The Founder's Journey
Look, I didn't start this place because I wanted to run some cookie-cutter gym. Back in 2018, after spending 15 years competing in powerlifting and coaching fighters out of cramped basement spaces, I got tired of seeing people waste their potential in facilities that just didn't get it.
I'd been around the block - competed at nationals, coached athletes who went on to win championships, worked with weekend warriors who just wanted to feel strong again. Every single one of 'em deserved better than what was out there.
So I mortgaged everything and built Eldravex Citadel from the ground up. The name? Yeah, it's a bit dramatic, but that's the point. This isn't a place where you come to halfass it on a treadmill while scrolling Instagram. It's a fortress where you come to build something real.
We opened our doors in early 2019 with barely enough equipment to fill half the space and a handful of members who believed in what we were trying to do. Now we've got over 300 people who call this place home, and honestly, I still get chills walking in here every morning.
This gym's not about fancy smoothie bars or matching outfits. It's about showing up, putting in the work, and leaving a little stronger than when you came in. That's it. That's the mission.
- Marcus Thornwood, Founder & Head Coach
Our Philosophy Timeline
Strength First
Everything we do starts with building raw strength. You can't fake it, can't shortcut it. Gotta earn every pound on that bar. We've seen too many people chasing trends when they haven't even mastered the basics yet.
Technical Precision
Form isn't negotiable here. Yeah, we push hard, but never at the expense of doing things right. I'd rather see you lift lighter with perfect technique than ego-lift your way to an injury. Your body's gonna thank you 20 years from now.
Combat Ready
Our conditioning programs come straight from what actually works in the ring and on the mats. No fluff, no fitness industry BS. Just proven methods that'll make you feel like you could go 12 rounds if you had to.
Community Over Competition
Sure, we love a good friendly rivalry, but at the end of the day, everyone's fighting their own battle. The person next to you isn't your enemy - they're your training partner. We lift each other up, literally and figuratively.
Long-Term Legacy
This isn't about getting shredded for summer or prepping for one event. We're building athletes who'll still be moving strong in their 60s and 70s. Every program's designed with sustainability in mind because what's the point if you're broken in 5 years?
