AZTEC RECREATION CENTER @ SDSU This gym is available for all San Diego State University students and those who are interested in purchasing the membership. I definitely have enjoyed coming to this gym for the past 3 years as a student. I really like how big the gym is, it has two floors, and they also have areas where you can lift and also join to do classes. The one thing I dislike and lost a star was that it can get VERY overpacked, and that they don't have enough machines for this. There is way too much people waiting on the one machine they have, valley enough treadmills for the amount of students that attend this school. They always run out of paper towels especially when it gets done to the evening crowd. I'd definitely recommend attending an evening time for the gym read more

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I had been an ARC member all throughout undergrad and grad school (circa 2015), and restarted my membership this year (2023) as an alumni. The facility upgrades are fantastic, but it's sad that the facilities are no long open 24 hours! I assume it's to allow staff to deep clean the place? There are two main gripes I have about the ARC: 1. The students need to learn how to rerack their dang weights. 2. On weekend nights sometimes the walkways are cluttered with hot dog stands -- including in the bike path near the arena and the ramp to the gym. I don't remember that being an issue pre-COVID. I bike to the ARC to avoid parking, but having to navigate my bike around hot dog carts in a thoroughfare is annoying. read more

Amazing gym, but whoever the manager is has the most absurd rules in place sometimes Got called out for having my belt on the weights telling me it was a "hazard" FOR WHO? Lol Had my Weight lifting shoes on and they told me I couldn't wear those. Huh?!?! It literally shoes I use to deadlift in. The bag policy is getting better. Literally for powerlifters they get booted out sometimes for leaving their much needed gear on the floor for easy access. Other than the silly gym policies the staff is great and gym is great! read more

First of all, the place is brand new and an INCREDIBLE facility. I am currently in my last semester of grad school, so my membership is included with my tuition. The only problem I expect if you are paying for your membership is that you also have to pay for your parking permit (and the parking permits be taxin) and it could get very pricey. They do a great job of keeping everything clean. ARC employees are always walking around cleaning equipment, putting stuff back, etc.I have interacted with the employees several times at the desk, and they are always helpful and responsive. I also like how they don't have music blaring, so you can listen to your own music on your headphones. read more

Community members used to be valued at this place. No longer. Now that almost a hundred parking spots have been removed for street parking and the price has doubled, man how things have changed. It used to be that community members could participate in Arc events, that is no longer now that they have decided to exclude us from intramural sports. I wrote the new leadership team and they sent me a message back several days later telling me how exciting this new facility is...FOR STUDENTS. All of these planning decisions beg the question: If the working class pay taxes and some of those taxes go to higher education, why is it that only college students are afforded a world class athletic facility with events included? I digress, the three stars is because this facility is world-class, but like many elitist institutions, only caters to a certain few. Even community parking passes are no longer offered through the aztec parking portal (hopefully someone sees this and we can change that.) Suffice it to say, the organization of this facility leaves much to be desired, but the actual facilities are AMAZING. Rock wall, opened up weight room with lots more racks. 2 more basketball courts, bowling alley, express facility near big parking garage and the Aquaplex which features an amazing olympic salt-water pool. I love the Arc, which is why I want to see the management make it even BETTER. read more

I've been a long-time alumni member going way back to almost when the ARC first opened. At the time I joined, it was pretty much the only 24-hour gym in the neighborhood. I never liked that it opened at 8 am on weekends, but as long as it was open early in the morning during the week, I didn't mind. Now that several other gyms are open in the neighborhood with decent hours and better parking, I think it's time for me to move on. A couple hundred "free" parking spaces were removed recently, and paid parking is extremely expensive if you go every day unless you can get a permit (which is only available for students and staff). Also, any time there's a big basketball game or concert, parking is either unavailable or available at an outrageous price. This makes working out after work or later in the day impossible. The new facility is very, very nice with lots of amenities and plenty of space --if you do cardio. The weight machines are always busy and many students hog/save machines. I've had several incidents where the machine seemed clear to use only to have someone come out of nowhere and say they were still using it. That's not cool. Overall, this facility is probably the most convenient for students. Their membership is included in their student association fees. This may not be the best choice for alumni and community members who have to pay much higher rates than they would at other gyms. read more

