Not impressed with this club. I've been going to a variety of gyms for the past 12 years and it's not worth what you pay for. I think the only difference is you get towels and water, and they offer some different classes than other gyms, but I would NOT recommend going here. They say it's doesn't get busy but it does and they share parking with business so you cannot find a place to park. Whatever you do, don't sign a 12 month contract. They offer 3 and 6 months and if you sign a 12 month and are not happy they are unforgiving when circumstances change or you're unsatisfied. Also the hours they are open aren't great & the staff can be quite rude. read more

well here it is a year later and the club, no gym now, continues to slide down to a low level of common gyms. The classes are cut, best teachers fired, still no new spin bikes after two years of waiting. The whole purpose of the gym now is to sell small group classes. The new management removed the board which was made up of members because they didn't like the input. They are running it into the ground, offering freebies on facebook as the clientele gets younger and broker and the locker rooms get more and more crowded. No more fresh flowers, sweaty yoga floors and old mats... what a shame. what a loss... read more

We are newish members of the Santa Barbara Athletic Club but after what we witnessed today won't be going back. I was sitting by the pool and saw a large man aggress a small pregnant lady in the pool and when her mother went to complain Beth with Managment came out and acted so unprofessionally it was shocking. A number of people saw this man come into the lane the pregnant lady was sharing with an older lady doing their exercise. He tripled up on them when there were other lanes with just one other person swimming. He swam in a belligerent way and knocked the pregnant lady with his big flailing arm. When she asked him to move to the empty lanes next door because he almost kicked her he verbally assaulted her and told her to go to the waddlers lane because he was exercising and then called her a bitch. Towering over her like he was going to hit her. The worst part was how he continued swimming and smiling at the lady in a very aggressive way. Two other members told Beth that he had called the woman a bitch and she still did absolutely nothing. This is a club that does not provide a safe environment for women and condones a large aggressive man who's name I believe is Charles nickname crash bullying a little very pregnant lady. Terrible display of corporate robotic service that does not care about the safety of its members. As for charles crash, I think he must be pretty small minded and small something else to resort to bullying pregnant women. read more

This gym might be OK for members, but if you are visiting SB and want to get to a gym, keep moving. After taking the precaution of calling first and confirming that they did have day passes available (for $20), I drove to the gym only to be told that they only allowed members of other gyms in their chain to visit. I told the person behind the desk that I was not given this information when I called, and he said that in that case I could go ahead. But then when I started to fill out the form, he complained about my handwriting being illegible and said everything I wrote had to be readable. At that point, I decided it was not worth it to spend $20 just to get attitude, and left. BTW, I am sorry if my handwriting does not meet SBAC's standards, but just in case anyone from that club sees this review: I was not exactly at my best that day due to the death of my mother the day before. I needed to get a workout in to help me deal with the stress of that situation, and definitely did not need the run around I got at SBAC. read more

Two classes of citizenship and treatment Those who buy the up-sell, private training and expensive add-on classes and food are treated well by management. Those who don't are tolerated. I travel a lot, so have a basis of comparison. Beautiful outside setting, good classes but filthy common area floors and equipment. Frequent plumbing and equipment maintenance issues read more

Went again to check out "updates and improvements". Some surfaces replaced, but still faulty plumbing, gross flooring in work out areas and strange, entitled vibe. Have to pay for too many extras that should be included -- "functional training" a way to make extra money when it should be included on a sign up basis No thanks! read more

Hygiene is not so good here. Always got athletes foot any time I used the showers, so stopped that. Pool was over used by dancing fat ladies non stop so cloudy and disgusting pool. Final straw was nasty flea/bedbug bites from the lounge couches.. they said they would "look into it".. did nothing. Glad to leave. Nice people there mostly, but the management don't care for customers much. read more

I really enjoy the classes at the club (yoga, pilates, fitness, etc). Small group training is the best!

