Man I really love this place. I moved in with my boyfriend about a year ago, before this place had…read moreopened. Before that, I pretty much only went to HIIT classes, so when I moved here I was worried because I wasn't trying to travel the hill to work out. The owners Chris and Camille are on site, in the gym, and very engaged with the gym members. I always see them there, and they always say hi. They even work out there. When you are in the gym, it shows and you can tell that they care about their product. And the product is more than just the gym. It is a collection of the gym members, the equipment, and the services they provide to the people of Santa Cruz. You can tell they really care about giving the community a place to be healthy and active. Their equipment is state of the art, and nice, and maintained well. It is not a pretentious place, there is no judgement here and you can tell. There is a wide variety of people who come here, they offer work out classes for people of all levels. Santa Cruz Athletic Club is also very reasonably priced given the classes, the equipment. I am so insanely happy that they opened up this place. The location really works well for me as I can charge my car at the Tesla chargers while I get a good work out in. They have an app to sign up for classes and document your fitness journey. The ONLY thing I may suggest is on the app, if they could develop a feature on the app that can tell us how busy the gym (a percentage of capacity) even if it is a rough estimate would be helpful so you know how busy it is before you go. Love this place!

This is a 2nd reveiw. All 3 of the times iv been here last, the saunas havnt been properly turned…read moreon or heated. Please have this checked out its disappointing

I'm so glad I joined this gym. The staff are all super kind and helpful. The classes offer a…read morevariety of times and types of workouts. The trainers are motivating and friendly. The environment is very chill and I feel like the price I pay is a huge deal considering I can go to an instructed class, private sauna, or use the hot worx box on my own time. I previously went to a local gym that was more expensive and I think Toadal has more to offer and is cleaner. Thanks Toadal crew I appreciate you all !

Everyone is so friendly and thoughtful. They keep the gym clean and care about the members. I…read moreespecially love the lifting room they added. The trainers are amazing and the classes are awesome!! Parking can be difficult. But if you come a few minutes early you will find a spot, no problem.

Thank you for your response regarding the hours and 24 hour access. However, what about my other…read moreconcerns that can be addressed. Old, dated equipment, no barbell clips, etc. Also, why can't you open the gym an hour earlier on weekends? You open up early during the week? As you can see, I would not be the only one using the gym at that time!

I'm so impressed with the changes at 24 Hour Fitness that the new manager, Leland has instituted…read more Initially, I was not fond of 24-hour fitness. It lacked cleanliness and the aroma was stuffy and uninviting. But since Leland's presence there's an entirely new atmosphere, welcoming and clean. My trainer Shelly is excellent! She's attentive and mindful. She's a good coach for me.

I have been a gym member for quite some time and can confidently say it has become more than a gym…read moreto me. What sets Santa Cruz Strength apart is its commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment where all types of lifters are supported and welcome. It has a ton of specialized equipment. Whether you're into powerlifting, bodybuilding, or just looking to improve your overall fitness, you'll find everything you need here. From seasoned lifters to beginners, everyone is encouraged to support and motivate each other, creating a positive and uplifting atmosphere that makes every workout enjoyable. Another amazing perk is its free Saturday training hours. This additional offering allows members to make the most out of their weekends by providing access to the gym's facilities at no extra cost. It's a great opportunity to squeeze in an extra workout or try out new equipment without worrying about additional fees. I encourage anyone to come out and check it out for themselves. I LOVE IT HERE!

I am unbelievably glad that I found this spot. Having tried two other gyms in the SC area, I wasn't…read moreexpecting to like this place as much as I have. However, Santa Cruz Strength blew me away- not only because of their really cool and specialized equipment but because of how supportive everyone is of everyone else. The gym owner does a fantastic job at ensuring that newbies like me don't feel intimidated by the equipment, the really strong regulars, or the sport of powerlifting. In my limited time as a member, my knowledge of lifting has grown exponentially, thanks to the free programming provided by the gym and the insights everyone has so kindly and generously shared over the last several months. I couldn't recommend this place enough! Oh, and did I mention they're queer-friendly and overall a super-inclusive place? (They love dogs, too!). Yeah, pretty rad.