I'm a current student using the ARC since it is free. I love how big it is and the many classes they offer to students! I think one thing that could be improved is how much they charge for a single day guest pass ($25)! For $25, I'm able to get a three day pass at 24 Hour Fitness in San Diego (~$8.30 a day). I get it's a money grab but I think pricing could be more reasonable considering I'm a broke college student. My boyfriend goes to a different state school and will sometimes visit me. We like to workout together but $25 per a day is absurd! I guess that's San Diego for ya tho! Other than that I really can't complain and love this gym! read more

I've been coming here for about 6 months now. It gets very crowded during the usual peak time. Most of the equipment are in good shape. The cardio machines (treadmill and blue AMT elliptical need regular maintenance as they seem to break down frequently.) I guess since no one complains or report them (myself included) they don't fix them. I joined this gym wanting to check out the pool but have yet to try it out. Guess I'll have to wait until it's 80s outside again. Parking is NOT free and can get pretty expensive if you're driving. $3.25/hr so sign up for the monthly pass if you're coming regularly. read more

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The Aztec Aquaplex is one of the best swimming facilities in California that I have had the privilege of visiting. The Aquaplex is part of the Aztec Recreation Center at SDSU. There are two pools and a big jacuzzi here at the Aquaplex. They have the main competition pool, and an odd "L" shaped recreation pool with a floating area with beach entry. The competition pool is a 50 meter pool x 25 yard pool, with lane lines set up for around 12 - 25 yard lanes. The competition pool ranges in depth from 7 feet to 12 feet under the diving board. The recreation pool is 5 feet deep. You can swim laps in both the competition pool and the recreation pool. The competition pool is kept at a temperature of about 79 to 80 degrees. The recreation pool is kept at 83 - 84 degrees. The men's locker room is adequate. Lockers are available for you to use. Bring your own lockers. There were 4 showers stalls in the men's locker room, with curtains for privacy. The pool is open for lap swimming at different hours depending on the season. The current hours for fall are, Monday - Thursday: 10 AM. - 9 PM. Friday: 10 AM to - 7 PM. Saturday & Sunday: 10 AM. - 5 PM. The hours do change with the season, you should check with their website. http://aztecaquaplex.sdsu.edu/hours/index.php The price for lap swimming is $3 for SDSU students, $4 for affiliates, and $5 if you are from the community. They have kickboards and pull buoys for you to borrow. The Aquacenter is well designed. Lounge chairs are located all around the pool. The grounds are professionally landscaped with palm trees and other tropical plants. The Aquacenter is one of the best lap swimming facility that I been to. Why do you have to be so far away? read more

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I recently visited the Aztec Recreation Center with my girlfriend, who is a student, to try rock climbing. Before purchasing a day pass, I asked the representative at the front desk if rock climbing was included and was told that they were not sure. When I asked if anyone knew for sure, I was directed to a supervisor named Edward Dizon. I mentioned that I wouldn't want to get the day pass if rock climbing was not included, and he assured me that it was included and there should be no issues. I thanked him and purchased the day pass. However, after completing a short rock climbing orientation, we were told that the rock climbing wall would be closing in 15 minutes. I immediately went back to the front desk and asked for a refund or credit for another day as i wanted only to rock climb, but I was denied by Mr. Dizon, who told me that the closing times are posted on the website and I should have looked. I was extremely disappointed and frustrated by this miscommunication and the lack of customer service. I felt like I had been mislead into buying a day pass that I was unable to use for my clearly desired purpose. If I had been informed that I would only be able to climb for 15 minutes, I never would have purchased the pass. During the conversation, Mr. Dizon seemed to have no sympathy or remorse whatsoever when I questioned him about how he could sell me a day pass knowing that the rock climbing wall would be closing so soon. With the hint of a laugh in voice and a smirk curling on to his lips on his he responded , "I wasn't really looking at the time." I could tell the conversation was no longer conversation and just a power trip for Mr. Dizon so i discontinued it. It is clear that Mr. Dizon was aware that the rock climbing wall would be closing shortly and yet he chose to mislead me and sell me a day pass anyway. This kind of unprofessional behavior is unacceptable it is important that customers are treated with honesty and respect. When someone realizes they've made an error they should attempt to fix it as opposed to being bullheaded and dismissive. The gym looked well taken care of and clean, nice facility. read more

