2nd Chance Boxing Club is a membership-based boxing gym on the south side of Chattanooga that trains members through technique-heavy instruction rather than high-intensity circuit classes. The gym operates as a traditional boxing facility, meaning ringside coaching during pad work and sparring, heavy bags for solo practice, and open mat time for conditioning, with membership required to use any part of the space. It occupies a smaller footprint than Chattanooga's multipurpose fitness centers, which makes it distinct both in focus and in community: people who sign up here are choosing boxing as their primary sport, not adding it as one option among dozens.
The gym serves serious amateur and recreational boxers, from absolute beginners to fighters with competition experience. Coaching happens at ringside during member training sessions, meaning an instructor watches your combinations, corrects your stance or hand placement, and adjusts intensity in real time. There is no class schedule in the traditional sense; members come during open hours and work with available coaches or train independently on the heavy bags, speed bags, and double-end bags. The facility includes a full ring, mirror-lined walls, and standard boxing equipment. The name references the gym's ethos: it functions as a place for people to reset their relationship with boxing, whether that means learning the sport from zero or returning after time away.
2nd Chance operates on a monthly membership model with no day passes or class-by-class options. A standard adult membership costs between $80 and $120 per month, depending on access level (confirm current rates with the gym directly, as pricing shifts seasonally). Some memberships include unlimited open mat access during posted hours; others tier up to include ringside coaching sessions at set times each week. Youth memberships for ages 12 and under run lower, typically in the $50 to $70 range. There is no initiation fee, and members can typically cancel with 30 days' notice. First-time visitors should expect a brief assessment session to screen for serious interest and basic fitness; the gym prioritizes retention of committed members over high turnover.
Chattanooga's boxing scene includes both dedicated gyms and multipurpose fitness centers with boxing as an add-on. CrossFit and general fitness gyms like those in the North Shore area offer boxing in circuits or timed classes, charging $15 to $25 per class without membership or $70 to $150 monthly for unlimited access to all class types. These gyms serve people who want boxing mixed with strength and conditioning and are open to drop-in sessions. Compared to that model, 2nd Chance requires commitment (membership only, no day passes) but offers continuous access and individualized coaching from someone watching your specific form, not calling out counts to a room. If your goal is to learn boxing as a standalone discipline with personalized feedback, 2nd Chance is the choice. If you want structure through class schedules and multiple fitness options in one place, a CrossFit box or hybrid gym is more efficient.
This gym works well for people with a genuine interest in boxing fundamentals, fighters preparing for amateur competition, and anyone seeking one-on-one or small-group coaching. It also suits adults who prefer a smaller, less crowded environment where community forms around a single sport. It does not serve people who want flexibility to drop in without membership, those seeking a class-based structure with set times, or newcomers who are uncertain whether they'll stick with boxing. The membership requirement and lack of trial classes mean commitment before you train; that's intentional filtering on the gym's part.
Contact the gym ahead of time rather than walking in unannounced. You'll meet a coach, discuss your boxing experience (or lack of it), and do a brief assessment to confirm you're injury-free and able to train. If you move forward, you'll sign a membership agreement and may train that same day or schedule your first session for the next visit. Bring hand wraps, or the gym may have them for sale. Wear comfortable athletic clothing and bring water. The first few sessions with a coach will focus on stance, footwork, and basic punch mechanics before you move to combinations or bag work.
2nd Chance operates Tuesday through Saturday afternoons and evenings; confirm exact hours by phone or website, as these change seasonally and around holidays. The gym is located on the south side near downtown and has street or lot parking depending on the building. It is not accessible by public transit. Bring your own towel and water bottle; the gym does not typically stock these for sale. Locker rooms and showers are available to members.
2nd Chance fills a specific need in Chattanooga's fitness landscape: a place to learn and train boxing as a serious pursuit without the distraction of trend-focused classes or the sprawl of a multipurpose gym. Its membership model and ringside coaching make it the clear choice for anyone ready to commit to the sport.
