Today is the day. You’re going to get really serious about your health and wellness. You’ve got the motivation, but you’re just not exactly sure where to start. No problem!
San Francisco is a real fit city, and we’re not just talking bodies. We’re a community that cares about your mind and soul as much as your muscle, and the best gyms offer a broad approach to help you reach your goals and hit those milestones, all while having fun doing it.
Whether you’re looking for HIIT, cycling sessions, weight training, yoga or more, these are the best gyms to get you started on your fitness journey—or to push you to the next level.
See also: The Best Climbing Gyms In The Bay Area For Any Skill Level
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2576 3rd St.; 415-550-8269 / Website
A truly dynamic method of achieving your dream body is through boxing! The 3rd Street Boxing Gym is a spacious Dogpatch landmark founded by talented Irish boxer Paul Wade in 2003, which has since become consistently beloved and returned to for his wide variety of equipment, community classes, and personalized lessons for boxers of any skill level. This judgment-free favorite is sleek, comprehesive, and will truly refine the boxing punches you’ve always wanted.
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3265 17th St, #104; 415-851-1784 / Website
Addicted to the cycling life? This is a friendly and encouraging environment for you. Sessions last 45 to 60 minutes and offer a heart-pumping sweat fest set to energetic tunes. TRX Suspension Training classes are also on the menu when you want to switch things up. There’s a stretch session at the end of each workout, and the community stays strong after hours with group 5ks, obstacle course runs and other fun citywide shenanigans.
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930 Cole St.; 415-841-2721 / Website
At ASP, trainers have fitness down to a science. Whether you’re a casual fitness enthusiast or a professional athlete, the trainers at this high-end facility will customize a program to meet your needs and amplify your results. The staff are also experts at injury rehab, so you can hit the field stronger than before and return to doing what you were born to do. The schedule is super friendly, offering a drop-in policy rather than a strict set of windows, although there’s no real growth with consistency, so stick with it!
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1390 Market St, Ste. 102; 415-657-2242 / Website
The future is truly now. Don a VR headset and get ready to sweat with Black Box’ signature work. It’s called “The Game,” an enthralling experience that uses your real-time movements to engage and exercise your body, mind and spirit. Level up in gains while winning on the battlefield. You can play as many rounds as possible in 30 minutes. It’s a mix of resistance training and HIIT, but it feels fun.
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1919 Mission St.; 415-993-0810 / Website
Group fitness never felt more personal than it does at Body Mechanix. Certified personal trainers lead groups no larger than 16 at a time so that you can have all the benefits and fun of communal growth but still get that personalized attention you need to see the most gains. The schedule offers body strength, body conditioning, boxing conditioning and open gym options. You can also participate in three-to-one group workouts or link up with a one-on-one personal trainer.
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HQ Suite 200, 290 Division St.; 415-863-4922 / Website
Diakadi has helped those serious about fitness goals change their lives for nearly two decades. Customers rave about the kind and caring staff members who truly encourage and push your edges every step of the way. The facility spans two floors with four unique workout spaces, boasting 30 yards of turf, Olympic-grade lifting platforms, small group strength training courses and more. There’s even a beverage bar, ready-to-eat meals to go, and on-site physical therapy, so you can fuel up and recover in record time.
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Various Locations / Website
Once part of a national chain, SF Fitness pulled out of its major franchise and pivoted to a locally-owned operation. Community is at the heart of this diverse and inclusive outfit, and so is your confidence and well-being. Certified personal trainers are on hand to help you hone in on and achieve your goals, and members are encouraged to bring a friend or colleague for "buddy training." Small group training is also available to crews of four to eight. SF Fitness even has its own app, so you can take part in on-site or on-demand classes wherever possible.
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2345 Harrison St.; 1150 Sutter St.; 415-757-0577 / Website
The name of the game is right there in, well, the name! Hit Fit SF focuses on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and boxing sessions, mixing things up for a full-body workout that builds energy, stamina and confidence. HIIT classes run 60 minutes and work through various sequences, including jump ropes, agility ladders, TRX and weight training, always switching things up after a minute so you never get too tired of one movement. Check the website to learn about boot camp programs and more.
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3769 24th St.; 415-508-7731 / Website
Iron & Mettle is an inclusive, modern, and judgment-free space dedicated to uplifting women and providing them with a safe environment to work out freely and properly. From private and group cardio to sustainable weight training and a helpful blog beyond the gym, this is a thoughtful facility that excels at encouraging healthier mindsets and lifestyles fit for each individual woman.
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565 6th St.; 415-295-6183 / Website
Founded by the highly skilled Linda Chungchootairong in 2015, she has been taking her prowess in competitive powerlifting and being an Olympic weightlifter to inspire and train others with acceptance, encouragement, and diverse equipment. As also a Certified Personal Trainer with a Masters degree in Sports Psychology, she is enthusiastic to share her astute knowledge and help you become stronger in her facility, replete with Olympic training platforms, an ER rack, bench racks, and so much more.
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432 Octavia St., Unit C; 608-957-2853 / Website
LuxFit is fabulous and trendy and allows you to connect with the beautiful city's outdoor scenery! Their airy open gym feels breezy, expansive, and playfully casual, crafting a positive environment that is modern, energizing, and sharply San Francisco. This is an elegantly chic and low-pressure choice also to meet future friends in their fun group classes.
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61 Gough St.; 415-226-9377 / Website
Perform For Life is a family affair—literally. Brilliantly operated by a husband and wife, Perform for Life is comprehensive in providing wellness in all aspects, from physical to chiropractic, and even mental and mindsets. No matter your experience, their thoughtfully careful coaches will determine the right programs for you, all in their bright and breezy cornerstones.
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566 Folsom St.; 415-786-7481 / Website
Strength-Fit is the culmination of a long fitness journey by James—a fantastic trainer who caringly tailors his specialized programs to his clients. With over a decade of experience, he keenly understands how to reach each individual’s goals, operating out of the spacious Kinetic Playground with free consultations and a wide range of different-length sessions.
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222 Columbus Ave., #220; 415-234-7273 / Website
Since 2017, brothers Nick and Billy Palladino-King have headed this holistic health and wellness community that focuses on training both the body and soul. Personalized training and nutritional programs are partnered with HIIT group classes, Livestream programs, yoga flows, meditations and more. The coaching goes above and beyond, emphasizing healthy eating, mindfulness, women’s-only groups and more.
Here’s to achieving your fitness goals closer and closer each day with these premier local gyms!
Photography by: Courtesy of Kilito Chan/ Getty Images
