Grind Heart Fitness owner Brandon West has lived in South Georgia, Canada, and in between but his heart has landed on Apple Valley Road in Brookhaven.
As a former high school and college athlete, West is passionate about training kids and teens to become stronger and healthier through fitness.
West, 36, set the individual career scoring record at Camden County High School, despite the devastating death of his father during his junior year.
“I jumped into high school football my junior year and from there on, I worked hard,” said West, who attended Western Michigan University on scholarship as the starting running back. At WMU, he was a four-time All-American college football player.
West went on to play football in the NFL and CFL. When he retired from the sport, he returned to Georgia to support his daughter, who is breaking track and field records at his alma mater in Kingsland, GA.
He was playing pick-up basketball games at a Brookhaven gym when his buddies suggested he start training. Resisting at first, West quickly realized training kids was his passion.
“I fell in love with personal training because it is goal-oriented,” said West, who calls all of his clients “athletes.”
West trains a large group of athletes from Marist, as well as other local schools. Several 2024-2025 graduates have been recruited for sports scholarship programs: Sofia Dawson, a rising senior, is committed to University of North Florida for volleyball; Grady Jones is planning to play football at Rhodes College; Cassidy Kuehne is a rising senior who has committed playing soccer at the University of Mississippi; and Reese Black is going to play soccer at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has been nominated for Gatorade Player of the Year.
When West opened Grind Heart Fitness on Apple Valley Road in the Dresden corridor, he planned for a one-stop-shop. Youth fitness is the main goal, but Grind Heart Fitness also offers personal fitness and groups workouts for adults.
West’s goal is to create a third space for kids and teens looking to get more fit, training for sports, learn about nutrition, and feel supported. “I try to help them focus and get into the mode to do it for themselves,” West said.
“We are all about community,” said West. “A lot of times when I get one client, I get family members, too.”
West believes that Brookhaven is one of the best cities in Georgia. “I wanted to lead this journey in Brookhaven,” said West, who has met many small business owners and entrepreneurs through his fitness studio.
Grind House encourages athletes to call, stop by for a tour, or sign up for a courtesy workout.
“Come meet the staff,” said West. “I am all about clients being happy and connected to the community.”
For more information about Grind Heart Fitness, visit this link or on Instagram. You can also call (404) 219-6073 or email [email protected].