Doonya is one of the best Zumba classes I've been to! I've…read morebeen going since over a year now, and it's usually my thing to do on Wednesdays. I started at Doonya taking Shruti's classes, and later switched to the Heron St location for Palak's sessions. Both of them are amazing instructors! The steps are broken down into easily graspable parts, the choreo is a little challenging but at the same time not too complex which lets you also focus on the "working out" part of it, and moreover the energy level of the instructor is what makes this class truly motivating and pushes you harder. Palak also organizes happy hours, which is a great way to meet people if you're new to the city. Would definitely recommend this class for a fun workout!

Great workout and fire playlists! I look forward to Wednesdays now to get a good sweat in and have…read morean all around fun time. Priya's energy is so high you can't help but try to match it! I used to be a Bollywood dance teacher so I really need some challenging and fun choreography - Doonya delivers!

Sara's 4 weeks of salsa was amazing. She is a very experienced , dedicated instructor and an…read moreinspiring dancer. I learnt so much in her classes.

Dropped into Oche's class on a whim because I have previously taken classes with him at another…read morestudio. Recently moved up to the city and I've been wanting to explore closer studio options and was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful ambiance of the studio. It's clean and well decorated! The staff were friendly and the waiting area is really cute. The drop in class price feels like a steal with how much classes across the Bay Area have been in comparison. Heads up, when the elevator is down be prepared to climb up 7 flights of stairs! I promise it's worth the trip though!

I've been on a group workout class kick and stumbled upon The Bar Method-FiDi once when I was…read morewalking back home from downtown. Workout classes are not cheap, but what drew me to the Bar Method was the sign outside that said 13 classes for $78 (use within 60 days.) That comes out to be $6/class! What a steal! I'd never done barre before, but have pilates and yoga experience. I liked Barre because it toned so many different areas! We started with upper body, then moved down the body to legs and glutes and calves and abs! I liked how the class attendees were much more diverse (age, ethnicity, size) than pilates classes. It's very inclusive. Owner Noreen was the instructor and she was very helpful, guiding me and others to have better form. There are pads for when we kneel and sit. The studio is clean and airy. I like their no cell phone policy--too many people in other studios use cell phones during class and it's distracting! I also liked seeing the check-in counter woman diligently cleaning the locker area outside the class room. We take off our shoes there before going in, and it seemed clean. Will be back!

I love The Bar Method workouts! My Bar Method journey started in 2014 at their Honolulu studio & I…read morecontinued with The Bar Method when I moved back to San Francisco right before Covid. I took classes online & at other locations but the San Francisco studio closed last year & we were so sad. So, when we heard that The Bar Method was opening up in the Financial District, we all did our happy dance. I signed up for the 5:30 Bar Method class & it was great to see some familiar faces & meet the studio owners (they also own the San Mateo & Palo Alto studios). It was a great class, fun & very effective & I know that I will be sore tomorrow. Looking forward to taking more classes soon!

I had been running for an indeterminate period of time. I suspected it to be an eternity, but I…read morealso suspected that in my exhaustion I might be exaggerating things. Though I had certainly hiked greater distances, it dawned on me that this was possibly the longest distance that I had ever run in my life in one sitting. One of the girls running next to me spoke up. "Do you know how long we've been running?" she panted to our trainer, merrily peddling alongside us on a bike. "I think this is the longest I've ever run in my life." "About 5 and a half miles," he replied. "This is madness!" I exclaimed. "Madness? This...is...booooooooooooot caaaaaamp!" Okay, so that didn't happen, at least the 300 reference (although our trainer was in fact an easy-on-the-eyes Scotsman). But I really did run 5.5 miles that day, as well as perform various other feats of strength and endurance that would ordinarily seem improbable for me to do on a nearly daily basis. But beyond the fact that my goal weight is currently 22 pounds, I a) have reached the point where I really don't want to go to the gym and do the same routine day in and day out, b) know that despite my inner grumbling, I enjoy a good ass-kicking (especially if it means that I don't have to sweat the occasional chocolate or bucket of fried chicken), and c) would like to spend a least some of my day outside when I spend so much time inside working. For all these reasons and more, Boot Camp SF has been perfect for me. They have a variety of locations, great instructors, and various levels for each time slot offered. If for some reason you think you'll be gone a lot during a session (as I was for the previous one), you can purchase a pack of 10 classes to take when you are able (they can also be purchased singly). Having your measurements taken, which may initially seem mortifying, is actually a great way to see your progress and stay motivated. Oh, and you'll most likely end up bonded to the people in your group, if for no reason other than (happily) sharing in the suffering together.

