Capital Training Center Brings the Pugilistic Spirit to Chaowai Soho

In the space once known as Glee Gym, Capital Training Center (CTC) brings a less choral and more pugilistic spirit to Chaowai SOHO, which seems to be where everyone is going these days for some form of fitness or health food. Mornings, evenings, and throughout the day, various levels of boxers can be seen hitting bags, sparring, or doing everyone’s favorite fat-burning exercise, the burpee.

CTC currently employs six coaches, including three from Thailand, along with three more from Brazil, Canada, and Scotland, all champions in various ranks except for himself, says CTC boss Jian Piero (he’s the Canadian), who has been in China on and off for six years. “Our goal is to bring the highest level of Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA) training to China, and in the near future bring professional fight shows to Beijing,” he said.

Both of CTC’s rooms offer sufficient space for sparring and other exercises, with six heavy bags in the main room for punching and kicking, two chin-up racks, and of course, a ring for actual boxing. Picture windows let in plenty of light during the day, alternately frightening or inspiring passersby below as they see the workouts taking place above.

CTC is also the present home of Fight Camp China, currently being conducted by professional Muay Thai fighter Sean Wright and former the Beijinger cover model Rory Van Den Berg, which, after bouncing between a couple of locations (including Glee),appears to havesettled in comfortably here.

Former Glee customers will be pleased to see the expansion and reorganization that’s taken place, namely the addition of changing rooms with showers and towel service in the gym’s second room, a few steps away from its main space. For those employed or residing in the CBD, the Chaowai SOHO location makes it easy to squeeze in an hour of sweat before or after work.

The next four-week Fight Camp China begins Monday, November 23. Contact Capital Training Center or click here for more information and to register.

Daily 8am-10pm. Room 220, 2/F, Building B, Chaowai SOHO, 6A Chaoyangmen Waidajie, Chaoyang District (5869 1015). 朝阳区朝阳门外大街乙6号A座二层220室号

Photos: Sean Wright