Function First

San Diego, United States

4.8

17 reviews

By Appointment Only

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 619-285-9218
Website:
www.functionfirst.com
Address:
3974 Dove St, San Diego, CA, 92103
b/t University Ave & Washington St
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.1 miFashion Valley Transit Center
1.1 miWashington Street
1.2 miMiddletown
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes
By Appointment Only
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (San Diego) 18:53 Friday, 23 May 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday 7:00 am – 11:00 am
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Function First specializes in Corrective Exercise therapy as a method of pain relief. We offer personalized Corrective Exercise programs, focusing on your whole body, not just the injured area, to attack the root cause of your pain to eliminate your pain.

Function First also offers Personal Training & Small Group Training Programs. Our training programs are NOT one size fits all. You are unique and therefore deserve a unique program tailored to help you accomplish your specific goals. We believe in designing programs that will strengthen and condition your entire body utilizing the most cutting edge fitness equipment on the market including the Core-​Tex, ViPR, TRX, and Power Plate.

Personal Training Programs include:

* Lifestyle Assessment & Customization

* Functional Biomechanical Analysis

* Continuous Support

Function First is recognized by the New York Times as «Reputable and Qualified» and is recommended by TIME magazine.

History

Established in 1994.

Function First is a pioneer in the functional training field. We were doing functional training long before it became trendy. Company founder Anthony Carey is recognized as one of the top trainers and fitness educators in the world. He was Personal Fitness Magazine’s 2009 Personal Trainer of the year and regularly presents at conferences throughout the world.

Function First has served clients and professional athletes from all over the world. Our work has appeared in the New York Times, Time Magazine and Oprah’s «O» Magazine.

We work with clients of all fitness levels and abilities. People come to Function First to get out of pain, improve performance, lose weight, get stronger and enjoy life more.

Meet the Business Owner

Anthony C.

Business Owner

Anthony Carey is the CEO and founder of Function First. Anthony has 21 years of experience working in fitness, corporate wellness and athletic training industries. In 1989 obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise psychology from Trenton State College. In 1995, he completed graduate school where is received a Master of Arts degree in biomechanics and athletic training from San Diego State University. Anthony is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Gold– Certified Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist through the American Council on Exercise, and an IDEA Master Level Trainer. While Anthony is an International Fitness Industry Presenter, Industry Consultant, Public Speaker, Author, and Inventor, at Function First Anthony helps people eliminate pain by developing individualized corrective exercise programs, in order to address functional movement limitations and pain provoking mechanical stress.

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17 reviews of Function First