Great gym, wonderful friendly staff, clean, organized, welcoming! Always helpful and ready to…read moreanswer question or offer whatever assistance needed. 10/10!

I have been a member of Toadal Fitness in the Mid County area for 20+ years. I decided to check out…read moretheir new downtown location on Ocean Street . Their friendly, helpful, and playful staff made me feel immediately at home the moment I walked in. My age and my workouts have changed in 20 years . The fun and comraderie of staff and members has not. Mara , their Silver Sneakers instructor made me feel right at home . It was my 1st time taking this class, she introduced me to each and every person in the room. Thank you Toadal Fitness for making me feel so welcomed. I'm a weekly regular now.

What a gem of a gym. Of course it is Summer time so there are no summer Blues to sing here. It's…read morenot crowded at the moment. Rad equipment, towels and spray bottles galore, and the pool! What's not to like. Students everywhere but the best kept secret in town is memberships are available for the general population. You want to pay $188.00 a month for the new Santa Cruz Athletic Club and park in Jeff Bezo's parking lot? Knock yourself out. No pool you realize. I'll take UCSC Rec Fitness Center six ways to Sunday for the views alone. The Monterey Bay and deer! You feel like you're at a retreat. It's a huge secret. So now you know. As for the less stellar reviews, well, they're young - they'll learn to appreciate things eventually.

Let's talk about how crowded this place is. I swear, it's like trying to find a parking spot at a…read moreBlack Friday sale, except instead of discounted TVs, you're fighting for a machine that's held together by duct tape and a prayer. It's so packed in here that I have to schedule my workout five weeks in advance just to snag a spot at the water fountain. Even sardines would be like, "Hey, this is a bit too cramped for my taste." But hey, the gym does have one thing going for it--it's a fantastic test of your patience. Who needs a peaceful, stress-free workout when you can spend half your time waiting for your turn and the other half wondering if that ancient bench press is going to collapse on you? You can also take a moment to appreciate the charming layer of dust that adorns every machine. And let's not forget the rust; it's practically a workout for your immune system, too. I'm pretty sure the dumbbells have grown their own ecosystems by now. Forget about disinfecting wipes; we need an archaeologist to clean this place up. The gym machines here look so old and rusty that I'm surprised they don't come with a historical plaque. You know you're in for a treat when you have to spend 10 minutes deciphering the hieroglyphics on weights because the labels have worn off - complete with the soundtrack of screeching metal. It's like a tribute to the Industrial Revolution right here. It's like a museum of fitness, where the artifacts are just as likely to break a sweat as you are. The gym also needs more machines, I suggest at least 3 times, but cut the number of cardio machines in half.

Jade was super helpful with setting up membership !…read more Would go again for sure ! Love this place !

Fake reviews at this anytime…read more The gym is either smelly or way to hot or way to cold. Hard to trust a place when they don't care enough to run the AC or heater when needed.

I joined Todal Fitness Westside a couple of months ago after taking a tour and seeing how clean and…read moreopen it is. I go there 4-6 times a week. They have a no talking on the phone policy and a no-grunt policy. Yayayayayay! I love it. (These are my pet peeves.) Also a don't hang out on the machines policy, which is not policed but helps a lot compared to other gyms I've been to. And the machines are pretty new and modern and spaced well apart. They also have a ton of classes. Yoga, pilates, spin, bootcamp, zumba, others. If I joined a yoga-pilates studio I'd be paying double-triple and more the price of the gym membership, so I appreciate that. My favorite yoga teacher is Matt. He is great with all levels in the same class, focuses on proper posture, breathing, and communicates clear instructions. He's also intuitive and encouraging and often funny and always plays good music. I've taken a couple of other classes and the instructors are also good. There are three big rooms, an outdoor area, and several smaller rooms that I've just discovered that are quieter than the main rooms - one with abs equipment. A ping-pong table, a private hot yoga room, and of course showers and yay! a sauna (single-use, you have to reserve). They don't play music so you can listen to your own without background boom boom. And the staff is wonderful. I bicycled to the gym the other day without my bike lock. I thought there is no way they are going to let me leave it inside, so I didn't have high hopes when I asked. They said yeah, no problem, just leave it right there (on the wall inside). Grateful! I also forgot my tag and my ID, and that was no problem either. It's not too busy, and I risk making it more popular with this post, but I really wanted to give them kudos. Thanks!

