Urban Boxing’s Arlington location may only be two years old, but it’s already knocking out the competition. Here, we spoke with founder and owner Burak Temel about the fitness brand’s success, his perfect day in NoVA and more.
What inspired you to open Urban Boxing?
Our first location opened in DC, and now we have locations in Arlington and Bethesda. I’m a former boxer myself. I wrestled all throughout college and in my earlier post-grad years. When I went through a shoulder-replacement surgery, my competing days were over. I wanted to give to others and simply start up a reputable gym that would cash the fine line between the technical aspect of the sport, as well as fitness. It’s not one or the other at our gym, and that’s what’s different with us.
Why should everyone try boxing?
One of the biggest advantages of boxing is that you’re always engaged. It’s a nonstop, intense workout. You can go at your own pace. Everybody can do it, no matter what their fitness level is, but at the same time, you’re learning. We’re wired to be engaged in whatever we’re doing. You can do reps at the gym and lift, but at some point it’s going to get boring. At Urban Boxing, you’re engaged by learning new things and challenging yourself to move up the ladder, correcting form, pushing yourself to get better and healthier.
What are your goals for the Urban Boxing brand?
We’re looking into opening more locations in the DC and Northern Virginia area, as well as certain parts of Maryland. We’ve trademarked our name and logos and we’re looking into franchising. My No. 1 goal in five years is to be able to take our name and give this kind of service across the country.
Describe your perfect day in Northern Virginia.
Start with an early-morning run at the monuments, go across the Key Bridge to Rosslyn, take the trail up to the gym and then get a boxing workout in. After, I would grab my drink at Smoothie King, head out to Reston where I live, pick up my 7-month-old daughter and my wife and we would come out to a picnic area for lunch. Then, see a movie at Reston Town Center, have dinner at Cooper’s Hawk (one of my favorite restaurants) and then come home!
This post originally appeared in our September 2020 Best of NoVA print issue. For more like this, subscribe to our newsletters.
