Huntley High School alumni celebrate their dream of opening a strength training facility after hosting athletes in their home basement
HUNTLEY—Back in October of 2021, brothers and Huntley High School graduates Dimitrios “DJ” and Anthony Yatos, announced that their basement gym, which was dubbed Yatos Basement and served the goal of helping others reach their strength training milestones, would be closing after five years in operation.
However, it wasn’t the end of the Yatos brothers’ mission to spread the benefits of fitness, as they further stated that they would finally be accomplishing their dream of opening a strength training facility.
After months of prep work to get the building ready for patrons, Anthony and DJ unveiled that their new business, Warhouse Barbell located at 10514-B Route 47 N, would be having a soft opening on May 2.
Michelle Moreno/My Huntley News (From Left to Right) Huntley Mayor Tim Hoeft, DJ and Anthony Yatos, and Huntley Areas Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Nancy Binger all stand outside of the Yatos brothers’ new establishment Warhouse Barbell.
On July 30, Warhouse Barbell hosted its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that had several members of the Village of Huntley and the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce in attendance.
DJ and Anthony came up with their idea six years ago while strength training at commercial gyms in the area alongside some of their friends.
They stated that commercial gyms didn’t quite fit the type of atmosphere they were looking for, which eventually led DJ and Anthony to find used workout equipment for free and for sale.
The brothers and their friends subsequently began working out in the Yatos family home basement and as word spread throughout their circle of friends, DJ and Anthony decided to establish a private basement gym business in 2016.
Inspired by their newfound business venture, the brothers and a group of their regulars went on to compete as “Team Yatos Basement” in several powerlifting competitions, where they smashed multiple records and won an award for being the “Overall Best Team in Illinois.”
In due time, the brothers were forced to generate a waitlist for Yatos Basement as more individuals inquired about becoming members at their home basement gym.
Michelle Moreno/My Huntley News Inside view of the Yatos brothers’ new weight training facility in Huntley called Warhouse Barbell.
With their basement lacking the space to host their increasing membership count, DJ and Anthony decided it was time to start looking for a bigger location, while also realizing that there was a much-needed outlet for strength training, mentoring, confidence building, and belonging within the community.
Following a lengthy search process, the Yatos brothers found the perfect location to expand their business in a warehouse that was located right in Huntley on the corner of Algonquin Road and Route 47.
They have gone from an 800-square-foot space in their basement to now having a state of the art 6,000 square foot strength training facility with high-end equipment.
Residents interested in finding more information on Warhouse Barbell can visit their website at warhousebarbell.com.
