My experience
Let me start by saying that FightCamp is very cool and a hell of a workout. One aspect I did not fall in love with is the lack of Chromecast support. I’m not quite sure why the developers have not implemented it, but it’s annoying to get your class on a bigger screen in your home, to say the least, if you’re on Android. On a Pixel phone, the built-in screen sharing feature of your system is a little easier, but on my Galaxy phone, you have to do your screen casting from the Google Home app and then go back to FightCamp when you’ve up and running. The casting aspect is a big issue because it’s really hard to see your trainer on a small phone screen and almost impossible to listen to instruction when hitting a bag. If you need to invest in the bag, gloves and the entire setup, make sure you have a plan to consistently get your phone’s screen up on a larger screen. It will also require a solid internet connection as you will make sure that there are not many hiccups or waiting time. Luckily I have good internet connection in my garage.
I also struggled with punch trackers early in my time with FightCamp. In the first few workouts I did, they refused to work and track my strokes. However, they seem to be working fine now, so I’m blaming possible Bluetooth interference or something along those lines. I contacted FightCamp support about the problem and they were very helpful in trying to troubleshoot the problem, so that’s a good sign. Who does not appreciate good customer service, especially for $ 39 / month?
In addition to my technical issues, setting up the equipment and app was super easy. There are tutorials on tutorials on how to use all aspects of the FightCamp system, so for those who appreciate resources, you will love this. In addition, it was also extremely easy to add my wife to the account and she has loved taking her anger out on the bag instead of me. Thanks, FightCamp. As you can see in the screenshot below, Google Fit is also integrated so you can export your FightCamp data to Google’s health tracking platform. In my opinion, the more integration, the better, with the app that also allows users to sync cardiac tracking data before beginning each workout. Honestly, it’s a very well thought out app that has all the bells and whistles you could want.
Finally, I want to refer you to the FightCamp blog. The blog has a library of content regarding nutrition, the system, wellness, plus free training to give non-members an idea of what they are getting into. One of the biggest features of CrossFit is the community aspect, so when I see blogs like this, as well as in-app leaderboards and badges, I get the same community building mood that I know is very successful for other systems. FightCamp is definitely trying to build a community around the system, which is the absolutely correct approach.
If you are looking for something very different from a stationary bike and treadmill, FightCamp is what you want. It’s a great workout, the Android app is great, and the community is fun. Get started by following the link below or checking out FightCamp’s website.