• Elite Coaching & Private Facility

The Line up

EL CAJON'S ELITE COACHING & LEADERSHIP TEAM

At HQ Athletics, our standard is set by the people on the floor. From our facility administration to our independent personal trainers, we've built a roster dedicated to serious accountability and movement quality. Located in El Cajon, CA, we provide a premium, ego-free environment where everyone—from young developing athletes to older adults—gets the expert coaching they need to train at the highest level.

Performance Coaches & Trainers

1-on-1 & Small Group
Andre Hernandez
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Co-Owner & Co-Founder

Andre Hernandez

Andre has spent 22 years building athletes. High school prospects, Division I rosters, and pros have all moved through his programming, and the through-line is the same at every level: get stronger, move faster, train with intent. As co-founder of HQ Athletics, he set the bar for how the space operates and who works inside it. His door is open to anyone genuinely passionate about getting stronger and more athletic - credentials and starting point optional, effort isn't.

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Christian Buenviaje
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Strength & Performance Coach

Christian Buenviaje

Christian coaches with a clear philosophy: movement quality first, then load, then results. He has worked with everyday clients improving their health and physique alongside high school and Division I athletes focused on peak performance - and brings the same precision to both. He holds a B.S. in Applied Health Science from Point Loma Nazarene University and is NASM certified as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES). His goal is an environment where clients grow physically stronger and develop the confidence and habits that carry into everything else.

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Mallorie Fox
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Fitness Trainer

Mallorie Fox

Mallorie’s foundation in fitness is rooted in hands-on experience on the gym floor, including a background in powerlifting and heavy strength training. Having spent years learning the nuances of compound lifts, barbell mechanics, and maximum effort training, Mallorie has the ability to safely build serious strength and teach proper form from the ground up.

With a passion for the extensive benefits of strength training for both physical and mental health, Mallorie has made it her mission to positively impact as many women's lives as possible by helping them build confidence and form long term habits that produce sustainable results.

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Ty Buenviaje
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Personal Trainer

Ty Buenviaje

Tyler started training with a clear goal: help people get stronger, healthier, and more confident through intentional training and real accountability. His background spans Applied Health Sciences, athletics, and years of coaching and mentorship - and his approach combines performance training, functional movement, hypertrophy, and sustainable lifestyle habits. He works with clients of all experience levels, building programs tailored to each person's goals, whether that's weight loss, muscle growth, improved athleticism, or simply building lasting consistency. At HQ Athletics, Tyler trains clients in-person and online. The community he has built reflects his belief that growth - physical and mental - is the product of discipline, encouragement, and showing up.

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Ryan Balderas
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Strength & Body Recomposition

Ryan Balderas

Ryan's path into coaching started with his own - growing up overweight, he spent years learning nutrition and movement until he understood them well enough to teach others. That experience shapes how he coaches: methodical, encouraging, and focused on habits that outlast any program. He works across body recomposition, weight loss, strength training, and circuit training, helping clients build real strength and confidence along the way. Outside sessions, Ryan holds himself to the same bar he sets for his clients - because showing what's possible is part of the work.

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Thomas Tutogi
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Athletic Performance Coach

Thomas Tutogi

Thomas competed at the highest level - Division I and professionally - and carries that experience into every session he coaches. His background gives clients access to performance knowledge that only comes from having done it. Whether you're an athlete looking to gain an edge or someone just getting started, Thomas meets you where you are and builds from there. The work ethic is non-negotiable. The results follow.

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Leadership & Administration

HQ Operations
Marlin Badra
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Owner/Founder

Marlin Badra

Marlin is an entrepreneur, sales engineer, and fitness enthusiast with a passion for building businesses and bringing people together. While he owns multiple businesses, his role at HQ Athletics is centered on creating an environment where trainers, members, and clients can thrive as a community.

A lifelong gym equipment enthusiast, Marlin believes that a great facility is about more than just machines—it’s about giving coaches the tools and support to grow their own businesses while surrounding members with like-minded people who push each other to be better.

After more than 12 years of friendship, Marlin and Andre came together with a shared vision: to build a community-first gym where relationships, accountability, and personal growth always come before business.

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Training & Facility Q&A

Everything you need to know about coaching & gym access

Is HQ Athletics only for trainers?
No. HQ Athletics is open to general public memberships as well. We provide a space for trainers to run their business and an elite environment for dedicated members to train.
What type of equipment do you have?
We stock specialized, high-performance, competition-grade equipment. This includes calibrated weight plates, specialty barbells, and heavy-duty racks designed for serious strength and conditioning.