About Us

” There is an inner beauty about a woman who believes in herself, who knows she is capable of anything that she puts her mind to. There is a beauty in the strength and determination of a woman who follows her own path, who isnt thrown off by obstacles along the way. There is a beauty about a woman whose confidence comes from experiences; who knows she can fall, pick herself up, and move on. “

A Word from the Founder and CEO of Striking Beauties:

I love the power I feel as I’m wrapping my hands. The exhilaration that overcomes me as I throw punches. The crisp sound of the leather glove smacking the bag. I love the rhythm of combinations. The speed and intensity of throwing hooks and slipping jabs. The challenge of the last 30 seconds in a round. I love the focus and determination that boxing demands of me. The sweat and exhaustion that takes over as I punch, slip, and block. Most of all, I love the confidence and strength I walk out with at the end of my workout.

After falling in love with boxing, I did a lot of research and found there were few, if any, women’s boxing gyms. Yet there were women throughout the world who loved boxing. Women who had experienced the exhilaration and empowerment that I had, but had not found a ring of their own. I read blogs from women in NYC, Australia, and China where women asked one another:

  • “Hey, where can I box and not feel out of place?”
  • “Where can I box that’s not my boyfriend’s gym?”
  • “Where can I get an authentic fighter’s workout, not some cardio-box or aerobic-style class?”
  • ” Where can I go to box with other women, in a comfortable atmosphere while still getting the training of a professional boxer?”
  • And the answers were always the same,” There isn’t any place!”

So, in 2008, in response to all the women searching for a ring of their own, and for those who had yet to experience the benefits of boxing, I created Striking Beauties. A pretty and stylish, yet hardcore studio offering an inviting environment. A place for women of all ages and fitness levels to take their first step into the ring without feeling intimidated! But turning this vision into a successful reality could never have happened without the guidance of some incredible professional and world champion boxers.

Since opening in 2009, I have had the benefit of meeting and working with so many incredible professional female boxers. These amazing boxers have been the inspiration for, and authentication of, our boxing programs. It is under their guidance that our class formats are created, and our instructor certification program (required of every Striking Beauties team member) was established and implemented.

However, its wasn’t until 2023 that we had the honor and privilege of joining forces with the indomitable and inspirational 2x WBC World Champion Christy Martin.

As our newly appointed Chief Program Director, Christy has utilized her world champion skills to enhance and refine our class structure, trainer training and teaching format.

More importantly, Christy has incorporated her strength, tenacity and survival aptitude, gleaned from her life’s experiences , into Striking Beauties’ mission to empower women and girls of all ages.

As the only women’s boxing gym franchise company in the world, we have set the highest standard for a quality boxing regiment and are committed to adhering to this measure.

With workouts and instructor training designed by one of the world’s most iconic and respected world champion professional female boxer we guarantee our members an authentic, challenging, and fun workout each and every time.

Striking Beauties has become the symbol of women who want to do something for themselves. Who want to feel stronger and more confident and walk out of the gym saying, “Yeah! I can do this!” These women are married mothers of triplets, divorced mothers of teenagers, and single mothers of infants. They are single young professionals, corporate executives, and students. They are women in their 60s, 50s, 40s, 30s, 20s, and teens. These women have never exercised and they have run marathons. They are unemployed, and they are opening new businesses. These women have grown up in the projects and they live in posh neighborhoods. They drive motorcycles, pick-up trucks, and Mercedes.

These are the faces of women’s boxing. These are the women of Striking Beauties. Welcome to the gym, the workout, and the lifestyle!

–Dena Paolino