The boyfriend and I got trial passes in just about every gym across Williamsburg, Bed Stuy, Fort Greene, and lower Manhattan before settling on Chalk. We tried out Blink (almost every single location, including the one way out on Gates), Quick Fit, the Brooklyn Athletic Club, Crunch... I even had a two-week membership at Frenchie's. At the end of the day, it's not about specific equipment or classes, but energy. Chalk's simply got the best vibes. I feel good / happy / relaxed working out there, which is important, because otherwise I wouldn't go there every day. Echoing and agreeing with Christopher C ("I've seen a few bad reviews towards the staff...") the fact that the desk reps don't mob you when you come in is actually a selling point to me. To echo his sentiment, the no-pressure sales approach is a breath of fresh air. read more

The gym is clean and never crowded. You're never far from a window which is nice. I love the barre classes which have helped get me into summer shape. Annie is an awesome instructor! I love an instructor with pep and she certainly has it in spades. The other barre classes aren't bad, but hers are the best. The other girl doesn't count in time with the music which drives me mildly insane. I kind of wish the locker rooms were a little bigger because even though it's rarely busy, I seem to always be knocking into someone else. And I'm only 5'1. read more

I liked Maxim. I think the reason why I liked Maxim was it was barebones, no frills, and slightly dirty. It was also never (EVER) crowded. It's since turned into Chalk and they did some fantastic things to the place. They changed the layout so there's a great flow to the gym, they offer (lots of good) classes, and the cardio machines are FINALLY in working order! It's no secret to anyone who goes there, the owner really cares about and takes pride in the place. You'll always see him walking around and organizing weights. On a personal note, he went very (VERY) far out of his way to assist me in renting a monthly locker over email when there were all sorts of problems (beyond their control) with the computer system. They also make it a point to be an active part of the neighborhood and build a community around the gym. They often comment on Instagram, arrange a happy hour social, a movie night at Nitehawk, etc. Little things like that go a long way. Even though I'm giving it a five star rating, I do want to note two concerns ... The gym is starting to suffer from overcrowding in the weight area. Granted, it's not as extreme as most of the Manhattan gyms, but that's something that never happened at Maxim. Then again, Maxim kinda sucked. I think I had just gotten used to Maxim never having more than a dozen people at the gym during peak hours. They need to start enforcing the daily locker policy. Stop putting the sign that reads "Please contact management" on the locker and just cut the damn lock! It's more frustrating seeing that sign than it is not finding a locker. On that note, I'm getting off the internet and heading to the gym. :-) read more

I'll start with saying that the facilities are very nice and they do a nice job bringing in new machines and equipment regularly. The staff is super nice and the music is good. Aesthetically, it's a very comfortable and cool gym. For me, there are a few things that have been missing over the last year. I asked twice to set up a session where some one could teach me how to use some of the machinery, and did not receive the call or email. I have a busy schedule and didn't pursue it further. Often there are no towels stocked in the bathroom which sucks when you need an extra one and are covered in sweat. And a couple of times I took new towels that were not totally clean. Not a huge deal, but still uncomfortable to me. I find that while some instructors are amazing (personal opinion of course), such as Lindsay, Ryan, Kyle... some others are not as motivationally driven. Ie when I'm in spin and they let a lot of dead space go by without speaking or communicating and just ride along with you (I can do that on my own...) ...also the spin studio bikes are packed so very tightly that it's hard to even get in between, and it doesn't go completely dark - some thing I really enjoy in other spin studios... it gives you the ability to zone in and not be as self conscious or aware of your fellow riders. The windows are pretty much lit up and everyone walking around or working out is right there next to you. All in all it's really a very nice gym, but I think personally I've realized I need a gym with a much more hands on or hand holding approach. I think Chalk is great if you are good working out on your own and are self motivating, with the occasional class. For me, I like my work out to be class heavy and have available instruction for the gym floor at any time. read more

