Is BXR a Good Replacement for the Now-Closed Kobox Marylebone?
If you’re a fan of high-energy boxing workouts, you might still be mourning the closure of Kobox Marylebone at the end of January. I certainly am. After months of regular training (shoutout to Jacob!), I had finally found a studio I loved—only to have it shut down. While Kobox still has a location in Chelsea, it’s not convenient for me, especially on a weekday.
So, the big question: Is BXR a worthy replacement for Kobox Marylebone? I’ve tried their classes, and here’s my honest review.
Kobox Marylebone
What Was So Great About Kobox?
For those unfamiliar with Kobox, it was my go-to studio for boxing-inspired HIIT workouts. Each session combined time on the bag with strength and conditioning training at "the wall", where you’d use dumbbells, TRX, weighted balls, and more—kind of like Barry’s Bootcamp but with boxing.
One of Kobox’s standout features was its club-like atmosphere:
✅ Dark lighting with neon accents
✅ Epic playlists that kept the energy high
✅ Screens displaying punch combos, so you didn’t have to remember them
While it was an excellent cardio and strength workout, technical boxing training wasn’t a strong focus. Some instructors incorporated it, but it wasn’t a core part of the program. That said, Kobox helped me get comfortable on a boxing bag and definitely improved my fitness.
What is BXR?
With Kobox Marylebone gone, I needed to find a replacement—and that’s how I discovered BXR. They offer a variety of fitness classes, from their well-known VersaClimber sessions to boxing-focused workouts.
BXR has two locations:
📍 Marylebone (near Baker Street)
📍 City (Near Liverpool Street on the 25th floor, incredible views!)
While the Marylebone studio is underground, I found it even better than the City location in some ways:
✔ Spacious changing rooms (not cramped like City’s)
✔ Larger showers
✔ A sauna and steam room
✔ Joe & the Juice café + comfy seating for pre/post-workout chills
BXR Marylebone
How Do BXR’s Boxing Classes Compare to Kobox?
BXR offers two main boxing-inspired classes:
🥊 StrengthBox – Closest to Kobox, mixing boxing and strength work
🥊 SweatBox – A boxing conditioning class, sometimes incorporating weights
It also offers a boxing skills class which I haven’t yet had a chance to try.
How Do BXR’s Boxing Classes Compare to Kobox?
There are a few key differences between the two studios:
Punch Combo Screens: Kobox had screens displaying the combos, which made it easier to follow along. BXR doesn’t, meaning you have to rely on memory—but this could actually improve your technique.
Bag Setup: At Kobox, the setup felt more efficient, with bags arranged side by side. At BXR, they hang from the ceiling across the room, which sometimes makes it hard to see the instructor.
Boxing Technique: Kobox was more focused on fitness than technical boxing. BXR, on the other hand, has instructors who emphasize technique, even in their conditioning classes.
Atmosphere & Music: Kobox had more of a club-like vibe with dark lighting and neon accents, while BXR feels more refined—but the music is still top-tier.
Conditioning Workouts: At Kobox, the conditioning sections were structured based on the day (e.g., upper body, lower body, etc.). BXR still includes conditioning but differs by class. SweatBox is more general, whilst StrengthBox changes by day.
One major difference is that BXR doesn’t use screens to show punch combos. At first, I missed this, but I quickly realized it forced me to memorize combinations and focus more on technique.
However, there were some downsides to BXR’s setup:
❌ It was hard to see the instructor through the hanging bags
❌ Instructors didn’t move around the room, making it tricky to follow
❌ The microphone volume wasn’t always loud enough
That said, every class was still a killer workout, and the music was just as good as Kobox’s.
Pricing
Pricing is always an important factor when choosing a gym, and there’s a noticeable difference between Kobox and BXR in terms of cost.
💰 Kobox Pricing:
First class for £12
Single class: £25
Unlimited classes: £150–£180/month (depending on commitment length)
Bundled with United Fitness (includes Barrecore, Reformcore, BoomCycle, and Triyoga): £225/month
💰 BXR Pricing:
Single class: £30 (£20 at lunchtime)
10 classes per month: £190
30 classes per month: £330
BXR is definitely pricier than Kobox, especially for drop-in sessions. However, if you’re planning to train frequently, the membership options help bring the per-class price down. While Kobox had the option of unlimited classes at a more affordable rate, BXR’s pricing structure is more tiered and flexible depending on how often you want to go.
For those who used United Fitness to mix in other workouts, it might be worth considering whether BXR alone is worth the switch or if you’d rather explore other studios as well.
Final Verdict: Is BXR a Good Kobox Replacement?
✅ Yes! If you loved Kobox, BXR’s StrengthBox and SweatBox classes will give you a similar workout—and with even better facilities. I have to say that I prefer the set-up of the actual class at Kobox though, even though you can’t get in the sauna afterwards for a recovery boost.
But if you’re looking to improve your actual boxing technique, BXR also offers boxing skills classes, which Kobox didn’t. I haven’t tried them yet, but they could be a game-changer.
Have you found a good replacement for Kobox? Let me know in the comments—I'd love to hear your recommendations!
Want to Try BXR? Here’s How to Get a Discount
💥 FREE class when you download the BXR app (City location only, so does not include boxing classes)
💥 ClassPass users: BXR classes cost ~14 credits per session. Get a £1 trial with 20 bonus credits here.
💥 First-timer deals:
👊 3 Versa classes for £35
👊 4 of any class type for £49