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    Barbell Brigade

    4.6 (200 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    Recommended Reviews - Barbell Brigade

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    First Name L.

    it's a no-frills, simple gym geared towards bodybuilders and power lifters. Everyone minds their own business and I was able to get a great leg day in. The day pass is $25, it's cheaper than golds. There will be gym rat influencers with tripods, but it's mostly powerlifting influencers.

    I absolutely love this gym! It is my home and the community is amazing. I walk in & greeted with a smile. Barbell brigade is a place that I can be to support my wins and losses. No matter what they support my dreams and goals. The entire staff is incredible as well.

    I was at a typical gym before coming here. I had trained at said gym for 5 years & felt like I had gotten to the point of needing to find another gym or powerlifting gym that would fill the needs of what I did in order to progress. I felt like the gym I was at made me very stagnant in my progression. I tried Barbell Brigade a few times here & there & loved it every single time I trained there. It felt amazing with the vibe, energy & people in general. The equipment is by far one of the best well equipped gyms around. Every time I came here, I always had what I needed to train or even learned new ways to train because of the variety they have in all their equipment. This year, I decided to get a 5 day pass & try it out way more often. Then, after the 5 day pass was done, my mind was made up & decided to leave my gym & join Barbell Brigade once & for all. I just wish I had joined earlier & had been able to train with proper equipment. Barbell Brigade is such an amazing & incredible powerlifting gym. Would I recommend it to anyone? Heck yeah!

    Power lifting gym
    Maria K.

    Exceptional place for power lifting fans! Nice gym, great equipment, friendly staff and great atmosphere

    entrance
    Jeron W.

    Barbell Brigade is an iconic gym that's quite famous in the area through its strong social media presence. I was quite excited to go as many of my friends have gone before and have a few friends who have memberships there. The equipment there is really good, there's quite an assortment to choose from. Powerlifters are sure to love the selection and abundance of squat rack spots. My only gripe is the pretty expensive day pass. The gym knows how to capitalize on its fame by charging $20 per day pass which is almost as much as my monthly membership for my local gym.

    Tram N.

    I drove a little over an hour to workout here. I reached out to them in advance to see if I can take Gavin here. They got back to me w/in 24 hours and told me that he is welcomed to wait in the lobby where there is a couch or on the turf w/ me. Obviously a waiver needed to be signed but I am no beginner at that because he goes to Smash Gym w/ me in San Jose and I did the same thing at Elev8 Performance in Huntington Beach 2 years ago. + $20 for a day pass. Same price everywhere else. + Friendly atmosphere. Family-like feel. + Music blaring. No need for your headphones. + Racks on racks. + Each rack can have 2 squatters. + They have rubber and metal plates. + Restroom facility is clean and have a digital scale. + Film-friendly. + First time I saw 55lb bar (so used to the 45lbs). + Love their deadlift platforms. + Cold Monster Zero (white cans) readily available. "Dominate Humbly" fits the atmosphere at this gym perfectly. Regardless if you are an athlete, a beginner, someone who just want to be active and healthy, or just someone that enjoys lifting heavy... this place IS for you. Gavin ended up doing squats and deadlifts w/ me. It was the perfect mother and son date. Thank you for this wonderful experience. If you are lucky, you will see Amanda Bucci... :) Powerlifting = my love!

    Gerry M.

    "Surround yourself with people who empower you to become better. -sayquotable . ‍First time at Barbell Brigade gym and it was an awesome experience! They have a variety of high quality powerlifting equipment, the ambience is set for serious hardcore lifting, and the staff and weighlifters were very friendly and supportive.‍

    ...probably what heaven looks like
    Kaulana D.

