Fitness & Gyms in San Francisco, CA

“Dropped in while I was travelling through San Fran. Incredibly welcoming team, a fantastic location and awesome gym full of everything you need to get a workout in. A real shame I wasn’t staying longer!! Well done guys 10/10”

“Dropped in while I was in town—awesome spot! Super welcoming vibe, and the coach did a great job keeping the class flowing with solid instructions. Definitely hitting this place up again next time I’m around!”

“This is a long overdue review! I'm extremely grateful to Tribe for helping me stay healthy and stronger since I joined 2 years ago. I was looking for ways to stay active while working from home and living with autoimmune disease. Having chronic health issues made me prioritize stress management and movement, but also be conscious of my body and find the balance between challenging myself and rest when needed. I love the friendly vibe of the gym (not the typical I have seen in other places) and that their schedule offers a wide variety of options, including strength and yoga classes, coaching, and seasonal challenges.

I was looking for a gym close to my home and ended up finding a great and fun community! If you're looking for a new way to stay active and healthy in San Francisco, you should try their 6-week challenge at Tribe!”

“Thank you North Beach team! The studio is always immaculate, and credit to the entire team for creating a warm and supportive environment. The schedule offers many options, the challenges constantly mix it up, and the personal data integration is seamless, allowing me to track my progress. Orangetheory has quickly become a staple of my weekly routine with its combination of cardio, strength, and heart rate-based training. Shout out to Riley, Lexi, Molly, and the talented team that makes this such a welcome experience in our neighborhood!”

“In town from Texas. I’m always curious to check out the local OTF. This location did not disappoint!

Sophie rocked it! I felt right at home.”

“I had such a great experience at CrossFit Potrero Hill! From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and supported. The community is warm, open, and genuine—it's the kind of place where you feel safe to show up exactly as you are, whether you're working through pain, chasing new goals, or just starting out. Coach Marciano was fantastic: professional, encouraging, and clearly passionate about what he does. This place isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about real care, hard work, and helping you grow. Highly recommend!”

“I've been going here since October, and it's one of the best value gyms in the city (by far!). Where else can you find a sub $50/month gym with a bunch of squat racks, machines, weights, etc? I'd definitely consider it the quintessential neighborhood gym. Quite literally has all of the equipment needed for a new comer, yet also satiates the seasoned gym-goer with its 10+ bench and squat racks. Dumbbells go pretty high in weight too. The equipment itself is a bit old/dated, but still entirely functional (remember the price you're paying). There are two floors, the bottom/main one with a bunch of machines, 5 treadmills, bikes, bench/squat racks, etc and the top floor with more cardio machines, a stretching area, punching bag, 4 more bench/squat racks, pull up bars outside, rowing machines, etc. People are truly super nice and approachable. They normally wipe down equipment after using it, and can help you with a spot if needed Highly recommend this gym!”

“I’m writing this review early into my 6-week Barbell Basics package—just two 6:30 AM classes in so far—but I already feel like I’ve found something meaningful.

The classes are well-structured and strike a great balance: there’s a clear group focus with supportive energy, but also room for individual attention and pacing. It’s challenging, but not intimidating—enough to push you without making you want to flee. After each session, I feel physically good, and I’ve noticed the days I attend class tend to be better days at work. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

I’ve already met a few people I really like and hope to connect with more over the coming weeks. The 6-week package itself is a smart model—I much prefer it over a “free trial week.” In my opinion, paying helps you show up with purpose and commitment.

And yes, I’ve already had that post-workout cooldown high where I think: Maybe I could train for a weightlifting competition someday? A delightful delusion, but honestly—it’s fun to daydream when your body feels strong.

I’m not yet sure if I’ll be able to continue after the 6 weeks—it’s definitely a premium gym, and with that comes a bit of a financial stretch for someone like me, who’s here thanks to a fitness stipend from my employer. I may have to return to my free apartment workouts once the 6 weeks wrap up. (Perhaps I should start a GoFundMe—haha!) But I LOVE having access to the full range of equipment at The Yard, and the space itself is motivating in a way that’s impossible for me to replicate at home.

In short: If you’re considering trying The Yard, the 6-week package has been a great way (imho) to test the waters with intention. I’ve had a great start, and I’m glad I signed up. Looking forward to more great workouts!”

“Love the experience, love the work out. All the instructors are great. Anthony was really great this morning and I appreciated his clear communication and positivity !”