Welcome to Bootcamp Smack Down. Two bootcamps enter the ring, one leaves. We'll see who has the…read morebest cuisine. Wait.. that's Top Chef. Oops, sorry. I've attended two of the oldest and best established bootcamps in San Francisco (probably the country): Bootcamp SF, and Sgt. Ken's START Fitness. This is a review of Bootcamp SF, but it's also a compare/contrast with START Fitness http://www.yelp.com/biz/start-fitness-sgt-kens-boot-camp-san-francisco Bottom Line: Both START and Bootcamp SF are excellent programs, but for most people START is the better, and cheaper, option. For details, read on - Facility BCSF is entirely outdoors. That's a welcome change for many a gym rat, but you are at the mercy of the weather, equipment is limited, you'll frequently be running around public parks in the dark, and no showers or changing facilities are available. They suggest you buy a headlamp and gloves. I think the gloves are optional, but the light is a good idea. START meets inside everyday and offers nice mats, clean showers, changing rooms, and decent if basic equipment including brand new TRX suspension mounts. It heads outside, weather permitting, for a distance run on Tuesdays, sprint work on Thursdays and for half of class on Friday. Intensity and Effectiveness BCSF makes students work hard. START is all about pushing students out of their comfort zone. I also think START's five-days-a-week class availability (even if you don't go five times a week) and lack of a session structure make it easier to be consistent at START then at BCSF . One BCSF veteran said she saw major changes in herself after about three sessions (18 weeks) and I believe this. Based on my own experience and gossip from both classes, I'm guessing the same amount of change would probably have come in one to two months at START. The Vibe For a program to work you gotta go. The right vibe really helps. Bootcamp SF has taken a few knocks on Yelp from people who felt left out. I had a fine experience, but I can see how BCSF could feel like junior high school PE: a bit cliquey, and there is little sense of being together as a team. Sgt. Ken's is, in my experience, aggressively inclusive and more diverse than BCSF in every way, including ability level. It is, however, a little more structured than BCSF (example - at BCSF everyone may go out and run around a course as individuals, at START you are more likely to be put in a group of 5 people doing relays). If you hate structure but are still attracted to a group exercise program BCSF might be a better fit. Schedule/Location/Cost - BCSF Bootcamp SF meets four days a week (though there is a Saturday make-up session you are welcome to attend whether or not you actually missed a class). The program is organized in six week sessions with a week's break between sessions. You have to join at the start of a session, so if you're timing is bad you could end up cooling your heels for five weeks. Classes are available in the Marina (where I participated), Golden Gate Park, South Beach, Dolores Park and at one location in the South Bay. Times vary by location, but classes are usually at 6:00am, 7:00am, 8:30am and 9:30am Monday through Friday but with Wednesday off. There is also an evening class in Golden Gate Park. Schedule here https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AfptCVdE9mT9ZGczNmZqeGdfODdjd3YycmpnMg&hl=en BCSF is $295 per session if you go 4 days a week, $260 for 3 days a week. This works out to $12 and $14 a class. Schedule/Location/Cost - START Sgt. Ken's boot camp meets five days a week at 6:00am and at 7:00am, in a studio at Franklin and Bush. The program runs continuously, so you can join anytime. Cost varies depending on length of commitment, but if you don't mind stepping up for eight or twelve weeks, it's half to a quarter as expensive as BCSF. They have a three day free trial. 1 week commitment = $17/class 4 week commitment = $14.50/class 8 week commitment = $5.90/class 12 week commitment = $2.92/class If neither BCSF or START sound like your cup of tea, and just in case I haven't given you enough information, here's a list of some other bay area bootcamps. I haven't been to any of these, but I figured I'd share my Googling... Raw Fitness: http://myrawfitness.com/services/boot-camp/boot-camp-415/ (note - only meets twice a week) Schnell Schnell Boot Camp http://schnellschnellsf.com/ (Cole Valley, outdoors, looks like it meets 3 times a week in the morning and twice in the evenings) BasicTraining SF http://www.basictrainingsf.com/ (program organization looks a lot like BCSF) Koi Fitness http://www.koifitness.com/ (program organization looks a lot like BCSF) Crossfit http://www.sanfranciscocrossfit.com/whatis.php According to the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/22/fashion/thursdaystyles/22Fitness.html an intense, sometimes dangerous workout SF Adventure Boot Camp www.sfadventurebootcamp.com (Women only and coed camps, sessions are 2 and 4 week

