Last year on Thanksgiving I had lower back injury that put me out of the gym for about a month or…read moreso. That was my first serious injury and I knew it was a bit of a wake up call and I had to prioritize my fitness and health. I contacted Fitness SF to get a membership and information on a trainer that specialized in getting back to it after an injury. After I signed up they assigned Albert as my trainer. Albert from day one explained the approach he would take to help build me back up after this injury. Albert put together a good plan that we have stuck to for the past few months. The results speak for themselves after training with him for almost three months now. He helped me tidy up my diet as well and I have gained 5lbs of muscle and lost 3lbs of fat. I feel stronger than I have in a while and my back is feeling 100%. While I had to do the work to get there, Albert was the X factor in the progress I have made. If you're lucky enough to have Albert as your trainer, expect to work hard and get real results!

TF why does this place smell like urine? Everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!¡!!!!!!!! It's bad!…read more Neve notice this intense smell of urine until now. Mixed with dirty people smell and unjustified sweat. I get it, it's a gym. But people need to use deodorant. This pungent oder is gross. There needs to be more cleaning happening everywhere.

The Olympic Club was really cool. To use the facility or stay at any of the locations a person…read moreneeds to be a member or know a member. The Olympic Club membership has a long wait list to get in, but it's pretty easy if you know a member. The rooms are nice, gym equipment is super new and has a great variety. The full sized pool for swimming laps is beautiful and fully accessible to guests. The bar and breakfast at Article III was delicious. It's fun being able to order and there's never really a wait. I was here for a work trip and The Olympic Club is a great place for professionals!

Super fun time here. The building have such a charming old Americano vibes with it's gorgeous…read morearchitecture. Hosting events here was great. Plenty of things to do and full bar with kitchen at hand. Service was great. Food awesome.

My experience at City Sports Club is great! I signed up for personal training with Edwin whom I…read morehighly recommend. He's a Master Trainer at the club, very thoughtful, well experienced to his clients and know what he's been doing.

They've admitted way too many people here. Some people will sit at the bench press for 45 minutes…read moreor longer, just texting, with no concern at all for the long line of people waiting behind them. Just very rude and inconsiderate people all around. Never experienced a gym with people this rude before. It's beyond crowded here. My 45 minute set now takes 2+ hours because of how long people sit and text. Do not ever come here expecting to use a bench press or pec deck. It's really shocking how rude people are here. I will not be renewing my membership.

I have a stellar experience each time I visit Fitness SF. The front desk guy, Ryan, is usually…read moreworking and has been very friendly and accommodating. He's also a dog lover and took great care of my dog while I worked out. Even gave him some treats which was super sweet of him!! I was initially worried I might not have access to the same equipment I had at other locations due to the smaller space but that wasn't an issue at all!! They also have a bunch of stuff to aid in recovery that I didn't know about. Ryan recommended the inflatable compression sleeves for my legs. I had never tried them before and he walked me through putting them on. Highly recommend this gym and am grateful for Ryan!

It honestly feels like you're in a submarine. The men's locker room is tiny, and like most gyms,…read morethey've oversold memberships and it shows everywhere. The pool is pure chaos. About a year ago, they had a policy of onsite lane reservations, which is the right thing to do if you don't have online lane reservations. You had a clear start and end time, could plan your workout, and actually get a full swim in. For some reason, they've stopped doing that. Now you show up with no idea if you'll even get a lane, let alone finish in time to get to work. They're also allowing three or more people per lane, which is just unrealistic. Once a third person joins, it stops being a workout and turns into traffic management. You can forget about flip turns entirely. The lane speed designations don't help either. Most people are on tight schedules and aren't going to wait around for the "right" lane to open up. They also block off a lane for personal training, which is understandable, but that lane could still accommodate another swimmer. Decisions like this chip away at what's supposed to be a core service. Most pools in the city allow reservations. You can reserve a lane. Some even have a no show fee which totally works. you can't trust humans to so the right thing here because they in most cases won't. Bottom line, the lack of reservations and overcrowding make it impossible to plan a consistent, efficient swim. It turns something that should be straightforward into a daily gamble.

