City Sports Club - Berkeley (CA)

1 /5 Savant Lake: As a multi-club member for years, lve visited many City Sports locations and even had family members sign up without any issues. However, my experience at the Berkeley location was disappointing. I brought my two friends--one from Richmond and one from San Francisco--for their first gym experience and signed them up for the three-day pass. While the operational manager was kind and helpful when I called later, the newly appointed sales manager--who had dark hair, glasses, a beard, and tattoos--was surprisingly rude and extremely defensive. He didnt explain any policies and simply insisted, "Its $20 if you want to try the gym today," even after my friends explained that they were interested in memberships but wanted to try the gym first with their three day passes. He said they "needed to sign up for memberships if they wanted to use the three day passes." I was shocked because at other City Sports locations, the staff has always been warm, welcoming, and flexible. That was not the case here with this new sales manager. This lack of kindness and customer service was disappointing, and we ultimately left. I will not be returning to the Berkeley location. I believe the sales manager could benefit from a course on customer service and basic courtesy, as the experience was extremely disappointing. Beware to newcomers/members who want to bring a family/friend.

1 /5 Joseph Monterrosi: The facility itself is not bad. I gave it one star because parking for over two hours is NOT free. If you work out for an hour and a half, then take a quick shower, and by the time you dress, you can easily exceed the allotted time by a few minutes. And serious workouts go longer than that. I cannot recommend this. Paying each time I visit is just not worth it.

1 /5 kevin li: Absolutely pathetic. If there was an option for zero stars, this place would deserve it without question. First, let’s talk about the parking scam they’re running here. $12 for 2 hours? Seriously? When I asked why, the first security guard confidently told me: “Just pay now, the gym will refund you later.” Biggest lie of the day. I went down to the gym, thinking this would get resolved. Nope. “Parking? Not our department. Not our responsibility.” They couldn’t care less. When I tried again, they pushed me off to another guard… and let me tell you, she acted like I personally ruined her day just by asking a simple question. Completely rude, raised her voice at me, with an attitude like “Don’t bother me with your problems.” And the gym itself? A total joke. Machines broken. Dirty floors. Foul smell. Zero maintenance. It felt like a forgotten storage room, not a place people pay to work out. Honestly, the only workout I got was from walking in circles trying to find someone with a basic sense of customer service—which, spoiler alert: none of them had. If you enjoy wasting your money, being lied to, and treated like trash—then by all means, come here. Otherwise, RUN. Never again.

1 /5 Jill Pember: When I first got to this location on Monday evening (10/13), I thought it was strange that I signed up for a 3 day free pass, but only received one free day at the gym. No mind, general manager Michael took my ID while I went to work out. I told him that I was just in town for two more weeks, so he told me that he could cut a special deal for a two week membership for me. When I finished my workout, I went over to his desk and he returned my ID. He told me that he had a special deal for me, $30 for the rest of the month. It was a deal, he said, because usually day use passes are $35. The only thing was, he was helping me out, so I could help him out. He told me that I could purchase a Best Buy or Home Depot gift card on my phone and then give it to him. I emphatically told him *no*, that buying things in gift cards is a known scam!! He backtracked and told me that the gift cards would be to help him buy supplies for the store, that he needs more balloons (he gestured to the 3 balloons floating outside the gym). He asked me if I had any cash and I said no. I told him I could Venmo him for the membership and I did. I left the gym feeling super grossed out by this interaction. I dont even care that I got a "deal" (which isnt really much of a deal, considering that I initially was going to get a free 3 day pass and then was denied that). I felt gross that this man had tried to scam me in the slimiest possible way ever. If City Sports Club does not deal with Michael internally, I will report him both to federal and local authorities for his fraudulent behavior.

5 /5 Lila Orangi: I’ve been taking the Zumba classes with Alejandra at Berkeley City Sports Club @ 8:30 AM, and I love it. Alejandra has a diverse and energetic style; motivating everyone to dance and have a great time. She provides excellent and easy to follow instructions with high energy and enthusiasm suitable for all levels. She also includes new, fun music and choreography to each class. I totally enjoy, get a great workout at her classes and feel more energetic after the class. I highly recommend taking a Zumba class with Luisa Alejandra T.