Empowered Athletics: Premier Gymnastics Training in Grand Rapids, MI

Empowered Athletics Introduce

Introduction / Overview

Empowered Athletics, situated in Grand Rapids, Michigan, stands out as a leading facility dedicated to the sport of gymnastics. Categorized as a Gymnastics Center and a Gymnastics Club, this is not a general fitness gym but a specialized environment focused entirely on providing structured, high-quality training for children of all ages and skill levels. Its mission extends beyond mere physical skill development, aiming to instill crucial life skills such as great character, integrity, confidence, and teamwork in young athletes.

The center’s philosophy, embodied by dedicated coaches like Joe and Emily, emphasizes thoughtful progression—balancing encouragement with consideration for a child's emotional and mental readiness. For parents across West Michigan seeking a wholesome, positive, and results-driven athletic experience for their children, Empowered Athletics has earned a strong reputation. Customer loyalty is high, with one parent noting they would never consider switching, despite living minutes from another facility. This dedication stems from a community-focused environment where athletes are actively encouraged to cheer on their teammates and competitors alike, creating a distinctly positive and supportive atmosphere rarely found in competitive sports. The facility is well-equipped to support a diverse range of programs, from initial preschool classes to advanced competitive training.

Location and Accessibility

Located conveniently within Grand Rapids, Empowered Athletics makes its specialized programs accessible to families throughout the area and surrounding communities in Kent County, Michigan. The facility’s address places it in an easily reachable commercial area, ensuring smooth drop-off and pickup logistics for busy parents.

The complete address for the gymnastics center is: 3470 Roger B Chaffee Memorial Blvd SE E, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, USA.

The gym is designed to be welcoming and accessible to everyone in the local Michigan community. Key accessibility and facility features include:

Wheelchair accessible entrance: Provides barrier-free access for individuals utilizing mobility aids.
Wheelchair accessible parking lot: Dedicated parking spaces are available for easy access to the facility.
Wheelchair accessible restroom: Ensures comfort and convenience for all patrons.
Amenities: The facility offers clean Restrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi for parents waiting during classes or training sessions.
Accepted Payments: For ease of registration and class payments, the center accepts both Credit cards and Debit cards.
Child-Friendly: The environment is rated as "Good for kids," reinforcing its focus on youth sports.

Services Offered

Empowered Athletics provides a comprehensive array of gymnastics programs designed to accommodate every child, from their very first introduction to the sport through to high-level competitive training. Programs are structured by age and skill level to ensure safe and continuous athletic growth.

The specialized services and classes offered include:

Gymnastics For Preschoolers / Preschool Classes: Age-appropriate programs that teach fundamental listening skills, gross motor control, and body awareness through fun, creative warm-ups and activities.
Beginner Class: Introductory lessons for school-aged children new to the sport, focusing on basic skills and proper technique on all Olympic events.
Intermediate Class: Programs for athletes who have mastered the basics and are ready to tackle more complex skills and progressions.
Advanced Class: High-level training for experienced gymnasts, often following an invite or evaluation-only entry to ensure proper placement and safety.
Recreational Program: Fun and instructional classes for co-ed school-aged children who want to enjoy the benefits of gymnastics without the commitment of a competitive team.
Women's Gymnastics: Programs focused on all four traditional women's events—Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam, and Floor Exercise.
Boys Classes / Men's Gymnastics: Specialized programs dedicated to men's gymnastics, emphasizing strength, coordination, and event-specific skills like Rings, Pommel Horse, and Parallel Bars. The facility boasts one of the state's best and fastest-growing men's programs.
Gymnastics Training: General, focused training sessions designed to build strength, flexibility, and physical foundation beneficial for all sports.
Open Gyms: Unstructured time allowing children to practice skills or simply enjoy the equipment in a safe, semi-supervised environment.

Features / Highlights

Empowered Athletics distinguishes itself in the Michigan youth sports landscape through its unique coaching philosophy and its commitment to developing well-rounded young people.

Focus on Holistic Development: Coaches prioritize physical progression alongside a child's emotional and mental well-being, helping them overcome fears and build genuine confidence in a non-pressured environment.
Exceptional Character Building: The coaching staff actively instills "great character and integrity" in the children, evidenced by the gym's community reputation for its athletes who are always smiling, cheering for their teammates, and showing support for gymnasts from rival teams at competitions.
Expert, Award-Winning Coaching: The team includes highly experienced and decorated coaches (like the 2023 Men's Coach of the Year for Michigan), ensuring high-level instruction that has produced state and national champions.
Safety and Mindful Progression: Coaches are highly mindful of proper progression to reduce injury risk. They communicate with parents and even follow physical therapist recommendations for healing athletes, demonstrating a deep commitment to the long-term health of the children.
Strong Boys' Program: The facility is noted for having one of the best and quickest growing Men's Gymnastics programs in Michigan, making it a premier destination for boys interested in the sport.
Dedicated to All Levels: From the youngest preschoolers learning to listen and conquer simple fears to competitive athletes pursuing national titles, the center provides a dedicated, fun, and kid-friendly environment for every stage of development.