UPDATE: It's been almost a month since I got full membership and I must say, I'm not regretting it one bit. My one problem is having to battle it out to find parking. But I mean, it's SDSU. Parking is gonna be a challenge around campus anyway. (Freshmen drivers, consider that previous sentence advice from a senior) Otherwise, adding gym time to my routine has worked wonders. My jumpshot is getting better, and my conditioning is the best it's been in a long while. But most important, I've felt healthier and much more confident about myself. And I believe that will help tremendously in getting through a long, gritty semester. Lastly, go Aztecs! read more

I am a Student at SDSU, I had my backpack on, my student RED ID ready if needed... I asked to use the restroom & they told me "we don't have restrooms for the public" .... I'm.a.student.here.clearly.... got out of class & had to use the restroom but got denied, Never have been to the ARC gym but definitely don't plan on getting a membership there now if they are denying their own students just to use the restroom. you shouldn't need a membership just to use the bathroom on campus! read more

The gym membership here is probably one of the best deals you can get. It includes the gym (duh), free bowling (shoes cost +$1), and access to the Aquaplex (swimming pools & jacuzzi). As a student, the gym membership is cheap. For anyone else, it's still a pretty good deal compared to what other gyms have to offer. The con? Either you pay for parking or you go looking for parking on the street (beware of areas that requires special permits). They have a lot of equipment and the air circulation is bearable. I like that they offer many different fitness classes such as yoga, spinning, etc. If you're not an SDSU student (or if you are a student) but want to get a free week at the gym, they offer a free week pass for NEW guests that permanently live in San Diego: http://arc.sdsu.edu/membership/oneweekform.php read more

Has to be the best gym in the San Diego region. I have been coming here since 2006 and love it. Pros: Great price, staff respond to customer comment cards, clean, plenty of free weights, loaner towels, lots of cardio equipment, fitness classes, boxing room, basketball courts. My tip is that during the Fall and Spring semesters you will have to wait awhile if you go at certain times due to the crowds: 4-10 PM, Monday - Friday. read more

The best gym ever. NO additional fees besides the $19/month for students! Best price ever for any gym honestly. I use to go to 24 hour fitness but I paid way too much for that gym including a start up fee, last month fee, AND annual fee on top of the $30/month and no towels or free wi-Fi. Forget that! This gym has everything, from towel service to classes, weights, cardio room, showers, basketball court, sauna (NOT co-Ed , thumbs up!), free wi-if, access to bowling alley. Seriously, what doesn't this gym have? The machines are all well maintained. They are also open 24hours 4-5 days a week (just call beforehand to check ahead) I believe weekends is when they close at midnight. They also have a climbing area which I thought was pretty cool! Overall, I would highly recommend to any Aztec student! Great price, and this gym has everything you need for a great workout!! read more

Aztec Recreation Center - Recreation Centers Near Me - San Diego, California

WOW hell must have froze over because I went yesterday. I have been a member since 2000. I agree that if you do decide to attend SDSU, join. No contracts or initiation fee. When I joined, I paid $12 a month. Since they added the cool Aquaplex, I now pay $14 a month. The only thing that sucks is the parking, especially at the beginning of the semester. Permits are $135 per semester and $90 during the summer. I did the math, and it's about equal or a little less than the other fitness centers. I buy a permit because I've organized partnerships between two of the colleges and my school, or maybe it's the fact that I am a perpetual student. ;~) Huge weight machine area, free-weight area, and some of the best cardio machines, which they maintain and upgrade on a regular basis. It's been a while since I've taken classes, but they offer something for everyone. They use to have this kickass class called Stomp. The instructor, Walleska, used to make us sweat and just kick our asses! It was a 40 minuted group class done on stairmasters. After she left, it was never the same, so I stopped going. I've never had a personal trainer there, but Randy is one of the best because he has a long waiting list of people wanting to train them. He is Walleska's trainer and she has a rock hard body. I've met Kenny and from what I've seen, he's a really good trainer. They both treat their clients well. Pretty much everything that has been said here I agree with. I do wish they opened early on the weekends, like 6 or 7. Most of the students don't get up that early, so there's never anyone there in the early morning hours. Forget the late afternoons...there's tons of "hos" working out...LOL!...male and female....LOL! I mean, come'on...just workout, use the machine, and move on. They also offer a variety of rec classes like ju-jitsu, tennis, and running. As an ARC member you can bowl for free at the Aztec Center on campus. You can also get your CPR/First Aid certification here as well. Overall, this is a great place to work out at. I only wish I had the time to take more advantage of this place. read more

