I tried a "Barbell Class" with my neighbor and I had a good experience. The class size was small-only three other people were in the class, which made for a nice environment. The trainer was friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He demonstrated all movements in a way that was easy to understand and he was patient with members when they had questions. All the members were warm and welcoming. The structure of the class was clever. We did some interval warm-ups, which had twenty-five seconds of work and twenty seconds of rest. The movements included mountain climbers, bird dogs, plank holds, push-ups, and other movements. Then we did five pull-ups and ten tricep over the head extensions. Then we did some mobility work-things like lunges, cossack squats, hip rotations, and arm rotations. After that, we did bench presses with a pause at the bottom and single-arm dumbbell bent-over rows. Then we did hip thrusters and farmer carry's and we finished the workout with some barbell bicep curls, some high band side steps and some sled pushes. My muscles were definitely feeling the burn at an increasing rate as the class went on. If I had to nitpick then I would say that there wasn't enough time to complete all of the movements and the gym is small. I imagine the gym would feel crowded if there were more than five people attending a class. When we got to "event #3," which included the barbell bicep curls, high band side steps, and sled pushes, we were given only seven minutes to complete it. Because it's important to stretch at the end of a workout, I respected the time cap on this section. But, I think there should have been a time cap on all three events. That would have prevented us from feeling rushed at the end. Go check this place out! I would like to come back and try one of their kettlebell classes. read more

My wife and I have been going to Michigan Kettlebells for over two months now. We joined via a Groupon to try something different other than the traditional type of gym and standard treadmill workout. We couldn't be happier. Initial impressions just trying to find the place and walking in were not what I was expecting. If you are used to walking into a Lifetime Fitness with tons of equipment, throw that idea away. Michigan Kettlebells is tucked into a small commercial and storage complex. Once you walk in, you will see this is a large renovated garage and sets the mood for the workouts to come. You will learn to love it. There is a wide variety of people who attend. Classes generally have 10-15 people in them and have a 60/40 mix of men to women. Age ranges from ~16 - 60 years old across many different skill levels from beginners to marathon runners. Everyone is very supportive and a great crowd to workout with. The workouts are different every single day I have attended, but maintain the core principal to increase general strength and fitness. This is done through Kettlebell training in additional to raw,"backyard" type of workouts such as tractor tire flipping, sand bag lifting, push ups, pull ups and everything in between. Craig, the primary instructor, is very knowledgeable and an overall great guy. His wife, Dawn, holds female only boot camp classes on Sunday which my wife attends. She is loving those as well. A third trainer Derek, is another great asset to the gym. All I can say is do yourself a favor and check this out, I am happy I did. read more

Michigan Kettlebells Strength & Training Center - Gyms Near Me - Troy, Michigan

When my friend saw this Groupon and thought it would be a fun thing for us all to do, I was extremely hesitant. "Group" fitness classes have never really been my thing. I decided to go along with it, since it was only 5 classes and thought it might be a good way to make time for my friends. Needless to say, I went to the first class and have been hooked ever since! I agree with the other reviewers though, you can't just do the intro class and decide, you have to try a full on class. You will be energized and feel great afterward.. if not a little bit whooped from what you just accomplished... in a good way. I have since got my husband to join. We are both a little competitive so this class creates a little friendly competition between us, which only pushes us harder. It's a great way to work out together! The instructors are great and the atmosphere is fun and collaborative. Everyone there is rooting for you to succeed, no matter your fitness level, so don't be intimidated if you aren't in top notch shape. You find yourself pushing yourself harder then you realized you could, yet you don't feel like you have to. I am definitely stronger then I was since I started doing the classes, and the range of motion on my injured shoulder has greatly improved! read more

I have done 2 of the Sunday Bootcamps by Dawn and they are great. Getting back on track health wise has been really hard for me, and they have such a wealth of knowledge about diet and training there. I was sick of wanting to puke every time I worked out with a trainer at another gym, so I gave it a shot. 1st class I thought " Hey this is cool.. I am working hard but I am not about to pass out" and really thought that maybe I wasn't working hard enough... the next day I could barely sit down to pee lol. Long story short, you will get a great workout that is productive, not debilitating. You will get support if you ask for it diet and nutrition wise ( You can even get food shopping lists and diet plans for a small added cost ), and you will get a gym that doesn't have a bunch of people just wanting to be seen. It's private, constructive, and effective. read more

Something like this is what we have all been waiting for. The classes are built for all abilities which ensures all are able to attend and get the most out of it, as well as each class being varied each week so there is no chance in getting bored. The facility itself is always spotlessly clean, well set out and you're never waiting around for the instructor. The Instructors Craig / Derek / Sean / Gary all give great individualized encouragement and instruction when needed. read more

This is not a gym it is family. From the very first day you are welcomed with opened arms. I am a novice at working out but that does not matter here. The encouragement from the coaches and members is outstanding. The coaches only ask that you give your all in each class. All members encourage you to finish and push you to give you best. Like a said at the beginning you do not realize this is a gym because everyone makes you feel like family. read more

