My first impression of Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym (Rafael Trejo Gimnasio al Aire Libre) was that it was beautiful. The pockets in the plaster walls, the cracks in the concrete floor and the shots of red running throughout created warmth within my body. The ring, surrounded by stadium seating on two sides and bags on another, was well maintained. A slight breeze moved within the gym. Air flow. All of this made Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym a desireable location to train.
I arrived to find the gym empty but for one woman. I wasn’t prepared to train; I made the trip that day from Jibacoa to Havana with two friends, a tour guide and a private driver. I was there to see the facilities, inquire about pricing and ask if they trained foreign women. Through the help of our guide, I was told that training wasn’t an issue; I could return the following day. It was recommended that we call the boxing coach to discuss pricing. That evening, our guide called and a price was agreed upon.
The following day, upon arrival, I was told the price had doubled. I have no idea how this came about; I can’t speak Spanish. If I let the part of me that spent years training in muay thai gyms in Thailand dictate, a number of possible scenarios come up; most of them sketchy. The reality is, I don’t know, so I’ll pass on making any judgement as to who inflated the pricing. Nonetheless, that day I decided not to train. Instead, I asked to observe their training methods and take photos. This was allowed and I didn’t leave without paying the gym for the opportunity (This was something I simply did – the gym didn’t ask this of me).
Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym is the oldest boxing gym in Havana, having been named after the revolutionary hero, Rafael Trejo who was murdered in 1930. Coach Nardo Mestre Flores, the coach you will see in this entry, was a member of the national Cuban boxing team for nine years. (Source).
Training began with warm-up drills and group technical instruction. This lasted for approximately one hour.
Bag work and technical sparring followed. Coach Nardo Mestre Flores worked independently with some boxers in the ring during this time.
A few boxers at the gym spoke English. From our conversations:
- Running was often optional and the boxers weren’t expected to run each day.
- All of the boxers were amateur. I later found out, professional boxing was ousted in Cuba by Castro in the 1960s but the ban had recently been lifted. Many of them were preparing for an upcoming tournament. If I remember correctly, the national team was expected to attend as well as scouts in search of fighters to bring to the professional level.
- Females sometimes trained at the gym and unlike some establishments in Thailand, they are allowed in the ring. The men were taken aback that the latter was even a concern. It’s hard to explain the immediate reaction I had when this occurred. Perhaps, it was as though a pressure I didn’t know I carried deep within my abdomen, released. There are times now, in Canada, that I feel a tingly warmth when stepping into a ring here; a slight gritty defiance when I don’t crawl under the bottom rope, amongst the sweat and filth of others, but climb over whichever rope I choose to. As much as I would like these feelings to dissipate, they haven’t. And every time I enter a new gym, and know, I will never experience being Other in this way at their establishment, a jolt of something I can’t express infects me.
- It was recommended that foreigners stay in a casa particular near the gym. Casa particulars are government approved homestays. I had stayed in one on a previous trip to Havana in 2006; the experience is still one of my fondest memories of the city. (See the bottom of this piece for more information on casa particulars and planning a trip to Cuba).
- The boxers spoke fondly of their coach. I was told the stern man I had met had a wicked sense of humour.
I wish I could say at this time that I know much about boxing; I don’t. I’ve been practicing muay thai for at least ten years now and the two are very different to me. Any comment made on the technical training would be done in pretense, so I’ll pass and let the photos and videos speak to those who get it. That being said, I was very interested in the technical training I witnessed, particularly the footwork.
Two boxers arrived to spend time at the gym socially. This allowed for deeper discussions about fight sports I may not have had otherwise. What was expressed by these Cuban boxers reflected conversations I had with muay thai fighters in Thailand – fighting, primarily, is about heart.
It began to rain heavily that afternoon. Lightening hit and rattled the corrugated roof over the ring sending one boxer running into the safety of the indoors. Some of us laughed, others continued training, and I suspect all of our ears suffered. The overall feeling I left with that day, was that Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym is a pleasant place to train; people enjoyed their time there. I found they were open to other people and other arts. One boxer also practices capoeira. In addition, the gym lacked the pretense that often keeps me from training at various fight sport gyms in Canada.
My time spent at Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym was the highlight of my trip to Havana. Look out for more photos of the gym in my next post.
Has anyone trained at Rafael Trejo Boxing gym? Please let us know about it in the comments if you have.
MBSB friends at Travel Basecamp headed over to the gym and tried boxing for the first time. Here’s a video segment of their time there.
And here’s a piece on the gym from Amy Hill and Chris Riess.
For those of you interested in training at the gym, the address and telephone number:
Gimnasio de Boxeo Rafael Trejo
Calle Cuba 815
Havana
Tel: 00537 862 0266
The gym may be a challenge to find. Here’s a video showing the street it’s on, as well as part of an in-house boxing event.
More on Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym:
Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym In Havana, Cuba
The Secrets To Cuba’s Boxing Success
Planning A Trip To Havana:
The team at Never Ending Voyage have put together a comprehensive guide on planning a trip to Cuba here.
Book a casa particular in Havana here.