Been going here for 3 years, and it's a fantastic gym. It's family oriented (even has a dedicated…read moreand staffed daycare for parents who need to get their workout in), but has tons of variety in weightlifting and cardio equipment, classes, and amenities, including saunas, hot stretching rooms, a hot Yoda room, a half-court for basketball. No chalk, phone conversations, or loud yelling allowed, making it a peaceful workout. They also take member votes for new equipment and ameneties (which is what your biannual maintenance fee goes towards) unlike most other gyms that seem to swallow that fee whole. The amazing cherry on top is the staff, who are incredibly friendly, helpful and supportive. They also have trainers who know their stuff, and help people grow towards their goals regardless of age, size or limitations. It's also got tons of community to it, with community events featured on their poster board, to free avacados/oranges when some staff or member grows a bunch. I've made friends at this gym, and brought in at least 2-3 people who frequent this gym now. I've enjoyed this gym from day 1, and I'm sure most of you will 2. P.S. This revew is nt AI generted (typos on purpose) or sponsored content.

Great gym, super clean and never busy. I joined around September of 2022 and have been consistently…read morecoming 5 days a week. They have everything I need for strength training and cardio. Student discount is nice too

Lola's is great if you are looking for a more private gym! It has a great vibe and is always super…read moreclean. They have amazing personal trainers. I've been working with Robin and love her!

I was at Paradigm this morning, as I have been every Monday…read moremorning for the last 13+ months, and I found myself reading a flyer on the wall. I couldn't help but notice the tagline under the logo: "Train like it matters." Maybe I've seen it before, maybe I haven't. But today, I did more than notice it. I felt it. Over the past year, I've been training on the sidelines of the 6am group classes and the 7am small group classes, and I've watched an entire ecosystem unfold. One full of camaraderie, support, friendship, encouragement -- and most importantly -- community. I do not take reviewing gyms, fitness centers, or instructors lightly. Fitness is a lifestyle that requires consistency, dedication, and follow through. Not because you have to. But because you want to. What does that really mean? It means you need to show up. Not once. Not twice. Regularly. And that's it. That's the recipe for success. Just show up. On a regular basis. And the rest will naturally unfold. But do you know what's even better? Is that Paradigm has created the exact community that allows you to not only show up. But to thrive. What Joey Wolfe has built at Paradigm is unparalleled. The workouts are carefully crafted, challenging, and engaging. Each one supports working within your own personal limits, yet they're also facilitated with energy, encouragement, connection, and often times, team work. The clients range from newbies to regulars to pros, and everyone is greeted, welcomed, encouraged, and supported. And my favorite part? You can show up as you are, who you are, at the fitness level that you are, and the energy in the room makes you want to be better, want to try harder, want to push for more, and want to show up tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that. And once you feel that push, once you feel that drive, once you cross over to want more, you'll not only understand the tagline "train like it matters;" you'll become it. So, why have I been on the sidelines? Because I work one-on-one with the Training Manager, Jeff Siragusa, who I hired to help me achieve my own personal aesthetic and fitness goals. For the last 1+ year, he has trained me in person 2x a week, plus writes me a separate training program to lift an three additional days a week on my own, and the growth I've seen in my personal and professional development from his coaching is unsurpassed. I could author an entire book about my coaching experience with Jeff and the confidence it has given me in every facet of my life, but alas, I will focus back on the community at Paradigm. So even though I've been on the sidelines lifting really heavy $h!t with Jeff, I've also incorporated my way into the community within Paradigm classes; meeting new people, creating new connections, and cheering people on -- especially women who nailed their first pull up, then their second, then their third -- and knowing that's just the start. Because if you're among the right people, in the right, supportive place, then the sky's the limit. And Paradigm is exactly where that sky begins.

If you want personal attention, caring and skilled coaches, this is your place. I've been going…read morehere for over four years and I'm now in better shape than I've been in many years ... more energy, fewer aches and pains, and as strong as I was in high school (and I'm now 73). The staff is friendly and well-informed and the clientele ranges from pro athletes to absolute beginners, everybody is accepted, no snotty gym rats here!