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The Undisputed Difference
The Heavyweight Champs of San Diego Fight Training
By Brandon Buzarde / Photos by JAMES NORTON
In January,
get one month
free with this ad
Undisputed training center is nestled
on the corner of 16th and K Streets
in downtown’s East Village. Marked
with intentional graffiti and secured
with barbwire fences, Undisputed gives
off an ominous first impression. The
regular passerby would see the MMA/
Boxing/Jiu Jitsu signage as a warning to
all that, here, on this block, is a place to
get hurt and hurt others. Don’t judge a
book by its cover.
Following his vision, Undisputed
downtown owner Ted Johnson opened
this location in 2008. A long-time
boxing and martial arts enthusiast,
Johnson wanted to create a community
training center that facilitates the
beginner, the fitness enthusiast and the
professional, all under the same roof.
“I just saw the need for a place that
people could come and—no matter
what experience level—learn something
and get a great workout,” Johnson says.
With a growing membership base of
400, Undisputed has created success
by offering a huge variety of classes
(set at times to accommodate anyone’s
schedule) for a price that no downtown
facility can beat. Beginners through
intermediates benefit from first-class
instruction and individual attention
not often found in group-fitness today.
“People come in here all the time to get
in shape and accidentally learn how to
fight,” says one of Undisputed Muay
Thai instructors Brett Albee.
The facility’s vast open space
and rugged equipment allow for
unorthodox training applications that
have created quite a buzz among fitness
fanatics. Members can devise Spartanstyle
workouts, implementing tractor
tires, sledgehammers and large vessel
ropes. Featuring only the essential
equipment, an outdoor weight yard,
reminiscent of Venice, California’s
Muscle Beach, offers that old-schoolgym
vibe that traditional bodybuilders
made famous. The full-size, regulation
boxing ring makes up-and-coming
local pros feel like heavyweight champs.
“This place is like the Cheers of gyms,”
says Undisputed member Ryan Girard.
“Sometimes you want to go where
everybody, including the owner, knows
your name.”
Undisputed has impacted its
surrounding area by pioneering the
business community past 15th Street.
“The presence of Undisputed in the
area has helped other businesses sustain
and attract new business,” says one
local business owner.
Kids from all over the neighborhood
take part in a youth outreach
program called The Undisputed Kids
Foundation, which, for a minimal
price, allows local youth to take part in
instructional boxing classes focused on
positively channeling energy and staying
out of trouble.
A family environment that reaches
out to its community and provides a
first-class service at a great price is the
Undisputed difference. See you there.
“The presence of
Undisputed in the
area has helped other
businesses sustain and
attract new business,”
says one local
business owner.
Undisputed 320 16th Street
San Diego CA 92101 619-450-6999 www.undisputeddowntown.com