KarateBuilt Grand Rapids

"This is the Go-To place for families of East GR, Forest Hills, Ada, etc. The discipline, leadership, and self-confidence instilled come from routine attendance and application of lessons. Practice is required for improvement and and when reading negative reviews, they are clearly folks with issues...little to no "reviews" and lack business etiquette to complete a contract when signed. So, they rather show a disgruntled attitude on Google. No surprise. However, with plenty of success stories and happy families participating, i can also say Mr. Flees is a direct, stand up teacher and businessman."

"My daughter is in love with Taekwondo and Karate Built GR and their instructors are the main reason for it. She loves going to her classes and learning from her instructors. We have enjoyed seeing her skills grow over the past year. Furthermore, we appreciate how inclusive this karate school is. We love seeing kids with various disabilities succeed and practice along side our daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Flees, thank you for everything ❤️"

"We started training with the Flees' when my son was small, in the "Karate for Kids" program. Soon, our entire family began training together. We wanted to teach our son martial arts values (i.e., perseverance, respect, self-control, integrity) and we found the program aligned with what we were also hoping to instill (along with "martial arts" structure and a great workout). I appreciated my son answering up "yes Sir" or "yes Ma'am" and being encouraged to do his best while also encouraging others in class, eventually becoming a black belt leader over time. We deliberately signed up for a couple year agreement because we wanted the accountability to continue training and help our son earn his black belt (as we did with him). We knew that we could not teach our son perseverance by quitting, and we wanted to encourage his ongoing training (and our own) through the process of making commitments and following through on achieving a realistic goal (black belt), all transferrable skills for real life (i.e., career, relationships). As we upgraded to the leadership program from the black belt program, we also found the opportunities to help instill leadership traits, while finding areas to transfer these skills in and outside of class (i.e., school, work). My family stuck with KarateBuiltGR/Flees Martial Arts, all earning our advanced black belts (3rd, 4th degree respectively) to help instill perseverance and a "never quit" attitude. The training and consistency has been life changing and accomplished what we hoped to instill in our son when he was younger. There were times that he did not want to go to class or train at home, yet the importance of consistency over time and working towards a big goal has been most valuable now that he is an adult. I would highly recommend KarateBuiltGR for those who are serious and desire an opportunity to train and grow, while also having the consistency and accountability to make a real difference in your child's (or your) life. Good habits and instilling lifelong values only happen through consistency over time. One cannot teach perseverance by quitting, or learn discipline and focus from rapidly jumping from one sport, activity, or fidget to the next when it begins to require work and consistency. Check out KarateBuiltGR!"

"Do NOT under any circumstance go here. They try to pull you in with a "coupon" to make you think you're getting a great deal. Then they make you sign a contract without telling you you're signing a one year contract. We signed our daughter up thinking she could try it to see if she liked it (we even said this multiple times in front of the owner) and if she didn't she could stop. Less than a month into it we decided to stop because she didn't like it and the owner runs the place like a military school- plus he's demeaning. That's when we found out we are under a contract and to cancel we have to pay 2 months payments! We can't afford that and are furious! We feel blindsided and scammed. DO NOT GO THERE!"

"I am the father of the 10y/o who grand father was turned away. The mom doesn't participate in her son's extra curricular activities. So yes the school will turn away people who they don't know. No matter age, race or creed. She is the daughter of said grand father. This is a perfect example of a martial arts studio showing member safety. It will be a year in April our child has gotten 3 different belts. Mom hasn't attended 1 testing cycle. So if you never come to verify who you are Flees ATA has no choice but to follow protocol. To all who complain about money or what they charge, say no! I could not afford the starter but Fleece worked with me. Actually let me name the price. Fleece also has many payment plan options. You would be doing your child an injustice by signing them up for less than a year. Fleece also have a Groupon to try them out. I love it I recommend them."