Decades of experience and know-how have merged into Master Bill’s Karate and Better Bodies at 5907 Dixie Highway inside Independence Commons.
Master Bill Snyder, who has about 50 years of experience, heads the martial arts center. Snyder has opened martial arts facilities around the United States and the world. The Independence Township location is his second in Oakland County. He is a 10th degree black belt and a member of the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame. His students practice Snyder’s phung-hwa-do.
‘It means the way of the peaceful spirit,? he said.
The form, which Snyder developed more than a decade ago, is a combination of several martial arts.
‘A lot of styles only have you kicking and punching and your blocks and forms, those things. With ours, we have a mixture of a lifetime’s worth of exposure to all the martial arts. I brought that into this and that’s incorporated into everything we do. That’s why it’s unique. We bring in the kickboxing and boxing and it’s the people that have been around me throughout my career,? he said.
That career began as a child in Seoul, South Korea, and has become Snyder’s life.
Terry Bruce, a professional weightlifter and personal trainer, runs the Better Bodies center next door. After a nearly four-year friendship, the two men saw the opportunity to share an office.
‘We became good friends and we share the same faith,? Snyder said.
‘We always talked about how nice it would be to have a karate school and a weight-training (facility) together one day. And somehow that dream became a reality.
?(We) always dreamed of being able to have a facility where we could start with you, for your health, nutrition, alternative sources of therapy and healing as well as training full-fledged warriors for combat.
‘I want these (students) to be prepared mentally, physically and spiritually. We want to produce good people out here in these streets.?
Snyder opened his studio in the 1,800-square-foot center in January and ensures the preservation of martial arts tradition with only the best instruction for his students.
‘If they’re not qualified and certified to teach, then they shouldn’t be teaching out on your floor. Either I or one of my certified black belts teach.?
Better Bodies, which opened adjacently last May, offers a relaxed atmosphere to use their machines, free weights, and exercise equipment, and also nutritional and dietary advice.
‘Everyone that comes to me gets a one-on-one training session for about an hour. We do cardio and weight training and we discuss proper eating,? Bruce said.
‘We just want a place where people can feel comfortable coming in, regardless of their beliefs.?
Better Bodies? puts comfort at a premium. Bruce recollects his experience over the years watching clubs push certain members away.
?(Gyms) are not always the best atmosphere for a wide-range of people,? Bruce said.
‘There’s no compromise in the gyms for the clientele, so what happens is eventually they ‘drive a certain clientele out.?
Bruce, a California native, moved to Michigan seven years ago. He has more than a decade experience as a nutrition store owner/manager, health club owner/manager and personal trainer.
‘I wanted to own my own studio because I wanted something I could do my way where I feel comfortable’without having to compromise my beliefs,? Bruce said.
‘I wanted to offer a more well-rounded program than what was being offered at the studio I was at.
‘I like to deal with the whole aspect of fitness from helping (clients) with their eating plans, helping with cardiovascular and then the weight-training part.?
‘Once (clients) are healthier and more physically fit, that spreads out not only how they feel about themselves, but everyone who comes in contact with them,? Bruce said.
Bruce has plenty of experience with weight lifting. He has been competitively power-lifting for 15 years. Bruce has set several records and won many competitions from several different weight-lifting authorities.
His services are offered at an affordable rate, he said.
Snyder said the two services can help reduce crime through preparation.
‘We want to help the community. With crime and things as bad as they are today, a lot of these things could be deterred if people know how to defend themselves,? Snyder said.
The crime prevention is one way the studio is aimed at being family friendly and preserving families.
‘We’re just a family-oriented school, that’s all we care about is kids,? Snyder said.
Master Bill’s Karate and Better Bodies is located at 5907 Dixie Highway. For Master Bill’s Karate, call 248-875-9787 and for Better Bodies call 248-563-2268.