Contact Information

Families in the Grand Rapids area interested in exploring gymnastics classes, open gym times, or competitive team information can contact Empowered Athletics using the details below.

Address: 3470 Roger B Chaffee Memorial Blvd SE E, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, USA

Phone: (616) 552-3213

Mobile Phone: +1 616-552-3213

What is Worth Choosing

For parents across Michigan who are vetting a gymnastics facility for their child, Empowered Athletics is worth choosing because it delivers a rare combination of high-caliber training and genuine developmental support. This is more than just a place to learn flips; it is an institution for character development.

The primary reason to choose Empowered Athletics is the proven, positive impact of its coaching staff. Coaches Joe and Emily and their team do not adhere to an aggressive, "win-at-all-costs" mentality. Instead, they prioritize the athlete's emotional and mental journey, ensuring that skills are developed at a pace that builds confidence, as one parent stated, by helping their daughter overcome fears with "constant care and consideration." The visible difference is clear at meets, where Empowered Athletics athletes stand out for their cheerful, supportive demeanor, rather than looking stressed or expressionless.

Furthermore, the gym’s commitment to providing robust programs for both Women's and Men's Gymnastics, including one of the state's best boys' programs, ensures that every child finds a challenging and appropriate path regardless of gender or aspiration. Whether a child is looking for the simple, joyful movement of the recreational program, or the rigorous, goal-oriented environment of advanced training, Empowered Athletics provides a positive, fun, and highly professional foundation, making it a blessing and a highly recommended choice for West Michigan families.

Empowered Athletics Services

Gymnastics Center
Advanced Class
Beginner Class
Boys Classes
Gymnastics For Preschoolers
Gymnastics Training
Intermediate Class
Men's Gymnastics
Open Gyms
Preschool Classes
Recreational Program
Women's Gymnastics

Empowered Athletics Details

Service options
Online classes

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom

Amenities
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards

Children
Good for kids

Empowered Athletics Photos

Empowered Athletics Location

Empowered Athletics

Michigan Kent County Grand Rapids Roger B Chaffee Memorial Boulevard Southeast

3470 Roger B Chaffee Memorial Blvd SE E, Grand Rapids, MI 49548, USA

Empowered Athletics Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 30 user reviews.