This gym is the best deal in the SD area if you are a student at SDSU only $19 a month and includes classes + a GORGEOUS pool + jacuzzi and other amenities. Parking is a butt if you don't have a school permit, esp during 8 am - 7pm because you can't park on the streets around the area. The best times to go are 11am-4pm, or 9pm-5am. The gym gets really crowded if you go other times, and you will end up waiting 20-30 minutes for a treadmill when you could be working out. My favorite part about this gym are the yoga classes. My favorite part about the yoga classes is Stan. He always reminds the class to spread there toes. They have free towels their, I accidentally took one home, I should probably return it :/ because apparently people steal towels alot. I am not one of those people though. read more

Sadness, I am no longer a student, left the ARC because it was a little further from my apt, and there isn't a location up in San Jose, when I feel like working out, when I visit home... But man, it was and is still a great gym. Really, the only annoying things were: - when it was super crowded and hard to find machines (same as rush hour 3p-8p) - when stupid hormonal college boys would try to spit game and be "interested" in how to work legs out--uhhhhhh, yeah buddy *light sock on the shoulder* - How overpriced it is for not being a student anymore, supersadface. LOVES: - Towel service - Plenty of flat screens for every genre out there - Individual TV/radio tuners, so you don't have to hear everyone else's doodoo - Nice assortment of new, clean equipment - Large variety of classes with very competent instructors (this is where my love for salsa dancing blossomed) - Being entertained by the cute little blonds who have that pregame cakeface, HAHAHAHHAH LOVE IT! - Watching the basketball players in the back, they get some really good games going back there - Open gym volleyball, awesomeness! - Clean, they generally always have the cleaning staff in there! - Sauna, yeeeeeeeeeeeees, lemme get my pores all nice and clean! - 24 hours. YOU CANNOT BEAT IT. I LOVED my 11p-2a workouts. Perfect for the 11am college student! Eye candy can be a total distraction... blushing during ab workouts and/or cardio is NOT the business! I always loved the beginning of school years, when the freshman rolled in 5-6 deep, all rotate on one machine at a time, and leave an hr and a half later thinking they got their sweat on. Pshhh. Teeheehee. Great gym, just do it!!! read more

I've been a Personal Trainer & Strength Coach here for over 16 years. This gym is about the students, the community and amazing staff. It's not the equipment that makes this place... it's the people. I'm constantly impressed with the friendly community members, the respectful and kind students, and the hard working staff. With that said... The ARC will undergo major reconstruction starting in July of 2019 - doubling its size and revamping all equipment. I'm so excited to be here for the change. The ARC will remain open throughout the construction. While it may not be quite as comfortable in the short term, the improvements will be well worth the wait. The projected completion date is set for Fall 2022. read more

This place never ceases to shock me. In the best of ways of course. First and foremost, the service is always supreme. All your questions are always answered with a smile from the staff and when something is broken or needs to be adjusted, (tv channels, settings on machines, bathroom's need soap) it all gets done pretty quickly. What appeals to me most however, aside from the gym's overall cleanliness, is the variety in activities that are offered. From Zumba and circuit boot camps, to racquetball and water aerobics, you are sure to find the right fitness routine that is unique to your goals or style. The hours are also really great for people who like the freedom to work when THEY want. When I was attending the university, I was a full time student and I also worked off-campus full time... But I was always able to squeeze in a work out from time to time and I loved it! ( Even at 4am! haha) Overall, this place really gives you the bang for your buck... so much to offer and always so accommodating to all their patrons. I'd love to go back and continue using it once I move closer to the area! Try it. You won't be dissatisfied! PLUS~ if you ever want to get motivated to get in shape, take a group fitness class with NANCY. She is inspirational and so amazingly challenging all at the same time. read more

UPDATE: totally can purchase parking permits if you use the facilities frequently!!! So I did!! I really LOVE this gym. Overall the equipment is great, the facilities have EVERYTHING you could ever want in a gym--cardio, weights, classes, pool, sauna, showers....you name it, this place has it. The biggest hassle in my eyes is the parking. If you're not a student (it's been quite some time since I was one for a semester) a community member has to pay every time you park here. Why can't we get a yearly Parkin permit? Is this even possible? If so, why don't employees know about it? If not, why not? You have to pay $2 per hour to park. It adds up to the membership cost quickly. HIGHLY suggest they make parking permits available for gym members. No complaints about the facility or the employees. They're generally great and friendly. But parking costs and parking during school time is not so fun. read more