I decided to not go back to Michigan Kettlebells due to a lack of customer service and an environment that is not conducive to my exercising. I asked that the music be turned down during each of my sessions as I found it terribly distracting and nearly impossible to hear Craig the owner/trainer during the sessions. Only once was the music volume lowered. I even started wearing earplugs that were provided at the location. It seems to me if you're offering ear-plugs you know the music is too loud. I bought a two month UNLIMITED group-on with a friend and after 3 sessions I wrote a letter to Craig, the owner/founder and opened a dialogue for the 4th time about the noise level being droned into me with the music. I understand that many people enjoy music as a motivator but music so loud that I felt myself being subjected to I found myself literally angry that my head was pounding at the end of the sessions. Here are my letter's contents... "I'm not sure if I'll be returning to the kettlebells....I've really enjoyed the actual exercises. But I cannot deal with the music being played. I'm just too sensitive to the volume as by the end of the class I literally feel angry by the pounding in my head." I found the response of "Good luck and keep going" to be totally lacking in trying to make an environment where a paid member could continue. I sincerely was miffed that in his response he could have said he would lower the music and encouraging me to return, as I feel its something easily worked out. I know this is a hobby to the owner, not his full time gig, but every business has to respond to the customers needs when expressed. I do not feel he really wanted me to get the most out of the membership I already paid for. I find this attitude discouraging to say the least. read more

The owner, Craig, is awesome at explaining all the moves and techniques. I took my first Kettlebell class here and I learned so much in just 1 hour. I really like that the instructors take the time to correct everyone's form in order to prevent injury and provides pointers on how to improve. He is a great motivator, and I cannot wait to go back and start burning the calories. The only con is that this place is a little hard to find! It is on Snell Industrial (right off Rochester Rd). But once you've been there, you'll know how to get there. read more

I started training with the owner Craig back in June 2011, doing bootcamp workouts in a park in Berkley and have been hooked ever since. I was used to the same old gym workout and Craig introduced me to a new exciting and efficient way to build strength and conditioning using kettlebells, bodyweight, strongman exercises, sandbags, battle ropes, etc. Also, my flexibility has improved tremendously due to the dynamic stretching and mobility. Training at Michigan Kettlebells with a group has pushed me harder than ever in my life, members are very supportive and encourage you to achieve your fitness goals. Craig brings an enthusiastic passion that is contagious and years of expertise in strength training, nutrition, and injury free training. He is constantly educating himself on the latest training trends and nutrition. Derek is the other trainer and World's Toughest Mudder competitor, who started back in June 2011 with me and does great job creating unique intense workouts. Come check it out, you won't regret it. read more

They kicked my butt into shape in 2016 --That's what I wanted. Staff and people are very supportive; my wife and I were the least in shape people in the classes and I never felt out of place; everyone is cool. I don't go there now because I am training for a half marathon. If we didn't show up for a couple of days the staff would reach out to us and see if everything was ok. I liked that. I lost 19 pounds in six months and I think I gained muscles: I liked that too: I never ever lifted a weight or a kettle bell before last June. My two collage age daughters think we are animals!!! read more

This place is AMAZING! I'm going to hold off on talking about the staff for a sec and focus on the members that make Michigan Kettlebells what it is. From the first time I walked into Craig Sylvester's sweat shop to this day (just a few weeks after) I am greeted with smiles, hand shakes and fist pumps. Just today as I arrived early for a workout, I was faced with a chorous of, "Hi Drew", from some long-time members who were already working out. I felt like I had just stepped into "Cheers"! Everyone makes you feel right at home and are quick to assist you if needed. Michigan Kettlebells is the TRUE "Judgement-Free Zone". There are a wide variety of individuals with varying fitness levels and backgrounds training here--from soccer moms to current military members and athletes--and all egos are left at the door! No one is competing to best another, rather each and every individual is competing against their personal best. It seems to be ingrained in the culture of MKB that no one individual is greater than the sum of its parts. I truly enjoy the "team" or "tribe" mentality--MKB isn't a gym made up of bricks and wood; it's a gym made up of passionate individuals seeking more out of life through the pursuit of optimal fitness. Now, the trainers: Craig Sylvester, the owner, leads the trio of passionate, knowledgeable and highly capable trainers/coaches. Craig may look (and sound) a bit intimidating initially, but is truly one of the kindest individuals I have come across. He has a genuine passion for teaching his craft and exudes the friendliness and positive energy that displays through MKB members. Jon, a KB Sport coach, and Derrik, an endurance athlete and a top finisher in the World's Toughest Mudder, complete the trainer trio. These gentlemen are more than willing to share with you their wealth of knowledge and will ensure you have the necessary tools to meet your personal fitness goals. The programs and classes here are tough and challenging. When you combine Craig's imposing stature, the raw, stripped-down, no-nonsense aura of the facility, and the intensity of the workouts, the initial experience may be slightly uncomfortable. You will--as I did--quickly get comfortable with the "uncomfortable". You will quickly realize--as I did--that a trip outside of the Comfort Zone is exactly what is needed to achieve anything great out of life--whether it be a promotion, a marriage, weight loss, strength, a championship, WHATEVER! The workouts send the message that the present challenge, the current pain will result in future achievements and accomplishments. So when you're ready to leve behind the bland monotonous routine of the big box corporate facilities, take a drive down Rochester Rd and check out Michigan Kettlebells. It'll be an experience you won't soon for get and can't wait to repeat! read more

