1013 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110 858-567-2349
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Grinder Gym floor

Welcome to San Diego’s Strongest Gym

Real implements. Real members. Real coaches.

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Why People Train Here

Real coaches. Real implements. Members who actually show up for each other.

The Implements

The Implements

Atlas stones. Yokes. Log press. Axle deadlifts. Sandbags. Macebells. Everything you need for real strength work — plus full barbell platforms.

The Coaching

The Coaching

Not optional. Not motivational. Structured performance development across powerlifting, strongman, weightlifting, and armwrestling.

The Community

The Community

Members who show up. Members who compete. A gym floor culture built around effort, not aesthetics. In the gym and at competition, you’re never alone.

Coaching

Train With Purpose

Every training modality. Real coaches. Real results.

One-on-One Personal Training

One-on-One Personal Training

Dedicated programming and direct coaching. Built around your goals, your schedule, and your competition calendar.

Semi-Private Training

Semi-Private Training

Small groups. Individual attention. Train alongside athletes at your level with coaching that doesn’t get watered down.

Competition Coaching

Competition Coaching

Powerlifting, strongman, armwrestling. Competition prep that’s built on experience from the platform — not theory.

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Events

Learn. Train. Compete.

Grinder Gym hosts and supports armwrestling, strongman, and strength events throughout the year. Train with people who step on the platform.

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PARTNERS

Reign Body Fuel

WHY GRINDER GYM IS BUILT DIFFERENT

We don’t chase trends — we build muscle that performs in life, sport, and competition.

ABOUT US

The Coaches

Dave DePew

Dave DePew

Owner · Head Coach · 34+ Years

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Competitive powerlifter, strongman, and coach. Built Grinder Gym to be the facility he always wanted — where the equipment is real and the standards aren’t decorative.

Kyle DePew

Kyle DePew

Coach · Professional Armwrestler

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Competitive strongman and full-time coach at Grinder Gym. Works with athletes across disciplines with a focus on real-world strength and competition preparation.

Strength Knowledge. No Fluff.

  • Cardio, Weights, or Both? Choosing the Right Workout for Your Goals

    One of the most common questions I get from new people is some version of “should I do cardio or lift weights?” Most of the time they’ve already decided on cardio, because that’s what they think burning fat is supposed to look like. The honest answer is that it was never an either-or, and picking…

  • Meal Timing and Frequency for Powerlifters

    Lifters love to argue about meal timing. Three big meals or six small ones. Eat early, eat late, never eat at night. After thirty-plus years of watching what actually works, here is the truth. Your daily totals matter most, and timing is the fine-tuning that comes after you get the totals right. Totals First, Then…

  • The Perfect Start: Why You Don’t Need to Wait Until Monday

    “I’ll start Monday.” I’ve heard it ten thousand times. Then Monday shows up, something’s off, and now it’s next Monday. Then it’s the first of the month. Then after the holiday. Then after this busy stretch at work settles down. The perfect starting line is a mirage. It moves every time you walk toward it.…

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San Diego’s Training Ground

1013 Morena Blvd, San Diego. The implements are real and so are the coaches.

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What Lifters Say

★★★★★

THE best serious gym on the planet. I’ve traveled to different hardcore gyms around the world because of my bodybuilding.

David Patvia Google
★★★★★

Amazing powerlifting and strongman gym! Grinder Gym has all the equipment a powerlifter or strongman could ever want, with awesome coaches and a great community.

Tadd Mearsvia Google
★★★★★

Grinder Gym is a one-of-a-kind legendary gym in San Diego. For serious training only. Dave DePew is a living legend with deep knowledge of strength training and fitness.

Steve Cottervia Google
★★★★★

Best gym in town.

Drew Phillipsvia Google
★★★★★

One of the best gyms I’ve been to. All the equipment you need. Dave is the nicest, most genuine guy I’ve met. He really cares about his gym and the community.

Josephvia Google
★★★★★

Grinder Gym is one of the strongest gyms in the world. If you want to get strong, you have to work hard, and this is a great place to put in the work. They have equipment for every strength sport. Dave is the man.

Will Guilianivia Google
★★★★★

This is a great gym owned and operated by Dave DePew. This is a classic REAL gym, with every piece of equipment you can think of and an amazing California outdoor area. This is the home of many powerlifters, strongmen competitors and a great community of people who just enjoy working out. Dave has continued to build out the gym and you can tell the pride he takes in his facility. This is honestly one of my favorite gyms in all of San Diego. The aesthetic is unbeatable. If you are visiting San Diego, I suggest you drop through and check this place out.

Quest H.via Yelp
★★★★★

This Gym is amazing! I came out for a competition that’s hosted here and just love the place. Huge outdoor space full of strength and strongman equipment, there’s a bunch of arm wrestling equipment and benches inside. Perfect set up to get strong.

Brandon Lacyvia Google
★★★★★

Dave is awesome, everyone here is super chill. Never crowded, and always parking which is HUGE for SD.

Kathryn Saniukvia Google
★★★★★

Best gym in San Diego.

Justin Wilfingervia Google
★★★★★

Outstanding gym. Indoor and outdoor. Fantastic equipment. Owner Dave is a great guy! Central location in San Diego.

William Mayervia Google

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