The Compound Lifting Club Has an Altitude Room, a Hyrox Course and a $75 Week to Try It All

Overview

Some gyms have amenities we didn't even know existed. The Compound Lifting Club in Solana Beach, right on Highway 101, is one of them.

From the street it looks like a gym. Inside, we ran on a curved treadmill in a Hypoxico altitude room, grabbed dumbbells that go up to 175 pounds, and stepped into a cryotherapy chamber that drops to negative 175 degrees. After that we recovered in Normatec compression sleeves and finished in a lounge built for laptop work. It's basically everything you might need from a gym, under one roof.

Our verdict: if you're curious, book the $75 one-week trial. One visit is enough to impress you, and a week is enough to tell you whether it's your gym.

The Experience

The altitude room. This was the moment that sold us. The Hypoxico room is set up with a curved, self-powered treadmill and a bike, and training in it feels like you've left the coast for the mountains. Even a short effort feels harder than it should, which is exactly the point.

The weight floor. The main floor is two stories of exposed trusses, plate-loaded machines and racks, with The Compound's logo on the wall. The dumbbell rack runs all the way to 175 pounds, so heavy lifters won't outgrow it. There are also Keiser machines that measure your power output, which turns a normal cable set into something you can test and track.

The cryo chamber. The CryoBrain cryotherapy chamber (powered by CryoBuilt) sits just off the floor. Gloves and ear protection on, door shut, and the temperature drops to negative 175 degrees. It's over fast, and you walk out wide awake.

The recovery room. Next door is a quiet room of Hyperice recliners with Normatec compression sleeves. You lean back, zip in your legs, and let the compression do the work. This is where we realized The Compound wants you to stay a while.

The lounge. We ended at the lounge counter with laptops open. You really can lift in the morning, knock out an hour of work, then head back for recovery before you leave.

Why It Works

1. Recovery is part of the plan. Cryotherapy, compression and an altitude room aren't extras here. The gym says it emphasizes recovery to support consistency and reduce injury risk, and the building shows it.

2. Serious lifters won't run out of weight. Dumbbells to 175 pounds, plate-loaded machines, sleds and turf make this a strength gym first.

3. Hyrox athletes have a home. The outdoor Hyrox training space, sleds and the altitude room cover most of what race prep needs.

4. It's built for your whole day. The lounge and work space make it easy to fit a session around your schedule.

5. Beginners are welcome. In the gym's words: "Whether you're new to fitness or an experienced athlete, our space supports your progress."

Who It's For

• Lifters who want heavy dumbbells and plate-loaded machines
• Hyrox racers and anyone chasing conditioning
• Recovery-focused athletes who'll actually use cryo and compression
• North County remote workers who'll use the lounge
• Beginners who want to try a serious gym with a day pass or trial week

Pricing

Solana Beach (unlimited access):

• Day pass: $30 (Open Gym)
• 1-week trial: $75 (Open Gym)
• 1 month, non-recurring: $190 (Open Gym)
• Standard membership: $175/month, ongoing (All Programs)
• 1-year membership: $1,600 (All Programs)

The ongoing $175 monthly costs less than the one-off $190 month, and the annual works out to about $133 a month, roughly $500 less over a year.

There's a second location, at 909 Morena Blvd in San Diego, with open gym, weight training and Pilates. Day passes are $25 and monthly memberships are $110, ongoing.

How to join: sign up online through your location's portal. One form covers your details, the required waiver and payment.

• Sign up for Solana Beach
• Sign up for San Diego

How to Make a Day of It

Pair your session with a walk at Fletcher Cove, then grab coffee or browse the Cedros Avenue Design District. There's more in our Solana Beach guide.

Good to Know

• Start with the $75 week, not a string of day passes.
• Ask what "All Programs" covers, such as how cryotherapy and personal training sessions are booked.
• Day passes and the trial week are Open Gym passes.
• Men's and women's saunas and showers are also on site at Solana Beach.
• Hours aren't posted online, so contact the gym before your first visit.
• Solana Beach: 511 S Coast Highway 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075 · (858) 345-1073 · thecompoundliftingclubsb@gmail.com
• San Diego: 909 Morena Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110 · thecompoundliftingclub@gmail.com
• Instagram: @thecompoundliftingclub

For more spots worth knowing, browse our Local Picks.