About me
Coaching is a partnership. I care about my clients, their development and their long term health and happiness.
My philosophy
Since starting Barnburner, I've met hundreds of people of all ages and abilities.
This has taught me that boxing and conditioning is something anyone can develop and enjoy.
I coach boxing training and fitness as a long term lifestyle choice.
I don’t believe in unsustainable crash courses that set you up for failure.
I am patient, encouraging and realistic.
I will never ask anyone to to do anything they are not prepared for.
-
I found competitive boxing in my mid 30s.
I represented the Empire School of Boxing in the first ‘Masters’ division.
I then joined the club’s coaching staff, working with stellar coaches and talented boxers.
After 10 happy years at Empire, I started my own training service — Barnburner Boxing and Fitness.
-
I have all the required qualifications to train you in a safe, welcoming environment.
I am a Level 2 England Boxing coach — this means I’m qualified to run my own gym.
I am an Onnit Certified Trainer — I can teach you how to train with functional fitness tools
I am DBS checked.
I am First Aid trained.
I have public liability insurance.
-
Corporate clients:
Engie UK
Ernst & Young Global
Family Gateway
Procter & Gamble
Teleperformance UK
Quorum Business Park
Rise North East
Girl Guides
The Sea Scouts
Testimonials
If you're looking for an affordable 1 to 1 training session that's tailored exactly to your needs then Barnburner Boxing is well worth a shot. It won't take Neil long to work out what's best for you, but he'll listen to what you want to get out of your time and adjust the session to suit. Neil is a very knowledgeable and progressive boxing coach with his roots set firmly in the old school ethic. He's one of the genuinely good guys.
— BC, Choppington
Ideal place for a beginner to learn boxing at an affordable price. It's 1 on 1 so you get the full attention for the whole session. Neil is a really good, very patient coach and he's really canny in general. I've been 3 times now and each time it's been the fastest hour as I'm enjoying it that much.
— Mark, Blyth
Brilliant trainer, really good environment and couldn't be more helpful!
— Matthew, Blyth
Ideal place to train. Very professional and very friendly service. Top guy and lovely with it. I would highly recommend Neil as your personal trainer.
— Christine, Blyth
Great trainer, knows his stuff and friendly to deal with.
— Michael Ashington
Neil offers a great professional service. His knowledge on the sport of boxing and eye for detail is visible from the first session. If you want to learn the intricacies of boxing or the conditioning elements, I could not recommend Barnburner Boxing enough.
— Jonny, Blyth
Scrapbook
Places and faces from my time in boxing.
With Les Welsh, my coach and mentor. A lovely man and an elite boxing mind.
Boxing days. 9st 4lbs.
With two of the Stewart brothers. Real characters.
Some of the 2010 Empire boxing squad.
With Leon and Cameron. Two very talented young boxers that I was privileged to work with.
In my early coaching days I kept my eyes open and mouth shut. I learned from the very best coaches.
With Big Tony after a win. My kind of boxer — a serious guy in the ring — a perfect gentleman outside.
Another win!
Boxing community displays with my friend Mark 'Mez' Richardson.
Next generation!
Early Barnburner days.
Group training at Engie. The nicest of people. They helped me find my feet in my early solo days.
Personal training. With former Newcastle Utd star Olivier Bernard.
So, who’s in?
Contact me for more information.