Private classes with Dave are awesome—his energy and enthusiasm for teaching is self-evident and he does a lot to pay attention to your needs as a student. He’s personable, professional, and makes training fun while also getting good work done. The thing that impresses me about Dave is his ability to adjust to his students energy and offer the right balance of encouragement and challenge. I HIGHLY recommend anyone looking for a Muay Thai instructor to meet with Dave—his respect for the sport and the philosophy he brings to teaching makes him a true martial arts teacher!!!

One of the best coaches Ive ever trained with across all sports. Definitely the best boxing training possible.

Coach Dave is by far a master of his craft. I’m new to this style of training however, Dave makes the class adaptable to all skill levels. The classes are energetic, fun, and challenging. He tactfully holds you accountable when you start giving up on yourself by enthusiastically encouraging to push beyond your perceived limits. Coach Dave is no frills, no gimmicks, the real deal, type of human. He’s who you’re looking for if you want to train with the best of them. The students in the classes I’ve been to have always been welcoming and treat you like family from the start.

LOVE this place. Its delicious, authentic, and cheap. I tried to go to the old location during the transition period and was seriously distraught when I thought theyd closed their doors forever. Luckily they just moved a few blocks away-- whew.But more about the food... We always get the American Boxing here -- I prefer the chicken (which has white meat slices), while my boyfriend goes with the pork. Both come with lots of meat, and theyre only $6 for large bowls. I also love the pad see ew, and my boyfriend was a huge fan of the silver noodles and ka prao chicken-- he swears these dishes taste the same as they do in Thailand. Also, while not exactly healthy, the dishes arent doused in unnecessary grease, either.

Had an amazing workout! Love how coach Dave pushed and challenged us in a fun way! It is not only a fitness class but it is about learning the right technique in a professional way. This is exactly what I have been looking for. I had a serotonin rush after the training. Recommend it genuinely.

Ive been training with Dave at American Boxing Muay Thai for about two months now, and I have seen major improvements in my technique from the time I began. I still have much to learn! My goals are to strengthen my body, my Muay Thai skills, and gain the confidence to walk into any gym with an arsenal of combos & methods to spar. I believe with the Daves direction, knowledge, and his ability to push me, Ill be there. I recommend his program to anyone, from all walks of life!

We tried our son (7) in classes with Coach Dave before COVID, he wasnt quite ready to jump in so we waited. Fast forward to March 2020, he was a little older and ready to dive in. We have had only a handful of 1:1 sessions together, but I can tell its the right time and place. Our little guy has a tendency to by shy and pull away. We want him to gain a little confidence (and coordination!). Coach Dave has been great. They established a positive relationship from day one and I can see the confidence beginning to grow. He really takes the time to to connect with kids and meet them at their level. They have a fun time, but I can tell they are working hard. He is learning the moves and I can already see him build on what he is learning. I cant wait to see where he is with a few more months of training.On a side note, one thing I appreciate is the COVID policy. Coach Dave takes it seriously and lets you know the expectations. I think it sets a great example for kids to see adults (that arent their parents) taking the health of the community seriously.

I went into this with only minor Muay Thai knowledge. I had taken other classes before but didnt really feel drawn to them for various reasons. After starting this class I am now really interested in getting a good grasp of Muay Thai and I can definitely tell early on that Dave is a skilled and passionate teacher. The vibe of the class and other students is really positive but also pushes me, so I appreciate that a lot and it only makes me want to train harder! Really inspired by the technique Ive learned so far and I look forward to class every time!

Dave is an excellent trainer. I previously trained kickboxing for a year and a half but had to pause due to COVID shutdowns. I’m looking to get back into my rhythm that I had before everything shut down, and Dave is really good and helping me get there. He pushes you and give great insight into form and stance. Above all, it’s always a great workout! Thanks Dave!

Ive had such an amazing experience at American Boxing on the Bay. I was a little hesitant to join at first due to Covid19 but felt safer with classes being held outside. Although Dave was following Covid protocols by sanitizing equipment, everyone wore a mask and checked temperatures. I felt very comfortable as a beginner in the class with other experienced members. Everyone was very welcoming and Dave was on top of my every move making sure I was doing all techniques, and drills properly. Its been such a great workout for me both physically and mentally. Dave has challenged me in this class in ways I never thought I could achieve.

I have been training here for over three years and coach Dave has turned Muay Thai from just something I was curious about into a major passion. Every class is full of great folks and the techniques learned are top tier. And as far as fitness goes I dropped from a chunky 220 to under 180 in the first five months! Whether you want to get into competitions or just have an excellent socially distanced sweat in a gorgeous outdoor setting, American Boxing is as good as it gets

I have been boxing at American Boxing Muay Thai & Fitness for 4 years now and its without a doubt the best workout experience and gym relationship I have ever had. I joined with zero boxing experience and wanted to try something new to stay in shape - what I got was not only consistent and incredible workouts, but also a new perspective on how to challenge my mind and body. Learning good boxing and muay thai form isnt easy, but as I started to develop the muscle memory around the technique, I became stronger and more confident. Being in better shape at 31 than you were at 21 is a pretty good feeling. This has now become a healthy addiction of me trying to push myself to reach that new personal bests and consistently be better than my previous session. Would HIGHLY recommend.

