The Founder
Founder & Owner
Born in Detroit, Michigan. National-level bodybuilder and powerlifter with a 402lb bench, 705lb squat, and 700lb deadlift. Founded MetroFlex in 1987 to build a training culture for serious lifters. Discovered Ronnie Coleman working as a cop and offered him a free lifetime membership on one condition: let Brian train him for competition. The rest is history.
“Explosive lifting on basic movements with heavy weight, followed by stricter, more concentrated movements with lighter weight.”
The homeless outreach that Brian and MetroFlex members started in Fort Worth is still going strong, now carried forward by Open Door Church. His faith drives everything, from how he treats members to why MetroFlex has always been more than a gym.
MetroFlex was built on Christian values: discipline, service, and treating people right. Every year Brian hosts a wild game feast at the gym where he cooks elk, venison, wild boar, and black bear for the entire MetroFlex community. It's not just about lifting weights. It's about building people up, inside and out. That spirit carries through every MetroFlex location, a place where strangers become family and everyone looks out for each other.
402
lb Bench Press
705
lb Squat
700
lb Deadlift
1987
Founded
From The Founder
Brian Dobson tells the origin story in his own words.
Brand Director
Brand Director
Brand Director at MetroFlex Gym. Lifelong iron addict and competitive powerlifter. Oversees brand strategy, licensing expansion, event promotion, and digital operations across all MetroFlex properties. Responsible for growing the MetroFlex network from a single gym in Arlington into a multi-state and international brand with locations across the US and Japan. Works directly with founder Brian Dobson to bring new licensees into the MetroFlex family and ensure every location carries the culture that made the original what it is.
2012
With MetroFlex Since
19+
Locations Launched
US + Japan
International Expansion
8+
NPC Events Per Year
Legacy
Brian Dobson founds MetroFlex Gym in Arlington, TX
Ronnie Coleman wins the heavyweight and overall titles at Mr. Texas in his first show
Coleman wins first of 8 consecutive Mr. Olympia titles
Coleman scores a perfect 300 at Mr. Olympia for the third consecutive year
"The Cost of Redemption" filmed: 800lb squat for two reps, 2,300lb leg press
Coleman wins 8th Olympia, tying Lee Haney's all-time record
Branch Warren wins first Arnold Classic title
Benedikt Magnusson pulls 1,015 lb raw deadlift world record at the Ronnie Coleman Classic
Peter Edgette becomes youngest person to bench 600 lbs raw at the MetroFlex Wild Game Feast
John Haack sets 90kg all-time world record total (2,055 lbs) at MetroFlex Powermania
Danny Grigsby (1,030.7 lb deadlift) and Joe Sullivan (850.9 lb squat) set all-time world records at MetroFlex Battle for the Yard, Murrieta CA
MetroFlex Gym Japan opens in Saitama, the first international location
MetroFlex Japan expands to nationwide licensing agreement
MetroFlex locations across the US and Japan continue to grow
The Legends
8x Mr. Olympia
“Everybody wants to be a bodybuilder, but don't nobody want to lift no heavy-ass weights.”
Eight consecutive Olympia titles. Every one of them trained for inside these walls. 800lb squat for two reps. 2,300lb leg press. Perfect scores across multiple Olympia wins.
2x Arnold Classic Champion
“I wouldn't change nothing. I had the time of my life.”
Walked in through the back door because he couldn't afford a membership. Left as a two-time Arnold Classic champion and one of the most feared competitors on any stage.
Founder of MetroFlex Gym
“I saw this cop walk in and I knew right away, this guy had the genetics to be Mr. Olympia.”
Born in Detroit, Michigan. National-level bodybuilder and powerlifter. Founded MetroFlex in 1987 to give serious lifters an alternative to corporate gyms. Discovered Ronnie Coleman and trained him into an 8x Mr. Olympia champion.
The Legend
62 million views. 800 lbs on the bar. The footage that made MetroFlex famous.
Ronnie Coleman's 800 lb squat at MetroFlex. 62M+ views.
Full tour with Ronnie Coleman and Brian Dobson. 7.9M views.
Rare 1995 footage, before 8 Mr. Olympia titles.
Community
Built on faith, discipline, and taking care of each other.
Brian Dobson built MetroFlex on Christian values: discipline, service, and treating people right. That foundation shows up in how every location operates and how members treat each other.
Walk through the door and people know your name. Need a spot, advice, or just someone in your corner? That's what MetroFlex is. Newcomers are never intimidated because members look out for each other.
The homeless outreach Brian started in Fort Worth is now carried forward by Open Door Church, feeding 500+ people monthly. Every year he hosts a wild game feast at the gym, cooking elk, venison, wild boar, and black bear for the entire MetroFlex family.
“This place will literally change your life. The energy, the people, the equipment, it's everything a real gym should be.”
“There isn't any gym around that can replicate the hardcore no-BS atmosphere that you get the second you walk through the doors. Words cannot describe how inspiring and motivating this place is.”
World Records
The heaviest lifts in history happened on this platform.
1,015 lbs
460.4 kg
Raw Deadlift
Raw conventional deadlift, belt only. Held the record for 11 years.
MHP Clash of the Titans IV / Ronnie Coleman Classic
2011
1,030.7 lbs
467.5 kg
Raw Deadlift (110kg)
110kg weight class all-time world record raw deadlift. Active duty USMC.
WRPF MetroFlex Battle for the Yard 8, Murrieta CA
2023
850.9 lbs
386 kg
Raw Squat (100kg)
100kg weight class all-time world record raw squat.
WRPF MetroFlex Battle for the Yard 8, Murrieta CA
2023
2,055 lbs
932.5 kg
Total (90kg)
90kg weight class all-time world record total. One of the greatest pound-for-pound powerlifters ever.
USPA MetroFlex Powermania
2020
600 lbs
272.2 kg
Raw Bench Press
Youngest person in history to bench 600 lbs raw at age 22. Trained by Josh Bryant.
MSA Wild Game Feast, MetroFlex Arlington
2016
MetroFlex Events
NPC-sanctioned competitions that give athletes a world-class stage.
MetroFlex Events produces NPC-sanctioned bodybuilding, physique, and figure competitions, including the Ronnie Coleman Classic and the Branch Warren Classic. These attract national-level athletes and feature the production quality, judging standards, and athlete experience that competitors deserve.
From prejudging to finals, every detail is handled: professional lighting, live streaming, and an atmosphere that honors the sport. Athletes who compete at MetroFlex Events know they're getting a fair stage and a first-class experience.
Visit MetroFlex EventsNPC
Sanctioned Events
500+
Athletes Annually
8+
Events Per Year
TX
Based in Texas
By The Numbers
19
Locations
39
Years
8x
Mr. Olympia
7
States + Japan