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February 2024 by Doug D.
Why I prefer Berkeley Ironworks over other BAY area STRENGTH training gyms: - I can lift in peace without being sucked into loud political discussion - I can go whenever I want, not just one specific time slot on certain specific days - I'm not constantly hit with new pricing schemes - Nobody is monitoring my every move - It's not a cult, or if it is, it's a chill one Lift here.
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October 2023 by G E.
Been a member here for a long time and even wrote a positive review from my old yelp account (had to make a new acct awhile ago because I couldn't access the old one anymore). But the bouldering route setting at this gym has really gone downhill. Idk what's happened but in the last three months or so the routes have gotten definitively less interesting, more bicep-y, and just... not fun. Even on V5/V6 routes, there's not really any interesting or creative movement to figure out. It's like they rely on just making the holds worse to make the climb harder. Instead of having to figure out, say, a cool dyno with a toe-hook to stop the swing or something, you just have to be able to campus your way up a bunch of crimps or try to stick on sloper after sloper. I tried a different local gym on a day pass, not owned by touchstone, and the route setting contrast was so revealing. The routes there were actually fun! I came back to Ironworks and felt really disappointed, and bored, and tired of crimps and slopers being the only form of difficulty.
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October 2023 by Malishjan
Very nice place to practice rock climbing, I only wish that they would put a count of how many people are present and what the capacity is! If not it’s cool.
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August 2023 by Sherry Z.
Figured it was time to write a review of this place. Other than being a little small I have no complaints. There is a lovely gym are with plenty of machines, lifting stations, etc so that it never feels like you have to fight someone for a spot. I've done a variety of the classes here. Highly recommend any of them from spin to yoga to the HITT classes. The instructors are supportive, you can take things at your own pace, and if you are there often enough, know you by name. Climbing: this is probably why most people come here and have a membership (why I have one). Bouldering area can get pretty crowded during the busy hours (~6PM on weekdays) but if you go on the off hours I find that I have the entire wall to myself (or can find an area that is free). The walls are reset on a pretty consistent basis so there is always something to work on. Same with the top rope. Generally I find that top roping is more accessible during the busy hours and there is always something interesting to try. Overall, give ironworks a shot for your various workout needs. Everyone there is friendly and supportive.
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July 2023 by Elizabeth Lynn
Better workout equipment than I've seen at most climbing gyms. I appreciated the leg press. And of course we had a great time climbing. The toprope belay test was fast.
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May 2023 by Erika Yamasaki
Cash only. Come early since longs get long and move slowly. Even better if you come with friends so you can divide and conquer between the token and the 4 food lines (meat, veg, beef noodles and coconut pancakes).
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April 2023 by ryan laff
This place is the best! I love the gym. It has everything you need for regular gym workouts from weights, work out machines for isolation, treadmills and bikes. They offer spin classes, yoga, boxing, and many different classes applying to climbing. Into classes, intermediate classes focused on indoor, outdoor , bordering and getting into V5s. This gym also has the best workout stations for people training specifically for climbing with hang boards and weighed harnesses. With a great community and staff whats no to love !
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February 2023 by John Pirruccello
Been a long time member of Berkeley Ironworks. Not only do they have superb climbing facilities but the weight training is one of the best. It’s always very clean, staff very friendly and overall love this gym. I definitely recommend it as a gym option if you love climbing and want high quality weight training equipment.
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February 2023 by Brian D.
Always a great gym. Touchstone runs an amazing set of gyms. I would recommend to anyone looking to try out climbing
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January 2023 by Ross Bernet
Love this gym. It’s got a great sauna too!
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January 2023 by P. G.
Monthly dues have gone up by 20%+ over the last year. My contention is that the service has gone down significantly over the same period.1. Several of their long time route setters quit to work for Planet Granite because touchstone was unwilling to give them a raise.2. The rate of replacement on routes is way down. Routes stay up now for 3+ months. They used to swap out a panel every 2 weeks to keep things fresh.3. The routes are generally less creative than they were 3 years ago. (see #1).Love the gym network but they are slipping. It shows.
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December 2022 by Chip F.