This gym is amazing! Beautiful, clean, and full of modern equipment that makes you want to spend…read morethe day there. The staff is super friendly, and I love the group fitness classes. A standout for me is Vince's Wednesday boxing bootcamp class. He's charismatic, fun, and will have you sweating, feeling strong, and totally badass. Bonus: he's easy on the eyes ;-) The yoga studio is very serene, with plenty of classes throughout the week. There's also a private massage room with a HydroMassage bed and a Hyperice station with all the tools, plus a giant screen showing calming nature scenes, perfect for recovery. The locker rooms and showers are spotless, stocked with E.O. body products, and... bidets on all the toilets! It's great bang for your buck, and I couldn't be happier here.

Fitness Transbay is hands down my favorite location! I've checked out a few of their other…read morelocations already, but this one is by far the best in my opinion. The space just feels light, open, and really welcoming. It never feels intimidating or crowded, feels spacious. The energy is good I also started training with Carlos (Palacios) because I honestly didn't really know what I was doing in the gym and would get self conscious Best decision to get a trainer tho. Carlos has helped me build both my confidence and my strength! I look forward to going to the gym He pushes me in the best way but still makes it feel approachable and doable. There seems to be a nice community in this location as well. All the trainers greet you with a smile and it genuinely feels friendly. Chad always has that nice smile and greet the second you walk in That kind of vibe makes such a difference, especially if you're someone who can feel a little shy at the gym like me lol.

I recently completed a 48 session package with live fit trainer Michael Juarez. I found his…read moretraining style to be really helpful to me and has made a huge difference in my relationship with fitness and general self care. Michael is a great teacher and person, I highly recommend training with him!

Vanessa is so talented and knowledgeable about massage and body mechanics- i was blown away by her…read morehospitality and her passion for her work.

LuxFit has is truly the best gym I've ever gotten a membership at. They offer plenty of class times…read moreand a great variety of options, so it's easy to find something that fits your schedule and goals. From the moment you walk in, the front desk staff are so welcoming and make you feel right at home (and offer towels!!) I've taken classes with amazing coaches like Anais, Brandon, Angela, Scott, and Taki, and every one of them brings so much care and energy to the space. The equipment is also taken great care of by amazing staff, such as Elmer! They genuinely want to understand your fitness journey and take the time to personalize their coaching, even in a class setting. Their classes range from yoga to Olympic lifting to StrongFit (which is my personal favorite), and they also offer great recovery gear. The owners, Amber and Yotam, make you feel like family. As a small business gym, they've built such an uplifting and supportive community. The amenities are also amazing. It's hard to find gyms with that many squat racks, and when I went to open gym, I never had to wait for equipment because they were so well stocked. And also... it's literally the most aesthetic gym EVER. They also host community events like LuxFest and other pop-ups, which makes the gym feel like more than just a place to work out. LuxFit is an incredible gym with great coaching, great equipment, and an even better community.

love this place. just moved to SF, and was looking for a well priced gym with classes. instructors…read moreand staff are super nice and the facilities are really clean, including the yoga mats (which I can't say for most places). I do wish they had more low intensity class times; it's really focused on the high intensity but nonetheless, I'm happy I found a spot that gets me into a better spot both physically and mentally.

Crunch Fitness on Polk Street is easily one of the most unique gyms in San Francisco. It's located…read moreinside an old theater, and the atmosphere is honestly amazing. High ceilings, dramatic lighting, and that historic vibe make workouts feel way less routine and a lot more motivating. That said, it does get very busy, especially during peak hours, so you may have to wait for equipment or adjust your workout a bit. It's also on the pricier side compared to other gyms, which is something to keep in mind. The main downside is the bathroom and locker area. The space is pretty small for how many members use the gym, and the amenities feel a bit limited given the cost. Overall, if you care about atmosphere and energy, this Crunch is a great option. Just be prepared for crowds and slightly cramped facilities.

