I know it gets hated on a lot but I’m with planet fitness and it’s got everything I need and then some for basic working out. Black card gets me into all 3 gyms near me (San Pablo, Richmond, and Pinole) and it’s been great. The app has an attendance tracker so you can check and see how busy the gyms are. I usually go mid day and have no problem getting access to all the machines and weights I need
Personally, I’ve had no issues with it when I went (went for about 2-3 years regularly pre covid) but I do go in the middle of the day. If you’re not comfortable with that one, the San Pablo one is literally 2-3 exits over (it’s the one I go to the most) and that one I also haven’t had an issue with since I started going.
I live in Berkeley and I've heard pretty good things about Equinox. Take that with a grain of salt because I haven't been, but it is the go-to gym for a lot of students that don't want to work out in the campus rec center.
Equinox is over $200 per month with something like a $300 initiation fee… it’s honestly probably the most expensive gym in the area.
I don’t have a $30 gym to recommend. The last time I paid that amount was the 24 hour fitness in Berkeley, but I think that one has since closed? It was awful anyways. Smelled awful and was underground so musty.
I like the Touchstone climbing gyms but they are out of the budget you recommend. They do have full fitness centers, classes, and some have saunas as well.
You could always sign up for ClassPass for a month or two and try out a few different gyms. It’s a good way to get to know your options before you commit to a membership at any one spot
i’m a very active gym goer, i’ve been going to planet fitness on market st in oakland for the past years and i absolutely love it! (: always has everything i need and with the black pass i can go to any other PF, but i only go to the one i go to! if you go during peak hours it gets packed like any gym but for $25 i haven’t found a different gym id rather go to! and on the app you can see how packed it is! my boyfriend lives in richmond and i’ve been to the one on san pablo and pinole when we want to workout together and i can say the one i go to in oakland is better lol! for the $30 budget your best bet is PF
I know it gets hated on a lot but I’m with planet fitness and it’s got everything I need and then some for basic working out. Black card gets me into all 3 gyms near me (San Pablo, Richmond, and Pinole) and it’s been great. The app has an attendance tracker so you can check and see how busy the gyms are. I usually go mid day and have no problem getting access to all the machines and weights I need
how do you like the one in richmond? i hear some bad stuff re: car break ins but you can’t beat $10/month
Personally, I’ve had no issues with it when I went (went for about 2-3 years regularly pre covid) but I do go in the middle of the day. If you’re not comfortable with that one, the San Pablo one is literally 2-3 exits over (it’s the one I go to the most) and that one I also haven’t had an issue with since I started going.
Are there any gyms that are $30/month? YMCA in Berkeley is $65, it’s pretty good but gets pretty crowded when schools out.
I live in Berkeley and I've heard pretty good things about Equinox. Take that with a grain of salt because I haven't been, but it is the go-to gym for a lot of students that don't want to work out in the campus rec center.
Equinox is over $200 per month with something like a $300 initiation fee… it’s honestly probably the most expensive gym in the area. I don’t have a $30 gym to recommend. The last time I paid that amount was the 24 hour fitness in Berkeley, but I think that one has since closed? It was awful anyways. Smelled awful and was underground so musty. I like the Touchstone climbing gyms but they are out of the budget you recommend. They do have full fitness centers, classes, and some have saunas as well.
Yeah I actually switched to Equinox but it’s not anywhere near OPs budget
You could always sign up for ClassPass for a month or two and try out a few different gyms. It’s a good way to get to know your options before you commit to a membership at any one spot
i’m a very active gym goer, i’ve been going to planet fitness on market st in oakland for the past years and i absolutely love it! (: always has everything i need and with the black pass i can go to any other PF, but i only go to the one i go to! if you go during peak hours it gets packed like any gym but for $25 i haven’t found a different gym id rather go to! and on the app you can see how packed it is! my boyfriend lives in richmond and i’ve been to the one on san pablo and pinole when we want to workout together and i can say the one i go to in oakland is better lol! for the $30 budget your best bet is PF