I live a few miles away from campus and visit this campus about 5 days a week. As a community member with no university affiliation, it's $39/month. $19/month for students. This is not your regular ordinary gym. I have access not only the gym but I have access to the Aztec Lanes, Aquaplex, Cardio Room, showers, basketball courts, indoor soccer, weight rooms, and even Intramural Sports. As a former 24-fitness member, I came back when the new Aztec Lanes was finally completed from construction. Signed as an ARC Member in Fall 2014 and this membership seems like a total steal. Only concern is parking but mostly don't have a problem with it. I love the atmosphere in the gym and outdoors. I met a lot of people since I came back as a member and some does push me to work out harder. They have a very friendly staff, some enjoy playing at least 3 games against me at the bowling alley. I Started weighting about 241 lbs and now dropped to 210 lbs and haven't feel younger for a long time. Everyone in the ARC is trying to better themselves, whether it's running, cardio, lift weights, or improve their conditioning. Regardless of a full schedule, there are no excuses for not wanting to work out, because they got everything for everyone and this an offer than no one should refuse either if your a student or a community member. read more

ARC is all you can get from a gym center! It has a huge building including a Weight Room, Fitness Room, Cardio Room, Wall Climbing, Volleyball and Basketball Courts and other rooms for group exercises. It has enough amount of equipment for all parts of body. It is also very clean and well taken care of. If you are a student at SDSU it is $19 only for a month. For public it is $39 which is a pretty good deal still I would think. Considering the pool and the racquetball courts they provide too, that is avery decent price. They also have hiking trips at the weekends and all kinds of tournaments for non-professional players. It is a really good place to take a moment off your stressful day. read more

Aztec Recreation Center - ARC Fitness Room w/ bunch of cool exercises. - Recreation Centers Near Me - San Diego, California

This gym is one of the best gyms I have been to. They have separate weight rooms and a female and make sauna. Super clean and not too pack. The parking sucks but if you are a student you get a really good deal on this gym which is about 19$ a month. The only downside is that everyone who works there are not friendly nor helpful nor happy. There's so many workers at the front desk but no one seems like they want to help. I went to the front desk to ask for something and every single one of the workers gave me a dirty look and gave me attitude and I even said please and thank you but none of them even smiled. The gym would be a 5 stars but unfortunately the workers bring their ratings down. read more

Unquestionably the best gym in San Diego at this price! Having a membership here includes access to their other facilities: Aquaplex, ARC Express, Aztec Lanes Bowling, Tennis Courts and Racquetball. That's in addition to their three programs - indoor rock climbing, group fitness classes, and intramural sport leagues. Pricing for membership is based on an individual's relationship with the university, so in order to get the best price of $19, you would have to be a student. There is no registration fee and you're only required to keep the membership for four-months. If you're not a student, the price would be double ($38), so I recommend getting the One Week Pass to try out the ARC before committing. You can complete their web form online to get the pass. The ARC is enormous with several areas and each area has a primary focus (i.e. free weight equipment, cardio machines, weightlifting machines, and a room for fitness classes) so it is easy to navigate. In addition, there are basketball courts, a volleyball net, and a sauna in the restrooms - by the back of the gym. The ARC provides towels at the front desk and there's music if you forget your headphones at home. The facilities and equipment are very clean, and they also frequently clean their restrooms. Only downside is parking, you either have to have a parking permit for the structures nearby or find a spot in the residential area and walk over to the ARC. read more

When u upgrade the student gym, just so u can start charging students to use it over the summer

The Aztec Recreation Center was recently ranked as one of San Diego's "Best Gyms" in the "10 News A-List" Contest. See more information at: http://kgtv.cityvoter.com/best/gym/health-and-fitness/san-diego read more

I write this review as a long-time FORMER gym user. This place is amazing, and has a ton of equipment. I think a lot of people complain about crowds, but it really depends on when you decide to work out. I prefer going in the morning before clinic / classes, because it generally is quiet during that time... evenings, the only time it's not wild is on Friday (most students are raging at this time!) Pricing is very fair if you are associated with SDSU, otherwise I don't think its worth it. Hats off to their Aquaplex, Express gym, Bowling Alley, Tennis / Racquetball facilities, and excellent sauna! Would definitely recommend IF you are part of the SDSU family :) read more

