Onello Boxing Systems

Mike is the best boxing trainer I’ve worked with, including when I boxed for a few years in NYC before coming out to SF. I’ve been going there for about 2.5 years now and can’t imagine working out anywhere else. His technique is flawless and he really teaches you the right way by not allowing you to develop any bad habbits.

my arms almost fell off but damn is this place an authentic boxing place. Great people, great work out!

I purchased a deal on Lifebooker for 4 private lessons. It took a couple tries to get a hold of someone, but I finally got my first lesson booked with Jim. This was my first time boxing and Jim was a great teacher. He was patient and walked through all the basics with me while also giving me a killer workout. I was excited to schedule my next lesson so I could continue to learn more about boxing. Jim let me know that texting him is the best was to contact him. I have tried texting him several times to schedule my next lesson but have not received any kind of response. I’m kinda bummed cause I was really looking forward to the rest of my lessons and was even thinking of enrolling in regular classes. I would have given 5 stars if it wasn’t for the lack of communication :(

I’ve been going to private boxing gyms for eight years or so, and Michael runs one of the best. I’ve been training here for a couple of months, and have had the chance to work with Michael and both of the other trainers, and they’re all great. I’m getting my form back more quickly than I’d have hoped after a layoff of a couple of years, and I can feel myself getting stronger, and I know I’m losing weight.
This place is great if you’re looking for a private gym. It’s a wonderful alternative to the corporate places, and I’m lucky I found them.

Love going here. Purchased the Unilocal deal and got to work with Jim. Worth every penny! After working with Jim for 2 private lessons, I was ready to starting attending the weekly group class. Jim is such a great trainer and I’ve really enjoyed going to class every week. I also agree with previous Unilocal reviews– there is really a sense of community here, which you cannot get at a large gym. If interested in getting into boxing, this is the place for you!

Purchased the Unilocal deal to give this place a shot. I’ve always been interested in boxing and the reviews for this place were fantastic.
I’ve been doing it now for 5 months and absolutely love it. I work with Jim, who’s an amazing trainer. He’s incredibly patient and helpful, despite my lack of athleticism! I’ve really developed a love for boxing and I hope to continue coming here as long as I live in San Francisco.
For anyone remotely interested, I’d highly recommend giving it a shot! You won’t regret it!

My fiancé and I have been coming here since early Nov and initially we bought the Unilocal deal to give it a shot. Let me just say since then we’ve invested in new gloves and look forward to our session here. We ended up taking lessons with Jim the other trainer but Michael is usually always there as well. So far I have to say we love it.
I’m a big guy and I’ve always wanted to learn how to box. At the same time I didn’t want to take a «cardio kickboxing or cardio boxing» class. I wanted to really learn how to throw punches etc. So far Jim has been awesome showing us how to throw punches correctly but at the same time because of the heavy bag and speed bag work, this is the hardest work out I get all week. I feel more exhausted and spent than I do when I play two hours of full court basketball.
Here’s another tip for anyone that’s hesitant. This gym is small and not your typical gym. If you’re shy or hesitant to go to a huge gym give Michael a shot. Everyone so far has been super nice and encouraging and you can learn at your own pace. At the same time its enough push to really get your heart going.
Oh on a side note Michael also cuts hair. If I had hair still I’d probably get it cut here.
One other tip because it’s not a huge gym even when we do group sessions Jim or Michael remember your progress so even in a group which is usually no more than 5 or 6 at most, it feels like you get a personalized session. But if it’s your first time I would recommend at least a few private sessions either by yourself or with a friend so they can go over all the basics.

I’ve only been training here for about 5 weeks now but of all the workouts I do, this is the one I most look forward to. My friend and I do a semi-​private lesson with Jim once a week and it’s really awesome. Jim is attentive, encouraging, and gives great feedback, both when you’re doing something wrong and when you’re doing something right. He’s also just an all-​around great guy. The gym is without frills, which is fine by me, but probably not for everybody.