When I moved to the neighborhood a year ago, I was in a serious fitness rut. On the very first day of my membership, I met with a personal trainer who got me so stoked about the gym and its community, and that excitement hasn't wavered since. In the months since I joined, I've become a person who loves spinning. And goes to barre classes religiously. As someone who hates the treadmill, group fitness is key for me, and Chalk's instructors totally define the experience. As others have said, the huge windows, exposed brick, motivational chalkboard, and other little details make Chalk a place you actually WANT to be, which is a rare and incredibly important thing in a gym. Truly, the saddest thing for me about moving to a new city is leaving Chalk. Can't recommend it highly enough. read more

I am 100000% obsessed with Chalk. I'd been a member of NYSC for YEARS when I lived/worked in Manhattan, but found the classes not challenging enough, the staff lackluster, and the locker rooms a total nightmare. Enter: Chalk. The price is right, the classes are phenomenal (and SO HARD), the desk staff and maintenance staff are so sweet, and the owner Michael is so accommodating, helpful, and willing to listen. I went from being a once-a-week gym goer to a 5-days-a-week goer all because of Chalk. You guys, this gym is a gift. GO TO CHALK. They'll even give you a trial day if the bounty of 5-star reviews here doesn't convince you. read more

I've worked out at several different gyms and this one has to be my favorite of all. Great variety of equipment and machines to use and everything is always clean and kept well. Everyone here is polite and considerate of your space especially in the light of this pandemic. But I will say my favorite thing of this place above all is the front desk person named Ryan. He is always a pleasure to greet and is just an uplifting spirit especially on the days where you feel like you're just dragging yourself to a workout. If there is a formula for the perfect front desk person at a gym, it ought to just replicate Ryan's personality. Love chalk. 100/10 read more

I love this. Never too crowded price is great nice people free towels. They accommodated my travel schedule. Will use them regularly

I could not be happier with the facilities and classes at Chalk Gyms! You get the amenities of a large outfit, yet Michael, the manager, still provides the personal care of a small business. The gym is always impeccably clean, and there are tons of classes to choose from (a bar class was just recently added, too). A special shout out to Kyle Fincham's classes, as I'm always left feeling incredibly sore and confident that I've gotten an insane workout. read more

Great gym, friendly staff, good selection of classes and it's clean. There's also a nice sauna. It's month to month payments so no long term commitment which is a breath of fresh air. Nearly every time I'm there I see the cleaner working hard to keep it spotless. Changing room has three showers and Ive never had to wait. The gym itself is very bright and spacious which is nice. There's a wide range of cardio and weight machines. Front desk staff are welcoming and helpful. read more

I LOVE this gym. As a previous Equinox member, I was a little concerned. I had convinced myself that the obscene monthly dues were worth it, so I thought paying over half the cost would mean I give up a lot. I couldn't have been more wrong. While Chalk may not be as fancy as Equinox, it hits all the marks where it matters. The instructors are fun and motivating. The equipment is clean and always functional and the staff is great. You don't have to compete with all of Manhattan to get into a class or wait forever to use machines. This is the neighborhood find. read more

Clean place to workout and not too far from L train station. They also have complimentary wine on every Friday after workout LOL. Staff is also welcoming and plus is that their membership is month to month. No long term contract or initiation fees. I am going to this place for over a year and its always the same. read more

This is a great gym for everyone - equipment is current and facilities are always in good condition. On the second floor there's more light then you'd typically get. People are friendly and there's a relaxed but productive vibe to the whole place and music that you actually like. The management you can tell is really involved, and helped me out on a billing matter that wasn't their fault. read more

I'm moving out of New York pretty soon; so I was compelled to start yelping some of the places that I've loved during my time here. Chalk gym is the absolute best. It costs a little bit more than the "bargain" gyms in the area and I am, by no means, wealthy; but, it was worth every cent. It was my home away from home. Michael Lasardo, the owner, was someone that I got to know just by going in and seeing him around. He's nothing but class. The schedule of classes and its proximity to the L train are, alone, worth the monthly dues. I can't find enough positive things to say about this place that was such a source of comfort for me for so long. Thanks Michael and the whole chalk staff! read more

