Founded in New York City in 2017 and touted by celebrities like Justin Bieber, Rumble is a boutique fitness concept delivering a mix of boxing-inspired circuits and the transformative power of resistance training.
The experience is a 45-minute, 10-round, full-body cardio and strength workout crafted around specially designed water-filled, teardrop-style boxing bags. Local owners Blake Baskin and Antonio Compton opened their Gulch location over the summer upon seeing a need in the Nashville fitness scene. “We knew that people were looking for a concept that involved the body transforming benefits of strength training with boxing, which acts as a lower impact cardio component of the workout. It’s empowering, effective, and a lot of fun,” says Baskin. “There truly isn’t anything like it in the city. Sure, there are other group fitness gyms with boxing elements, but nothing combines the boxing element and strength training the way Rumble does. The music also plays an integral role and enhances the overall experience.”
Music is a key component throughout the studio, too. In fact, a giant 10-foot mural of Dolly Parton in a fighting stance wearing Rumble boxing gloves welcomes fighters at the front door.
“We commissioned local Nashville artist Brian Wooden to create the mural of Dolly because of her Nashville ties, but also because Dolly is a fighter in so many ways. She has done so much not just for the Nashville community, but the state of Tennessee and world at large,” says Compton. “It’s a good visual reminder when you come into the studio that we are all fighters in different ways, and we hope it inspires people when they walk into class.”
The rest of the studio (housed in the former Colt’s Chocolates warehouse) is equally inspiring. Twenty-two water-filled aqua bags hang from the ceiling and 22 strength training benches glow under color-changing LED lights surrounded by mirrors. The top-tier sound system blasts infectious playlists that combine hip hop and EDM remixes. The trainers’ podium is up on a stage and built to look like a DJ booth, as they are the ones controlling the music, the lights, and the programming all at the same time.
“You truly must experience the studio to feel it,” says Baskin. For fitness newbies or even experienced gym rats who’ve never spent time with the bag, Rumble is a first-timer friendly space, offering opportunities for all aspiring fighters.
“Rumble is for everybody. All fitness levels are welcome, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve ever put on a pair of boxing gloves in your life,” says Compton. “Our trainers spend the first part of every class teaching everyone how to throw the six basic punches you need to know, or as we say, how to ‘run the six.’ The trainers are up on a stage, so they are highly visible to the entire room. There are also projectors with GIFs of the strength training exercises and the boxing combinations visible throughout the entire class in case you ever feel lost. Beginners can Rumble next to experts and feel extremely confident in their ability.”
That inclusive attitude carries far beyond fitness at Rumble. As a gay- and black-owned business, Rumble sets a welcoming tone for their classes and the Nashville fitness community as a whole. “It is extremely important to us that Rumble is a safe space for all walks of life and being a black- and gay-owned business, we can represent those communities in a positive light. After all, fitness is all about community. We opened our doors at the very end of Pride Month and were overwhelmed with the support we experienced for our first ever charity Pride class as a brand- new gym. The love that we felt one week in from our new Rumble family was indescribable,” says Baskin.
“We want everyone to know that it doesn’t matter what is going on in their life outside of these four walls; when you’re in Rumble, you’re with family. Rumble is for all races, colors, creeds. You can come in knowing there will be no judgement, get an incredible workout, and leave feeling empowered and strong. Owning who you are unapologetically and standing up for that goes to the heart of who we are both personally and professionally,” says Compton. “It means acceptance in its purest form.”
(609 Overton St., 615-712-9648; rumbleboxinggym.com)