These classes are awesome! Theyre socially distanced, outside, and have small class sizes which makes me feel completely comfortable and safe. Everyone wears a mask and if there is equipment used (rope, kettle bells, etc) it is sanitized. Everyone gets their own little station with a mat and all stations are 6 ft apart. Coach Dave takes temperatures before class, has everyone sanitize their hands before we start, and also has breaks during the class for hand sanitizing. There is also a rule that if you touch your mask you need to sanitize your hands. He brings a large bottle of sanitizer to every class for everyone to use.Covid rules/regulations aside, these classes will kick your butt. The warm up and circuits keep you on your fitness grind and the muay thai and boxing techniques/drills keep you mentally engaged. Classes teach strength, coordination, stamina, and discipline.Classes are a mixed bag of beginners and more experienced students and as a beginner I feel completely comfortable doing drills with everyone.I have no prior training or experience in boxing/muay thai, wasnt a high school or college athlete, never played group sports, and would not consider myself athletic. These classes are not intimidating, and Coach Dave breaks down every move/drill into easy to follow instructions that even someone like me can follow. He meets you where youre at while pushing you just the right amount to see improvement.Private instruction is a great way to fine tune what you learn in class and fast forward your technique. So helpful! All my private sessions felt like I learned the technical equivalent of what I would have gained after several group classes plus insight that can only be gained one-on-one with a coach.Taking classes with a coach that pushes me combined with an environment of dedicated students has improved my fitness and makes the workouts fun.Always bring your A game (try as hard as YOU can), have a positive attitude, have the mental toughness to learn/improve when corrected, and the willingness to do burpees... and youll always have a good class.

Trainer Dave is the person you want to workout with if you’re serious about losing weight. I’ve had the best time working out with him the past few months — even virtually during a pandemic. I’m amazed at the commitment, time, knowledge, and passion he has for his students/clients. Plus, learning some boxing moves has been so fun!!

Love the people and the energy is unmatched! The view is amazing also! Great workout 🥵🥵

If you want the best, train here. Ive been a student of Kru Dave since 2011 training with him in person for years and now hes coaching me online. Youd think training with him for so long would lead to a plateau of sorts - but thats not the case at all! I am always learning new things, challenging my body and mind, developing my understanding of the sport, and improving my technique. Hes a great teacher and trainer. Class is always different, never boring, and a kick@$$ workout. He pays close attention to you and makes adjustments as needed so you are always improving. He definitely cares about you and wants you to be your best. The new online classes are the equivalent to personal training with him in my opinion. I HIGHLY recommend Kru Dave.

My 8 year old son has been coming to this gym 3 days a week for the past 2 years.He loves it!Coach Dave shows a genuine interest in my son and the other kids in the class. The classes are a good workout for the kids. They definitely get sweaty! Coach Dave focuses on teaching proper technique. Once the kids are ready, they are allowed to spar. The kids wear gloves and shin guards when sparring. Its a very safe and controlled environment. Coach Dave also emphasize proper nutrition and respect for self and others.Ive noticed an improvement in my sons self confidence and mental and physical strength. I am so happy with my sons achievements inside and outside the gym.I highly recommend this gym if you are looking for a nontraditional sport for your kids or during the off-season of their other sports.A big Thank You to Coach Dave for the excellent training and kindness over the years!

Ive been coming to American Boxing since late March of this year, I found it through an Internet search! I checked it out first & foremost because of its close location to my home here in PB! Ive STAYED because of the awesome results Ive seen for myself!! Ive been nothing but HAPPY with the workouts, schedule, owner, equipment, & other fellow fighters!!I was very impressed at the amount of time Coach Dave spent w me on my initial meeting w him! I stopped into the gym to see what it was all about & find out if it would work for me! He spent probably 15 minutes talking to me about diet & nutrition, personal goals, what I could expect from a Muay Thai class etc!Since my first class Ive seen nothing but progress...well & some bruises & LOTS of sweat, but thats to be expected right??!? The classes are tough, Coach Dave is TOUGH... But for me its very motivating. There is also a consistency of students here, which I think is proof that something good is going on!I also want to mention how happy I am with how Ive been supported by Coach Dave, as I am now training for 2 ( yep, pregnant)! I was given the option to freeze my membership, if desired, but encouraged to come train with modifications! Im so glad I chose the later, & feel very comfortable with the guidance & support Im given by him to help me get a great workout, while being comfortable & staying safe!!

I signed up at American Boxing in February and Ive been loving it since. I got to try a free class for Muay Thai and Boxing (before signing up). When signing up for my membership, I took the opportunity to get personal training sessions, with Coach Dave and another Instructor Finis, along with group classes. The personal training and classes are amazing, it not only challenges you physically but mentally.I have been playing competitive soccer for most of my life, so I am use to being push to my limits. But I have been physically and mentally pushed to limits I never knew were there (in a good way, of course). With the variety of workouts/exercises changing daily, I have seen great results. This class has helped me not only with my personal fitness level but my self-defense as well.Its awesome to feel and see the improvement in my strength and technique within the five months of joining this gym. And I must say, the people that train here are great. Everyone is very friendly but be prepared to work hard!I highly recommend anyone coming out to try a Muay Thai and/or boxing class! You will find a new passion!

I have always wanted to try kickboxing (Muay Thai), so I tried a class at American Boxing and I loved it. I knew I would definitely be coming back for more classes. This class is challenging and intense, but in a totally awesome way. Coach Dave definitely knows what he is talking about and he is extremely helpful and very encouraging, not to mention, you are being trained by a true professional. He pushes you to limits you never knew existed within yourself. He is a great sense of humor but is serious when he needs to be, which makes the gym environment even more awesome. This is a great gym and I plan on training here for a long time.

I have been boxing for about 10 years off and on so when I moved to San Diego I wanted to find a coach with some experience and knowledge. Coach Dave has plenty of both! The atmosphere in the gym is very motivating and welcoming to new students of all experience levels. The workouts are very intense and the training is spot on! The classes during the week are diverse with technique and Fridays are GREAT if you enjoy sparring! I highly recommend this gym if youre looking to improve in boxing or Muay Thai. Or if youre just looking to get in shape this is where youll see some of the fastest results guaranteed!