It's a very nice and convenient gym. The gym offers almost everything you need. Water with orange and new york times in the lobby. Classes are amazing! read more

Great place located on 2nd floor. . Higher end gym for Williamsburg. Has sauna big plus for me and other gyms dont offer read more

Chalk Gyms - Dry sauna - Gyms Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

It's hard enough to get motivated to go to the gym, but the moment you step into Chalk is the moment all hesitations go away. Always a great relief to step into this magical place. The atmosphere, staff and especially the music (if you don't bring your own) makes it all worth while. I have Chalk Gyms to thank for my health and sanity during these times. Always clean and organized. Has everything I need, some I should use, and others I didn't know my body was missing. Cheers! read more

My G.F. and I were visiting Brooklyn (from the west coast), and needed to find a gym, and had only Yelp to rely on... "Chalk" was awesome! Loved everything about it: the look, the brick and wood, the friendly people at the front desk who gave us a cut rate for our short visit, the clean equipment, and even the music was just right. Highly recommend. One other real nice touch: a chalkboard saying "What's your goal today?" and people writing little things. What a positive vibe!!! Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees. read more

As a former member for years, I post this with a heavy heart. This isn't the same gym since reopening - the % of female membership seems to have fallen off a cliff, social distancing and mask wearing is not enforced, and management is argumentative in response to member feedback. read more

I love Chalk! Best gym in the neighborhood. Great trainers, classes and vibe. The staff is kind and attentive.

I am joining Yelp specifically to tell the world how much I love Chalk Gyms. I am moving, and will have to cancel my membership (sadness), otherwise I'd want to keep this little secret all to myself. I am not huge on gym equiptment, but when I hit the treadmill, they have quite a few options (the personal TVs are a nice touch). Free weights, kettlebells, rollers and the standard muscle man machines are all available. What sets Chalk apart, however, is the classy interior, big windows & lemon water. This is a Williamsburg gym, in the best sense of the beloved hood. However, the absolute highlight of this amazing facility is its people- these classes are far beyond any others I have tried. The instructers are classy folks (no Richard Simmons vibes anywhere). Kyle's GRIT class makes you a beast, Julia's yoga class is filled with the same people every week ( you can tell people plan their schedules around it) and Josh's Friday night boxing class is serious business. I LOVE YOU CHALK- thank you for getting me into the best shape of my life, I will miss you so so so so much. read more

I've been searching for a new gym in my area, so I've been trying a few out before committing. Pretty sure I've found it at Chalk. I used a free guest pass on Labor Day, and I was really happy with my experience. The lady at the front desk was nice, didn't try to sell me on the space, and just told me that everything was on one floor (up the stairs). I can see how someone might think this was a brush off, however I appreciated how simple it was and don't need to have my hand held. They have THREE squat racks, two flat benches, and all of the other standard equipment/machines. A good stretching area with foam rollers, plenty of cardio machines, and spacious locker rooms with showers. Layout is well planned. The price is also decent. read more

I've been a member for about 2 years and can't imagine going anywhere else. I joined for the range of classes - check the schedule for a variety both in the AM and PM. It's never too crowded, though I don't spend too much time in the floor. My favorite classes are 7AM spin during the week (always a handful of extra bikes available) and barre on the weekends (the floor fills up fast so get there early). The instructors all have great energy and aren't intimidating, which is important for an anti-gym rat like me. For only $99 you def get your money's worth. read more

so many hot guys here i forget to work out and just sit on the machine with my jaw dropped starring at all the daddies.... but anyway, its a great gym! i love it! i love coming here because its all brand new, it smells nice, and if you go in the afternoon between 1-4 pm its pretty empty. only problem is too many hott guys so i get distracted and think about my love life and not my squats. read more

Chalk is to gyms like leftovers are for dinner- you should only go there for the convenience and to save a few bucks. There is really nothing special about this gym. Although they cleaned up the bathrooms and reorganized some of the equipment to make way for a few new ones, I am still not impressed. Review done. read more