This is my second review and 10 months after I began training here. Never in a million years did I think I would ever be coming to a boxing gym two times a week. I don’t even think I have missed a class. Coming to Michael The Boxer has become such an important routine in my daily life. It has not only given me physical strength but also mental strength. I have been a member at 24 hour fitness types of gyms but never felt the sense of a close community as I do here. I am in better shape now with boxing and the exercises that Jim and Michael produce.
The great thing about Michael The Boxer is the diverse group of people that are part of this gym. Everyone knows everyone and you immediately feel very comfortable here. Both trainers are extremely motivating and care about each individual. I see results here far beyond anywhere else I have exercised!

Mike & Jim are great instructors and this gym has to be one of the coolest in SF. It’s got an awesome old school feel. It’s great for both men & women and the vibe here is super fun. Plus it’s an awesome workout. If you’re looking to get in shape, learn to box or both do yourself and favor and check this place out. It’s way cooler than your garden variety cookie cutter 24 Hour Fatness.

I have been training with Jim for the last six months. He is a phenomenal instructor. I had never boxed before and Jim and Michael made feel very comfortable at the gym when I first started. I highly recommend taking boxing lessons at the Michael the Boxer.

Still seeing Michael the Boxer at least 3x/​week for 3 years now. I’ve never stuck with any other fitness regimen for so long before. Mike is great at keeping me motivated and interested. In the past year I’ve had some injuries, and he’s been great at working around my constraints. He’s trustworthy and weird in awesome proportions!

Okay first, to that one girl who gave MTB 2 stars: Relax! It’s a real boxing gym. It’s supposed to be sweaty and crude and hard and the-best-workout-you’ve-ever-had and a little gross and a whole ton of awesome (if you’re not you and have a sense of humor). It’s clear that this place isn’t for you. Maybe there’s a nice sterile, whitewashed one in the Marina for you to enjoy.
That said, it’s true that it takes a special kind of person to thrive here. But I think that’s what’s great about this place. Mike is a character: he says exactly what he means, and sometimes its tasteless and sometimes it’s offensive, but if you’re going to get into boxing, you’ll need a thick skin anyway. He’s also a super nice guy and he’s built a gym with an actual, real, honest-​to-​goodness community, where people know eachother and help eachother and get involved with eachother.
He’s also a real boxer. So if you’re interested in real boxing not cardio workouts (though you you will get that and more), but actual technical boxing skills, this place is for you. Because that’s what you’ll get here: a kick-​ass community of cool people, an ridiculous hard and good workout, and some real boxing skills.

Not coming here again.
My friend and I decided to really get into fitness this year and wanted to experience boxing. We started working out with Mike for about a month and a half. First off Mike has a dick wod personality. He will crack racial jokes throughout the training. This was something that my friend and I had to get used to.
But what really put me off was the cockiness of Mike. The last time my friend and I went to train with Mike it was a group class. We are not a fan of group classes and prefer our two person training but hey we were there and wanted to sweat. Also I did not mention to Mike that I wanted a solo session, that was my fault… should of made that clear. But the part that ticked me off was the fact that the class was supposed to start at 6pm. We did not enter the gym area until 6:15 and the work out did not start until 6:20pm. To make things worse Mike let in a woman that was infested with bed bug bites. Working for a property management company and dealing with the maintenance of properties I knew that this was not a good idea. The lady had bites all over her face, BOTH her arms and her neck. I also noted bites on her ankles. SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED IN THE GYM. She could of been carrying a bed bug and this highly risks the health of the people at the gym. Bed bugs are SOOOO hard to get rid of.
Okay so Mike started late and let in the bed bug buffet lady, two strikes already. I was hoping that he would continue the class until 7:20pm because he started late, but NOPE… the class was over at 7pm. Since the class was cut short by 20 minutes I point blank asked him if his group classes were 40 minutes. He said no they are an hour. Then my friend told him that our class started at 6:20pm and ended at 7pm. Mike then goes on to say «well you are in my gym, if you don’t like it then you can leave.» Well Mike that is fine with me. I really don’t want to be in a gym where the entire session you have Taliban jokes and other crude humor, then you cut the class short and then the reasoning behind it is because it’s your gym and you can do what you want. WOW that is great business practice.
I was really looking to working out here, I was thinking about upping the training to a couple more days in the week but as of right now I am never coming back.
The only reason I gave 2 stars was because I forgot my boxing gloves at the gym and he did not toss them.

