Whetstone Fitness entrance awning at the front of the building in Olympia, Washington

ABOUT WHETSTONE FITNESS

NO CHALLENGE
NO CHANGE

This is the sign over our door. There since 2014. This page is the story behind that motto and Whetstone Fitness.

1971

IT STARTED WITH A DEFINING MOMENT

Donnie Whetstone will tell you his gym began in 1971, the day the 11 year old decided to do something about being teased for being chubby and started training. Everything after that - the competitions, the businesses, this building - was the path to it.

THE MILITARY

WHERE THE NO-FRILLS PART COMES FROM

He served before he ever coached anyone. Show up, do the work, take care of the people next to you. That is still the tone on the floor, and it is why you will not find a juice bar or a hard sell here.

2014

BUILT BACK AFTER A BUSINESS CLOSED

Whetstone Fitness opened in 2014, after an earlier venture of his went under. He started again on Black Lake Blvd with real equipment, 24-hour member access, and no corporate parent - and it worked.

TODAY

A TRAINER WHO HAPPENS TO OWN A GYM

That is how Donnie describes himself. Though he no longer competes, earning an IFBB Pro Card and winning Master’s World Championships in two Divisions, he still takes clients. Most members here are not competitors. They are neighbors who want somewhere clean and unpretentious to train, and they get the same coaching either way.

Donnie Whetstone sitting in the upstairs weightlifting area at Whetstone Fitness

Donnie Whetstone training a client on a leg press at Whetstone Fitness

Donnie Whetstone's military medals from his service in the U.S. Marines and Army

Donnie Whetstone winning a bodybuilding contest at the IFBB Pro Legion Sports Fest in Reno, Nevada

"I REALLY CARE A LOT ABOUT PEOPLE AND WANT THEM TO REACH THEIR FITNESS GOALS."

DONNIE WHETSTONE, IN SOUTH SOUND BUSINESS MAGAZINE

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU

FOUR THINGS WE DO DIFFERENTLY

MEMBERS BEFORE MARKETING

Most of our growth is word of mouth. We would rather keep the members we have happy than chase new ones with ads.

EVERYBODY'S GYM

General fitness, senior programs, post-rehab work, and competitive lifting share the same floor without friction.

VETERAN OWNED

Service branches hang on our walls. Military and first-responder rates are part of how we say thanks.

LOCALLY OWNED

One location, one owner, decisions made in the building. No franchise contract to fight your way out of.

Donnie Whetstone on the cover of South Sound Business magazine

IN THE PRESS

SOUTH SOUND BUSINESS, SMALL BUSINESS ISSUE

Whetstone Fitness made the cover of the magazine's small-business issue, in a feature on retention, reputation, and building a gym back after a business failed.

READ THE FEATURE

TOUR THE FACILITY