I literally just signed up for classes a week ago.. I was able to make two classes last week and I absolutely loved it. Now that I am settling into San Diego and my new apartment, I cant wait to start going everyday! I came into American Boxing with no Muay Thai experience, just boxing and regular kickboxing, so it is still an adjustment getting used to the different style. The two encounters I have had with Coach Dave have been awesome! The class was amazing and then after when he went over the program details, he was very up front with everything, pricing, rules, etc, etc, which I really liked. He was even up front about being a hard ass... but I didnt come to a boxing gym to get babied. Im excited to continue working out here.

If you want an amazing workout and develop real athleticism and strength, then train with Coach Dave at American Boxing Gym! Yes, he is tough and expects maximum effort, but he is truly dedicated to his students and will absolutely get the best out of you. I also really love the atmosphere of this gym, the people are real and welcoming, there’s no pretense. Just work out, and work out hard. Coach Dave will teach you good technique so that you get the maximum benefit from your workouts, and trust me, your body will absolutely feel the difference! I’ve taken his classes for two months now, and also taken personal training from Coach Dave, and nothing compares to American Boxing Gym!!

My 6.5 yr old son Dylan has been training here for four months and I could not be happier . Coach Dave does a great job working with the kids, a LOT of one on one coaching throughout the class. There is lot of hitting and being hit in a safe manner which I believe is invaluable experience for my son . I prefer the real fight experience versus simply memorizing a number of moves and techniques which I have seen in other Martial Arts. Most importantly, my Son enjoys it immensely.

American Boxing is a great academy with an amazing team culture. Coach Dave truly cares for his students and goes above and beyond to ensure you get proper training. Hes always open to accommodate his students and will work with any schedule to ensure you get gym time. His resume speaks for itself and you can be assured you will get top notch instruction and a fair dose of tough love- no sugar coating feedback here. More than fitness there is nutrition, body mechanics, technical and overall life knowledge being served up. After 7 months of training I am seeing the results of the training and its complementing my other sports. Coach Dave is also experienced in chiropractic and body mechanics and with his help have ensured that I am injury/pain free and able to train at my best. Recommend American Boxing to anyone of any level- men, women, children, or anyone looking for a fun and educational experience.

Coach Dave is who you come to when you want to make real progress. He wont sugar coat anything but all criticism is constructive. If youre looking to improve your health both physically and/or mentally I couldnt recommend a better trainer.

Ive practiced a variety of martial arts for 17 years. Been with this school for 2 years now. Within 3 months of joining (Muay Thai only), I noticed a difference in my health and physique. After 6 months, I was (and continue to be) in the best shape of my life (and thats 1-1.5 hours x2-3/week). Kru Dave is a no BS, technical coach. Its not for everyone, but if you want smart, practical training, dont need to be coddled and can handle tough love, then come in and try a class. Its good for all ages and experience levels.

I started with a week trial at American Boxing Muay Thai & Fitness, and after just one class of Boxing and one class of Muay Thai, I knew this was the real deal and signed up for a membership. I don’t have any fighting experience at all. It’s been a challenge for me jumping into something I’m not familiar with and trying to execute proper fighting techniques. I love how each class is limited to a certain amount of people. The small class size is giving me a chance to really learn and focus on what Im doing. I’ve been involved with strength/conditioning, cardio, and fitness for quite some time as I started as a Freshman on both my High School Varsity Soccer team and my D2 College team, and I have to say the fitness this place provides is awesome! Every class Ive been to has been a high level workout. Coach Dave is helping me reach my goals. One minute he’ll be throwing humor into the mix and cracking jokes, the next he’ll be calling me out when Im not doing something right and will continue to call me out until I get it right or until he comes over and shows me the correct stance, combos, or footwork. I’m looking forward to all my future trainings!

I knew from day one that this coach knew what he was talking about and had a lot of experience fighting. He definitely pushed me to my limits and I learned a lot during my time here. He also does not sugar coat anything and is not afraid to criticize you or teach you a thing or two. That being said he also has a strong personality so be open-minded.Overall I really recommend this gym if youre serious about learning how to fight and get in shape.

Trained before in Chicago and New York and was looking for both proper technique and a kick ass workout. This was the first and last place I tried. Dave is experienced, entertaining and no nonsense. The people are friendly and there is a community feel. The classes are small and always something different. I highly recommend this gym for both women and men!

Best thing Ive done since Ive moved to San Diego. I was looking for a Muay Thai school. I didnt know what to expect since the schools name was American Boxing. But I wanted to try and thats always the first step and ever since the first day I was hooked. Everyones friendly and dont treat you different. Coach Dave is purely Awesome! He deals with personal attention and has a lot of experience and the knowledge to help you with your goals. It doesnt hurt to try...well maybe a little =].

I actually train in OC but Im always looking for other places. I was on a trip to San Diego and tried this place out it came highly recommended and I was not disappointed. From the minute I walked in the owners and staff were very friendly. They are very knowledgeable. If you want to move to the next level and want to train like a fighter this is the place. The training is hard, as it should be. Its a very relaxed almost family feel here. I cant say enough good things about this place I would drive there just to train on the weekends. There are a lot of schools out there but this is definitely one of the best. Check it out you will be glad you did!!

Ive been training Muay Thai for about 3 months and I can honestly say it is changing my lifestyle. Every class its pushing your body to become stronger, but more importantly training your mind to focus and adjust. Coach Daves classes have no more than 12 people and the hour long class is a good balance of shadow boxing, working out, partner work, and bag work. Every day Im learning something new and how to correct my technique. The people in class are awesome and always willing to help no matter what level youre at. Location is great too! He even has a surf club and not to mention the sweetest dog Paris, greets you every time you come in. I love it. Cant stay away!!