Great neighborhood gym. A little on the pricey side, but they keep the place VERY clean. Every time I've come, I've seen at least one person attending to the bathrooms or equipment. They are lacking in space, so their cardio equipment easily fills up on a Monday evening, so I rarely come on Mondays. But most other times I've never had to wait more than 10 minutes for a machine. The sauna is a nice way to cool down and the amenities (shampoo, lotion, etc) are worth the extra penny. I agree with other yelpers - the staff working at the front lobby rarely pay attention to me when I walk in, but I suppose they are primarily there to help people who don't have a membership. read more

Not worth the $. The people who work here are typically outright rude. If you have a question at the front desk, you'll get an eye roll because you are interrupting the show they are watching. The cleaning people are super rude as well. The gym can get too packed and therefor too hot even in the winter. But don't ask the front desk people to do anything, because they will say they cannot. "It's an automated system" they'll say and then go back to watching their show. I wish I had a better option. My gym, quick fitness, closed. Pity because they were at least professional and you felt like they cared about their job. I don't know whose hiring these people, but they are unmotivated and lazy. For almost 100 bucks a month, it's a joke here. I think I'll join the Y. They get 2 stars because they have weights and machines. That's about it. read more

Chalk Gyms - Front desk people engrossed in their own thing. - Gyms Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Just checked out the upgrades and new schedule, I must say I'm loving it! Thanks for adding the later classes, I hope they stay on the schedule!!!! read more

I have been coming to this gym for over 7 years (back when it was Maxim) and I couldn't be happier with being a member now. The gym has gone through a complete transformation since under new ownership. The gym is super clean and has a much better ambience now with the new paint job, plants, decor, and chalkboard walls. The refreshing citrus water when you walk through the door is full more often than not, and it is those details that are important. In the Maxim days it was always empty, and had a sign telling members not to fill up their bottles. You'd never see a sign like that at Chalk! The owner is always around and seems to really care about member's needs. They are constantly fixing, changing and improving things and adding new classes and moving machines around. You can tell the owner really cares about this place! I once showed up for a Yoga class that was cancelled and the owner sent me an iTunes Gift Card as an apology. I am lucky that I don't work 9-5 so I usually come during the day when its not busy, so I can't speak for the overcrowded-ness. One thing I would also like to see if a mommy and me class for toddlers, as all the Family classes currently are for babies. All in all great customer service and great gym! read more

I recently relocated to Williamsburg from L.A. and have been looking for a great gym for the past month. I discovered Chalk while reading Yelp reviews on gyms in my area. After reading all the great reviews I decided to become a member today, without even trying it out. As there website states, joining is "easy, and hassle free," which it was. I am not sure how long I will be living in this area, so I wanted a nice gym with updated machines and a simple month to month membership that I can afford. I am excited to start hitting the gym tomorrow and hope the great experience continues. read more

Overall: Chalk is awesome. It's clean, the people there are friendly, the equipment works, and you can scribble on their chalkboard (chalk included). The space is a little cozy during the evenings but it's not too bad. The owner Mike is awesome and really nice -- I met him when he ran to get a bandage for me (I had cut my knee). It's that kind of place. Also, you can pay month to month at a very reasonable price and cancel easily without the headaches most gyms give you. Classes: The classes are really great. Beata and Dion are amazing and have the best classes if you want to sweat like crazy and sometimes wish you had just stayed at home or at least had a pacifier. They are merciless but super sweet at the same time. Competition: I used to be at Retro (dark days...) and paid $30 a month with NO classes, an aesthetic similar to condiments at a hot dog stand, and equipment that didn't work half the time. When I canceled, they charged me for 2 additional months. Retro is so yesterday. Anyway, I love Chalk so much that even when I moved out of Williamsburg I still chose to go there. read more

