Why are the Bay Areas Gyms the worst ever?

[veganwriter]

We used to have some really great gyms. Much of the fitness craze too off from what was going on here in California ... Bay Area as well as L.A.

Jack LaLane. Okay ... I'm not talking about that long ago. But you got to remember what's been happening. It's time you younger generations BRING something to the table instead of all the finger-pointing and whinning. ((chuckle ... I got a kick outta saying that ... sorry))

WHERE in the Bay Area are you talking about? Oakland? There's still Gold's Gym near the lake that's pretty good. What do you need that they don't have?

There's also a place I call, "The Old Man's Gym" up on 14th a few blocks west from Broadway. They got old guys walking around in there all buffed talking 'bout, "I used to train with Mr. America back in the 50's" ... and they ain't playing! You try keeping up with those old geezers and they'll hurt ya boy. They'll HURT cha. ((chuckle))

San Francisco?
Oh well ... I don't want to start a lot of mess ... but there's some good gyms over there ... but don't go into the steam room if you don't want to see some things you're not comfortable with.

Oh! How about "World Gym"? They have some professional body builders in thar. Boxing and martial arts too. If you can't put on a little muscle mass in thar ... boy you ain't trying. Git off that machine and stop all that "watchin" ... let a man get some reps in ... ((..I'm having too much fun, huh?))

Berkeley?
The YMCA downtown has a make-over but there's plenty of stuff in there. Swimming pool. Sauna. Steam room. All the weights you need. Running machines. Yoga. And some other stuff that I can't pro-NoUncE rite now.
Po-Laties or somethin like that ...

Then they have some really high-end gyms in all of these areas. Cushy places with "up-scale" prices.

Younger folks seem to opening up a lot of those Mixed Martial Arts gyms. There's even an old school Boxing gym that's open up on Telegraph and Clairmont now ... think they have some of dat Muy Thai Kick Boxing in thar too. Guy'll smile at you one minute then kick yer teeth out. No need of going to the trunk of yer car ... you done already paid the entry fee. Now enjoy!

P.S. I got the best results when I simply bought a cheap bench press and put it up in my living room. It's there staring at you every time you walk in the house and every time you go to leave. No excuses fatty! SWEAT 'till it BURNS!!!!!!!!!!!! ((OH boy is it fun getting old ))

[City Boy]

Is it really that serious? Why not just run up some hills or walk, take martial arts, buy some cheap weights or home gym and that's that. Who cares how pretty a gym looks. lol.

[Chicagoaklandish]

The "InShape" (formerly Mavericks) gym in Emeryville is decent, and relatively cheap.. still more expensive than any Chicago gym I've been to, but it's the best deal I found in the area

[NorthernCalifornia]

Club One is not that expensive, has many locations and is nice.

[tangodoodles]

Originally Posted by kraigk1

Seriously, this is a genuine question. I have lived in Chicago and Houston, and have never had an issue finding a nice gym within a reasonable distance. Since I've moved to San Francisco, and now East Bay, I have found it nearly impossible.

They're either smelly, outdated, super small, unclean, you name it. Gym chains that have ruled in other states are X-Sport, Lifetime Fitness, Powerhouse.

The only nice gym I've seen is a brand new 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport in San Mateo, but it's the only 24 hour fitness I've been to that's decent.

What's the deal here?

Have you tried the Koret Gym at USF? I think it's nice, it has an Olympic size indoor pool, and I've heard Danny Glover works out there but I've never seen him.

[tangodoodles]

Um, then again, I have free membership. You should check it out though.

[Nella925]

I like the gyms out here in contra costa county. I am not sure what a 'great' gym is to you, but i like mavericks, 24 hour fitness, ballys, renaissance club sport and some others...they all meet my expectations.

[tennis368fan]

I haven't been to many gyms, but my family tells me that Mariner's Square Athletic Club in Alameda is a good gym, as far as gyms with indoor pools go.

From the outside, the overall facility is a tad smaller compared to some of the larger retailer chains, but large enough. There is plenty of parking, something that 24-Hour Fitness in Downtown Oakland lacks, and is not stuffy, unlike 24-Hour Fitness in East Oakland.

Anyone else has opinions of this gym?