So Ive been training here for about a month now and I have loved it so far! As mentioned in other positive reviews, if you cant handle constructive criticism and are an overly sensitive person, then this probably isnt for you. But the small class size allows for you to actually learn and work on proper technique and breaks arent going to happen because you are there to train. The atmosphere is great and if you are looking to commit then this is an awesome place to do so !

My wife was recovering from her second neck surgery and wanted to do something to build her strength up and found American Boxing. We decided to give it a try and loved it, for many reasons. Dave is very knowledgeable about training someone recovering from injury. He always had my wifes specific injury in mind and would tailor drills accordingly to prevent aggravating it.Also, I had never done any martial art before, so I appreciated the atmosphere that Dave creates in his gym. If you are a meathead that just wants to learn how to hurt someone, this is not the right place for you.The quality of the instruction was fantastic; Dave and the other coaches watch your technique and help you refine it. I always felt like I was learning a skill, while getting a phenomenal workout.Dave and Terry are also amazing with kids. When my kids were trained, I always felt that they struck the perfect balance between discipline and teaching, never coddling too much, but also setting high standards for the kids so they would improve too.American Boxing is a great place to get in shape, learn, and have a great time while doing it.

I have spent 10 years in the fitness industry and have memberships in several locations and choose to invest in training at American Boxing in spite of that. Dave is a solid guy. He will for sure run you through the ropes and make sure that you are able to keep up. This makes the community really legit. I Love the coaching, technique improvement and motivation here Ive found here. Dave is the best boxing/Muay Thai coach Ive ever worked with all around and facility is extremely clean and well equipped

UNBELIEVABLE workout!! Joined originally to switch up my fitness routine and work on my increasing my strength but I had no idea that that was going to be the bare minimum! Not only did I find a strength in me that I didnt know existed, but I learned really cool techniques, made a bunch of new friends, and had the most fun Ive ever had working out in my life. Perfect for all fitness levels and a safe and fun environment. Can you tell I love it? Ill see you there :)

I gave this gym a three star because of the good work out I get for a week on a $49 trial, which is not so bad considering joining the membership would cost significantly more. First and foremost, the Coach Dave is the owner and everything goes through him, so he is the last person you want to piss off when training there. Second, I feel the ads he puts on social media and the way he runs the businesses are smart in a sense that most customers coming in will pay $49 after one free class as they have little to none fighting background. Back to topic, Coach Dave is a decent fighter and trainer I believe, but I find it is hard to develop the bond that a newcomer would love to build with some experienced fighter. So depending on your motives, for guys whose goal is to get fit and train hard, this would be the right place, for guys like me who want to may be in the future fight a amateur fight, you need to dig deeper in your pocket and see. At last, I d like to mention two small incidents during my first week trial. I registered beforehand ( two days in advance) for classes on Tuesday and Thursday noon. But I was told by Coach the class is canceled because he needs to fix some leaks in restroom and because I am the only person who register the class when I showed up at door on Tuesday. After training on Wednesday, he told me that I am again the only person registering the class for Thursday noon, so it will be canceled. So for people who want to try out on weekdays, please confirm with coach in advance whether the class around noon will be canceled for the sake of your time and gas. Good luck

Wow, this place is really a piece of work. I joined this gym for a new type of workout back in 2011. You read that right. 2011. I am writing this review 7 years later. Why you ask? Heres the story.I wanted to try something new - Muay Thai seemed fun and I was living in San Diego for 3-4 months. I enjoyed the classes enough to join the gym but specifically told them Id only be there for a few more months. They were like sure great show us paperwork proving youre moving and the rest of your contract will be void.Since this fateful conversation (and me proving I moved 2,800 miles away), this gym has harassed me via email, text, calls, and trying to send me to shady collection agencies (none of which are legally registered). Dave has never been easy to deal with and will write paragraphs blasting you on the internet (see Yelp).Moral of the story: if youre living in San Diego for the long haul maybe join this gym but if you imagine youll ever leave, stay far far far away. Also, check your contract carefully. I read mine when I signed up apparently part of the contract is online. Hilariously enough, 3-4 people have reached out to me directly since posting this trying to figure out how to deal with Dave because they are fearful of his bullying.

My name is Enrique Alvarez Im a full time plumbing technician here in San Diego and a native resident and the reason I chose American Boxing for Muay Thai for the past 4 years here is because the small classes are always a pleasure to be in , and with good variety of technical workouts in each class it just makes it that much better for a full workout and for sport and proper learning of the art. To me, the classes that Kru Dave teaches and gives, will keep you on edge and with the proper technique that he gives, will give you the confidence you need. I could go on , on all the good stuff here , but Ill keep it short, all I got to say is You will learn Excellent Muay Thai technique here, Great Atmosphere , great clean place , close to the beach and great people looking to get fit, stronger and train.

Ive been training at American Boxing since January of 2012. I came there to learn more about the fundamentals of boxing because I really enjoy the sport. I also wanted to experience a more interesting workout rather than the monotony of throwing weights around in the gym every day. I had never boxed before. Ive played baseball, basketball, and football my whole life along with lots of sprinting and weight lifting now that my playing days are over. Until joining the gym I underestimated how physically demanding boxing is but I now truly appreciate just how hard of a workout it is along with the importance of learning the proper technique. Coach Dave has been fantastic. Its a real treat to have someone push you to give 100% effort while also ensuring you are using proper form. He really represents the saying perfect practice makes perfect. Ive stuck to the boxing and havent tried muay thai yet, but Id like to try it in the future. Be prepared for an eye opener in your first few sessions at the intensity because you probably wont really realize how out of shape you are. Thats coming from someone who thought they were pushing themselves hard on their own and thought I was in great shape, but stick to it and after a couple sessions youll see great improvement!

