A new youth athletic development initiative will officially open at the 6,000-square-foot Delridge Strength facility on December 1, 2026. Operated by West Seattle Athletics Group, the program offers year-round training for participants starting at age nine, establishing a local center for foundational physical literacy and sport conditioning.

Owned by the founders of Southpaw Barbershop in the Admiral District, Tommy Andrade and Jeff Chou. Andrade said "As fathers, Jeff and I kept running into the same problem: there was no youth athletic development training in West Seattle. None. If you wanted it for your kid, you were driving to Mercer Island, Kent, or Bellevue — and most of those programs are built around one specific sport, and they're very expensive. West Seattle families deserved better than a long drive and a big bill just to help their kids become better athletes.

So when the opportunity came up to start a local gym, we took it."

Structured Multi-Discipline Curriculum

The curriculum prioritizes movement mechanics and athletic control before introducing heavier physical loads. Classes run for 60 minutes in small group settings across three distinct age divisions: ages 9 to 11, 12 to 14, and 15 and older. Training focuses on four foundational areas:

• Mobility and Flexibility: Dynamic range-of-motion routines and body control practice.
• Speed and Agility: Acceleration drills, footwork, balance, and rapid direction changes.
• Strength and Conditioning: Technique-focused bodyweight exercises and light kettlebell work.
• Hand-Eye Coordination: Reaction drills and tracking exercises using controlled targets.

Instruction is structured into 12-week training cohorts with two weekly sessions on non-consecutive days. Participant evaluation relies on direct coach updates at baseline, Week 6, and Week 12, avoiding public rankings or high-pressure testing.

Membership Structure and Community Initiatives

The facility operates on a calendar-month billing model covering 12 annual cycles. Memberships include regular coached classes, access to all training disciplines, sibling discounts, and priority registration with reduced rates for spring, summer, and midwinter break camps.

Community initiatives embedded within the program include:

• Foster Youth Access: Fully sponsored camp positions reserved for local foster youth and neighborhood families.
• Youth Leadership Pipeline: Employment opportunities for local high school students to work as camp staff and assistant coaches.
• Athlete Mentorship: Guest coaching clinics featuring collegiate and professional athletes.

Program Access and Enrollment Details

Introductory tours and program consultations are available prior to the December 1 launch. Additional information, scheduling options, and registration forms can be accessed online at delridgestrength.com/contact, via email at westseattleathleticsgroup@gmail.com, or by calling 206-387-1463.