Michael is the best barber I’ve ever been to in my life. First time I’ve ever felt like it was actually fun to go get a haircut and hang out. Go — you will not regret it.
And I’m looking forward to boxing in the street when the weather doesn’t suck around here.

Started coming here couple of months ago. I went from trying out 1 on 1 training once a week, to now going to 4 times a week working with both Mike and Jim.
Started from the ground up working with Jim. He has helped me learn the basics and then more as I progressed further. Jim is great, he’s all about the work that is being put in and bettering my technique and moves with positive encouragement and genial demeanor
Working with Mike, has been a great experience. He is a terrific trainer. There is a definite attitude that he cares about getting results, he appreciates the work being put in, and sincerely wants you to succeed.
I have never been more motivated and enthusiastic about anything in a long while than I am working with Jim and Mike.
It’s a great workout, and cheaper than Happy Hour.

I have to post this review for two things:
1. Barber /​Haircut
2. Training
I started seeing Michael for a haircut after seeing him as «Best of the Bay» in the SF Weekly. Best haircut in the world — hands down. I have sent friends and family to him and every one of them gets stellar comments after their haircuts… no exception.
I started training with him about a year later… mainly because I know I needed to work out but never found the right gym /​trainer /​groove. Michael is the man. Encouraging. Funny. No nonsense. But most inspirational part… he does the workout with you and you know if he is doing it… so can you. Teaches by doing and there is no replacement for that.
I recommend him for both without a doubt!!!

First of all… Look at any company (even mine) on Unilocal!Not many have 5 stars. I won’t hesitate to admit that I hate Unilocal*!I will, however, go to great lengths to promote Michael the Boxer/​Barber, even if that includes going on (ick) Unilocal*to give him the 5 Stars that he VERY much deserves.
There is a reason Michael has 5 stars on Unilocal*,go meet him… You’ll be thankful you did!
Mezzy

The thing that’s great about Mike’s gym is that when you join and start meeting everyone else, you’ll begin to feel like you’re part of one big family. I was always turned off and intimidated by most gyms. But Mike’s was the first place I felt comfortable and welcomed from the very beginning by everyone there.
I’ve been working out with Mike and Jordan for over a year now. Mike has his way of teaching and Jordan is completely different, but they’re both capable of getting you to your goals. I like to work out with Mike one day and with Jordan another day of the week. I seem to be able to get a complete full-​body workout and learn a few more things along the way from each of them.
It took me a little bit to really get into working out and eating healthy. So it was hard for me to get to a place where I’d start seeing results. But I stuck with it and Mike and Jordan, both, drilled into me that I needed to start developing better habits and push myself in training. And now I’ve lost over 20lbs and I’m noticing changes in my body and my energy level. They were the catalyst I needed to find the motivation to get into shape.
Plus, I’m learning how to kick (punch?) ass and it’s pretty great.

Michael the Boxer Rocks!
Michael is the owner/​trainer of this fabulous boxing gym. I have to admit, that I was a bit intimidated at first, I’m not looking to be a professional boxer, I just want to get in better shape and learn self-​defense.
Michael adapts the one-​on-​one training to people’s needs. A private session is $ 45 which is a great deal for personal trainer & a private gym! its awesome… plus Michael is a super cool dude, he makes working out fun!