This place has become my family and my home Kru Dave was there for me while I was in serious treatment in San Diego. He loves what he does, he is true professional and is instant that all his students get the finest training possible. His training firm and fair and it should be Muay Thai is the art of 8 limbs. It is in my opinion one of the most amazing martial arts in the world and Kru Dave brings the heart and soul of the art. I have trained all over the world and to prove how dedicated he is to his students progress and well being that he took well over an hour of his personal time to look at videos of my bag work and then talk with me about theory and technique since I have no place to train where I am in Rhode Island. Find that any other place and I’ll call you a bold face liar. Only here at American Boxing.

If your serious about getting into shape and want to have a blast doing it, there is no better place than American Boxing! The team atmosphere and high level coaching from Dave Nielson is the perfect recipe for success no matter your skill level or physical ability.Dont hesitate, try something new and you will be looking back wondering what took you so long!

If youre an elite athlete then this is the gym you want to join. I played college tennis and after i finished my 4 years of eligibility, I was looking for something new, yet intense. I tried another gym, but you just dont get the same training and attention that Coach Dave gives you. Ive been a member of American Boxing for a year now and I have not been able to find a coach that is willing to spar with you almost everyday.Join team Nielsen

Unprofessional. The gym is small and is still under construction.I’ve been requesting their price for over 3 weeks and they always told me they didn’t know because they we adjusting. They made me go to the gym twice in order to sign the contract and pay because they were still thinking about prices (I have all the text to prove)Took 3 weeks to them finally tell me the price. It would be $199 monthly and I would have to sign one year contract. 1 year payment commitment. I declined and the guy said I was rude and started tell me his personal problems (creep).Advise: Don’t go there! They have no idea what they are doing.

I would recommend this place to anyone that is looking for a great training session and you want to be pushed to your limit. You will definitely be pushed and itll pay off. Also the people you train with become people you hang out with outside the gym. Ive loved training at American Boxing since my first trial class and am always looking forward to my classes.

My son signed up for kickboxing classes and was greeted warmly. The coach has high standards and makes sure the kids get a good workout! We will keep coming back.

This place is Amazing!! Small classes, clean, great vibe! The small classes help the instructors focus on form and technique making sure you are doing it right. You get a great work out and learn something new every time.

Great place to train! Unique small class structure which allows the head trainer Kru Dave to give his students expert coaching & attention.No better workout and environment to learn how hard you can push yourself. I miss this place!!!

Awesome gym! If you are looking to get in the best shape of your life, I highly recommend you taking the boxing and muay thai class here in American Boxing. Coach Dave runs a fun but at the same time very challenging program here. Youll meet a lot of new people, classes are smaller and meaning more one-on-one interaction.

I took my first class last weekend and I was so happy with the entire experience!! Ive never done any sort of boxing class before so this was a great place to start. The owner, Dave, explained everything so that I could understand and gave a ton of one on one instruction since I was a beginner. I was very intimidated to try this, but he made me feel so comfortable during class. He definitely pushes you hard, but based on your skill level, he makes adjustments and makes you feel comfortable. I know there are a lot of gyms out there that offer boxing or muay thai, but this is a quality guy who knows exactly what hes talking about and gives REALLY good technique instructions which is important to me. So...if you want a killer workout and a great class, definitely check out American Boxing...ill definitely be back for more!

This place is the best around. Dave knows his stuff inside and out and wants to see you get better every class. Liked it so much that even though I moved out of San Diego,I plan on taking classes when I am back visiting!

I started training at American Boxing a couple years ago. I have always enjoyed working out but at that time my normal program of weight training and cardio that I had been doing for the past few years had begun to have diminished results. I was looking for something new to challenge me and get me in better shape. I had never taken any martial arts or boxing classes in my life but a couple friends told me it was a great workout. I checked out American Boxing because I live in Pacific Beach and it was a super convenient location. I have to say after over two years of training, American Boxing is as advertised - an amazing workout that pushes me harder than I have been since I played sports in high school. I have gotten great results too - lost weight and trimmed my torso down. I am in the best shape of my life at 23 and not to mention that I have learned something new - solid boxing technique from a world champion, Coach Dave. I look forward to each class and would recommend American Boxing to anyone that is looking for two things - 1) To Work Hard and 2) To Get Results

If you are looking for a great environment, great coaches, new skills and a great workout, American Boxing is the place for you. I trained here for two years before moving across the country and have not been able to find a gym that is anywhere near as amazing as AB. Every class was different and I always learned something new! I would highly recommend American Boxing to anyone looking to gain new Muay Thai/Boxing skills and also to anyone looking for a great new workout!!!!

Awesome gym! New members welcomed with open arms and personal support from the coach for quick improvement in technique!

If your looking for an MMA gym thats gender friendly, serious about its training, and serious about its students American Boxing Muay Thai is the place to go. Kru Dave combines his time proven expertise with dedication to his students that is unmatched in my MMA gym experience. Not only does he offer a wide variety of classes, his unique approach to teaching allows his students to advance their skill in a way thats both personal and safe in practice.

My 7 year old son wanted something to do between football and baseball season, so he decided to try boxing/ muay thai. He absolutely loves it! It is a great workout for him, and Coach Dave is amazing with the kids!

I have been training at American Boxing since June 2011. I have always enjoyed working out but prior to joining my normal program of weight training and cardio had begun to have diminished results. I was looking for something new to challenge me and get me in better shape. I had never taken any martial arts or boxing classes in my life but a couple friends told me it was a great workout. I checked out American Boxing because I live in Pacific Beach and it was a convenient location. American Boxing is as advertised – an amazing workout that pushes me and I have gotten great results too – lost weight and trimmed my torso down. I am in better shape at 39 than I was at 30 not to mention that I have learned something new – solid boxing technique from a world champion. I would recommend American Boxing to anyone that is looking for two things – 1) To Work Hard and 2) To Get Results.