    ...canoe list check off. After trolling Barbell Brigade for a year, the opportunity presented itself for a drop in as I was in Cali. Easy to find and a great place to lift. Parking - street parking is free with a couple of one-day stipulations (Friday I believe is street sweeping day) but the location itself lends to ease of parking on the street which is free (non-metered) Staff - friendly and welcoming, huge plus, sorry for forgetting his name but Devante/Delante? was a huge presence of aloha, mahalo sir, 10/10. Situation - since it was my first time there I signed a waiver and my info via iPad which took no longer than a couple of minutes, 9/10 Fee - only there for 1 day so it was $20...bonus Yelp $5 off when you "check in" via yelp, 910 Facilities - clean and organized, 10/10 Equipment - coming from 24 HR Fitness in Kapiolani, Oahu, I was a kid in a candy store here as they have reverse hypers, GHD machine and choke (a plethora) squat rigs. Add in Deadlift platforms, rogue bench, 3 comp type benches and a great mobility area and I should've been paying more for rent. Chalk it up, chains, all kinds of specialty bars; kabuki-type Bench, SSB, Deadlift, Bamboo, football, etc. they also have slingshots for benching and bands for mobility use. 10/10 for equipment. I lifted around 1 pm to about 3 pm and it was fairly empty at the beginning. It started picking up at the end of my workout there and the vibe is a lot of head nodding and appreciation when u see someone lifting heavy shit and vice versa. Big mahalo to braddah who told me that I had the SSB bar the wrong way...no ego, all aloha! Big shout out to braddah Andrew for the spot as he just moved to LA and joined the gym a couple of months ago. All in all, I'd recommend this place to all my ohana and friends who want to lift heavy shit at a world class gym. Negative reviews revolve around hours and price...my take; I am happy to pay for value and Barbell Brigade is worth every bit of my hard earned $$$ if I were to live in LA and train there.

    Exterior

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    5 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Been training here for 10 years, shout out to Ronny for always getting the SSB out and playing the same song 10x for me lol

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    2 years ago

    Customer support at this gym sucks. They don't care. Even when you're patient and respectful.

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    Ask the Community - Barbell Brigade

    Can I walk in to buy supplements (pre workout)?

    Yes They have a variety of supplements They have vitamins, greens, protein, preworkout, and immune… 

    How much is the day pass now (2021)?

    $20

    Can you vlog (for youtube) some of your lifts inside?

    Absolutely. If you are bringing a crew with you, however, please contact the gym before coming to ensure accommodation is possible.

    How much is this gym per month?

    100 general 90 students 80 ems/ military… 

    Do people need to commit for a whole year or can we do month to month? Do you guys have personal…

    It was month-to-month when I signed up in the middle of 2020. Also, I do believe they have PT services (I've seen trainers there before), but I haven't used them myself.

    Are you guys open during Covid? Some gyms have been conducting business outside.

    We are opening for outdoor training only. We have 2 deadlift platforms, 6 squat cages, up to 200lb dumbbells, leg Press, leg curl, cable machines and belted squat machine available to use. We are running on a block schedule at the moment, head over… 

    Douchebag vibe? Most lifters at my current gym are typical gym douchebag bullies. Are there a lot of bullies here? It looks like there are.

    Absolutely not. Pretty chill, girl at the front desk was very helpful and showed me around when I visited. It's a mix of average Joe's and some serious lifters but all smiles.

    Do they have showers?

    No, there are no showers at Barbell.

    Equipment rental fee ( chalk or shoes etc)?

    Chalk is free No shoe rentals tho. They got all the equipment you'll need

    Do they have boxing equipment there? So people can do boxing?

    There's an indoor and outdoor bag available. You'll need to bring your own gloves though.

    Do they sell Barbell Brigade Apparel at the gym?

    We sell a curated selection of some of our best gear at the gym, but carry our full line on our website www.barbellbrigade.com

    Do they have trainers or do you work out on your own? And if yes, around how much does the trainer charge?

    Yes we do! (You are free to either work with one of our certified coaches or train on your own) Please contact us at (323) 225-2251 for more information about our Barbell Brigade Gym Training Department. Rates vary by curriculum.

    How much is the day pass?

    $20, $18 if you check in and use the Yelp offer

    Is there an age limit to enter?

    If you are under 18 you need a parent or guardian to sign a waiver

    How much is barbell brigades membership?

    $100 per month

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    Review Highlights - Barbell Brigade

    Everyone's been to a commercial gym (24hr or LA fitness) but this place is a completely different type of gym.

