The LA-born fitness concept is bringing its glute-focused, stair-and-strength training method to North County this November.
San Diego's boutique fitness scene has no shortage of Pilates studios, but a popular Los Angeles workout is making its way south with a different kind of burn. BÜNDA (pronounced BOON-DUH), the LA-born fitness concept known for its stair-climbing and strength-training classes, is opening its first San Diego studio in Del Mar this November.
Founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Kevin and Katie Lilly, BÜNDA was created to bring the structure and individualized attention of personal training into the group fitness environment. The name (a Brazilian Portuguese slang term for "butt") is a nod to the workout's signature focus on lower-body strength by combining progressive strength training, glute-focused movements, and stair work in a group fitness setting.
The concept quickly grew in popularity with celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Addison Rae, Noah Beck, Olivia Culpo, and Jada Pinkett-Smith, and has since grown into a multi-location brand, with several studios across Los Angeles and its next location now in San Diego.
For Del Mar studio owner Dallas Stephens, bringing the concept to San Diego is a natural next step. Stephens and her husband, Michael, both worked as private and group fitness trainers before discovering Bünda's franchise opportunity. After opening their first BÜNDA studio in Encino in October 2023, the couple expanded to Studio City, Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles, with another LA location in Koreatown also in the works.
"We were trying to think of a way to get out of private training and do more of a business and help more people," Stephens says. "It's been my dream to open a women's gym."
A typical class at BÜNDA moves between two main arenas: heavy-duty StairMasters and dedicated floor stations equipped with dumbbells scaling up to 100 pounds, bands, and benches.
Unlike many boutique fitness classes built around timed intervals, loud countdowns and fast transitions, BÜNDA classes use a rep-based format and focus on progressive overload, a strength-training principle that gradually increases the challenge placed on muscles through heavier weights, additional repetitions, or more time under tension.
The goal is to build muscle and strength over time, rather than simply get through as many movements as possible in a set amount of time.
"We don’t use timers, and we only work for reps," explains Stephens. "It’s a really great way to measure true strength. We focus on progressive overload to prevent plateauing—adding time under tension, controlling the tempo, or increasing weight to keep the muscles stimulated."
The floor portion might include weighted squats, lunges and glute bridges, followed by more targeted activation exercises using resistance bands. BÜNDA's programming incorporates hypertrophy training, which typically uses moderate rep ranges to stimulate muscle growth. As the rounds progress, trainers encourage members to adjust their weights based on how the previous set felt.
Between each round, the studio pauses for a mandatory 60-second water break where coaches deliver form critiques and discuss weight selections.
"We really encourage taking breaks during lifting," Stephens notes. "You need that recovery time to hit the next set with true strength."
It's a more coached approach to group fitness, with an emphasis on doing movements correctly and getting stronger over time.
With Pilates continuing to dominate San Diego's boutique fitness landscape, BÜNDA is arriving with a clear message that strength training shouldn't be the optional addition to your workout routine.
"All movement is great, but strength training should be the main course of your routine," Stephens says. "Pilates is wonderful for mobility and core connection, but to build bone density, preserve joints, and stop age-related muscle loss, your body needs progressive resistance. You can add yoga, Pilates, or a long walk on the beach around it, but lifting heavy weights is the ultimate anti-aging tool."
Building and maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important as we age. Resistance training also supports bone density and joint health, making it an important part of a well-rounded fitness routine.
Despite the emphasis on lifting, Bünda isn't exclusively for experienced gym-goers. Certified instructors are trained to offer progressions and regressions for different fitness levels, and the low-impact format can be adapted for a range of ages and abilities, including pregnancy and postpartum.
Members also get access to nutrition education as part of the experience. Rather than prescribing meal plans, the team teaches the basics of macronutrients and how to understand nutrition labels, helping members make more informed decisions around protein, carbohydrates, fats and their individual goals.
"It's not only that you get a change in your body," Stephens says. "It's also having a strong, safe community to go to and learning so much more about yourself."
BÜNDA Del Mar is located at 2630 Del Mar Heights Rd, Del Mar. The studio is hosting a VIP Week of complimentary classes for founding members beginning Monday, November 9 and a grand opening weekend is set for November 14 + 15.
To claim a Founding Member spot or book a class, download the Train BÜNDA app or visit @trainbundadelmar on Instagram.
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