Ive been training at American Boxing for a little over a year, and I just renewed my membership because this place is awesome. Ive seen some negative reviews on here, but what no one can deny is that at AB, you get an incredible workout. One dude that I trained with for a while played college lacrosse, and he told me that practices were nowhere near as intense as one of the hour long Muay Thai classes. For my part, Ill say that if you come in regularly, youll feel yourself getting stronger and just generally feeling healthier after just a few weeks. The combination of hardcore cardio and resistance training gives you the kind of dynamic total body workout that you cant get from just jogging or lifting weights. But its not just a good workout, this is a serious gym where people interested in competing can really hone their skills. Coach Dave has a tremendous amount of experience and he takes the time to make sure your form is on point and works with you on a really personal level. The classes are capped at twelve people, so it never feels overcrowded. Its a small gym and the people who train there regularly are super cool and its an eclectic crowd, not a bunch of 19 year old meatheads. If you come in regularly for a few weeks youll feel right at home. Dont get me wrong, the classes are intense and Coach Dave is a demanding instructor but its a friendly place. Hes usually kicking it in there with his daughter and their dog, Paris, whos the sweetest dog on the planet, and people usually linger for awhile after class and shoot the breeze. Overall Id say that American Boxing is a great choice, whether you intend to compete or are just trying to get in better shape and feel healthier. Good Luck!

I joined this gym 8 months ago, and my only regret is not choosing to take more classes.Each class size is limited to a maximum of 12 people to ensure that each individual will get enough time and attention from the coach. Furthermore, the coach is refreshingly straightforward. If your form is off, he wont waste anyones time by dancing around the issue; he will tell you exactly what youre doing wrong, why its wrong, and how to do it correctly. American Boxing also offers sparring on Fridays (although there are also other classes if thats not really your thing) to execute what youve been practicing all week.You should definitely try out some of their free practice classes. You wont regret it.

I trained for about 6 months at one of your typical run-of-the-mill boxing gyms about two years ago.  I got out of shape after moving to San Diego last year so I decided it was time to get back into it.  This gym was my first and last stop.  From day one I realized just how awful my previous gym was.  I went from a gym of glorified dance classes that were overcrowded to an environment where youre actually trained to fight.First of all, as you read these reviews youll have some unsatisfied customers, and Im here to tell you that these people did not leave those reviews because they had an ineffective training session.  Most likely these reviews are from people who were not able to take constructive criticism or follow instruction.  Remember that this is not a pilates class with gloves.  You will actually learn to fight here while simultaneously receiving a tremendous workout that will push you to your limits.  Doing so requires you to listen to your coach, and make the necessary adjustments he teaches you.Second, you are going to get called out for improper form, and youre not going to be able to lie down and rest in the middle of a workout because you dont feel like doing push-ups anymore.  Although to some this training methodology may seem abrasive, it is extremely clear that it is all to push you and assist you in learning.Finally, if youre curious about the people youll be training with, everyone Ive met has been awesome.  There really is a team atmosphere built into this place.  Everyone Ive encountered has been helpful and encouraging.If youre looking for a hell of a workout and interested in learning how to fight, even if youve never tried it, I highly recommend giving the free training session a go.  On the other hand, if youd rather stick to your overcrowded Body Pump classes and instructors who coddle you every time you get a little winded, then perhaps you should just stick to that.  Hell, mediocrity simply suits some more than others.

I had been interested in taking muay thai classes for a couple of years, but could never seem to find a gym that I (as well as my parents) felt comfortable about. I tried out American Boxing and loved it. American Boxing has a welcoming environment, the classes are small, and the people are friendly. This is important because people dont feel that they are being lost in the crowd in the classes. The classes always have interesting workouts and time moves faster when youre with others in a class. Coach Dave is not just a superb fighter himself, but he is also a great teacher. He has extensive knowledge on fitness and nutrition and is not reluctant to give it out. He knows all the tricks to helping people achieve the results that they want and understands that everyone is different and everyones capabilities are different so he works each individual with their best speed. I know that this was a smart investment for me because Ive been told I look healthier since Ive been going here (from family that doesnt know that I have joined this gym); I always look forward to going to the gym now because I can see myself improving and I know it is because of the great care that Coach Dave takes in helping everyone improve - its also a huge stress reliever! If you are looking for a great place to train or workout, I would highly recommend American Boxing. This gym is a great long-term investment for both your mental and physical well-being.

Always been a huge fan of Manny Pacquiao, and I really wanted to try Boxing one day. And after years of putting it off, I finally decided to go out and look for a gym. American Boxing was the closest gym from UCSD, with the most reasonable price. Signed up for a 5:30 boxing class and it was the most intense work out I ever had. Really made me regret smoking cigarettes. Some of the people there suggested that if I liked boxing, I should give a MUAY THAI class a try to, given that its their specialty. And I LOVED IT! The level of intensity was just as high as BOXING class, but we also get to learn how to kick, knee, and my favorite, elbow. Coach Dave really knows what hes teaching and the best part is he takes the time and effort to help you meet your own personal fitness goals by devising kind of like a game plan, i.e how to get the most of the classes to benefit YOU, or what kind of food you should eat/not eat.

Great facility and small class sizes with awesome people who are serious about improving. Great coaches that will push you to your limits.

American Bowing Muay Thai and Fitness is a High intensity club. I would recommend to anyone who has done serious sports in the past!

Coach really knows what he is doing. small classes so more personal feedback. good people!

I had written a review a little over a year ago and the only thing that has changed is the bond between coach and student. I had the pleasure of training at American Boxing and was able to represent the gym in my first IKF Muay Thai bout a while back. The training I received prepared me to go up against a seasoned veteran inn the sport (he trained 6 years I barely had 6 months) beat him TKO in the third round by simply putting everything learned together.Totally recommend this place for kids through adults for getting in shape, self defense, as well as competing. Great coaches as well as great environment and other students.