skillscompetitiveparentscommunicationboysseasonsdeskratiosriskcleanliness

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Great coaches who instill great character and integrity into your children whilst teaching them gymnastics. Joe and Emily are so kind and great coaches and it shows through the love that is given back to them via the gymnastics community and families. Parents from other gyms have come up to me at meets and told us how great our gym is for supporting others and staying until the last gymnast has finished their routine.
March 15 · Paul Leason
My 11 year old daughter has been with this gym since she started gymnastics at age 6. I have a gym minutes from my home and would never consider switching.The coaches are thoughtful about the girls physical progression as well as their emotional and mental progression. They don't push although they certainly encourage. My daughter has overcome fears of certain skills in her time with that constant care and consideration. It's not easy to figure out when a kiddo needs to be strongly encouraged or when to ease up. No one is going to get that right 100% of the time but for my daughter, they are darn close.At meets, these girls are smiling and cheering on their team as well as the girls on other teams. When I look around and see other teams expressionless or looking stressed, I'm so very happy these coaches are getting it right.I see another parent commented on the gyms cleanliness. We have not found that to be an issue.My child is rarely if ever sick and we do receive notifications reminding us to keep sick kiddos home.The coaches are mindful of progression and doing so in a manner that helps reduce the risk of injuries. They have also communicated with me and followed my child's PT recommendations regarding specific exercises and certain activities that she should avoid while healing.I see another reviewer mentioned that this gym is all about the boys. That could not be further from our personal experience.Not every gym is going to be the right fit for your child. I'd really recommend observations and discussions with the coaches and a trial session or two before jumping into a gym. Managing your expectations becomes easier with open communication. There are different styles and approaches to coaching. That's true of any sport. It's not a one size fits all situation.For our family, Empowered Athletics has been a blessing and a positive experience. I will continue to recommend this gym when I hear of others with kids interested in gymnastics.
January 02 · Laura Mervenne
Empowered Athletics: Where Your Gymnast Dreams Go to DieIf you’re looking for a gym where your athlete can thrive, stay safe, and fall in love with their sport, keep looking—Empowered Athletics is not it. This gym is the antithesis of what a great training environment should be.We were initially drawn in by the promise of small coach-to-athlete ratios, innovative training methods, and the excitement of an up-and-coming program. Spoiler alert: We made a huge mistake.Over three seasons, we watched our daughters regress physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our oldest, who started with a solid foundation from her previous gym, initially excelled—she even won every event at her first state meet. But the cracks quickly showed. Mental blocks developed, progress stalled, and her confidence took a nosedive. Our middle daughter was repeatedly pushed to compete skills she had barely learned, let alone mastered. These were high-risk skills with poor form that set her up for injury. Safety? Not a priority here.And the boys’ program? Oh, it’s definitely the main focus. But since they can’t get enough boys to pay the bills, the girls’ program is the financial afterthought keeping the lights on. The coaching staff isn’t qualified to coach at high levels (or even medium ones). Most have no competitive or high-level coaching experience. The advertised small ratios? Those vanished as soon as the post-COVID gym boom brought in more athletes/cash.Let’s talk about meets. Instead of attending convenient, high-quality competitions like Grand Rapids on the Grand, they’ll send you 5-6 hours away (or out of state!) for small meets because they have drama with other local gyms. The meet schedule is a logistical nightmare, entirely built around their boys’ team and Empowered’s tiny coaching staff. Practices are often canceled during meet weekends, leaving your athlete in an “open gym” free-for-all that’s about as safe as a toddler with a chainsaw.And practices? Wow. A masterclass in inefficiency. Coaches wander around glued to their phones, only occasionally spotting or giving feedback. The “training” time is padded with wasted minutes, leaving your athlete doing less and risking more. Hygiene is apparently optional for both the staff and the gym itself—rat traps scattered around the facility don’t exactly scream “elite training environment.”Despite training 20 hours a week, the girls compete XCEL—a program geared toward recreational athletes who train half as much. Even then, their athletes struggle at meets because form and fundamentals are ignored in the rush to push athletes into higher levels prematurely. Scores in the 6s and 7s, you ask? All part of the plan! “Eventually it will all come together” (It won’t, bc your kid doesn’t have the right foundation).Let’s not forget the blatant favoritism. Daytime homeschool athletes, who get nearly 1-on-1 coaching, pay the same fees as the evening girls but receive vastly better training. Want a detailed plan for your child? Good luck. There are no meetings, no check-ins, and no communication with parents.The whole operation is a mess. Competition Warm-ups designed for boys that make the girls look like a middle school basketball team? Check. No front desk or admin? Check. A coach literally sleeping in the gym and waking up right before practice? Oh, yes. Dust-covered equipment, chaotic practices, and no cleaning service to speak of? Absolutely.Empowered Athletics is a textbook example of what happens when a gym values growth over quality. The glowing Google reviews from years ago? Those were written by people who fell for the same promises we did, before reality set in. Don’t make the same mistake.Save your time, money, and child’s well-being. Stay as far away from this gym as humanly possible.
December 15 · Juan Manuel Fernandez
After waiting 8 months to reflect on our experience, I feel compelled to share a review based on three seasons with my three daughters on the competitive team. I also served as secretary for the boosters during our last year. While I initially overlooked some red flags, over time, my concerns grew, and I wish I had listened to my instincts sooner.1. Cleanliness... it's just not clean. My middle child was sick ALL the time. Upper respiratory infections over and over again. Tested for asthma (didn't have asthma). Was on an antibiotic and steroid once a month. I always thought it was the gym, but couldn't figure it out. She has not been sick since we left.2. Not safe: from coach to athlete ratio, to lack of proper progression with skills. I was always afraid to leave my girls at practice. My older girls telling me that they were frequently told to "just chuck it" (I was asked to leave the gym over and over again during practice time, even after covid, with my 5 maybe 6 year old crying (3 hour practice ahead) to make room for rec parents. We were not allowed to stay at the practices. This made me very uncomfortable, and it was clearly NOT FOLLOWING USAG SAFE SPORT RULES.3. No front desk: The gym has no front desk, which made communication extremely difficult. Parents were often left to text the owner or main coach directly, which distracted from practice time. This setup resulted in frequent interruptions during practice.Zero circulation in the gym: The owner refused on several occasions to open the garage doors when it was 90 degrees outside. One of my daughters even complaining during practice that she couldn't breathe.Culture of the gym: Lots of favoritism, spending a lot more time with certain athletes. Sometimes not even rotating stations to see others.This gym is mainly focused on the boys program. If you have a daughter who is serious about gymnastics I would take her elsewhere. I truly wouldn't recommend this gym to anyone.
December 15 · Stephanie Fernandez
What a great place! The coaches at EA are knowledgeable and easy to work with. My daughter has been a competitive gymnast for 8 years, and we love these coaches and this gym! They work with the gymnasts to improve skills, pushing them to be their very best. The facility is nice, with great recreational classes and open gym times. This is the place to be!
December 06 · Melissa Schmidt