“I really have a good time at every class I attend and I enjoy learning a different way to workout. Ian is great - he motivates and supports everyone! I 100% recommend!”

“I’ve been an Orangetheory member for a couple of years, but it’s in the last six months—attending classes 5-6 days a week—that I’ve truly embraced the experience. The dedication and warmth of coaches like Courtnie, Kreigon, Jordan, Sarah, Jessica, Madison, and don’t forget Josh have transformed the studio into a second home for me.

Orangetheory’s unique blend of heart-pumping cardio and strength training keeps me engaged and challenged. The variety ensures that no two workouts are the same, preventing monotony and continually pushing me to new heights. The structured yet dynamic nature of the classes means I can focus on giving my best without the hassle of planning my routine.

The sense of community at OTF is unparalleled. From the moment I walk in, I’m greeted with smiles and encouragement, making every session something to look forward to. The camaraderie among members and staff fosters an environment where everyone motivates each other to achieve their personal best.

The benchmarks and challenges are particularly motivating, offering clear goals to strive for and a tangible sense of accomplishment when they’re met. The energy in the studio during these events is electric, and it’s inspiring to see everyone pushing their limits together. I’ve definitely hit my weight loss goals and lost more than 25lbs since attending on a regular basis and gained strength as well.

If you’re in Mission Bay and haven’t experienced Orangetheory yet, you’re truly missing out. It’s more than just a workout; it’s a community, a lifestyle, and a place where you can achieve goals you never thought possible.”

“Flagship is the best! I’ve been coming for a few months now and as a newbie to CrossFit style workouts I was worried about being able to keep up with the exercises. But everyone is super supportive and helpful, especially if you’re new. I’m excited to keep coming for years to come!”

“Nice and clean local gym with incredibly friendly staff. I was visiting from NY, and was allowed to try the gym with a day pass. As someone who visits SF quite frequently, I think I’ll be coming here more often for affordable day passes.”

“I found Flagship when I was recovering from an injury and interested in giving CrossFit workouts a try, and the coaches here are amazing! Nikki, Anais, and Liz do a great job of introducing each exercise, and it feels like there's a good amount of personal attention even when the classes are larger. The coaches make sure you feel comfortable with the movements and have the proper form, and help adjust workouts for any injuries. The equipment is really nice and the gym is spacious, so I enjoy coming here to exercise. I like that the workouts are published in advance so I know what I'm getting into, and I also really appreciate that they have multiple membership options, all transparently priced on their website. Joining Flagship was an excellent decision, and I'm looking forward to continuing my fitness journey with them!”

“Layla is amazing and very knowledgeable about anatomy. She was very patient and made me feel very comfortable and relaxed. This is a great place for people who work at a desk/computer. The manager, Mike, is very helpful and does a great job to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

“Dropped into Crossfit SOMA this morning and worked out with the 6:30am crew and Coach Kevin. I was so glad to find that the class was structured and Kevin provided guidance on movements throughout. I will definitely drop in here again if I am back in SF!”

“Wow. That’s really all I can say. Visiting from Los Angeles, and San Francisco Barry’s Marina truly set the standard. Such an incredible workout. High energy, great coaching, and I definitely burned those calories. Overall, an amazing experience. Thank you so much for such a great workout”

“Best gym that I have been to and I have been to a lot over my many years on the earth. Amazing concept with your private training area which you reserve for an hour. Loads of equipment in the area and the shared space. Good selection of cardio machines and the best bit is what ever your planning on working out you can as you dont have to worry about people hogging the machines.”

“Dropped in here a few times and had a great workout. The coaches are good and the community felt tight knit. I also appreciate that they have a whole separate dedicated open gym area that’s full of equipments. Thanks for letting me drop in guys!”

“Great gym that fits all your needs without feeling overly crowded compared to the typical commercial gyms.Highlights:- less crowded- in a walkable/runnable area for a pre-lift run/warm up- open 24/7 via access code aka healthcare workers who work odd hours (ive been here at 4:30am)- relatively safe and residential neighborhood- owners actually cancel membership when asked haha”

“I have been a client of Coach Charlie's for over 3 years now. I've done his group classes and also been a private training client. Charlie is a certified pre and post natal trainer. I attended his group fitness classes up until I was 8 months pregnant and Charlie was able to tailor the class so that I could continue to participate. Maintaining my fitness and strength while pregnant helped me to feel great throughout my pregnancy and made my recovery that much easier. I also started personal training with Charlie 8 weeks post partum. Charlie helped me build up my core from scratch and get me back to burpees and running by the end of my maternity leave.Charlie tailors his workouts to target the areas that women need to work on in order to maintain strength and mobility. I feel so lucky to have found Charlie and the group of amazing women, whom I call friends. Working out with Charlie is not just a good health habit, but the foundation to enable me to have a full and active life for all the years to come. Thanks Charlie!!”