I have been training since many years in Boxing and Kick Boxing gyms, in Europe and in the USA and I can tell you that AB is way far the best gym I have ever been. Coach Dave is outstanding, he is the absolute best and passionate at what he does. By my experience, its very difficult to find an excellent athlete (Coach Dave Nielsen has held several belts and he is 7 x World Champion in Muay Thai) who is at the same time a very good instructor.Classes are consistently focused on your daily improvement both from a technique point of view and your cardio. The training is tough and the classes are detailed so you get your workout and you build your skill set as long as you show up! Coach Dave is a perfectionist, so do not expect to be prized to motivate/please you: if you are not performing a certain technique in the exact way he teaches you (btw thats so called professional Muay Thai) he will kick your ass till you do it the right way. And day by day youll see the results of a steady commitment.I am telling you, if you wanna improve yourself, get more self confidence, be a better person, you are in the right gym.Cool people, nice place right in the heart of PB.American Boxing is a great gym to train for anyone. Coach Dave really does his best to make you feel at homeWith that said, lets have a look to the facts. I get the best workouts training Muay Thai as it improves my cardio as well as my strength: when I first walked into the gym in September 2015 my heartbeat rate was 63/65 b/m. I checked it out the past week and now its 52!!! - yes Coach, thank you for beating the s**** out of me with I dont know how many burpees and drills :-) !! And I am 39!Stop by and check it out, youll love training @ AB

Coach Daves classes are extremely fun, motivating, and rewarding - physically and mentally. Definitely recommend American Boxing to anyone whos looking to switch up their workout routine.

At the time that I tried this gym I had been boxing for about 2 years. I wasnt quite sure if muay thai would be something Id enjoy but wanted to give it a try. It took me a few classes to really understand coach Daves approach and what muay thai really was but ever since then it became something I truly love. Youll get out of it what you put into it. When I trained there I literally was in the best shape of my life and Im 40 years old. Ive since moved to Orange County and Ive trained at other gyms with other trainers but nothing compares. My heart is still at American Boxing.

I signed up for a free boxing class and was sent both a text confirmation and an email which was fairly confusing as it stated different timings. I didnt have a chance to read those properly due to work commitments so I just added the event automatically to my calendar which showed up to be from 5.30-6.30pm. Long story short I turned up at 5.20 and the guy at reception (the gym instructor/owner) was incredibly rude. He quickly wrapped my hands in a rush and then started showing me steps without even explaining how the class was gonna be like, just cos I arrived late and the rest of the people already started training. He was insanely arrogant and by far the rudest person Ive met since I have moved to California 4 months ago. I was so shocked and distressed by the way he was treating me that I had to stop him and leave the place. What an awful experience!

Best Workout I ever done there ! Small classes which makes it perfect to progress faster !I am sure if I keep working regularly as I plan to do, the results will be great very fast !Coach Dave helps me a lot with specific instructions and after a little less than two weeks, I already feel like I learned a lot in boxing ! Even if Im a complete beginner with still a LOT to learn, I feel better and better after each class !

Having visited several Muay Thai and boxing gyms around the country—from the original UFC to MMA clubs to advanced boxing gyms—American Boxing sets the standard. And sets it high. If youre looking to have someone hold your hand or worry about your feelings or show you fancy flashy moves that look cool in front of your friends, move along. AB is a gym about control, technique, and preserving the art of Muay Thai and Boxing as a craft. Kru Dave wont coddle you, but he will teach you the discipline, get you in shape, and care about your safety more than your money. He will tell it to you straight without blowing smoke. Im so glad I found a true, genuine gym and now know the difference between the real thing and imposters.

Ive been a member for 9 months. Trained for 3 years in Muay Thai as a teenager and was looking for a gym that wasnt filled with egos and definitely not a cardio kickboxing class. I wanted the best Muay Thai and boxing gym that offered more than just a workout and hopefully allowed me to compete done the road against other gyms. Heres my 2 cents.Pros: Only 12 allowed per class. Each class doesnt matter what day you go will be tailored to who shows up. The people are top notch. Instructor cares how you kick the bag, not the fact that you can kick the bag 100x. Never sweated before like this in my life.Cons: classes are only an hour. Could be an hour in a half. Weekend classes are mid day at 12:30. Would like them to be a little earlier.Heres the scoop on the gym. Dave will yell at you, but he yells things like. Step when you punch, turn your hip over when you kick if your not doing it, you will get called out. My point is thats different than someone yelling harder, faster, or you are too slow!!! Hes correcting your technique and getting you dialed in. Once you get dialed, then he pushes you to the next level. I am constantly learning and advancing my craft and thats the number one reason why I love this gym.There was so many things I wasnt doing that he noticed right away and no one ever said anything to me when I trained at other places and I trialled 4 gyms. I did multiple classes at other gyms. Some gyms I liked and others I absolutely hated. Also the sparing sessions are great and he doesnt let anyone just jump in the ring. You have to first prove you know the techniques then demonstrate you have control. After each sparing session we all sit down exhausted and tells you indivially what he liked and what you need to do next time.This gym has character, class, and the people treat each other like a family. Im also scheduled to fight later this year, so where ever you want to take your training Dave will guide you.

