Grinder Gym San Diego
About
Grinder Gym San Diego offers specialized training in MMA and wrestling disciplines with a coaching team led by owner Dave DePew, who serves as both a performance strategist and event director. The facility provides hybrid training access that combines online and in-person sessions, performance tracking systems, and specialized equipment including strongman implements. This creates a comprehensive environment where members can pursue strength-focused goals with professional guidance and modern tools.
reviewsWhat Members Say
Members consistently praise the welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere where both beginners and elite athletes feel comfortable. They highlight owner Dave DePew's kindness and expertise, along with the comprehensive equipment selection that allows them to maintain their training programs without compromise. Reviewers specifically mention the spacious indoor-outdoor layout, the respectful community where members properly store equipment, and the opportunity to try specialized bars before purchasing for home gyms. Several members who visited while traveling note they would definitely return to Grinder Gym when in the San Diego area.
rate_reviewGoogle Reviews (5)
Najee Wilson
5 months ago
Great gym experience, came from out of town and dropped in. Dave was a great help to me and getting adjusted and answered all of my questions. All of the members were friendly and made my workout 10x better. Next time I’m in the area will be training here for more than a day
Brandon Lacy
5 months ago
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. 💪🏽
Ashly Elliott
a month ago
I was in town for a conference and visited Grinder Gym while in the area. I had messaged the gym prior about using a day pass and asked them about specific equipment I was needing to use while there. They were responsive and the gym overall was great. They had all the equipment I was needing for my program and the environment was welcoming. I enjoyed my time in the gym.
Melissa Valdez
2 years ago
I had the pleasure of joining Grinder Gym in San Diego, and it has been AWESOME. This gym stands out not just for its comprehensive strength-focused facilities but also for its warm, inclusive, motivating community. It's a rare find—a safe, non-judgmental space where everyone, beginners and elite athletes alike, feels welcome. The heart and soul of Grinder Gym, owner Dave DePew, is a testament to the gym's ethos. Dave is one of the most kind-hearted, knowledgeable, and helpful individuals I've ever encountered. His passion for fitness, strength sports and dedication to his members' well-being is evident in every interaction. Moreover, all the trainers here are experts in their fields, always ready to guide, motivate, and inspire. Being around super strong athletes and individuals at Grinder Gym is incredibly motivating; their strength and dedication push me to strive for my best. It’s also hard to slack off when everyone else is working so hard. The gym boasts an extensive array of equipment, ensuring that you never have to wait your turn or compromise on your workout routine. Everyone puts their equipment away. People are very respectful of the space, which for me has always been a pet peeve at other gyms. I wholeheartedly recommend Grinder Gym to anyone looking to improve their strength and or fitness, find a genuinely welcoming community, gain education and insights from a seasoned expert like Dave DePew, and enjoy a spacious gym environment without the typical crowds. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced athlete, Grinder Gym has something special to offer.
Ashur Benjamin
2 years ago
Beware… This place is the worst. I now have to purchase 4 bars for my home gym. In all seriousness, I was 4 weeks in to a new program and was looking for something in San Diego that would allow me not to miss a beat while on vacation. Grinder gym was 6 min away from where we were staying, opened at 6am (I am an early workout guy) and looked like everything I wanted - including some bars I’ve yet to get my hands on but wanted to. They had a week pass (very fair pricing) which was a bonus since I was staying a week. The owner was extremely kind upon signing up. Other members I spoke to had nothing but great things to say about the gym. Dont expect the glitzy of a typical commercial gym, but I consider that as a huge positive for Grinder. The well loved plates, bare steel bars, indoor/outdoor workout area, just everything about it was excellent. I moved from la fitness to a garage gym about 7 months ago. I’ve slowly been figuring out what I want to add (specialty bars are next on the list) and I got to try almost every bar I’ve been looking at. I was hoping to like just 1, but I ended up liking all 3 and one more I didn’t even consider but got to play with it at grinder. Thanks to grinder gym, it’s not going to be a gamble when I end up making the purchase. 10/10 would recommend grinder. 10/10 will return every time we are in san diego.
fitness_centerAmenities
Contact
1013 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110, USA
scheduleHours
Monday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
groupCoaches & Instructors
Dave DePew
Coach, Owner, Founder
Performance Strategist, Event Director
Built Grinder Gym from the ground up. Coaches strength, performance, and body transformation. Works across strongman, powerlifting, and competitive strength sports. Oversees culture, coaching, and performance system development.
Kyle DePew
Coach
AJ Roberts
Coach
Jennie Roberts
Coach