“TL;DR - Down to earth gym, great trainers, community vibe.

I’m really glad I found this place! Like others have said, it is a small gym, but the setup and equipment provide a surprising amount of flexibility around fitness programming.

There’s a boxing area, a gym area, two bathrooms, a water station, a small dry-sauna, and a cold plunge on the roof patio.

I really like the trainer I work with and have noticed that the other trainers here make a real effort to form a rapport with their clients.

I also like that all kinds of people work out here. I’ve even noticed a couple of kids working with trainers. It very much feels like a community space, and I’ve become friendly with the staff and clients I see regularly. It’s nice!

I was looking for a place where I could not only get in shape, but learn more about how I can do that sustainably long term. I’m definitely getting that and am happy with the results.

I’d highly recommend this gym to anyone looking for a chill, down-to-earth workout experience. I find myself really looking forward to working out here and I’m really happy to find a place that will work with me on reaching my goals.”

“I've been training with Todd for over 2.5 years now. Todd has been able to help me overcome old sporting injuries to my shoulder, knee and help strengthen my core again to to support my back. I have dropped weight, put on muscle and feel stronger now than I have in years. Todd listened to my needs and the results speak for themselves. Highly recommend.”

“This gym is neat and prioritizes free weight training. It offers convenient access through an app, enabling you to register and handle your membership entirely online. I'm not a fan of the manual check-in process in addition to using door access. It would be more efficient to solely rely on door access for verifying membership. The manual check-in just adds unnecessary extra work.”

“Come for the killer workouts, stay for the incredible community. 17th Street Athletic Club is unlike any fitness space in San Francisco. Historically, working out has always felt like a chore that was impossible to maintain. It wasn't until I started working out and taking classes here that it all changed for me. Here are a few reasons why: - The instructors are welcoming, knowledgeable, and motivating! The community is LGBTQ+ friendly, which was super empowering for me as a newbie in the fitness space. - There are several membership packages to pick from and they're all fairly priced, especially compared to other gyms in the area. - The workouts are fun and engaging, with classes ranging from 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Take your pick of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), indoor cycling, and strength building classes. - The gym is so sleek and modern that when it's not being used as a gym, it doubles as an event space! 17th Street Athletic Club has hosted workshops, training rides, trivia nights, karaoke, and many other special community-building events (like I mentioned earlier, not your typical gym) TLDR: the gym is beautiful, the equipment is great, but the real magic is the encouraging community that pushes you to go further than you thought possible”

“They have the most friendly and responsible staff. I accidentally left my ID at the front counter and I forgot about it. They called to tell me they held it for me and let me know when they'd be available. Thanks Brooke!”

“Have been going to this gym over a year now. Love how it is never too crowded, staff always friendly, and good music. It’s clean & I already think it’s awesome, even more awesome: they are remodeling the entire gym this month!!! I’m so excited. The gym manager Daniel is great and helped me sign up last year - very glad I joined Live Fit! Love my Polk st location.”

“The community here is amazing! They let me try out a class for free since I’m new to the area and it was the most welcoming environment with really attentive coaches who showed me the ropes and watched my movements to make sure I was doing them correctly. Will definitely be back! ??”

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can honestly say my experience at CrossFit Fog City was excellent. I was only in San Francisco for about a month and needed a gym, so I signed up for a temporary one-month membership and I couldn’t be more satisfied.

The gym is massive and has just about every piece of equipment you could ask for. The coaching staff was awesome great programming, fun classes, and a really positive atmosphere. Gordon, the owner, was extremely responsive and welcoming, which made the experience even better.

Whether you’re in town temporarily or looking for a long-term fitness home, I highly recommend checking out CrossFit Fog City. The space and community are amazing!”

“Not one for reviews, but I have to say, it's really, really good!I've become a big fan of this place and I'll be coming back often.Friendly staff and great gym equipment.”