How We Got Started
Look, I'm not gonna feed you some polished corporate story. Back in 2019, I was tired of seeing gyms that talked a big game but couldn't back it up. All flash, zero substance. Just rows of treadmills and trainers who'd never actually competed in anything.
I spent fifteen years competing in Olympic weightlifting - made it to nationals twice, coached college athletes, and worked with everyone from weekend warriors to pros getting ready for training camp. What I learned? Most people don't need fancy equipment or complicated programs. They need proper coaching, real accountability, and a space that doesn't treat fitness like some trendy lifestyle thing.
So I opened Orinthia Legends in a warehouse space on Granville Street. Named it after my grandmother who immigrated here with literally nothing and built a life through grit and determination. That's the energy we bring every single day.
What We're Actually About
We're not here to sell you supplements or get you Instagram-ready in 30 days. We train people who want to get legitimately strong and perform better at whatever matters to them - whether that's a powerlifting meet, hockey season, or just keeping up with their kids without throwing their back out. We do the work. Period.
The Orinthia Way
- We focus on compound movements that actually build strength
- Every program is individualized - cookie-cutter stuff doesn't fly here
- We measure progress with actual performance metrics, not just how you look
- Our coaches have competed and won, not just taken weekend certification courses
- The community here pushes each other without the toxic gym bro culture
The Squad
Marcus Chen
Head Coach
Sarah Kowalski
Performance Director
Devon Richards
HIIT Specialist
Dr. Priya Malhotra
Nutrition Coach
The Whole Crew
15+ certified coaches ready to push you past your limits