Gym Feature: CrossFit Chula Vista — Building San Diego's Competition Culture

South County hasn't always been on the map when it comes to local functional fitness competition. Carlos Ibarra is changing that.

The Gym

CrossFit Chula Vista opened in 2018 in a 5,000 square foot space off Kuhn Drive. It started as a general fitness affiliate — classes, fundamentals, the usual path. But within two years, something shifted.

"We started getting athletes who actually wanted to compete," Ibarra says. "And once you have two or three of those people, others follow."

Today, the gym runs both general programming and a dedicated competition track. The competition team trains separately three days a week and competes under the CrossFit Chula Vista banner.

The Athletes

Kayla Strom joined the gym in 2023 after moving from Arizona. A former collegiate swimmer, she brought a conditioning base that immediately set her apart. Ibarra recognized it and channeled it.

"Kayla had the engine. We just had to build the skill set around it," he says. "Barbell cycling, gymnastics progressions — she bought in completely."

Zach Moreno is the gym's other standout — a 17-year-old competing in the Teen division with numbers that rival grown adults. "Zach is going to be a problem for a long time," Ibarra says, with evident pride.

The Programming

Ibarra writes all the programming himself. It's structured around four pillars: strength, gymnastics, conditioning, and competition simulation. Every six weeks, the team runs a mock competition — three workouts, scored and ranked internally.

"You can't simulate competition pressure perfectly," he says. "But you can get athletes comfortable being uncomfortable on the clock in front of their teammates."

The 2027 Season

CrossFit Chula Vista enters the 2027 Affiliate Cup as a legitimate contender — not just a South County representative. They're hosting the Pairs Clash in May, which Ibarra sees as an opportunity to show the county what they've built.

"We're ready. I think people will be surprised by what we show up with this year."