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 gym’s 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 or cycling sessions, weight training, yoga and more, these are the nine best gyms to get you started on your fitness journey—or to push you to the next level.
See also: Fitness Guru Jillian Michaels Helps Us Kick-Start Into 2022
View this post on Instagram
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 you may be.
View this post on Instagram
2345 Harrison Street; 1150 Sutter Street / 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 a variety of sequences including jump ropes, agility ladders, TRX and weight training, always switching things up after a minute or so, so you never get too tired of one movement. Check the website to learn about boot camp programs and more.
View this post on Instagram
219 Brannan Street ste.a / 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 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 opt to participate in three-to-one group workouts, or link up with a one-on-one personal trainer.
View this post on Instagram
HQ Suite 200, 290 Division Street / Website
For nearly two decades, Diakadi has helped those serious about fitness goals change their lives. 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 physical therapy on site, so you can fuel up and recover in record time.
View this post on Instagram
1000 Van Ness Ave. / Website
The magic is in the mix, for real. Offering everything from TRX to pilates, yoga, rock climbing and HIIT workouts, Studiomix is the type of gym that always offers something new. A variety of exercises means you’re never bored or stuck in a rut. Classes are offered on-site and online via livestreams, so you can fit your barre class between meetings, or get a little foam roll and stretch session in even when you’re on the road.
See also: How to Start an Exercise Routine Even If You're a Total Couch Potato
View this post on Instagram
1390 Market Street Suite 102 / 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," and it's 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. At the end of the day, it’s a mix of resistance training and HIIT, but it just feels like having fun.
View this post on Instagram
930 Cole Street / 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 you were before, and get back 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!
View this post on Instagram
3265 17th Street #104 / Website
Addicted to the cycling life? This is the friendly and encouraging environment for you. Sessions last anywhere from 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 too, and the community stays strong after hours with group 5ks, obstacle course runs and other fun citywide shenanigans.
View this post on Instagram
222 Columbus Ave. #220 / Website
Since 2017, brother 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, with emphasis on healthy eating, mindfulness, women's-only groups and more.
Photography by: Sule Makaroglu / Unsplash