I've been to 5 gyms in data barbara and let me tell you this place takes the cake! It's clean, has a cross fit room, steam room and sauna. Another favorite feature is the smoothie bar and protein snacks for after workout. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. read more

I joined the SBAC when I moved to SB less than one year ago. I have been members of other clubs in Europe in the past, but I can really see a difference. This is much more than a great fitness club. Classes are at the top: spinning, yoga, pilates, master swim, boxing, bootcamp, ... I tried all of them! Small group training is an amazing workout, as well as pilates sessions in the Integrity center. And Survivor is a great challenge! You can play squash and get hints in the nutrition lectures. And on top of this ... you can meet friends and enjoy great events. I am definitely happy to be a member! read more

The gym itself is very nice and clean as well as the front desk staff, but watch out for the people at the juice bar...they have serious attitude problems...first the guy wouldn't let me add protein to a shake, then when I asked the lady the next day she got upset that I wasn't going to add their protein and pay for it. It's one thing if that's all I'm getting, but I also got 2 drinks in addition. She even said that she couldn't charge me because it was my own protein and that I was putting her out by not paying for it...finally, after she makes me the drink, she sits there cleaning the blender with a rag before handing it over. read more

I have been a member for almost 20 years and I just love the Athletic Club. I really like the recent remodel, and I am addicted to the smoothies at the Earth Bar. I love the yoga, dance and boot camp classes. The teachers are all fantastic. This is the place where I can swim, do yoga, socialize, do fun classes or just simply use the cardio room for my workout. I really like the outdoor spinning and the outdoor pool. I spend a lot of time at the Club, and recommend it to all my friends! read more

Everything is outdated, some machine are rusted and feels old. Lockers need a serious cleaning. Anyway, last week I purchased a 3 day pass for $75. Today I am back visiting Santa Barbara and was about to purchase another 3 day pass . . . The price suddenly became $150 !! -"Sorry, the price just change an hour ago, sorry about that" Sorry I don't give my money there and obviously they don't need my business too read more

Joined in January 2015. Great gym. Group classes are excellent. Love the fact that there is a dry and wet steam room. The gym always seems clean to me, Housekeeping staff is always busy doing something. Kudos to the housekeeping staff thank you for dealing with our sweatiness! read more

Yesterday I visited this club I was talking with Chris ( membership sales person) he helped me so much with my fitness goals and understand what I need. Nice guy. Nice atmosphere. Thanks read more

I am a member and attended the party - which was amazing! While I didn't witness the event in question I do know that Tom is an awesome manager, and trust that he handled the situation in a professional manner. I have been a member at a couple of other gyms, but SBAC is by far the best Santa Barbara has to offer. Keep up the great work! read more

This is by far the best gym in Santa Barbara! The wide range of classes offer something for everyone - spinning, boxing, yoga, Pilates, and Hip Hop to name a few - are all taught by the most talented instructors around. I also love the nice amenities such as spa, sauna, steam....all served up with a warm, friendly smile by a very accommodating staff. The SBAC truly is a community of health and wellness encouraging its members to strive to be the best they can be. read more

Great facility. For gym rats and us amateurs alike. Rarely super crowded, lots of cable, free, and aerobic equipment and a ton of high end cardio. Clean, friendly, and comfortable. read more

Swell - Gyms Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Am I in the crystal azure waters of the Cayman Islands, or the pool at the Athletic Club. Staff is wonderful and one even ignited the engine to my latest romantic dalliance. A gym for the classy Hercules or elegant Wonder Woman. Every experience here has left me positively thunderstruck and refreshed. read more

The staff and facilities are Great, awesome location, huge array of non-stop classes for all likes from yoga to spinning, boxing or swimming among others, all taught by highly motivational instructors and at no extra charge (included with membership). Nice salt-water pool and spa area where you can enjoy a nice glass of wine or a book. Beautiful people everywhere you look. I wish the music they play was a bit more contemporary. read more

Best club in town. Have been a member since the club opened and have seen many changes as trends have dictated.Always meets the members needs. Cleanliness is great and varied fitness activities for everyone. read more