Five-star gym, minus one star for incredibly poor communications and contradictory information re parking. The lot is often full again, as it was pre-pandemic. The problem is that the website showing where you are allowed to park (besides the packed lot, whose spaces are also extremely narrow and hard to get in and out of) says one thing, employee x says another, and employee y tells you yet another. One employee told me I couldn't park in front of a certain building that had "private property - towing", despite the website clearly marking it as green. A second employee said I could park in the area in the question. It contradicted what the first guy had said. And on the next day I tried to get some SOLID info, yet a third front-desk person told me the area in question was fine "after 5 pm." Hard to believe but yet a FOURTH employee told me it was ok only DURING working hours. Yet another said it was ok "but only up to that pole over there." Say what???People, get your act together! This is such a great gym. And this is such a shame, that every time I drive there I have to worry about possibly BEING TOWED if the lot is full because I have NO IDEA where I'm allowed to park, and during what hours. That is not an acceptable situation to me. Oh, and it's impossible to get the actual management to respond to this. It's always "this is what I have been told" (said to me by one of the employees) and sometimes "but I'm not sure."PLEASE FIX THIS. PLEASE FIX YOUR WEBSITE AS IT REGARDS PARKING. PLEASE BE CLEAR ABOUT IT.Best gym in town except for this incredible PITA. And they don't seem to give a damn about clear communications to their members.p.s. Although I should probably pick my battles, there is one more thing: there is always - ALWAYS - only one staff member working at a time for this very large space. And that one person is always - ALWAYS - only at the front desk. It is impossible to get help with the slightest thing, such as something being wrong with a machine (or whatever), because the person always - ALWAYS - says, "Sorry, I'm the only one on duty and I can't leave the desk." I once saw the person on his way to the bathroom and nearly stopped him to ask for help with the a machine adjustment, but he was walking too fast and I figured the poor shmo had to pee so don't bother him. Nobody patrols the gym and there are often people violating normal gym protocols - people routinely dropping heavy weights causing crashing noises, routinely hogging more than one weight machine at a time (putting their towel or other on it to "reserve" it while they do another machine), etc. In fairness, BIW recently raised their rates, citing inability to properly pay staff, and I'm happy to pay it. It's obvious they are not well-staffed. I hope the fee raise will enable to them to fix this. It is not reassuring that there's just nobody around, ever.
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December 2022 by Elaine Y
Wonderful gym. Fun and challenging climbing routes. Clean bathrooms. Good ventilation. Helpful and friendly staff ???
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December 2022 by D K.
I have canceled my membership. I DO NOT SUPPORT a business that allows PREDATORY BEHAVIORS. I supported this business throughout covid by continuing my membership when they were closed, what a fool I was. You are nothing but a membership number and a cash cow to them and anything serious that happens to you will be met with shrugged shoulders. Further research; go to glassdoor.Update: Monica; you do not get to wish me and my family anything in your response. Your words are hollow and meaningless. I hope people read this, see through your reply and realize the words you write holds no depth in sincerity. You've lazily copied and pasted the exact same response to others who have had these issues!
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November 2022 by Charles K.
A problematic locker room culture is arising. On November 15th and 17th, I was repeatedly touched in an inappropriate manner by another member while in the sauna. This behavior continued even after I clearly told him to stop, more than once. This is in addition to his other problematic behaviors, such as asking other men why they cover their genitals in the sauna, and sitting on the floor of the sauna forcing others to climb over him to get to the benches, while we are only wearing towels or nothing. These behaviors escalated over the course of several months. On Nov. 17th, I brought this to the attention of the manager, Lyn, who told me she would investigate. To my understanding, the investigation began and ended with asking the member in question if he had touched me. He said he had not touched me. He denied the other behaviors as well. Lyn saw fit to only warn him and leave it at that, though I was told that if this behavior continued, THEN something would be done about it. I don't have much confidence in that prospect since nothing of consequence was done this time.I did not join the gym, or support it during the COVID shutdowns, to sign up for sexual predator watch. I joined to have a good, safe place to stay in shape and be with people I love. So, I immediately canceled my membership. My wife did the same. We do not feel safe or comfortable at this gym anymore, which is heartbreaking, because it was a very important part of our life since early 2018. We had even begun bringing our two year old, but I will not bring him there ever again. I have also sent an email to Touchstone's home office. I have not received a response. Have you ever felt like you've been cheated?UPDATE: a few hours after posting this review I was contacted by the head office. They told me that Lyn conducted interviews with other males who use the sauna as well. As this comes from a second hand source, was never mentioned by Lyn, and comes only after my original posting, I find the claim dubious. They also stated that the sauna etiquette standards will be updated. For the sake of gym members, I hope it works, but I remain unconvinced.
