When Self Made Training Facility opened its second location in Del Mar in June 2023, it wasn’t a copy-paste of the original San Diego gym. It was an expansion — 11,000+ square feet of purpose-built training space designed around everything learned from operating the Mission Bay location since 2014.
Here’s what’s inside, how it’s organized, and why every design decision was made with one question in mind: does this make training better?
The Space: 11,000+ Square Feet, Zero Wasted
Del Mar’s footprint is roughly 40% larger than the original San Diego location. That additional space isn’t filled with treadmills and ellipticals — it’s allocated to dedicated training zones that let 50+ independent trainers operate without competing for equipment or floor space.
The layout separates high-intensity work from focused strength training, keeps recovery and wellness accessible but acoustically separate, and gives every trainer enough room to run a full session without stepping on someone else’s programming.
Strength Training Floor
The main floor is anchored by competition-grade squat racks, benches, platforms, and a heavy dumbbell selection that goes well beyond what you’ll find at any commercial gym. Specialty bars — trap bars, safety squat bars, Swiss bars — are available for trainers who program beyond the standard barbell movements.
The floor is built for function: rubber flooring rated for dropped weights, ceiling height that accommodates overhead movements, and lighting designed to reduce glare without turning the space into a cave.
Functional Training Area
Dedicated turf space for sled pushes, agility drills, battle ropes, and athletic performance work. This zone is separated from the main strength floor so explosive movements don’t interfere with someone in the middle of a heavy deadlift set.
Plyo boxes, medicine balls, kettlebells, resistance bands, and suspension trainers are organized and accessible — not stuffed into a corner behind a cable machine.
Combat Sports Zone
Heavy bags, speed bags, and dedicated floor space for boxing, kickboxing, and martial arts training. Several of our independent trainers specialize in combat sports, and this zone gives them the infrastructure to run proper sessions — not improvise with a single bag hanging in a multipurpose room.
The Wellness Studios
Training hard without recovering smart is a losing strategy. The Del Mar facility includes dedicated wellness studios offering services that complement the training floor.
Cold Plunge
Cold water immersion for post-training recovery, inflammation management, and nervous system regulation. Maintained at consistent temperatures and available to VIP members and day pass holders.
Infrared Sauna
Far-infrared sauna sessions for deep tissue recovery, circulation, and relaxation. Popular with both post-workout recovery protocols and standalone wellness visits.
Sports Massage
On-site sports massage through our wellness studio partners. Scheduling is integrated with the facility, making it easy to book a session after training without driving across town.
These aren’t add-ons to justify a higher membership price. They’re infrastructure. The trainers who operate here build recovery into their programming because the tools are literally down the hall.
The Trainers: 50+ Independent Professionals
Del Mar’s expanded footprint supports a larger roster of independent trainers — over 50 and growing. Every trainer is an independent business owner, not a gym employee.
That distinction matters. These trainers chose Del Mar because the facility meets their professional standards. They set their own rates, design their own programming, build their own client relationships, and specialize in areas that match their expertise:
Strength and conditioning for athletes and general population.
Boxing and combat sports training.
Corrective exercise and post-rehabilitation.
Nutrition coaching and body composition.
Sports-specific athletic performance.
Small group training and partner sessions.
The depth of specialization is what separates a private facility from a commercial gym. You’re not assigned whoever is on shift — you choose the professional whose expertise matches exactly what you need.
The VIP Experience
VIP Access Pass holders at Del Mar get more than a keycard. They get access to a training environment that’s been intentionally designed for focused, productive sessions:
Controlled access — the facility isn’t packed to capacity because it doesn’t sell unlimited memberships to maximize revenue.
Full equipment access — every piece of equipment is available during your session, not cordoned off for personal training clients only.
Wellness studio access — cold plunge and infrared sauna included with VIP membership.
Community — training alongside other people who take their fitness seriously creates an accountability loop that no app or motivational playlist can replicate.
VIP pricing starts at $349/month with a Heroes Discount available for military, veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers.
Design Philosophy: Dark, Clean, Professional
Walk into most gyms and you’re hit with fluorescent lighting, motivational quotes printed on every surface, and a color scheme that looks like it was designed by a committee trying to appeal to everyone.
Self Made Del Mar doesn’t look like that.
The aesthetic is dark, clean, and intentional. Black and charcoal tones with red accents. Industrial materials where they make sense. Proper lighting that illuminates without overwhelming. No visual clutter competing for your attention.
The design philosophy is simple: the space should fade into the background so the training stays in the foreground. You’re here to work, and the environment supports that without trying to sell you an experience.
Location and Access
Self Made Del Mar is located in the Del Mar area of San Diego County, accessible from Carmel Valley, Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Encinitas, and surrounding North County communities.
The facility serves both individual VIP members and clients of our independent training roster. Day passes are available for visitors and travelers who want to train in a professional environment while in town.
Come See It
Photos and descriptions can only do so much. The best way to understand what makes Del Mar different is to walk through it — see the equipment, feel the culture, and talk to the trainers who’ve made it their professional home.
Schedule a tour or start training today.
Self Made Training Facility Del Mar — 11,000+ square feet, 50+ independent trainers, wellness studios, and recovery services. Veteran-owned. Open since June 2023.