San Francisco's Best Gym 2008

Weight room features fully retractable sky roof; 5,000-square-foot facility offers personal training, plus ab and circuit-training classes.

Reviews:

• “Best Gym Ever (LIKE Working out at home if you had a RETRACTABLE ROOF in you weight room) HEHEHEH”
• “Great neighborhood gym”
• “Great neighborhood gym”
• “Great local club”
• “Great neighborhood club!”

Tips: The number of memberships is limited to control crowds.

Pacific Heights Health Club or email Pacific Heights Health Club

A massive facility full of top-of-the-line equipment, spa services and sweaty downtown business types.

Reviews:

• “What more could you ask for?”
• “I’ve found my new inspiration!!!”
• “Good, but slipping a bit”
• “Totally OVERSOLD…too crowded”
• “Best trainer I ever had – Onzo Bennett”

Tips: On-site, the Club Bar & Grill serves lunch and dinner. The Sidewalk Cafe is the place to hit for a snack, sandwich, salad or smoothie.

The Sports Club/LA

You can have as many soft, fluffy towels as you want at this high-end health club.

Reviews:

• “Being a part of FC Staff is great experience”
• “Watch out!!!! Beware of continuing contracts!!!!”
• “Chronic Plumbing Problems”
• “Better than most gyms, but not great”
• “It is not your ordinary health club”

Tips: ClubOne is pricey but offers several special memberships. Make sure to do some serious questioning before settling on a specific package.

Club One At Fillmore Center or email Club One At Fillmore Center

Get fit at San Francisco’s sexiest gym.

Reviews:

• “FRIENDLY STAFF, FUN CLASS, CLEAN GYM”
• “Good equipment”
• “ehhh not so hot”
• “Bad Staff Attitude”
• “Very good but…”

Tips: The gym will validate your parking ticket so don’t forget to ask.

Crunch or email Crunch

Full-service gym offers weights, cardio equipment, sauna, steam room, classes and personal training, open for most hours of the day.

Reviews:

• “Crowded, fan-less, mid-day aerobics classes, lax customer service”

Tips: Not ready to commit to a full membership? The club also offers 10-day or 90-day passes.

24 Hour Fitness or email 24 Hour Fitness

It’s pricey and exclusive, but worth the money.

Reviews:

• “Royal Gym”
• “The Bay Club is the best Club I have belonged to.”
• “Loooove the Bay Club”
• “OH YEAH!”
• “Worth the membership$$”

Tips: Fees are higher than most gyms, but you’ll get plenty of goodies: free shuttle rides to the club from the Financial District; a starter session with a personal trainer; and a number of club-sponsored events, such as wine-tasting sessions, luaus and parties.

The San Francisco Bay Club

A welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and top-notch sports equipment at the JCC’s gym.

Tips: Ask about polarity therapy, which identifies reflex points and energy pathways in need of rebalancing.

Koret Center for Health, Fitness and Sport; Jewish Community Center

A wide selection of equipment, a big pool and great views make this Y one of the city’s most popular.

Reviews:

• “awesome staff, clean facilities, nice workout equipment”
• “Haven for Harried Workers”
• “Best place for no judgement”
• ""
• “best gym in the city”

Tips: The cardio room offers a spectacular view of the bay.

YMCA Embarcadero