About
Hi, I’m Dana, founder and Head of the Fight Club at Fight Boys. Martial arts has been a lifelong passion of mine. One that’s taught me discipline, strength, and the value of staying calm in the face of chaos. Through years of training, sparring, and a lot of bruises (the good kind), I’ve come to see self-defense as more than just a skill, it’s a way to reclaim your power and confidence in the world.
Growing up, I realized how often women are told to live in fear: don’t walk alone, don’t wear that, don’t go there. But what if we flipped that narrative? What if we took those what if moments and turned them into not a chance outcomes? Fight Boys was born from the belief that every woman deserves to feel strong, capable, and absolutely unstoppable.
Fight Boys is a women only martial arts studio based in Manhattan with one mission: to teach you how to fight back. We’re not just about kicks and punches; we’re about cultivating confidence, resilience, and that undeniable feeling of I’ve got this. Our classes are designed for women of all skill levels, from beginners testing the waters to experienced fighters looking to sharpen their edge.
Our aesthetic is unapologetically chic. Imagine an atmosphere that feels more like a girl gang than a gym. But make no mistake: we mean business when it comes to your safety and strength.
At Fight Boys, we empower you to navigate the world with confidence, to travel solo, and to live life on your own terms… fearlessly. Because fighting isn’t just for boys, and fear isn’t for us.
FAQs
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I am formally trained in Yoshukai Karate, a traditional Japanese style that translates to "way of the empty hand." The three kanji used to make up the word Yoshukai translate to “training hall of continued improvement”. Using my background, I focus on teaching practical kickboxing techniques and basic self-defense moves designed to build confidence, strength, and safety in real-life situations.
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Gloves are recommended for class. We’ll be working on striking drills. If you bring gloves, you’ll get to work on the pads. If not, no worries, you’ll still be moving through the same combos with shadowboxing. Both are solid, but the gloves just take it up a notch.
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Fight Boys was created as a safe, empowering space for women and girls to learn martial arts and self-defense without the intimidation or pressure that can often come with co-ed environments. It’s about fostering confidence, strength, and independence in a community designed for us, by us.
Statistically, women are more likely to experience violence and harassment, and traditional martial arts settings can sometimes feel unwelcoming or inaccessible. Fight Boys flips that narrative. This isn’t about excluding men. It’s about prioritizing a space where women feel seen, heard, and empowered to focus on themselves without distraction.
The name “Fight Boys” is part of the mission: to encourage women to feel capable of defending themselves, whether against fear, challenges, or actual danger. It’s bold and unapologetically us.
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Please wear comfortable, breathable clothing that you would normally work out in at a gym. Please no clothing items or accessories with components that could snag on gear or revealing clothing as you will be moving around a lot. Closed-toed sneakers and bare feet are allowed.
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We are a hybrid of both. Combining martial arts inspired fitness with practical self-defense techniques.
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While Fight Boys draws inspiration from traditional martial arts, we’ve reimagined the experience to be modern, accessible, and tailored specifically for women and girls. Traditional dojos often emphasize formalities, rigid structures, and co-ed environments, which can sometimes feel intimidating or unwelcoming.
Fight Boys takes a fresh approach: we blend the discipline and techniques of martial arts with a fun, empowering atmosphere designed to build confidence and community. Our classes focus on practical kickboxing and self-defense skills, emphasizing real-world applications over traditional rituals. We also embrace a chic, playful aesthetic that reflects our mission. Because self-defense can be stylish, bold, and unapologetically fierce.