2026 update: gym remains absurdly crowdedy - I have found nearly every piece of equipment on the…read moremain part of the first floor has a wait from 3pm onwards. Do not recommend.

I recently joined Fitness SF - Embarcadero after moving to the city, and it's been such a great…read moreexperience so far. The facility is always clean, well-maintained, and has everything I need for a solid workout! The staff really make a difference everyone is friendly and welcoming. I especially want to shout out Peter at the front desk he's always kind, personable, and quick to answer any questions I have. He really helps make the experience of navigating the gym feel comfortable and easy!! Really happy I chose this location highly recommend!

This location barely has anything compared to Transbay, Soma or Mid Market…read more The layout of the gym is terrible, lacking in machines, and the showers are nasty.

Overall the facility is very nice and clean. Just the people working the front desk have no…read morecustomer service. They are just rude and obnoxious. They need to train their employees to be nicer and welcoming to the facility.

Let me count the ways how much I miss and love Equinox…read more Yes, I know--it's a high-end gym. But you truly get what you pay for. I was a member of this location for over a decade, and since moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, I can honestly say there is nothing quite like it. The nearest one to me now is in Atlanta, and I still miss the San Mateo club regularly. This location has everything you could possibly want in a fitness facility--and then some. The Fitness Floor Downstairs is a beautifully air-conditioned workout space designed for people who are serious about exercising. No distractions, no crowds hovering by the windows--just a clean, focused environment. You'll find: * Full weight training equipment * Recumbent bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills * Dedicated spin, Pilates, TRX, and group fitness studios * A large open stretching area with foam rollers * Cold, filtered water stations throughout * Staff available for spotting if you're training solo It's efficient, professional, and thoughtfully designed. Locker Rooms & Amenities The locker rooms feel more like a boutique hotel than a gym. They are consistently spotless and fully stocked with: * Plush towel service * Spacious showers with teak benches * Steam rooms infused with eucalyptus * Complimentary razors, Q-tips, and personal care items * Premium Kiehl's products It's luxurious, yes--but also incredibly practical. You can comfortably get ready for work, dinner, or travel without feeling rushed. The Rooftop Pool One of the standout features is the heated rooftop pool. It has multiple lap lanes, cabanas, and water aerobics equipment, and it truly feels like a mini country club in the middle of downtown San Mateo. The pool is heated year-round, which means you can swim in any season--something you quickly get spoiled by. They even provide sunscreen from Supergoop!, along with full towel service. It's those little details that make the experience feel elevated. Classes, Spa & Services The class offerings are extensive and easy to manage through the app. Signing in is seamless--just scan your phone and go. Highlights include: * Yoga in a beautiful bamboo studio with HEPA filtration and ceiling fans * Pilates (available as private, duo, or small-group sessions) * A full-service spa on the upper level * A juice bar and retail shop featuring premium fitness apparel Everything feels intentional, polished, and well-maintained. Location & Convenience The club is located right in the heart of downtown San Mateo, making it incredibly walkable. There are restaurants, grocery stores, and cafés nearby, including one of my favorite bakeries and specialty markets. Parking is also surprisingly easy for a downtown location: * Two-hour validation * Surface lot, garage, and rooftop parking options That convenience makes a big difference in daily use. Value & Membership Yes, membership can be expensive. However, many employers offer corporate discounts, which can make the cost more manageable. In my case, the value absolutely justified the price because I used the facility regularly and took advantage of the amenities. Even when I relocated, canceling my membership was straightforward and professional--no pressure, no hassle. Bottom Line Equinox San Mateo set the standard for what a fitness club should be: clean, thoughtfully designed, service-oriented, and genuinely enjoyable to use. If I ever move to another city with an Equinox, I will join again without hesitation. Because at the end of the day-- life is short, and you should live well.