Lions' Suh Part Owner in New Sports Training Center

The Bloomfield area is about to get a new fitness experience, and for early takers it will mean an opportunity to train alongside two star Detroit Lions.

On May 15, D1 Detroit — a sports training center that's locally owned by a group that includes Detroit Lions Ndamukong Suh and Tony Scheffler — will open its doors in a portion of the on Bloomfield Township's north side.

Though the business, which takes up about one-third of the tennis club facility, will be decked out with state-of-the-art fitness and strength training equipment later this week, The D1 experience is really about building and enhancing the total athlete.

They do that, facility coordinator Matt Szubielski said, by offering a comprehensive and unique group training experience modeled after what a top collegiate or professional athlete endures. He and co-workers Mike Caponigro Chelsea Westenburg, have been visiting local sporting good shops, participating in community events and working social media websites to help spread the word before the official launch.

For now, they're camped out behind laptops and D1 apparel in the corner of the club's lobby, where they promoting the business with calls and in-person meetings. As the only D1 in Michigan, the team is putting a premium on pre-opening registrations at discount prices.

Early members will be invited to an exclusive, D1-members-only opportunity to train alongside Suh and Scheffler later this spring.

"We're selling a vision right now until people can get in here and see what we're all about for themselves," he explained. "We want to serve the adult athlete that wants training like a Division 1 (collegiate) athlete, so to speak, and the youth that might have a chance to be one or just want to be better athletes."

The Pro-level Feel

Though locally owned, the D1 company is a national brand that also boasts professional athlete owners such as Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, and former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL All-Pro Herschel Walker. The closest facility to Michigan now is in Columbus, OH.

The centerpiece of the 25,000-square-foot business is the 50-plus yard field covered in FieldTurf, simulating pro and college stadiums. On it, the athletes can participate in multiple training drills pertinent to multiple sports.

Szubielski said the pro owners approve the training curriculum and techniques with the vision of challenging athletes to improve, no matter their skill level. The experiences are unique because they are offered in a small group setting (usually between four and 12 people) and are built on the camaraderie of the group. Individual training will also be offered.

All trainers are certified and are usually former strength and conditioning coaches at either the professional or collegiate level. The programs they'll offer also cater to ages 7 and up. Here are a few examples:

• D1 Rookie - Introduces and creates foundation of overall athleticism in a fun, positive and high-success environment for ages 7-11
• D1 Developmental - Focuses on progressing and maintaining athletic movement while refining and ingraining fundamental skills of speed, agility, and power for ages 12-14.
• D1 Prep - Focuses on fine-tuning technique, for ages 15-18.
• D1 Collegiate - Provides a training home away from campus, ensuring a continuation of the collegiate athletes' training.
• D1 Boot Camp  - A metabolic-based program focused on total body conditioning & high caloric burn, including strength, cardio, flexibility and core training for any adult.

Members have full use of the tennis club's locker rooms and will have access to the facility from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Marketing and sales coordinator Mike Caponigro said an open house is in the planning stages, and that residents can begin the registration process  online by filling out an Athlete Profile.

Anyone interested in more programs and pricing information should call Caponigro at (248) 379-8174 or visit the D1 website.