No registration required
Place rating: 5
El Cajon, CA
This review is LONG overdue! Function First is a great little training facility in Mission Hills that just got infinitely better with the addition of trainer Daniel Soto.
Located across from the Vons on Washington St, this small gym is unassuming but loaded with cool gear and knowledgeable trainers. I got to use some equipment that I had never seen in any gym before, and I could tell that they really pay attention to both your goals and any physical limitations you may have due to injury or strain. This is not a Crossfit style gym where they push you till you puke (or severely hurt yourself due to bad form), this is a fitness facility that focuses on technique and proper body movement.
Daniel is truly amazing! His enthusiasm and energy makes the workout time fly by, and it is impossible to ever say «No» to Daniel because there is something so genuine and positive about his personality that he makes you WANT to do a good job to impress him. Daniel is not the type that uses yelling to motivate, which is something I appreciate. His knowledge is truly impressive, and he was able to identify several key issues that were limiting my results. I’ve trained with at least 5 to 6 different trainers in the last decade and Daniel is one of a very few at the top of the list. Whether you are new to training or a seasoned veteran, Daniel will get you results!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Function First really changed my life. When I first went to see them a couple of months ago, I was in nearly constant pain from my hip. I had not been able to figure out the cause or anything I could do to relieve it. It had been going on for 1.5 years, and was really affecting my quality of life.
Luckily, my doctor suggested that I go to Function First. I was truly out of ideas, or I never would have paid what I considered to be very high prices for the consultation. When Anthony talked about what it would look like if my pain was gone, I was very skeptical and thought it was too good to be true. But now I am a believer!!! If I consistently do the exercises that they «prescribed», my pain is gone. If I start to slack off, then I am reminded by my hip that I need to do them!
The time and money I spent with Function First was absolutely the best thing I could have done. I am so happy to be pain-​free, and very importantly, medication-​free as well! It has really made a difference in my daily happiness. As the sign in their gym states, «Pain sucks».
Thank you so much to Anthony and DeRahn!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Great place to work out. Personal attention, great staff. You just show up and they give you a 1 hour workout. Have become more coordinated from working out here and varied exercises.
Place rating: 5
Baltimore, MD
A year ago, I was in need of something new on the workout front. I came across FF because of its proximity to Von’s. I expected to stay a couple months and move on. Anthony, Derrick, Reyci, and team made it impossible to move on. Their workout regimens were fresh, challenging, and innovative. Their customer service exceptional. Lastly, they made the community a better place with their social outings. There is no better compliment that I can offer than say I’ll miss the FF team and only wish that they expand operations to Baltimore, MD!
Place rating: 5
La Mesa, CA
I am a Marine of 18 years with 3 lumbar surgeries that have not turned out well. I have tried everything to rehab my back on my own, but have not had results just poor technique. I went to Function First as a last ditch effort, in hopes that someone could help me out. Anthony Carey did just that, in the first, 2 hour assessment I gained more knowledge and exercise tips then anytime post surgery. I never would have guessed what the mind and body does to compensate for discomfort or how to get passed it. Anthony Carey knows what he is doing and knows how to explain it so that one can understand it as well. Semper Fidelis.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I had driven by Function First on numerous occasions but had decided it was for individuals with a much higher level of fitness. I finally inquired at the suggestion of a Doctor and have just been absolutely delighted with the staff and the program. Anthony, Derrick, Reyci and Natalie are just awesome. This is no ordinary gym! (Thankfully). They design programs to fit their clients… No «one size fit’s all» philosophy at Function First. The main point here is getting in shape in a totally fun environment and never, ever do you feel pain. I’m 62 and rehabbing from hip tendon surgery. I was not sure they could even help me. It’s been life changing in a very positive way. I do semi-​private which is very cost-​effective because while you work out with a couple of people, you each have your own individualized program. You definitely get what you pay for here.
Place rating: 5
La Mesa, CA
I just finished my free trial week at Function First, and so far I’m really liking it. Going to sign up to go regularly. Highlights:
–I can feel my whole body being worked out. Every muscle feels worked, but nothing hurts. Getting good cardio, too. In the past, training on my own, I always had 2 or 3 really sore muscles after a workout, and no «good sore» feeling anywhere else.
–I went in with a stiff/​sore neck one day, and the trainer helped modify all the exercises for me on the fly. I was able to do a whole (modified) workout with my neck messed up because of their expertise.
–Really nice people, both the employees and the other gymgoers.
Place rating: 5
La Mesa, CA
My first experience with Function First was when a friend invited me to a free lecture on back pain by the gym’s owner, Anthony Carey. For years I had suffered, on and off, from lower back pain. Anthony’s talk opened my eyes to the root causes of my pain, and laid out tangible, concrete ways I could strengthen my whole body and leave a life limited by back pain behind — without medication, surgery, or limiting my activities. I immediately bought his book «The Pain Free Program», which helped me identify the structural imbalances that lead to my pain. The exercises prescribed in the book brought relief I had only ever found with frequent trips to the chiropractor’s office.
After my success with the book, I decided to join Function First and recently started working out with their fantastic staff. My experience thus far has been mostly with trainers Natalie and Reyci, and they’ve both been knowledgeable, supportive, and encouraging. The design of their workouts and the proper form they demand allow me to get a complete, intense workout without putting any strain on my back.
