Ever wondered what goes on at St Pancras Amateur Boxing Club?

What would you consider to be an increasingly popular sports choice for women in the neighbourhood? Swimming? Spinning? Yoga?

Boxing is unlikely to top the list. But there is good reason why it should. St Pancras Amateur Boxing Club on Talacre Road NW5 has seen a big rise in the numbers of its female boxers – over 60% since the 2012 Games – and much of it has to do with Nicola Adams’ sporting success.

“Boxing is more accessible to people now; I think a lot of is definitely because of the Olympic Games,” says Sayid (CJ) Hussein, the club’s head trainer. “They’ve seen young girls like Nicola Adams winning gold and women have come to the benefits of boxing. Before, they were too intimidated by going in to a boxing club, thinking it’s a man’s thing.”

Already one of the UK’s oldest amateur boxing clubs – it opened way back in 1900 – up until now St Pancras has mainly nurtured male talent. Its make-up is largely young men from local communities: aspiring professional boxers and kids keen to have a go. While some individuals may have struggled with behavioural difficulties or impoverished backgrounds, others are brought along by parents for a confidence boost.

But the gender make-up is undoubtedly changing. CJ says 78 women have registered since the start of this year alone, with six to twelve women now regularly training every Tuesday or Thursday evenings. Most are aged from 20-35 and many make the initial approach themselves, often through word-of-mouth recommendations.

While weight loss may be a benefit for recruits, CJ stresses it isn’t the initial motivator. “They come in to box and learn a bit of self-defence because it’s good for their confidence. Of course, boxing is great for conditioning so they’re getting the whole package: learning to fight and lose weight.”

One of these is Kentishtowner Orla. “The quality of the training is excellent and CJ and the coaches are really committed,” she says. “They push you really hard – there’s no way I’d work even 50% that hard if I was on my own in the gym.”

It’s hardly surprising that you hear many new recruits soon give up their local gym memberships, not only for a cheaper workout (£5 per session for adults) but for what it typically entails. Skipping, sparring, boxing stances and manoeuvres, punch bags and circuit work all feature in a standard workout.

The rising figures at St Pancras tally with what’s happening with the sport at grassroots levels nationally. Figures released from Sports England in June 2013 showed there was a 79% increase in the numbers of females boxing once a week after the 2012 games.

And with women’s boxing set to make its Commonwealth Games debut at Glasgow on July 23, this figure seems set to rise once again.

Silvia, another local female boxer who joined St Pancras a year ago, says she believe the sport is receiving recognition in the media and in the community. “When I started at the club, there were probably three or four girls. At the beginning you start talking a little more with the girls than you do with the boys, but in the end, it’s fine. The environment is pretty friendly.” Like Orla, she praises the quality of the training, the commitment of the trainers and the diversity of the club, which deviates from the typical ‘branded’ gym.

It’s easy to see why the club is rated so highly, not just by its attendees but also by Camden Council and community groups. Despite its low-key external presence on Talacre Road, inside it has first-class services thanks to a massive refurbishment in 2012, which brought new coaches, equipment and a spacious environment for members. The French Olympic team even spent time there in training for the 2012 games. “If it was a hotel,” says CJ, with a smile, “I reckon we’d get five stars.”