Working in partnership with Walsall Council, Alliance Leisure has delivered its first dedicated BOX12 boxing-based boutique training facility within the footprint of an existing leisure centre.

The new studio, created from previously under-utilised office space, is located on the first floor and can accommodate up to 16 participants at a time. Sessions follow a circuit-style format, supported by digital coaching and on-screen exercise demonstrations.

We were looking to create something special, something unique in the community that would inspire people to get active and stay active. Alliance Leisure has an excellent reputation and track record for developing engaging place-based activity spaces so employing their expertise was a no-brainer. We wanted to obtain maximum impact and engagement for our £300,000 budget. When the BOX12 studio was first tabled as an idea we were a little sceptical. It sounded interesting but we were struggling to understand how it might work as a ‘box within a box’ at Oak Park Active Living Centre. Our concerns were soon put to rest when Alliance hosted visits to an existing BOX12 facility located at Newcastle Under Lyme. We fell in love with the energy, fun and uniqueness of the experience and were convinced it would ignite a spark in the community and people would want to get involved. We were also encouraged by the fact that the two BOX12 founders are also co-owners of the established Hatton Boxing brand.

Stuart Webb
Group Manager, Walsall Council

BOX12 is a 36-minute workout made up of twelve 3-minute rounds, combining boxing with functional fitness exercises. Each round is followed by a short rest period. The high-intensity format delivers a fast-paced session that develops strength, power, and cardiovascular fitness, while also improving balance, reaction time, and flexibility.

BOX12 provides a welcoming and encouraging environment for everybody, regardless of ability or experience. People can train at their own pace and level within the parameters of the workout format.
Whilst some of the exercises are individual, many require people to pair-up, helping to nurture a supportive community that provides social and mental benefits as well as physical. Digital instruction and exercise demonstrations are provided throughout, freeing up instructors to focus more on motivational coaching and encouragement. In the case of the install at Walsall, BOX12 also integrates the Myzone platform, helping people to understand their training levels, challenging themselves whilst working within safe limits.

Kenny Wattam
Project Manager, BOX12

Works began in October 2023 to transform the former office space into the vibrant new BOX12 studio, with the project completed in just 11 weeks. Launched in 2019, BOX12 is still a relatively new player in the fitness industry, but it is experiencing rapid growth across the UK, Europe, and as far afield as Saudi Arabia.

The BOX12 project at Oak Park Active Living Centre was delivered by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL). Project partners included Universal Construction, Savernake Property Consultants, Bignall Shacklady Ewing Architects, and Greenwood Projects, who acted as Principal Designer.