I found out about Charlie's fitness studio by recommendation- a family member trained with him to…read moreregain strength after an injury. At the time, I was 275lbs and absolutely miserable about it. I wanted to change and lose the weight, but I was frustrated with so many failed attempts- and nearly resigned to just be overweight for the rest of my life. I sat down with Charlie in his studio to talk about what he could offer. I was skeptical, but it was immediately clear that Charlie's the type of man who is very upfront and honest. I could tell he knew his craft very well and would not waste my time (or his). I took a leap of faith and purchased personal training sessions. Charlie told me I'd get out of this what I put in. So, I gave it my all and Charlie helped me turn my life around. The best things about Charlie: 1) Not for a single second, did he ever make me feel self-conscious or judged. He motivated me! 2) He's got this no-nonsense attitude paired with a watchful eye for limitations and potential injuries. Charlie KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING. 3) He's reliable, always reachable and organized. 4) He's got a large variety of different training tools (battle rope, TRX, medicine balls, a mean looking punching dummy, and tons more) which kept things fresh and exciting! 5) Maybe most importantly, he's kind. I lost 75lbs with Charlie. I went from wheezing while walking uphill to RUNNING and racing with my friends! I can CLIMB TREES now. Worth every penny! I saw real progress over time- longer stamina and stronger muscles. I'm so glad I met and trained with Charlie and I recommend him strongly to anyone ready to put the work in. Thank you Charlie!!!!!

I've been with Coach Charlie for a little over a year now, and he's been such a great personal…read moretrainer to me and my friend. We wanted to set up weekly training sessions, but he eased us in with a quick trial to see how we like the sessions and what we can do to achieve our goals in terms of weight, strength, etc. Since then, he's always taken care of us, made sure we engaged the correct muscles, and maintained proper form. We've never felt uncomfortable as he's always been a respectful yet witty and engaging coach throughout. The gym space is the perfect size for a class of 5-8 people. There's a ton of equipment available, and he keeps everything clean at all times. I love that the studio is never too cold or too hot, meaning I never feel like I'm suffocating or rigid from the temperature. Would recommend this gym to any of my friends!

I have been going to YuBalance (Noe Valley location) for approximately three months now, and I have…read morenothing but praise for the team at YuBalance. Facilities. The facilities are great. Super clean, well ventilated, good equipment, and the basic amenities you need (towels, cleaning supplies, change area, water etc). Value for money. I think the number, and variety, of classes I have access to each month for the price I pay is very reasonable. Trainers. Every staff member I have interacted with have been amazing, kind, informative, and helpful. I have tried a few classes now and while I like all the people, Jessica and Fernanda are my go-to superstars. They are both very hands on, check in each class to see how you are doing, discuss any concerns, and keep you super motivated throughout the class. They mix things up, adapt to class sizes, provide a low, medium, and high intensity approach to each station, and are both just energizers and their passion is infectious. Overall, the space, the price, and the trainers are just the best. I am only just over a year into my fitness journey and classes have always been daunting to me. But after a few sessions, I am hooked. All my reservations and self-conscious worries washed away quickly, and I honestly look forward to each class. My only constructive feedback (which should be taken with a grain of salt as I am not a fitness instructor or planner) is that sometimes a class of 10 people trying to squeeze 5 stations into 45min can be a little tough - especially when one station has you exercising on the floor and the next station has you exercising standing. Transition time can be a bit hectic. Keep up the great work, YuBalance team! And for anyone out there unsure about classes, give it a go. You will not regret it.

I love YuBalance, however, almost all of the instructors I started going here for have abruptly…read moreleft. They are what kept me going to class as they made it so fun! I am not sure what happened, and nothing was ever communicated to us.

This is my local gym and I've been meaning to write a review for ages now. The staff here really…read moremake this place. Every one of them is so encouraging and supportive. If you are into boxing then this is the gym for you, they have tons of really great boxing trainers here. Simon and Cole are both boxing and MMA experts, respectively, and their knowledge of fitness and self defense are unparalleled. Cole will put you through the most intense TRX workout of your life! If you are looking for a bootcamp to do then look now further. HitFitSF has the best one in the city! So happy to have these guys in my neighborhood. Thank you for everything HitFitSF!!

I'm in the middle of my second 4-week boxing bootcamp here and loving it. The gym stays amazingly…read moreclean, and the instructors are very friendly and helpful. The vibe is challenging and no-nonsense while still feeling warm and accommodating to different ability levels. Simon is the head coach and really stands out for how well he manages to provide individualized attention and feedback even in a large class. He also knows everyone's names within a couple of days.

I took Nannette's virtual class, and it was fun, and had my heart rate going. I can't always make…read moreit, but, now and then I can. See you soon

Zumba with Nannette has helped me lose 8lbs and gave my legs excellent tone so far in my quest to…read moreshape up before the new year!!! Before I sound like an infomercial... let me back up by saying Nannette was recommended to me by a friend who also happens to be Zumba instructor. I have always been active but was interested in adding a sports that's more feminine i.e. different from what I'm currently doing. Nannette's classes are attended by all walks of life... ranging from ladies who've done dance since they were 3, to those who just want to shake their booty. I have done dance based aerobic classes at gyms before and felt quite pressured to look good/ do the choreography well... but this is totally NOT the case in Nannette's classes. She adjusts to the class' level and gives plenty of encouragement (without coming across cheesy). I am only a few weeks in but am having a GREAT time. A shame that Nannette only teaches one class in SF each week - at the Mission's Cellspace (Bryant/ 19th), Sat 10:30a. Her other classes are based in Hercules CA area. Highly recommended!!!