I’ll be going here in the next 18 months – thanks for the write up !
Thanks for sharing 🙂 No doubt you are a very talented writer.
Im going to havana in the end of september, and also plan on training while im there.
Can I ask what the original price for the training was?
Much appreciated Petar. 🙂 I can’t remember the original quoted price, nor the price that was given to me the day I arrived. That being said, on the day I arrived at the gym, I remember the price being no less than $60 Canadian and no more than $90.
So, they quoted you $60-90 for training per day? I envy you Canadians being able to travel to Cuba without much hassle. I’d love to live and train in boxing there for 2 or 3 months.
Hi Dara – Yes, per day although I was told that should I stay for an extended period, the price would drop. It was ludicrous to me.
It it safe to travel to Havana alone?
Hi Felicity.
I really don’t have the experience in Havana to answer that sufficiently. That being said, I met a foreign female who was living in Havana for over a month at the time and she said that she felt safe living there. She was living in a casa particular.
If anyone in the MBSB community can answer Felicity’s question, please do. Much appreciated.
I just returned from Guantanamo city where I video taped a coach teaching a boxer for 9 – 1 hour sessions. If you want any details then send me an email. Guantanamo has won 8 gold medals at the Olympics in boxing. The coach said he would be teaching boxing at a gym adjacent to the Rafael Trejo gym, but he did not say when.
Hey Joe – expect an email in your inbox shortly. Thank-you!
Hi there… Who was this coach? Thanks
Sean
Hi Joe, how much is the cost a day including the accommodation nearby the gym. Sean has a good question, who was this coach?
I plan on traveling to Cuba in December. Anyway you can message me info? Kranzetheledger@gmail.com
Hey
Thanks For the write up !
Would like to visit
Can I please have contact Number to the club ?
Hi Zidan – the contact number is listed in the piece above.
Thank you for this write-up! I also train every year in Thailand. I pay $300 (USD) per month for training (unlimited). $60/day is way too high. Do you have any idea of the monthly traiing cost in Cuba? Again, Thanks!
Hi Bill Berry – At time of writing, I don’t know the monthly training cost at Rafael Trejo or anywhere in Cuba for that matter unfortunately. I do know you can negotiate rates however.
If anyone out there reading this knows – please fill us in!
Hi Laura,
I have just stumbled across your website and thank you very much for the information given. I will be travelling to Cuba at the end of February in 46 days to be exact. I live in London and I am an avid boxer and I have been boxing amateur and White collar for some years.
I would like to do some training in Cuba at this gym soon thank you very much for the information. I have a few questions. I will bring my own gear kit to the gym but I wanted you’re thoughts on the gym being safe. I would like to do as much as possible. I don’t want to turn up with my kit and maybe some of the younger kids think my gear looks fancy and maybe take it. Please forgive my comment as I don’t mean it to sound arrogant however I would like to go an train but I am unsure about he quality of gloves and boots that the youth would wear at he gym and I would not want to look like a show off with my adidas boots etc.
I will contact the number above however any information you have from your trip to Cubs would be very beneficial. How long would a session be etc
Thanks in advance regards Diarmaid
Hi Diarmaid. I can’t say for sure, but my feeling about the gym is that it would be worth bringing your gear and determining your comfort level after visiting it. I came in with my gear, including my camera and purse and left some of it unattended in an office (?) near the ring. I had absolutely no issues.
Enjoy your time in Cuba and if you can, please let us know what you think of the training. All The Best-
Hi Laura,
Thanks a million. I will let you know how things go.
Regards Diarmaid
Hi laura, i am french so sorry if i do some mistake in my writting i want to go train in cuba i wanted to know places to stay the time that i am there and also i do i reach the gym or places to stay.
Hi Daniel,
From what I was told, the gym may be able to help you find a place to stay. Before you go, you may want to read this article to help you find a place to stay:
http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/planning-a-trip-to-cuba/
Thank you very much Laura really apreciate one last question do you know how i can get in touch Rafael Trejo Boxing Gym.
Hi daniel – here’s their contact information:
Gimnasio de Boxeo Rafael Trejo
Calle Cuba 815
Havana
Tel: 00537 862 0266
Hi Laura
Thanks for all your helpful information about training Boxing at Rafael Trajo in Habana.
I will be in Habana from the 18th of December untill the 28th of January , and I would love to train boxing at Rafael Trejo. From all the comments above , I can see that many tourist have been raining there, but just to make sure I would like to ask you a question. My friend who lives in Habana, told me that all professional boxing schools are only for Cuban Resident , as they are only supported by the government, and therefore tourist are not allowed to train there. Is that true? And even if its true does the same rule apply to Rafael Trejo, or they do not have problem accepting any tourist? So I just go there with no problem and ask for training?
Thanks in advance, I would really apreciate your answer as I really want to make sure before leaving to Habana that I can train there 100 % .
Paolo
Hi Paolo – I do believe I answered this via email/FB (I apologize for not seeing this comment earlier). If not, please do let me know.
Hi Laura,
Thank you for this article! I’ve been boxing for a few years now, and i’m looking for my next camp. I came back last month from Thailand where I trained muay thai for 2 months near Chiang Mai.
