CinderVault Fitness Team

Our Story

Forge Your Power, Ignite Your Potential

Look, we didn't start CinderVault because we wanted another boring big-box gym in Vancouver. We started it 'cause we were tired of the same old treadmill-and-mirror routine that wasn't getting anyone real results.

Back in 2019, a few of us were training out of a buddy's garage - nothing fancy, just barbells, kettlebells, and people who actually wanted to put in the work. We'd finish sessions covered in chalk dust and sweat, feeling like we'd actually accomplished something. That's when it hit us - this is what a real training space should feel like.

So we found this old warehouse space on Granville, gutted it, and built what you see today. No rows of ellipticals, no juice bar with overpriced smoothies, just solid equipment and a crew that'll push you harder than you thought possible.

We're not here to coddle anyone or sell you on some magic 30-day transformation. What we offer is straightforward - proper coaching, programs that actually work, and a community of people who show up and do the damn work. That's it.

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How We Got Here

Six years of building something different

2019

The Garage Days

Started with 8 people, a squat rack, and way too much ambition. Training sessions at 6am before everyone's day jobs. Cold in winter, hot as hell in summer, but nobody complained.

2020

Finding Our Space

Signed the lease on Granville Street in February. Then... well, you know what happened. Spent lockdown renovating instead of opening. Maybe a blessing - gave us time to build it right.

2021

Doors Open

Finally opened in spring with capacity limits and all that jazz. 30 founding members who trusted us enough to sign up sight unseen. We owe those folks everything.

2023

Growing Pains

Hit 200 members and had to expand. Knocked down a wall, added more platforms, brought on three more coaches. Things were getting real.

2025

Still Grinding

Now we're here - 350+ members, incredible coaching staff, and people actually getting the results they came for. We're not perfect, but we're real, and that counts for something.

Meet The Coaches

The people who'll push you past what you thought was possible

Marcus Chen

Marcus Chen

Head Coach & Co-Founder

Marcus Chen

Been lifting since high school, coaching for 8 years. Got my CSCS and Olympic lifting certs, but honestly learned more from the hundreds of people I've trained than any textbook.

Specialties: Olympic Lifting, Strength Programming

Sarah Kowalski

Sarah Kowalski

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Sarah Kowalski

Former college athlete who got into coaching after my playing days ended. No BS approach - if you're not willing to work, we're both wasting our time. But if you show up, I'll make sure you leave better than you came.

Specialties: Athletic Performance, Metabolic Conditioning

Dev Patel

Dev Patel

Nutrition & Performance Coach

Dev Patel

Used to be the skinny kid who couldn't gain weight to save my life. Now I help people figure out their nutrition without making them eat chicken and rice six times a day. Real food, real results.

Specialties: Nutrition Coaching, Body Composition

Jamie Rodriguez

Jamie Rodriguez

Functional Fitness Coach

Jamie Rodriguez

Came from the CrossFit world but got tired of the cult vibes. Love the methodology, hate the dogma. I'll teach you to move well and move heavy - everything else is just noise.

Specialties: Functional Movement, Group Training

Ready to Start?

Stop thinking about it and come see what we're about. First session's on us.

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