Boxing Gym Cooper's — Attraction in Detroit

PROS: Multiple locations Multiple disciplines trained They don't go easy on you in general (so you get results) They can work with you on payment plans Multiple instructors (both male and female) Members are looked at as part of one big Cooper's family A lot of training equipment Safety and discipline generally stressed They are good motivators in general

CONS While they purport to offer a whole lot of different systems and martial styles, they tend to steer you to the systems they want you to learn while ignoring what you want. The instructors often don't seem to be on the same page. What one instructor tells you in one class is often contradicted by another instructor in another class. The family feel and atmosphere sometimes strays over into feeling almost cult like. Though they have a lot of good equipment, most of the locations I saw could use better equipment set ups in general (e.g. they need more hanging bags). At certain locations parking can be a problem.

Coopers is a good gym if you want to get in shape, learn basic self defense, martial arts or fighting sports. They don't go easy on you like a lot of places which charge an arm and a leg but, baby and pamper their students because they are afraid of losing paying customers. You will get into shape quickly and learn good basic skills that you will be confident in using in a self defense situation. A lot of places just tell their students what they want to hear and have students walking around thinking they have proficiency and skills they really don't possess. That could get you killed.

On the other hand, Cooper's does have some issues they need to address. Some of the members join for boxing, MMA or other fighting sports but, complain they never get any bouts/fights scheduled despite many promises to the contrary. They also seem to welch on other things. I trained there a while ago and was told multiple times I could train in some different disciplines they claimed they offered but, I was stone walled for months. All indications were that they were feeding me BS the whole time. The head guy, while nice, swore up and down they taught all kinds of different systems which I never saw any traces of. It was like dealing with used car salesmen and cult members all rolled into one.

The basic classes are affordable but, if you want to learn real skills beyond the most rudimentary, you need to get Cooper's private lessons which cost an arm and a leg.

Sometimes some of the classes will shut down out of the blue for extended periods of time with no word from anyone. Also, while questions are not discouraged, they clam up if you ask the "wrong ones" (like, "What happened to such'n such instructor that disappeared a month ago?").

Due to my contract period running out, schedule, and a non training related injury, I stopped training there. At first the training got me into good shape and I progressed on the basics but, shortly after that I realized that the general classes were not set up for much progression beyond learning the basics. You have to pay a lot to go beyond. That, and being given the run-around about other systems they claimed to teach, prompted me to reflect on where I wanted to go from there. I may return but, at this point it's not likely. I wish Cooper's well either way but, their program would be a lot better if they stopped to reorganize it.

If you're serious, it's still better than your typical strip-mall Tae Kwon Do or Aikido class though. If you are just looking for basic self defense and/or staying in shape then Cooper's Gym is certainly above average. If however, you are looking for a specific system, advanced training, and/or competition at an affordable cost, then Cooper's is hit or miss when it comes to...

This is the greatest Dojo/martial arts gym in the United States. Period! It is easily one of the hardest training gyms that takes the success of its students very seriously. However, with that, there is no intimidation factor, no egos and no stress of being "new" or inadequate. All members are treated as family, with each member being seen as an equal student and contributor. From the professional fighters to the single parent, everyone is on equal grounds. What you will notice immediately is that the higher the student's rank, the more willing they are to contribute, help and teach. At Cooper's Gym you learn the essence and become the embodiment of family, honor, knowledge, duty and hope.

Under the tutelage of the world renowned and legendary staff and support group at Cooper's Gym, you will be resurrected and built up as a better version of your idealized self. You not only gain the knowledge of the fighting arts from elite grand masters whom have trained all over the world, but you will understand how to break the limits of your own constructs and those that society has placed on you. You walk in as Clark Kent, but you leave as Superman: powerful but with a gentle, kinder and giving spirit; knowledgeable without the ego; you are humble, but -- God forbid! -- should the time come, you are an absolutely unstoppable force to be reckoned with and feared. This is...

This gym is a welcoming and friendly environment where everyone is treated with respect. The focus on discipline and character development is inspiring, and the instructors do a great job of teaching both martial arts skills and important values. The Grandmaster is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about teaching, he makes sure everbody is learning and not just there he pays attention and he truly cares about his students making it more of a family, he makes sure that everybody there treats eachother with respect and work as a team making every class informative and extremely motivating. Overall, it's a place where you can grow both physically and personally. I truly see myself there in the future,...