After moving here from L.A. and experiencing top-notch clubs like Equinox, this club is a joke. This club would be an average deal if it was half the price, but for $130/month + a HUGE sign up fee I expected much, much more. There are extra charges everywhere. Want to use the cross-fit room? $25 a class. Want to use the Pilates room? Pay each time. Want to use the squash courts? $10 a month. Child care? $7 an hour. You want to quit your membership? Give us 30 days notice (i.e. pay another month). And then they tried to cut the operating hours on top of that. Bad points: Steam room often broken. Pool, jacuzzi, and overall facilities are pretty dirty given what you pay. Remodeling creates locker room closures. Management is unresponsive and gives off a lot of attitude. Good points. A lot of the lower and middle-level staff are nice. Free wireless. Towel service. Bottom line. If you can live with a slight downgrade in facilities and can bring your own towel, save a fortune and join the YMCA or Goleta Valley. Or wait for an Equinox to open up in SB ... we need a true high-end fitness club! read more

I have been going to Santa Barbara athletic club for years. Excellent classes and the staff is wonderful. I pretty much tried out all the other clubs in town. I have found that the people that work out here as well as the staff are the friendliest around. read more

The Santa Barbara Athletic Club is terrific. I especially like the group fitness classes for spinning and yoga. The instructors are very knowledgeable and experienced. I highly recommend this club. read more

SWELL is an awesome place to workout and/or just chill out and catch up on sports, emails, etc. It is always friendly, clean and has a lot of options for working out. My fav. is spinning and swimming followed by yoga and stretching. I sometimes feels more like a spa than a gym! I highly recommend joining! read more

I'm a new member at the Swell! These ppl are super knowledgable and in shape.. I feel it's important that the teachers are also in great shape lol I go at night and they have everything!!! Not too crowded you can always get a machine, all in all happy with my new gym read more

Used to be great. Now it is like on old high school gym. Crap-tastic. Stuff breaks and stays broken. They need a LOT more cardio stuff. Small, dank room with 15 year old analog TVs and a GUARANTEED wait from 430-700. Basic high-school and 80's machines as far as weights. Nice people tho. read more

Great gym, I love the pool and the group classes. I especially love Tamarr's classes --- please please please schedule him more for lunchtime lift classes, I would go everyday and bring my friends! read more

This used to be the best gym in Santa Barbara. No more. I think they deliberately limit the prime time group training, weighted workout, and bootcamp class offerings in order to push clients into signing up for the fee-based small group training classes. The dance classes are very limited too. If you don't work a regular 8 to 5 job, there are more classes available during the daytime - but for people with regular working hours it is not a great option. read more

This morning I had the worst front desk experience with a woman with red/orange hair. My boyfriend is a member at the club and gets two guest passes a month. Today, I attempted to use one of his visits (Valid, he still had 2 left for the month) The woman at the front desk who told me that she recognized me makes me fill out another enrollment form, saying I wasn't in the system (untrue). I only had 20 minutes to work out and I did tell her this so filling out the paperwork for the upteenth time was an inconvienience. I wanted to go get my boyfriend so we could just go to Bay Club with less of a hassle and was unable to go back to grab him on the floor as she prohibited me from doing so because I would not provide my phone number to get endless sales calls/e-mails from the club. I visit SBAC twice a month with a boyfriend who is a member. Recently, we decided we should both go to the same gym and I was thinking about switching over from Bay Club, but based on the rudeness of the woman at the front desk, I will not be signing up. read more

I signed up for a 6 month contract back in March. I explained to the guy that I would be moving and I would have to cancel right after that. I moved to LA sooner than I thought and I have been getting charged each month because I was bound by contract. I had tried to cancel in July but the guy (can't remember his name) said I was unable to cancel due to my contract. I'm low on funds and I called to see if they could cancel me one month early and I found out that they charged me for September. The General Manger told me that I could have just paid a $100 cancellation fee in July instead of paying the membership fee each month. He said that I was already charged and he couldn't refund me for September (keep in mind I moved in July) Seriously??? I moved 2 months ago and used the club maybe 5 times (visiting) in 3 months and you just tell me now. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF CANCELLATION FEE. I would have had no problem canceling in July and paying the fee. ON TOP OF THAT I GOT CHARGED FOR SEPTEMBER. MY GYM MEMBERSHIP WAS SUPPOSED TO END IN AUGUST. Just trying to get one over on a kid. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. Go to Goleta valley athletic club. They have much more weights, the pool is hardly used and is half the price. read more