Last week, I arrived at my session having pulled a muscle in my back, worried I would not be able to complete my workout. On the contrary, the deeper I got into the workout, the better I felt! Not only did it not hurt me, the exercises actually relieved my back pain, leaving me feeling better after my workout than before! I now completely understand the Function First mentality — if I strengthen all the support muscles throughout my whole body, and train them to function cooperatively through the controlled environment of a work out, those muscles will develop to properly support me through all my activities, keeping pain and injury at bay.
Since adopting Function First I’m doing more and hurting less. I highly recommend meeting with this great team to see what they can do for you!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I was introduced to Function First in January 2014 as a semi-​private personal training client. The Function First philosophy has literally changed the way I view strength, mobility, nutrition, and recovery as key factors in my fitness journey. I have gained an understanding of why I was experiencing low back and knee pain, and what I needed to do about it. I To say that I have learned alot from the trainers at Function First is an understatment.
Anthony, Derrick, Reyci, and Natalie are some of the most knowlegable, professional, and caring trainers I know. I feel truley grateful to work with and learn from these amazing people and mentors and I will continue to recommend Function First to anyone wishing to achieve personal fitness goals.
Place rating: 1
San Diego, CA
You would think for $ 500/​month that this center would be something special. It is not. A piece of equipment would be more valuable than what they have to offer.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
In two years at Function First, I have leaned out, built strength and increased my athletic confidence. As the Editor in Chief of the premier trade journal in the fitness industry, I know how vital innovation and continuing education from the pro are to a fitness client’s progress. The leadership at Function First rises to the challenge and keeps us all motivated, injury-​free and progressing along the continuum toward our goals. The clientele is stellar as well. A great sense of camaraderie and a fun place to train! I leave feeling great and smiling after every workout.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Function First delivers results! I have been attending the XFactor workouts at Function First for a little over 2 years and I love it. First, the trainers experience allows them to deliver customized workouts that challenge me, specifically, even in a group setting, while challenging the others in the class at a level they need. Second, Function First is for anyone and everyone who wants to improve overall fitness and health. The classes are very dynamic, challenging, and fun… next thing you know, you look at the clock and class is over. The team at Function First has done a lot to challenge my paradigm of what a workout is (even when I was resistant!). I am strong and more fit than I have been. The added benefit, is there are a lot of great people that not only own and run the studio but workout there as well!
Place rating: 5
North Park, San Diego, CA
I love Function First and cannot say enough about this place! In addition to offering personal fitness programs that fit your needs and abilities, Anthony Carey and his team provide a support system made up of people who truly have your best interests at heart. I love the small-​group classes (X Factor), which offer a fun alternative to training on your own, and I honestly don’t know where I would be without the one-​on-​one help I’ve received from Derrick Price over the past year. He has truly changed my life! I went from being an asymmetrical mess with knee pain and tightness in my hips to being the fittest and most confident I have ever been in my life. In the time that I’ve known him, I’ve improved my strength and agility, and most importantly, I’ve eliminated all the pain that had been holding me back from becoming a runner. With his help, I finished my first half marathon last year and I’m well on my way to slaughtering even more personal goals.
Place rating: 5
Clarksburg, MO
Outstanding Functionability workouts with definite results. FUNCTION FIRST IS THE BEST in its class. & Wendy is a Dynamic Instructor Greatly Motivational & Highly Skilled in Training. :)
Place rating: 5
Long Beach, CA
As a fitness professional since 2001, I’ve known Anthony Carey since November 2003 and have inspired me to become better since then. Even now I still refer a customer or business opportunity to Function First if I feel that they can handle certain cases better than I can.
To all dietitians, personal trainers and physical therapists, feel free to visit Function First Studio and meet some of the best and friendliest fitness professionals in San Diego. Anthony also offers an internship for new and seasoned professionals who wants to learn about pain prevention and identifying posture deviations and other related topics.
If it weren’t for AC, I’d probably be still counting reps and selling gym memberships.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
What I appreciate most about Anthony Carey and Function First is their approach to overall physical and structural health & fitness.
As someone who has been working out for over 33yrs I have seen plenty of workout, boot camp and core training fads come and go. Anthony Carey’s Function First approach to providing a total functional body workout is unmatched.
Using a combination of body weight, core, balance, endurance, interval, functional and strength techniques the Function First method of training provides uniquely challenging workouts regardless of your current fitness level from beginner, elite to professional athlete.
The workouts are designed not only to increase strength & conditioning (anaerobically and aerobically) but also to improve range of motion while maintaining proper muscular-​skeletal alignment.
If you want to experience a fun, challenging and total body workout unlike any other get to Function First. You will be glad you did.
Place rating: 5
Corona Del Mar, CA
I’ve been going to Function First for almost 2 months now and have had incredible results.
After two car accidents, a work injury, and scoliosis, I pretty much had decided that I was doomed to live with pain for the rest of my life. It’s only when the aching and numbness in my arm, hand and shoulder were beginning to stop me from enjoying everyday things — that’s when I went in to see Anthony Carey.
Anthony listened to my story and really worked with me on a plan that was tailored for my body. I noticed pain relief after only 1 session. I’ve followed his recommendations and my pain and numbness are 90% better from that first day. I give him an A+ all the way and would recommend him to someone who wants results!