Our Story, Our Fortress

Built by fighters, designed for warriors

How It All Started

Look, we didn't start this place because some MBA told us it'd be profitable. Started in 2018 when three of us got sick of fancy gyms that looked pretty but couldn't handle real training.

2018

The Basement Days

Three combat sport athletes training in a cramped basement gym on Powell Street. We had more heart than equipment, honestly. But man, those sessions were brutal and real.

2020

First Real Space

Scraped together enough to rent an actual facility. Nothing fancy - concrete floors, exposed pipes, but it was OURS. Started running bootcamps that actually kicked people's butts.

2022

Built Different

Word spread fast. Turns out people were craving something real. Expanded our coaching team, brought in Olympic lifting platforms, kept that raw combat gym vibe though.

2024

The Citadel

Moved to our current spot on Burrard Street. 8,500 square feet of pure training paradise. Finally got the space to do things right while keeping that underground energy alive.

NOW

Your Turn

We've trained everyone from complete beginners to pro fighters. The mission hasn't changed - build strength that matters, conditioning that lasts, and a mindset that doesn't quit.

What We Stand For

No fluff, just results

Everyone earns their place

Community over competition

Train like you mean it

Training facility
Combat training area
Olympic lifting zone
Functional training space
Main training floor

Meet The Coaches

Not your typical Instagram trainers. These folks have actually been in the trenches.

Marcus Chen

Marcus Chen

HEAD COACH / FOUNDER

STRIKING ELITE
STRENGTH EXPERT
EXPERIENCE 12 YRS

Ex-Muay Thai fighter who got tired of watching people train wrong. Been coaching since 2013, specializes in making people uncomfortable (in a good way). Won't sugarcoat anything but you'll thank him later.

Combat Sports Conditioning HIIT
Sarah Blackwood

Sarah Blackwood

OLYMPIC LIFTING / STRENGTH

OLYMPIC LIFTS ELITE
POWERLIFTING ELITE
EXPERIENCE 9 YRS

Former national-level weightlifter who's all about perfect technique. Super patient with beginners but won't let you half-rep anything. Her snatch form demos are honestly a thing of beauty.

Olympic Lifting Powerlifting Mobility
Dmitri Volkov

Dmitri Volkov

FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH / BOOTCAMP

CONDITIONING ELITE
FUNCTIONAL EXPERT
EXPERIENCE 10 YRS

Ex-military fitness instructor who designs workouts that'll wreck you in the best way. His bootcamps have a cult following. Tough love coach but genuinely cares about everyone's progress.

Bootcamp Functional Endurance
Jenna Rodriguez

Jenna Rodriguez

BOXING / NUTRITION COACH

BOXING ELITE
NUTRITION EXPERT
EXPERIENCE 7 YRS

Amateur boxing champ who understands the mental game as much as the physical. Also holds nutrition coaching certs and actually practices what she preaches. Her pad work sessions are legendary.

Boxing Nutrition Weight Cut
Kwame Johnson

Kwame Johnson

RECOVERY / MOBILITY SPECIALIST

MOBILITY ELITE
RECOVERY EXPERT
EXPERIENCE 8 YRS

Physical therapist turned coach who keeps everyone moving right. If you've got an old injury or mobility issues, this is your guy. Makes stretching sessions feel productive instead of boring.

Mobility Recovery Rehab

Ready to Join the Citadel?

Stop thinking about it. Book a free intro session and see what we're about.