I have edited this review many times, but I think this will be the last. This easily would have gotten 5 stars from me if I was a student at SDSU or someone who works on campus. I don't understand why someone would pay $39 to use this gym unless you really use a ton of equipment and want to stare at college students. Why did I give this a low score? Well unless I want to work out here super early in the morning or very late at night, you won't find street parking and probably couldn't even find paid parking in P5 which lately I haven't been able to find a spot in. I haven't been able to go to the gym as much due to the parking situation. I would have loved to have taken the trolley but at $5 round trip to go 4 times a week or by getting a pass it just financially isn't forth it since the gym is expensive for non students/non community members. In the mean time I will probably just get a million of those 1 week trial passes at other local local gyms and take the financial lost of joining this gym. I admit though I didn't think I would have as many parking problems here as I thought I would and that was very stupid of me. My 4 months will be up in May and I don't intend to still be a member. Will go to LA Fitness that seems to have gym prices (including iniation and all those fees) at $20 a month, or do the Joan Kroc Center if they will not make me pay the $99 sign up fee and just the $34 a month membership. Not worth the $ unless you want to workout before 8AM or after 9PM. Pros- - It's 24 hours but I think on the weekends it closes at midnight - Very nice cardio room - The air conditioning feels nice - Cardio Theatre (but someone always beats me to the machine I want) - Helpful staff. After some red tape they were able to give me 3 months membership at $18 each, and then for the last the regular price - Sauna - Free internet access on the computers there - The pool Cons- -They suggest you have to be there 30 minutes early to sign up for a class... -Pay for parking (yeah I know it's only $1 an hour but I am paranoid and pay $2 and if you go 4x a week it adds up) or hope you can find street parking at odd hours - Needs more ab machines (I think they have 2, maybe 3) - $39 for people that aren't students or community members Pros or Cons Depending on You: - Juiceheads and woo girls exercising - Please move the rowers from all the way in front of the cardio room in front of the mirrors (I don't want to see myself when I work out), to somewhere else - I am used to going naked in the steamroom but all the girls that go in are fully clothed?? I don't get it. read more

This is an incredible, huge gym. Only complaint is the lack of squat racks and half racks to do compound lifts. There are only five racks in the entire gym - for a population of over 30,000 students! You always have to wait to squat/deadlift/row/press, and there is no sign to make a line. To solve this, all they have to do is condense some incline benches on the side which no one uses and add a few more squat racks. In addition, put a sign to signify where people are supposed to make lines to wait for the squat rack. Aside from the lack of squat racks, which would hinder anyone working out with weights (since this is the go-to place for any compound lift), the gym is incredible. There are several sets of dumbbells, even the 2.5 versions. There are also tons and tons of cable machines. And there is a whole fleet of cardio equipment. But, it just sucks that, if you go to the gym at midnight, or at 7 in the morning, you might still have to wait because they only have 5 racks to do squats. The gym is always clean. The staff is always friendly. It's easy to sign in - just need to scan your hand. The people who frequent this gym generally know what they are doing, but they still do not rack their weights. At the end of the day, no plate is in its proper place. This gym has a serious re-racking issue, despite several signs that read "Do your part. Rerack your weight!" Thankfully there are like 200 of each plate, but it's just frustrating that you have to go fish out a plate at another place because it's mysteriously been removed from where you're at. I go late at night (around midnight) and while the place is still busy, there are no distractions. Parking is a nightmare because you can't park outside the gym in its own parking lot. Parking costs money via the high priced parking permits which SDSU offers. Overall, it's a beautiful, fantastic gym. But to appeal to people who lift weights, they need more than 5 racks. This is what is bottlenecking the gym and what keeps it from getting any more stars. read more

This is by far the best gym I've ever been to! As everyone else has mentioned, the facilities are incredibly well managed, and I was shocked to find that all the employees I talked to here absolutely LOVE their jobs. If you're an affiliated student or faculty, the monthly cost is very affordable, at $19, and that includes all the spin, yoga, and fitness classes you want. The equipment is a bit old, but the fact that there always seems to be plenty of machines and the instructors are very helpful and friendly definitely more than makes up for that. The range of exercise equipment, mats, weights, and machines is impressive and you can always find something open. There's even a rock climbing wall right in the middle of the gym. Not too shabby! Plus, SDSU students really seem to take a pride in their looks (everytime I'm here I see at least one female putting on makeup in the locker rooms- no kidding!), so it's a great motivation to join a class, or workout in the main gym, surrounded by a bunch of fit students who are all dolled up... once you get over feeling like a bit of a troll you get a fire under your ass to step it up and show them a thing or two about endurance! read more