    Mentioned in 20 reviews

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    Pharos Athletic Club

    Pharos Athletic Club

    4.7
    (87 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    I really enjoyed working out here for all of 2025! It's clean, the people are friendly, and you…read morereally get a sense of community here. When you join, you get guest passes to invite friends and family to join you. And it works! One friend liked it so much, he joined the gym. We started lifting together. But then we were told personal trainers were not allowed. That's cool, this is my friend tho. But we understood why. There are other trainers doing their job, it can be distracting hearing someone nearby pontificate about squat form. So any discussions about lifting turned to a whisper "Hey man, your squats off. Try this." "Wrist looked a little limp. Try this." But despite that, we got a final warning email that threatened to kick us out if we continued working out together. That was disheartening. And the more I think about this, the more confused I get. You encourage friends and family joining with guest passes, give them a discount, then are scolded for working out with friends and family? I reflect back on the year, and realize this has been happening right in front of me. Familiar faces were always solo, duos a blip. The 5 people who still Yelp, I implore you to consider, what constitutes personal training? What constitutes advice? Is it the certification of a Pharos approved trainer? They say it's a matter of safety, but I think it's just code for "This is a community that wants you fully invested in their classes and coaches, not each other." So I'm writing this review to warn anyone thinking about joining that potentially may work out with a friend. Your heads may be next. Overall: The space? Great. People? Great. Equipment? Great. Pricing? Steep as fuck. 4 1/2 stars!

    Really enjoyed the class I took!…read more I took a HIITclass that I found on Classpass. It wasn't a lot of credits to book the class, so the price was great for me! The place is HUGE and there's a variety of workout types you can do! Multiple floors, multiple setups, etc. For the HIIT class, we did a variety of workouts and they provided all equipment. It was a nice push, as most people were super fit! It definitely pushed me, and I will 100% be returning. My instructor was extremely kind, helpful, and supportive! He really kept my head in the game! The place was clean, and more importantly, the BATHROOMS were clean! I think it's worth it if you have a classpass! I don't know the regular pricing! But again, I'll definitely be returning when it makes sense or I'm in the area!

    Photos
    Pharos Athletic Club
    Insie
    Insie
    Pharos Athletic Club

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    Los Angeles Athletic Club

    Los Angeles Athletic Club

    3.8
    (191 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    LAAC has changed a lot since my last review from 10 years ago. It continues to have the best pool…read morewith advanced filtration system that does not make me feel like a chlorine tablet after swimming. But it now caters to a younger crowd and has substantial co-working space. I've certain found more members using the facilities but also discovered quite a bit of new programmings like the Pilates classes, mahjong club, live jazz performances and movie nights. I was not really sure about the change at the beginning but I am now fully embracing the new LAAC. Many of the staff and members have been here for a long time and it is nice to be greeted by familiar faces when coming to the club. The restaurants are pretty decent. Love to top my salad with a nice piece of salmon after workout at the Famous Players or have a tasty glass of scotch while enjoying the live jazz performance at the Invention. The sports bar Duke's has great happy hours and fun monthly evening karaoke or chess club meetings. The only thing I complain about is the need for shock absorbance and insulation of the noise or moving the weight station. The northwest corner of the Famous Players near Olive Street shakes every time the weightlifters drop their weights, which is very annoying and distracting for the diners. Feel like the ceiling or floor is going to drop out. No joke. For now, I would sit as far away from the northwest corner as I possibly can. But hope the club would look into it. I have been trying to sign up for the monthly wine tasting but they are always full. Maybe consider having the event more frequently or scale up? Regardless, I am still exploring all the new offerings at the club and really pleased with the Pilates classes and the live music performances. Although I am apprehensive when I first see the co-working space and the influx of new members, I now appreciate the additional events and classes that come with the new members and hope the club continues to do well and do better as I am here to stay.

