If you are young, talented, and interested in competing, this is a great school. There are lots of opportunities to compete and lots of extra training to make you top notch. If you are anyone else, i.e. not young, not interested in competing, this is a terrible school. You are treated like a cash cow for the competitors. I was a member for over a year, not ONCE did an instructor correct a technique, adjust a stance, or give individual advice. Classes are run like machines. Everyone does the same thing at the same time with the instructor barely looking at the students. When the class is finished, the next one comes in so there are no opportunities to ask questions. The classes are physically demanding so you definitely get a good workout but if you are interested in being a better martial artist, forget it. If all you want is a workout, you are better off joining their cardio kick boxing class (which is very good). I've been a student in martial arts classes in Toronto, Ottawa, London (England), and San Francisco. I had high hopes for Douvris since they have a great competing reputation. However, my competing days are behind me and I was disappointed that at Douvris, the instructors would not look twice at me, despite my obvious enthusiasm and passion for martial arts. If you are a student of the martial arts and over 30, this is not the school for you. read more

I have been going to Douvris since the beginning of February, 2016. I signed up for the Total Body Training program. This allowed me to attend up to 10 classes per week. The classes range from Power (boxing gloves and punching bag), Precision (team up with someone and practice sparring with boxing gloves), and Strength (exercise with weights and cardio). Each class is led by an enthusiastic and friendly instructor who know their routines. They inspire and motivate us, along with the great music playing in the background. At first, I was attending three classes per week. But, after a few months, I upped that to four classes per week. I am feeling fantastic! I have lost at least 2 inches on my waist and have gained 5 pounds. No, that isn't fat. :) Tomorrow, I am moving to Orleans, so I won't be going here anymore. I will miss it greatly. I thoroughly recommend this location if you are wanting to get in shape in a fun and entertaining way. read more

many of their techniques have been modified and don't transfer to other locations. Lack of correction in stances also causes terrible habits for the future; lack of knowledge of traditional Karate interferes with progression. read more

The instructors corrected no one, and it felt like a family, which excluded the new members. The instructors were constantly bickering, and I didn't feel welcome. read more

Quite frankly the best family oriented martial arts club in Ottawa. At first I was sceptical that the club could really be as good as portrayed on Douvris martial arts facebook page but it turns out the members really are that active and what you see is what you get. read more

I went in to see what this place was like with a friend of mine who has a child in a class. I was not impressed. It seems like the instructors just walked around and only corrected certain kids and joked around with those same kids but other kids who were clearly making mistakes weren't being corrected at all. Pretty much being ignored. And the staff seemed pretty chit chatty with some parents and gossipy. I wasn't impressed with what I saw and won't be pursuing a membership based on what I saw. read more

I am not young and will probably never compete, but I really enjoy learning Karate at Douvris Ottawa West. There are people at all different levels of ability who practice there - it is inspiring to see people overcome physical and mental disabilities and be their best. I am now a green belt and hope to one day reach black. The atmosphere is non-competitive and cooperative, but also very physically challenging. I recommend it! read more

I would warn/remind everyone about their "ongoing enrollment" charges policy, and about the assumption that a small business will be kinder and more flexible with members who invest in them spite of the above-average cost. The Douvris I met at the beginning when I was cautiously singing on was not the same Douvris I spoke with at the end! I tried to cancel my ongoing enrollment the first chance I had, on the first business day of the month (since the first day of the month was on a weekend) and they said there was nothing they could do. They were neither friendly nor accommodating on the phone when I asked about my payment options, and one woman actually accused me of not keeping an "open line of communication" with them during my membership months. I paid a lot of money in the past four months and I thought a small business would be friendlier and more accommodating to their members, especially since I emphasized how much I enjoyed Douvris. I realized that while they brand themselves as a family business, they are actually just like every other gym. I was not treated like someone who had invested in their small business out of choice. They made so much money off of me that I guess I expected to be treated better. I had hoped to renew my membership sometime in the future, but after uncomfortable phone conversations with several staff that made me feel small, I am sad to say I am no longer motivated to do so. I will not renew my membership, and I will not recommend that anyone check out Douvris as a fitness option. read more

If I could give 0 stars, I would. Two of the positive reviews listed on this site are fake - one is from the owner himself (J D) and the other is from the web guy who works for them (Jeffrey M)! What a joke! I had been with Douvris for MONTHS - if you're not an active competitor, they don't give a crap about you. If you're not making your monthly payments, they don't give a crap. If you're not a close, personal friend of theirs, they don't give a crap. Classes are overrun, instructors only pay attention to people who are active in competition. Everyone else just gets left out. You never have a chance to ask questions, since classes are back to back. On MANY occassions I have witnessed the owner himself screaming and using foul, abusive language at both staff members AND customers for various reasons. Staff are treated like shit if you make even the smallest of mistakes, and from what I saw, penilized and left out for making innocent mistakes. This is the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen. I have been with multiple clubs/gyms in my life, and this one wins hands down for the most unprofessional. They give their close friends/family huge discounts on memberships, then charge the rest of us an arm and a leg to make up for it. Furthermore, if you're looking for reliability in terms of schedule, DO NOT come here. They cancel classes when they see fit, and provide next to no notice when doing so. Also, don't expect to get their prices from them by calling in. They won't give their prices over the phone. They simply tell you they can't, and that they have to book you in for an actual class before doing so. So you literally have to go in and pay to take a class before they'll even give you prices. Oh, and the staff are generally more interested in talking amoungst themselves then acknowledging you. Do yourself a favour and don't go to Douvris - it's one of the worst run establishments I've ever been in. You'll only end up wasting your time and your money. read more