Building Strength, Confidence,and Community
By Jody Robinson
When my 19-year-old son came home from college for the summer, he arrived with a new passion: boxing. What started as an interest in the school’s fitness club had grown into a genuine love for the sport, and he was determined not to lose the momentum he’d built. That search led him to Capistrano Boxing Gym in San Juan Capistrano—a place that quickly proved to be about much more than punches and footwork.
A welcoming community where teenagers train alongside retirees and competitive athletes work out beside first-timers, every person who walks through the door seems to be encouraged to become a stronger version of themselves.
Founded in 2017 by former U.S. Marine Peter Carey, Capistrano Boxing Gym has evolved into a comprehensive training center built around fitness, character, and community. Carey first discovered boxing while serving in the Marine Corps in the late 1990s and credits the sport with teaching him discipline, confidence, and resilience.
“I quickly fell in love with the sport and the discipline, confidence, and resilience it instilled in me,” Carey says. “After years of training, competing, and coaching, I fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening Capistrano Boxing Gym in 2017.”
While boxing remains at the heart of the gym, it’s just one piece of what happens inside its doors. Members can train in wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing fitness, and strength and conditioning, while also taking advantage of personal training, sports performance coaching, recovery and mobility services, and open gym access. The variety allows members to cross-train, build functional strength, and explore different combat sports under one roof, whether they’re preparing for competition or simply looking for an engaging alternative to a traditional gym.
The gym welcomes children as young as five, competitive fighters, adults looking to improve their fitness, and active seniors through its Silver Sluggers program. Specialized youth classes focus on developing confidence, discipline, respect, and athleticism, while experienced coaches work closely with members of every age and ability to help them reach individual goals.
Building Strength Inside and Out
“What sets Capistrano Boxing Gym apart is that we’re much more than a place to work out—we’re a community built around purpose, service, and personal growth,” Carey says.
That commitment to service is perhaps the gym’s greatest strength. Capistrano Boxing Gym offers a free Veterans Boxing Program that provides fitness, camaraderie, and support for former service members. Its Parkinson’s and MS Boxing Program, based on the Ready to Fight Parkinson’s curriculum, uses non-contact boxing exercises to improve mobility, balance, coordination, and quality of life, while a weekly support group fosters connection for participants and their families.
Carey believes everyone belongs, regardless of age, fitness level, or experience.
“Our coaches genuinely care about every member,” he says. “Whether your goal is getting fit, learning boxing, competing, or simply becoming a healthier, more confident version of yourself, all you have to do is take the first step and show up. We’ll take it from there.”
In a community that values connection as much as recreation, Capistrano Boxing Gym isn’t simply teaching people how to throw a punch. It’s creating a place where confidence is earned, resilience is built, and friendships are formed—one class, one workout, and one round at a time.
