Our Story

Where raw determination meets disciplined training, and everyday people transform into warriors.

Founder training

How It All Started

Back in 2017, I was working a corporate gig that was slowly draining the life outta me. Sat in meetings all day, watched the clock, felt like I was disappearing. Started training MMA just to blow off steam, y'know? But something clicked.

I noticed how alive I felt after rolling on the mats or crushing a brutal conditioning session. Wasn't just about looking good or winning fights - it was about reclaiming something primal. That fire inside that our comfortable lives try to extinguish.

So I quit. Sold my car, borrowed from my brother, and opened this place in a sketchy warehouse on Granville. We had rusty equipment, concrete floors, and exactly seven members. But those seven? They got it. They understood what we were building here wasn't just another fitness club.

- Marcus Chen, Founder & Head Coach

What We Stand For

Real Training, Zero Fluff

Look, we're not gonna sugarcoat it. The workouts here are tough. You'll sweat, you might curse us out (happens weekly), and yeah, you'll be sore. But that's the whole point. We don't do gimmicks or trend-chasing nonsense. Just proven methods that've built fighters and athletes for decades.

Community Over Competition

Sure, we push each other hard, but there's zero ego-tripping here. Your training partner today might be kicking your butt, but tomorrow they're the one spotting you through that last brutal round. We've got lawyers training next to construction workers, students alongside retired vets. Everyone shows up, everyone contributes.

Build The Whole Package

Physical strength means nothing if your head's not right. We focus on the mental game just as much - pushing through when everything says quit, staying calm under pressure, building confidence that carries into your regular life. It's not just about abs or biceps, it's about becoming someone you're actually proud to be.

Respect The Grind

There's no shortcuts and we're not selling quick fixes. Results come from showing up consistently, even when you don't feel like it. Especially when you don't feel like it. We celebrate the people who've been grinding for months, not the ones looking for overnight transformations. Progress is progress, whether you're crushing PRs or just making it through class.

Training community

The Citadel Difference

We're not trying to be the biggest gym in Vancouver. Hell, we're probably not even the cleanest (though we do mop daily, promise). What we are is authentic. When you walk through those doors, you're entering a space built by people who actually live this lifestyle.

Our coaches aren't reading scripts from certification manuals. They're fighters, competitors, people who've been in the trenches. They know what it's like to hit a plateau, to want to quit, to push through anyway. That experience? Can't fake it.

Every piece of equipment here has been chosen because it works, not because it looks cool on Instagram. The programming changes based on what our members actually need, not what some franchise corporate office dictates. This is our gym, and when you join, it becomes yours too.

Numbers Don't Lie

Since opening our doors, we've watched hundreds of people discover what they're actually capable of. Here's what that looks like:

8+

Years Forging Warriors

450+

Active Members

15

Experienced Coaches

7500

Square Feet of Training Space

Ready To Start?

Come check us out. First class is on us - no strings attached, no high-pressure sales pitch. Just show up, throw down, and see if this is your kind of place.

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