I love this gym so dearly, so much that it's almost like a second home to me. The ARC is spacious and filled with plenty of activities and amenities for everyone. I love that it's opened 24 hours a day on weekdays. grading scale: The weight room: A Maintenance does a good job maintaining the appearance of the weight room for all us steroid-injecting meat heads :) If you need a spot, ask your friendly frat BRO to help you out, because they will gladly do so. Tennis courts: B All the courts are lit at night and there is PLENTY OF COURT SPACE to play on. Staff could do a better job displaying the hours and availability of the courts though since the sdsu team and club team reserve them as well. Basketball Courts: A full-court courts are waxed and swept on daily basis, and hoops are well maintained. intramurals are awesome! Cardio Area: A Dear girls, GO NUTS. there's zillions of ellipticals and treadmills and stairmasters to go around. Note: you might have to fight a sorority girl for the use of a machine during peak hours of 5-7 pm on weekdays. Bowling Center/ping ping/the express gym: A I love the new Aztec lanes, especially that it's free for ARC members. TWO THUMBS up for the refueling water bottle stations inside aztec lanes. I love the atmosphere. There are plenty of gorgeous women to motivate you to work out harder. There's also plenty of good looking guys, for you ladies out there. Nonetheless, Everyone in the ARC is trying to better themselves, whether it's running faster, bench press more weight, or work on those abs. There is no excuse for not wanting to work out, because they got everything for everyone. This gym is clearly better than any 24 Hour fitness, Anytime Fitness, or any other school gym I ever been to. I will miss this place after I graduate. btw, did I mention its only $20 for ALL THAT ^^^ for SDSU students? read more

Great facility if you're a student, or even living close to the area, which does include the Aztec lanes access. For comparison, as a student, the hours are better than UCSD's Rimac since the admin desks have longer hours and it's open 24 hours 4-5 days out of the week. Then again, you are paying $19/month (for students) with access to the bowling alley, whereas at UCSD they include it within a mandatory recreation fee. Parking is $1/hour at the immediate lot, or you can park in PS 4 if you have a student parking permit. Everything is really clean and climate control is consistent, so you'll never feel like a hot mess despite how much you work out. I used to rely on clubbing with my girlfriends as a form of cardio, but hey, why not do it here where you can track your progress? ;) There's also an area for rock climbing, which is pretty cool, and the machines are well maintained. read more

The best gym ever! If you are an SDSU student, take advantage of their student rate, which is only $20/month. When you graduate and want to keep your ARC membership, you remain billed at student rate!!! I have been going to this gym since I was a student at State and have found that no other gym can compare. It's always clean!! The ARC has towel service! It also has 2 weight areas, plenty of cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines, stair master, bikes), a rock wall, 4 full basketball courts (also used for indoor soccer and volleyball) saunas, a group exercise classroom (for yoga, body pump, tkb) and a spin classroom. There is just a lot of opportunities for various workouts. It does get VERY busy during the 1st month of each semester, it does die down a little after, but hopefully with the addition of the ARC extension at the Union Center, it won't be as busy. I do also want to mention that if you do not have a parking pernit, you either have to pay at the lots or find parking in the residential areas near by. Also with your membership, you get free bowling games at the Aztec Bowl and the ARC membership includes access to the Aquaplex, racquet courts, tennis courts and track, for running. read more

Although I was never a student at SDSU (I chose a large private school up in L.A. with a good football team), I am SO happy to share in the Aztec experience as a member of the gym. I pay a little over $30 a month which provides me with clean and up-to-date gym equipment, the newest cardio machines, a large selection of group classes (from spinning to strength training), access to basketball courts, wii fit (wha?) and access to the beautiful Aquaplex. Although I'm probably mistaken for one of the SDSU professors (I like to think a suave T.A.), its great motivation to work out amongst the "youngsters" and push oneself even harder to keep up with (or surpass) their youthful pace. From my experience with San Diego gyms (24 HR Fitness and Pure Fitness), the ARC provides me better quality machines and more classes for a fraction of the cost. Why isn't everyone in SD working out here? read more

