Ballard Boxing & Fitness
A Premier Boxing Academy in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Living in Rancho Santa Margarita means enjoying an active lifestyle surrounded by rolling hills, open trails, and year-round sunshine. It also means having access to fitness options that truly deliver results, not just workouts that feel repetitive or disconnected from specific goals and real progress. Ballard Boxing & Fitness is a true boxing academy, not a generic gym. The focus at Ballard Boxing & Training is on structured boxing training that builds strength, confidence, discipline, and long-term health for people of all ages and experience levels.
Ballard Boxing & Fitness proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and surrounding communities, including Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Irvine and Laguna Beach. Whether you are stepping into a boxing gym for the first time or are looking to sharpen advanced skills, the training programs at Ballard Boxing & Fitness are designed to meet you exactly where you are. With professional coaching, individualized attention, and an environment built on respect and hard work, Ballard Boxing & Fitness ensures clients get into the best shape of their lives while learning authentic boxing technique.
Where Experience Meets Real Results
What truly sets Ballard Boxing & Fitness apart is experience. Gary Ballard brings over 40 years of boxing experience and more than 25 years of experience as a certified personal trainer. In 1997, he was ranked #2 in the world in the super middleweight division and competed for a world championship under legendary promoter Don King. That level of experience is rare, and it is evident in the structure of Gary’s boxing programs.
A Boxing Training Center for All Ages and Skill Levels
Gary’s group boxing classes are designed for beginners, competitors, and everyone in between. Group classes offer a comprehensive boxer’s workout. For those seeking a more personalized approach, private boxing lessons provide one-on-one instruction tailored to specific goals. Newcomers are encouraged to do an initial individual boxing session with Gary to learn boxing basics, including proper stance, footwork, and basic punches.
Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s in South Orange County
Ballard Boxing & Fitness is proud to be one of the few officially certified Rock Steady Boxing affiliates in South Orange County. This specialized boxing program is designed for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease. Through non-contact boxing-inspired workouts, participants work on balance, agility, coordination, endurance, and strength.
Scientific research shows that intense, structured exercise like boxing can help improve motor function and slow symptom progression. Gary’s Rock Steady Boxing classes are tailored to each individual’s abilities, ensuring safety while encouraging participants to challenge themselves. Beyond physical benefits, this program builds confidence, independence, and a strong sense of community.
Group Boxing Classes That Build Community
Group classes are designed to challenge without overwhelming. Each participant progresses at his or her own pace while receiving guidance from an expert boxing coach. Over time, clients notice improvements not only in physical conditioning but also in confidence, posture, and mental toughness.
Private Boxing Lessons and Personal Training
For those who want focused attention or have specific fitness goals they want to achieve, Ballard Boxing & Fitness offers private boxing lessons and personal training. These sessions are ideal for refining technique, accelerating fitness progress, or working around injuries or limitations.
Private sessions with Gary provide customize training plans that align with your lifestyle, schedule, and goals. Whether you want to lose weight, gain strength, prepare for competition, or simply feel more confident, personal boxing sessions provide unmatched flexibility and results.
Youth Boxing and Family-Focused Programs
Families in the community appreciate Gary’s youth and family-focused approach. Gary provides personal training for children ages 4 and older. Group classes are open to children ages 12 and older. Children under 12 may attend group classes when accompanied by an adult or older sibling who can assist them, or if they have previous boxing experience. Gary’s private and group training sessions help young athletes develop coordination, discipline, and confidence in a safe and structured environment. For teaching kids how to channel energy positively, respect themselves and others, and focus and achieve goals, there is no better discipline than the boxing workout.
More Than Fitness: Building Mental Strength and Confidence
Boxing is as much mental as it is physical. Ballard Boxing & Fitness emphasizes mental resilience, stress management, and confidence building. Many people come to Gary seeking more than physical transformation. They want structure, discipline, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Why Train at Ballard Boxing & Fitness
Ballard Boxing & Fitness stands apart because of authentic instruction, unmatched experience, and a genuine commitment to clients. Gary does not believe in shortcuts or trends. He is committed to quality coaching and long-term results.
From beginners to competitive athletes, from children to seniors, everyone trains with Gary and receives the same personalized attention. This consistency creates trust and progress you can feel.
See What Our Students Are Saying
Read More
Read More
Take the First Step Toward a Stronger You
Choosing the right boxing gym changes more than your physical fitness; it transforms how you see yourself. At Ballard Boxing & Fitness, Gary is committed to helping clients build strength, confidence, and resilience through real boxing training. Gary’s private and group training sessions are designed to meet you where you are and guide you forward with expert coaching and genuine support. Whether your goal is starting a fitness routine, fine-tuning technical boxing skills, building confidence, or managing Parkinson’s symptoms through Rock Steady Boxing, Gary is here to help you take that first step. When you are ready to train with purpose and see real results, Gary is ready to work with you.