    I recently stayed here for a conference, and everything screamed vintage but athletic club, too…read more The hotel room is VERY spacious, though it erred on the side of dark. As usual, water in the room costs money, and there are a few other products with hidden price tags in the room, too. Surprisingly, toothbrush and toothpaste was not provided. The water for showering also doesn't get too hot. In terms of the athletic space, the machines were very easy to access. There was never a wait even on weekend afternoons. The lap pool was my favorite part - clean and calm. There was some miscommunication between the lobby and the store, as one said there is no reservation system but there in fact was. But even when told all the lanes were fully reserved, more than half weren't in use. Parking is a bit of a hassle; for non-members it's definitely not worth it. At the time of visit, the parking machine wasn't working. There are also sperate elevators for parking vs the athletic club / hotel area which was a little confusing. The stair numbers also didn't coordinate the best with actual level.

    Photos
    This is the "Brandon Special" by Esther, not on the menu.  I don't know what's in it but it's delish.
    This is the "Brandon Special" by Esther, not on the menu. I don't know what's in it but it's delish.
    Fish tacos
    Fish tacos
    Stairway to speakeasy

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    Stairway to speakeasy
    Fitness Forum

    Fitness Forum

    5.0
    (9 reviews)
    3.7 mi

    I met Henry about 2 years ago when he joined as one of the athletic coach's at Burbank High school…read more From the first day he's always been full of great and positive energy training our players and offered to train me as well. I've been training with Henry for 2 years now working on speed, agility strength and have learned and seen massive improvements. As a soccer player I never really went to the gym and thought it was a waste of time but Henry has taught me the importance of off the field work, how to fuel my body, and most importantly take care of my body. He's positive energy and motivation has kept me pushing and wanting to train more with him. He always pushes me to reach my maximum potential and he truly is the best trainers out there.

    After years of being terrified to enter a gym because 1) I felt unsure about how to structure a…read moreworkout, 2) I was overweight and felt insecure about my body, and 3) I HATED working out, I have finally found a gym and a trainer that make me look forward to exercising. I have been working with Henry for about a month now, and I already feel like this will be the place that I'll be coming for the rest of my life. As a trainer, Henry is kind, patient, and encouraging, but he will also push you because he knows you're capable of it. He is also a truly gifted teacher, and he's been helping me learn about proper form and how to structure my workouts so that I can avoid injury. I also really appreciate that Henry tailors his work with you based upon your own goals. Learning how to work out properly was really important to me, and he's gone out of his way to help me understand how to exercise in a way that never makes me feel silly or weird for not already knowing this stuff. I genuinely look forward to my workouts with Henry -- a sentence I never thought that I would say! If you're someone like me who has struggled with finding a comfortable gym environment, I cannot recommend Henry or the other amazing trainers at this gym enough. I feel so grateful to have found this place!!

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    Fitness Forum
    Fitness Forum
    Fitness Forum

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    Equinox Downtown LA

    Equinox Downtown LA

    3.5
    (290 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$$$

    David, the training manager, and Jenna, the personal trainer, were amazing to work with. I'm so…read moreglad I met David. He really listened to my goals and physical limitations and recommended Jenna as the best fit. Before training with Jenna, I was dealing with recurring pain, stiffness, muscle strains, and diastasis recti. Since working with her, all of those issues have improved significantly. I became much stronger and achieved incredible body recomp results. At my 1st check in the number on the scale barely moved but I'd lost 6 inches of measurable fat from around my body and replaced lbs of fat w muscle. That's why the inbody scan is so important. I got it done beginning, middle, and end and invested in a smart scale for home. Beyond the physical results, Jenna gave me the knowledge and confidence to train on my own, and I've continued applying what she taught me. Working with Jenna was hands down the best investment in my physical health. I highly recommend meeting with David and allowing him to guide you toward the trainer who best fits your goals and needs. As for the gym itself, it's one of the cleanest Equinox locations I've been to. There is always staff cleaning equipment and keeping everything organized. If it's your first visit, be sure to allow extra time for parking, the garage can take a while to navigate. Also, don't forget to validate your parking and keep track of your ticket.

    Clean facilities and nice staff. Great with communication. 5 stars for all of that. If I had a…read morechoice I'd have them open Sundays but I also understand the building needs.

    Photos
    Recovery devices.
    Recovery devices.
    Equinox Downtown LA
    Equinox Downtown LA

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    Barbell Brigade - gyms - Updated August 2026

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