It was such a relief to walk into this place and have such friendly staff and members greeting you! Ive been to a few MMA gyms in So Cal and there were so many times people would look you up and down right as you enter the door./ Or when class started the trainers didnt know what the heck they were doing, too busy flirting and trying to get the students numbers. I was glad American boxing muay thai mma academy isnt one of those places. Everyone there is very welcoming and treat you like family. Coach Daves instruction is top notch without the arrogance. He takes time to show you how to do this right, stance, kicks, elbows ext..... Im so glad I found this place!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly, they had the worst attitude towards a potential new client that Ive experienced. You have to be scheduled in and after a whole weekend of waiting to try the class I was treated like garbage. I was told to reschedule for not wanting to do a half hour of free training on technique with one of their trainers. I told the owner I was already well trained in boxing and just wanted to experience the workout. The excuse given by the owner: Your former trainer might not give the same calls as me. Um, when any boxing trainer says throw a jab you throw a jab. The same with a cross, hook and uppercut. That was so lame of a response. Pathetic actually. It didnt come out of love of teaching the sport. Rather, it came out of sheer ego. And thats how customers get turned away and bad reviews are written. Hopefully, this review saves you time as they wasted mine. Pacific Training Center is not much different.

If you have a lot of travel for work, it often pays to Facebook stalk the the gyms in the cities you are traveling to. I came to San Diego on a business trip back in June and noticed Coach Dave had made a post about welcoming students to train during their San Diego stay.What a relief! I train Muay Thai with Bangkok Boxing in ATL and really didnt want work to force me to take a week off from the gym. American Boxing has a morning which was the perfect time slot to get my day kicked off right! They have gloves you can borrow, so dont worry about cramming your gloves in your carry-on. I bought one of their Ts to workout in from their little pro shop...Next time Im in San Diego, Ill be back!!!

You will be making a big mistake if you spend any money at Team Nielsen American Boxing Muy Thai MMA Academy. Go to the free trial classes, and see for yourself how pompous, arrogant, insulting, insecure, immature, unsanitary, misleading, dishonest, lacking of people skills, lacking of business skills and mostly, unprofessional - all rolled into one that Dave Nielsen and his family business proves to be. Do not believe the false 5 star reviews that he has asked his relatives to leave for him. Dave Nielsen may have previously made some accomplishments in his Muy Thai and supposed Jiu Jitsu run at a career, but it sure hasnt helped him learn to operate a business which serves the public. The man has no people skills, no empathy, no listening skills, no negotiation skills, no customer service skills nor a genuine desire to help anybody.For starters, this facility is far too hot and poorly ventilated to not only allow its members to push themselves hard enough for a work-out, but much less pass an HVAC inspection. Members’ profuse sweating soaks the gym floor, bags, and pads, meanwhile, never gets sanitized. During workouts one is instructed to roll around in the bacteria for push-ups, planking, stretching, etc. yet, there are no showers offered in the facility. One is forced to carry the bacteria all the way home to your personal shower.Next, the company tittle, logo, and website lead one to believe that this gym offers training in MMA. However that is false advertisement. “Coach Dave” defensively denies that his website states any offering of MMA classes. He even goes further to say that “you don’t use” take downs and submissions in real life self-defense and says that Jiu Jitsu is “impractical” and acclaims that all you have to do is throw a punch if ever faced with a threatening situation. I find the above as interesting to say the least, coming from a man who markets himself as a “NoGi Jiu Jitsu Champion” and whose business markets the services of BJJ classes, yet only selected insiders are entitled to access those rights.All scheduling of training classes must be done via the membership web site portal. If you get this far, you better pray there is never any implication because a glitch in the system not allowing you to access the scheduling forum, is due to something wrong with YOU because this business has never come across that error before. Just because the classes look available to you, and the system allows you to electronically book them for your attendance, it does not mean anything. If you show up to train at that time, it still seems to be up to Coach Dave’s mood and the account of enough others booking that time slot, if he will allow you to enter his gym. He may just lock the door and there goes not only your wasted afternoon, but a waste of your money because the system will not allow you to book another class that same day; nope- you burnt your chance. Nor will you be heard if you’d like to discuss disagreement with the dates at which the member site starts and end your usage periods. It does not matter if the system is not giving you access to full weeks or full months; it’s all your fault and Dave will be sure to speak to you in a belittling manner.In turn, my experience with the Team Nielsen and American Boxing Academy was so appalling that I could write a few more pages of reviews. However I would like to wrap it up by warning you that all business/membership issues are referred to being settled via text messaging some family member of Dave’s. The company refuses to speak over the phone about any matter. Lastly, I was promised a refund over text message and lured to his gym at a scheduled time. That also showed to be a deceptive strategy of the family to not issue any monetary credit but rather efforts to engage me in verbal bickering and an invitation to a physical fight. I am just here tell you to proceed with extreme caution, but you go ahead and see for yourself if you’d like.

I saw this place while on holiday. My family and I freqent San Diego one a year from my home Brasil wher I have been a student of our Jiu Jitsu. Afterwards talking to some people at the front desk, and telling me they offer Jiu Jitsu, I decide myself to approve to train there. My evaluation of the instructor is that he is very much into exercising people out, rather than helping them to study the real fighting arts. I think he could have treated me and others much better. I even saw him yell at a first time attendee for walking entering a seperate room as he was traning on a kick bag which bisected the two rooms appart from eachother. Is yelling at a paying student who makes honest mistake the tipical way to treatment? This is not a boxing academy, rather it is a exercising place where poor treatment of attendees passes.

Small class sizes mean you get a lot of hands on coaching from a very experienced coaching staff. They are tough on you so be prepared to work when you go in.

American Boxing is the kind of place anyone serious about getting fit or learning Muay Thai should consider. Coach Dave showed me a lot while I lived in San Diego and I also made a lot of friends at the gym.

Rude and arrogant when I stopped by to check out for my two boys. Wouldnt give them a second or my money; too many serious gyms around SD for that, keep looking!

Owner is extremely rude and thinks his opinion is the only one that matters...think he took too many concussions!!!

Reading through the responses of the owner to customers makes it clear this is a place to avoid! Read through them yourself. Unprofessional and a nut.

Dont go to this gym. The management/owners have the worst attitudes.