So based on what you know, should I just go there ? Or write a letter before? Is there by any chance an email to contact them you think? thank you again !
Hi Adrien,
I unfortunately don’t have their email address but suggest calling them ahead of time. (Alternatively, from my understanding, you can just show up and they will set you up). If you do go, please let us all know how it was!
Hi,Laura I am From India And My Son Ranaveer 15 yrs Practice Amateur Boxing In India, I am Searching Residential Boxing Club Or Academy For Him,I Want Devoted Coaches,Giving Personal Training,With good Accommodation And Diet. Can You Help Me ?
Hi, were you able to bring back the knowledge that you gained in Cuba back to Canada in a way that you think it could be beneficial to them. I think you have provided a world of information and tremendous insight but is there any way for instance that a kind of sports exchange program could be worked out between the Canadian boxing team and Cuba, or Cuba and any other country for that matter. Cuban boxers coming to Canada to train and compete for two months at a time or vice versa
Hi Stephen Jones – I could be wrong but I think a program like that may already exist. I know a guy that was on the Canadian Olympian boxing team and I remember him mentioning something about going down to Cuba to train there. I believe he went as a group (not sure if it had anything to do with the Olympics – I vaguely remember the conversation at time of writing).
If anyone else out there can answer the question, please do!
Hi Laura,
Can you recommend somewhere cheap to stay close by to the gym?
Thanks,
Ariel
hi Laura, thanks for your article, i hope to visit this gym when i’m in Cuba, do u recall any coaches speaking some english?
Hi Rachel – I don’t remember unfortunately. I do remember some of the fighters being able to do so however.
Hi Laura I live in south Fl with a USA passport looking to train at Rafael Trejo gym for a week do you know if that is a option?
Hi Laura,
I would like to organise training at this gym in Cuba. Do you have any other contact details for the gym apart from the number and address already provided?
Hi Elaina,
I’m sorry but I don’t.
is this Rafael Trejo (coach) number??
i want to practise for 1 to 2 year.
can we call this number through Skype??
many more question !!
whom should i contact?
I just happened to bump into your website as I was searching for boxing gyms in Cuba. My 15 year old son wants to become a fighter I’m from New York City just moved to Connecticut. Very difficult to find somebody that will train him for real. I can spot the BS mediocre training a mile away lol. School’s almost over to my son I’m not sure if we should stay there the whole summer or just stay there for a few weeks. Is this the only gym? Good thing that I speak Spanish I’m from Puerto Rico so hopefully I can negotiate better prices. It’s not like the movies where you can find a good trainer to teach you it could be a challenge to find a good trainer. The gym that we go to now I bite my tongue when I stay quiet the first thing they do is teach the kids how to punch a real trainer will teach your footwork before you start swinging. I explain this to my son he has a long journey. Your information has been very helpful I usually don’t read a lot of comments but thank God that I did I will keep you posted on my trip I plan to leave at the end of the month. Salute
Hey SPIRIT,
I completely understand the difficulties in finding a good gym/trainer – I had the same issue with Muay Thai. I’m glad my information on boxing in Cuba has been helpful. I know there are other gyms in Havana (and all over Cuba), but I don’t have any contact info for those gyms nor names. I wish I could tell you more. Best of luck in your search and please do keep us all posted! Best-
I am indian and I want to do training of boxing in your gym.Can you tell me what the charges you will take with me for 1 year or 6 months boxing training.
If you please tell me this I will very thankful to you.
Thanks for this post Laura! It’s been very helpful. I normally practice muay thai but wanted to get some high level boxing instruction while I’m down there for vacation. Do you know what their hours are? More importantly, are the coaches gym employees or do they just refer you to third party trainers? From your post it sounded like you called then got a reference to call a separate trainer, so wanted to gauge the consistency of trainer aptitude.
Hey Rex – Unfortunately I don’t have the answers to your questions. All I know is that the fighters I spoke to (foreign and local) seemed to be happy with the training. I also got the impression that the main trainer, the one you see in the videos, is there consistently.
Can u tell me the estimate cost for 15 days training workshop of boxing
Can u tell me the estimate cost for 15 days training workshop of boxing.
Hi There!
Laura!!
How are you doing!!?
So. I’m a little slow.
Did you try that Cuban Boxing Gym there or was that someone else?
How much was that fee? How much did they charge?
Was it okay or not?
I want to go for a few months.
Low budget.
If i were a rich guy i’de go to San Diego maybe.
And how was Thailand?
Only Muay Thai there or boxing too?
My mom won’t let me go to Thailand.
She’de let me go to Cuba.
Hi from Holland! I live near the Sem Schilt Gym!
But i don’t want Muay Thai i want normal boxing for 100 reasons.
Danny.
Waw! You’re so cool Laura!!
Can you be my friend please?
Danny.
How are you doing today,this is Smith,I got your information through the internet as a reputable sport instructor. I would like to know if you train boxing and how much you charge per hour for your training. I will be looking forward to your response. Also which types of credit card do you accept as means of payment ?
Regards,
Smith benson