AVOID!!! hugely overpriced, with convoluted and predatory cancellation fees and arbitrary contractual obligations that will end up costing you far more than you expect. They'll say anything to get you in, and once you're in they'll do everything they can to force you to stay because it's too expensive to leave, so you're stuck paying exorbitant prices for a middling quality gym. The smug, snobby atmosphere here doesn't help either. Save your money and go somewhere else. read more

A great place! A home away from home, great staff and great classes that get you to sweat! Outside spin class that overlooks the beautiful mountains and great indoor bootcamp classes! A plus....I would recommend it! read more

Expensive, beautiful facility with indifferent, uncaring staff. The building is great with lovely, heated outdoor pool area, covered, open air, weight area and spin class area and well equipped exercise areas and classrooms, not to mention several squash courts. But don't expect a friendly environment or helpful staff. The front desk staff and management staff are bored and indifferent with members and are barely civil when listening to a member concern. You rarely see the same face at the front desk as there is a ton of turnover. Classroom instructors and fitness staff can be very good, but change often as they are contract employees. I ended up paying $150/month with all fees included undecided it wasn't worth it. I signed up at the Y which nowhere near as pretty, but it is adequate and $54/month and everyone is friendly and helpful. read more

I rejoined the SB Athletic Club after 5 years of going to another club. I had heard rumors that the club had improved but was floored by the magnitude of the positive changes. Upon entering, it's obvious, that someone who knows something about running a club is involved...... I love the remodel. The rebranding is great, the staff is much more professional and the level of the teachers is also better. I've tried the most of the group exercise classes and love the new small group training classes. I recommend the club to all my friends and think others are doing the same thing. I attended the latest party and it rocked. Thank you SWELL team!!!! read more

Best group fitness classes in town! I switched over from another gym about 5 months ago and couldn't be happier with my decision. Yes, it is a little pricey but you get what you pay for. The club is spacious and clean with ample cardio machines so you never have to wait. The staff are friendly and approachable and the boot-camp and small group training classes are far better quality than any of the other gyms I have tried. I highly recommend hip-hop with Tamarr and Fierce 45 with Natalie if you want a fun but challenging workout! read more

I'm upset to see that Yelp posted the below review / attack by Joel G. I am a long time member and was at the club party last evening. The Club is the nicest in town and has fantastic events. Of the 600 or so attendees Joel was the 1 person that had to be asked to leave the party due to his very apparent intoxication. The manager was very professional but Joel was belligerent and uncooperative. He was never pushed or assaulted as his flagged yelp review states. Yelp is not a tool for idle fights and threatening emails. The Santa Barbara Athletic Club is an amazing club and the party last night was top notch. Cheers to the Club for not tolerating his drunken behavior. Shame on yelp for even posting that ridiculous "review"! read more

I disagree with "joel' as well, been a member for many years, and through several managers, Tom is a great guy, a good manager, and took care of a problem at a party that really needed to be taken care of. That's his job. Most of the members feel the club is an important part of their life both for health, and also socially. I agree with jennifer S, don't use YELP as a weapon for your personal issues. The club is the best one in town, and Tom is a fine manager and a good human being. Joel, cheap shot man, but best of all you are getting called out on it. read more

The people and the place are terrific. I hope to enjoy this club for another 20 years. JERRY

I have been a member here for over 3 years. I spoke to a team member about putting my membership on hold since I was paying for a personal trainer on the side and wanted to see which I preferred. Months later, I found out they had still been charging my account like normal, even after the staff member had confirmed they would freeze my account. I tried speaking to the manager and he said I was SOL. He said I could cancel my membership if I wanted, but only after paying the cancellation fee of course. Oh, and they would not refund me for the months they charged that were supposed to be "frozen". Not a good way to run a business. read more