Chalk is an exceptionally outstanding gym. Moving from Austin I was afraid I wouldn't find a clean, unpretentious, affordable, and respectful place like I was use to, but dutiful research all over Brooklyn and word of mouth led me to Chalk. Best desicion I've ever made. It's very clean - all the time. Locker rooms, gym, equipment, all feels very sanitary. The whole gym is surrounded by windows as well so it always feels airy and not stuffy. It's never crowded, even at peak hours I never wait and never feel rushed. I'm one to use freeweights mostly and they have a great selection of equipment for me, even on days when I feel like swithcing it up a bit I've found myself never wishing they had something not already there. I've also taken a few classes that were great - my favorite being the 30 min ab class and hour long cycling class. Management is incredible. The whole place is run very smoothly with Michael (the manager) responding personally to any emails with any questions about memberships, payments, etc. I live in Bushwick and make the time to head here because it's truly worth a 15-20 min train ride for me. read more

Extremely accommodating and responsive staff. Management has always been quick to reply to emails, and is kind and professional when doing so. Chatty and fun front desk workers who make you feel so very at home and and overall super pleasant and easy space to exercise in. A good mix of equipment, thats kept in great condition. Terrific studio space with lots of classes and available to use in off hours for your own personal aerobics and dance class! I love working out at Chalk! read more

I've been going to this place for three months now cuz it's close to my apartment. I just can't stand it anymore. The equipment is always filthy, not just with the January rush, but I've been looking at the same dirt on the equipment and in the locker rooms since October. The have not maintained the cardio equipment since I've been there. Front desk guys are always smug, so BK if you're into that. Crappy GroupX classes. Too bad as the location and finishes are stellar. Thank goodness I found a better one in the neighborhood. read more

Just an update. We've been with the gym now for close to two years. In that time, the gym has only gotten better. What's changed: New machines have made their way to the floor. New bands, mats, free wights and kettleballs have been added. New classes. More classes. What's stayed the same: It's really easy to get jaded when it comes to gyms in NYC. Not here. Management is always open to suggestions, and there to solve any issues. Instructors keep things fresh in classes we've been going to for some time. Dennis (still) knows how to mix it up so you never get complacent, and are always challenged. His attention to proper form makes stuff harder -- but the payoff is there. Brittney's weight class is a super welcome addition, too. Hard, but fun. Yeah, there is more competition in the neighborhood now, but really none of them compares to Chalk. X read more

Just wonderful. I'm traveling on business for a month and got a 2 day complimentary pass as soon as I asked. Michael responded immediately and was very very nice. Loved the gym. Clean. Took two spin classes. One of them was a combo spin/yoga. So much FUN and great instructors. I used to go to Soul Cycle. Now Im thinking why? Loved these classes. Too bad I have to leave soon..... read more

Chalk doesn't lock you in a contract like the other bs corporate gyms do. They are open about their pricing and are super flexible when it comes to cancellation. I had to cancel my membership last minute and they were super accommodating and hassle-free. I am a newbie when it comes to working out but the chill environment made me feel comfortable, relaxed, and not judged. The facilities are clean, classes are frequent, and equipment is kept in great condition. After work around 6pm is usually when it's the most crowded, but even then it's still manageable! Great trainers and great staff!!! Love love love Chalk!! read more

Having been a member at this location for 1.5 yrs, now under new management from Chalk Gyms, this gym delivers what I need. Clean, convenient, cool vibe, working equipment, great trainers and classes. I've always enjoyed the classes here, particularly Kyle's strength training classes. I'm very glad the new management has decided to keep most of the previous class schedule, as well as adding to the roster. The atmosphere looks to get even better with some new direction that's putting additional focus on building community and providing satisfaction for it's members. read more

this is a good boutique gym. it's clean and it's got all the equipment you could want. good classes too. down-sides... MUSIC is way too loud. please turn down the cool pop tunes. i've asked several times but they never do. it's pretty small so, if a class is in session, which it always is during peak hours, there is very little room for stretching, jump rope, push ups, etc. read more

Good equipment and facilities but gym etiquette is incredibly lacking. Weights are left on barbells, people try to take your weights off when you walk away for 2 minutes to get some water, etc. Everything is pretty cramped, and it's a little too crowded weekdays after work - perhaps they could nix some of the equipment that I never see people using? Staff is a little whatever; trainers should move aside when blocking equipment. read more