I started working out with Craig in the summer of 2011 when he ran a boot camp and helped me train for a kettlebell competition. When he opened the Michigan Kettlebell Strength and Training Center, it was a no-brainer to join! The group classes here are geared towards improving strength and fitness using body weight, kettlebells, traditional weights, and fun tools like sandbags, sleds, sledgehammers and tires. I find these classes to be more challenging and more rewarding than any other group fitness classes I have tried over the years. Craig is a great instructor who is always incorporating newly learned techniques. His wife, Dawn, is a wealth of health, nutrition and fitness information. And Derek brings his enthusiasm and experience with personal fitness to the classes he teaches. I recommend this gym to those who want to see drastic improvements in their strength and conditioning. Kettlebell training is a great foundation for any other sport-specific training you want to apply it to! read more

I am not one to post reviews, but this is one that needs to be done. I have been a member of Michigan Kettlebells for just over a year now and it will be difficult to express in words how awesome this place is and how good it has been for my physical & mental well-being but I will give it a try! Since I have been going to Michigan Kettlebells regularly for over a year, I have seen more than my fair share of workouts, so this is no flash in the pan trial period review. After years of running and doing my own weight training, (sometimes with a personal trainer), and experimenting with other class based programs, I needed a change. I needed to step outside of my comfort zone and dig deeper. Michigan Kettlebells was just the ticket. I found it after reading up on kettlebells and searching "kettlebells" online and read the reviews here and other places and figured, what the heck...turns out it was the best decision I have made in a long time. The intro classes were informative and helpful but as other reviewers state, you have to go to a real class to get the full experience. Don't give up after one or two classes - keep going! Try all the various classes and please don't be afraid of Endurance or Barbell classes...they are amazing! Yoga sounds like it's all zen...it is sort of...then you do 20 minutes or so of serious kettlebell work that will make you sweat and smile thru it because you were all yoga-zen-like from the first half of class. This is better than one on one training in my opinion because you meet wonderful members who have various workout goals and are super friendly and you are not just sweating it out with your trainer standing over you. You have partners in crime right there with you, pushing you to do your best and encouraging you when you succeed. For me, it was intimidating walking into my first few classes because everyone seemed to know each other already, but after a bit I loosened up and found the positive attitudes and camaraderie among the members refreshing. You may be sweating your butt off and breathing hard during class with coaches Craig, Drew, Melanie or Sheila but there will be at least one wise-crack and some good-natured teasing in there somewhere to make you smile and push thru from one of your fellow MKB-ers. The coaches are all awesome. They get to know you and push you to be better in the nicest way possible. It may look intimidating with the kettlebells and plates stacked up, but it is the friendliest place to get your sweat on thanks to the members and coaches. The small class sizes (9-12 people max) help the coaches give you individualized attention and keep you moving forward towards your goals. The price is beyond reasonable for the classes and training you get. Every class is different and you don't know what you are walking into so you aren't getting bored or just going thru the same old motions. You know you want to try something new so just do it! Get the intro classes done and then commit to trying all of the classes offered for 2 months. Give yourself time to see results and get to know the coaches and people of MKB. I promise you will thank yourself for taking that chance on a small garage-style, local firefighter owned gym, with no gimmicks or tanning beds or smoothie stations built in that detract from your main goals of getting fit, stronger, healthier, leaner and/or meaner, whatever they may be! read more

I'm a seasonal runner so for the winter I needed something else that didn't involve being outside. I found Michigan Kettlebell Strength & Training Center from a Groupon. I enjoy going to the classes and look forward to them. Everyone that attends the classes are motiving and friendly. You'll actually make some friends from the classes. It's kinda like a small family. I'm definitely much stronger now then I was 6 months ago when I first joined. I'm seeing definition in places that I've never had before from running and yoga. It's a great workout and you'll feel exhilarated after. Each day is a different workout so you can go everyday and not feel like you've done the same thing. The instructors are all fantastic. If you haven't tried Michigan Kettlebell Strength & Training Center, I highly, highly recommend it. But, you can't just try the free intro class and decide if you like it or not. You really need to purchase a few classes and I promise you'll be hooked. read more

I joined Michigan Kettlebells over a year ago and can honestly say it was a great move. I'm one of the older guys in the group and have always prided myself in staying fit and adhering to a good diet but these workouts have put me in my best shape in decades.....and it's fun! As others have said, no two workouts are the same - which keeps you interested, and although you work at your own pace, the group keeps you motivated - to push just a little bit harder! The instructors are knowledgeable and I consider them friends....and I've yet to meet a member or guest who wasn't nice......come in and check it out! read more