Everyone needs to hit the gym. Get your fitness up! And not any ordinary gym. Choose the ARC! Look it's 19 dollars per month compared to 20-35 for any other gym. You don't need to haggle anyone to get that 19 bucks. The courts are HUGE. They have 4 FULL COURTS, for practically any sport including basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball. There's a rock climbing wall. All you have to do is take one orientation class (it's not difficult at all, just informational for your safety). There's two weight rooms. A dance room where they have Zumba, yoga, shoot and much more. They have another room just for cycling and bags for kickboxing. Another room for rowing, treadmills, stairs. And this is just INSIDE the ARC. If it's your first time going in I suggest you just take your time so you can take advantage of everything the ARC has to offer. There's cubbies in the weight rooms, cabinets for all your personal belongings, lockers in the restrooms, a sauna, showers. Some people don't even know they have racquet ball but that's available. The arc doesn't only have the main gym but it includes the AQUAPLEX too. If you just want to relax take a floaty and chill on the water. If you want a tan grab a lawn chair and sit back. If you want to be competitive they have a hoop. Or if you just want to swim they have deeper pools for those workouts too! I mean what's there that the ARC doesn't have? During intramural season they offer a competitive bracket for any skill. There's Greek leagues, co-ed organized flag football, dodgeball, basketball, softball, volleyball, even bowling. And it's all included with your membership. So take advantage! Cheers y'all read more

As an avid member of the ARC for the past 3 years and the only gym I've ever belonged to..the ARC is definitely a second home and what I believe anyone would look for in a gym.. The machines and bathrooms are clean. If you go at the right times (Before 9AM - After 11AM but before 3PM - After 7PM) there's virtually no waiting for machines, and all of the equipment is newer. I love the Cardio Room, with 9 cardio tv screens and little headphone receptors on almost every machine so you can watch your favorites, CBS, MSNBC, FoxNews and ESPN during your cardio workout. The sauna is great and always neat and clean. There's enough lockers, and although it is recommended you don't have to have a lock for your items. Showers are virtually as clean as can be expected...of course when I need to use them I wear shower sandals (I hope everyone does that..eck) Its just all around a good, nice, clean, spacious gym. Even after I graduate state, as long as I live in San Diego, I plan to be a member of the ARC! read more

For $20 a month you get wall climbing, intramural sports, pool, jacuzzi, a guest pass, and much more! It is well worth it. I'm so glad there is no joining fee because I quit my membership for the summer since school was out. I just started again and I am really liking the experience. Great vibe, great equipment, great workout! There is extensive variety of exercise equipment. You can work on any muscle you want! Plenty of cardio bikes, treadmills, stairs, etc. Plenty of mats to do pushups and ab workouts on. There are also classes you can join at scheduled times. read more

Most people reviewing this gym are students, which makes sense as it's a university gym. However, "community members" (people not associated with the university) can still join for $39 dollars a month or $12 for a day. Considering the facilities offered, that's an amazing price. However, you still have to consider parking. If you pay for parking every time you come, your great bargain will disappear. I would only consider this gym if you're going to be on campus anyway, live nearby, or won't need to park. If parking works out for you, the facilities are amazing. 24 hour access during the week, long weekend hours, group classes, heated pools, a spa, a climbing wall, and towel service. I loved the last one more than I had anticipated as it means you don't have to lug a soggy towel around with you after working out. Definitely an unexpected perk. So why only three stars? Honestly, everything was great except the showers, but those were enough to make this gym useless for me. The shower heads are low flow (because of the drought? because they're just bad shower heads?) and so little water comes out that it took forever to rinse soap off my body and I was never able to get it entirely out of my hair. And if I can't wash my hair at the gym, I can't go before work. Ultimately, that alone was enough to make me quit. Bummer. read more

Great facility, all the latest equipment and the pool is brand-new and included in the monthly fees...I would pay $25 per month just for use of the pool--it's that awesome. Once you sign up at the ARC, if you pay with electronic withdrawl your payment will stay the same forever. My sister joined in 1997 and STILL pays $11 per month...cool concept, I think. I really appreciate that it's open 24 hours, there is a rock climbing wall, the staff is friendly, and the place is clean. I just hate that September-June every year, you have to wait 10 minutes to get on a bike or elliptical because the SDSU students are talking on their cell phones and working out at the same time. read more