I've been wanting to join a workout course for a long time because I hate going to a gym to lift…read moreweights on machinery. A free class appeared on social media for Pure Barre and this place is great on all fronts: - Very clean - Respectful members - Excellent instruction - Attentive service - The isometric movements hits every part of the body and I feel nicely sore and warm all over afterwards!

I have heard of Pure Barre for many years but had not made time to try it out until this year! I…read moredidn't know what to expect my first class and was quite lost but truly I was my biggest critic. I've taken classes with Chinwe and Millie and they're both amazing instructors that will help you get the proper form throughout the classes. I primarily take the Classic which is a pretty consistent class that focuses on legs, core and upper body! The transitions between each work out can be fast, but it's nice once you attend class 4-5 times, you get the hang of what to expect. I know there are other types of classes to take (Empower incorporates wrist weights which I'd love to try eventually). I signed up for Pure Barre hoping to improve my core but I've gained so much more! My mind muscle connection has improved as we go through the workouts of the class. I'm quite impressed that the workout having that ability.

I love The Fillmore Fitness SF location. You guys have such a great team. I really enjoy talking to…read moreIsaiah in the afternoons, Ryan in the evenings and any time I can sit down with Patrick and catch up for a minute is a great day. Megan at the front desk/trainer is great as well. I hope to get to know more of your staff over time. Thanks again! Marques-

About two months ago, I joined SF Fitness because it's the only gym in my area with a swimming…read morepool. Even though the membership costs over $100 per month, and I knew I would only be able to use it a few times each month due to my schedule, I decided it was still worth joining so I could swim. Overall, I would rate the facility about 2.5 out of 5 stars. The staff does make an effort to keep the gym clean, but because it gets so busy, some areas can still be messy at times. The main reason I joined was for the swimming pool. Unfortunately, I found that the pool is almost always crowded. I tried visiting on different days and at different times, but most of the time all the lanes were occupied. Occasionally I could swim right away, but more often I had to wait anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes before a lane became available. However, the biggest reason I'm giving this gym only 2 stars has nothing to do with the pool--it's because of security and parking. My primary transportation is an electric scooter. I initially tried driving and parking in the garage, but I repeatedly experienced problems with the parking gate. On several occasions it took me 10-15 minutes just to leave because the security gate malfunctioned and someone from the Fillmore Center had to come reset it. It was frustrating, especially when I was in a hurry. Because of that, I started riding my electric scooter instead. I used it only three times. On my third visit, I locked my brand-new scooter with a $60 security lock to the bike rack directly in front of the main entrance, where people are constantly walking in and out. After my swim, I came back and my scooter was gone. I immediately reported the theft to the front desk. They told me they were not responsible and that I needed to contact Fillmore Center Security. When I contacted them, they said they first needed a police report before they could assist me. I went to the police station, filed a report, and returned with the paperwork. I then asked what they could do to help. They said they would review the security camera footage to try to identify the person who stole my scooter. Since it happened right at the main entrance, I believed the cameras would clearly capture the incident. I was then told to come back the next day to speak with the security manager, Sean. Unfortunately, he wasn't available. After several unsuccessful attempts, I finally obtained his direct phone number from the security department. I texted Sean multiple times explaining that my insurance company could not process my claim without the surveillance footage. He repeatedly told me he would send the footage to my insurance company. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Despite his assurances, my insurance company never received anything. Eventually, my messages went unanswered. This was extremely disappointing because obtaining the footage should have been straightforward if the security cameras were functioning properly. Without that evidence, I couldn't complete my insurance claim for my stolen scooter. At that point, I decided to cancel my membership. Because of my busy schedule, my scooter is my primary way of getting to the gym. If I don't feel confident that it will be safe--or that I'll receive meaningful assistance if something happens--it's simply not worth the risk. After reading other online reviews, I realized I wasn't the only person who had experienced security-related issues at this location. That was even more discouraging. I'm not writing this review to discourage everyone from joining SF Fitness. If you walk to the gym or have another reliable way to get there, you may have a completely different experience. My purpose is simply to warn those who rely on electric scooters or bicycles as their primary transportation. Be aware of the potential risks, and understand that if your property is stolen, you may find it difficult to get the assistance or documentation needed afterward. I genuinely hope my experience helps others make an informed decision before joining.