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Alameda Athletic Club
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Active Life Fitness & Instruction Trainers Gyms, Trainers [Edit]
1226 Park St(between San Antonio Ave & San Jose Ave)
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 521-2001
- Good for Kids:
- No
About This Business:
Why is Koi Fitness "the better boot camp?" Register for your one-week trial bootcamp class today and discover why our program is the best in the Bay… read more »
21 reviews for Alameda Athletic Club
21 reviews in English
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Review from Amy J.
Alameda, CA
3/28/2012
This is my favorite gym of all time. Sure it's old, and olde timey and there are always arguments you could use to fool yourself into thinking that it's not a good enough place. I find it is a great place to get down to business.
There are tons of workout stations on two floors, friendly staff, friendly gym users, lots of classes, clean up tools, abundant fresh towels, training sessions, trial passes. There is a small but exclusive women's weight training room. The locker rooms are certainly from another era, but completely charming and clean. I like chatting with the guys who have been working out there for 40 years. People actually clean up after their sweaty selves! I've never seen this at a gym before.
Brian and I have been going 3 days/week for two months now, and we're both feeling the positive effects of a committed routine. I'm just scratching the surface of weight training. I've never been particularly strong, so I'm really excited about bringing that focus to my otherwise sweaty and heart pounding mix. -
Review from Melissa G.
Sunset Beach, CA
Updated - 11/2/2011
I've been a member for over a year and the star is for the staff, who are friendly and nice and the low monthly fee ($42.) Other than that, I can't recommend this gym to anyone. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for at this place -- namely, OLD, NOISY and CREAKY equipment. There may be only one cardio machine left (out of 30 or so) that does not squeak, pound or otherwise create an atmosphere of a continuous construction zone for everyone who enters, making every moment a torturous one. The '80s called and they want their stairmasters back and buried alongside Olivia Newton John's headbands!
Good luck! Hope you join us in the 21st century someday.Listed in: Alameda: The Good, The Bad and…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/3/2011
It's fine for the basics and it's close to home, so no excuses!
What I like:
1. No music blaring… Read more »
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Review from Rcruz f.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2011
Zumba and yoga classes are great, its a simple and basic gym. You go to your class, work out and get the f*ck out.
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Review from Michelle V.
Oakland, CA
4/18/2011
Sure, it's smaller than 24 hour fitness and doesn't have a pool, but I never used that pool anyway.
What it does have is a great class schedule with yoga or pilates class offered daily, a private women's weight room, and a small and cozy atmosphere. They lend you free towels and the mats are soft and clean. The desk staff are super nice, the classes are small, and the price is low ($29/month).
I am thrilled to have discovered my new gym! -
Review from Matthew P.
Alameda, CA
4/23/2011
OK this isn't Club One or maybe even 24 Hour. It's sort of old, machines are really old, but well maintained. Nothing fancy at all, no sauna or pool or anything like that. It's about as basic as it gets.
What I do like about it is it's a friendly gym and it's old school Alameda. There are always characters in the gym, which makes it fun to work out. I've trained at all the other health clubs in Alameda and I really like this place the best. It's more down to earth, the front desk people are great, clean towels and a very reasonable price.
There is zero attitude and really I think anyone and everyone is welcome from big bubba to little granny. Dave the personal trainer is awesome as well -- workout4results. -
Review from Pirate -.
Oakland, CA
2/25/2007
This is my kinda gym. The AAC is not for people who want bright, shiney, neon-lit gyms with sparkling new machines. This is not 24-Hour Fitness. No, this is a place for people who want to get in, get a solid workout, and get out. Lots of iron plates and bars in the main room, with solid, functional machines.
Other high points include:
-Sauna & hottub in both the Mens & Women's lockers
-LARGE wood-floored dance studio for everything from karate to yoga classes
-Good cardio machines upstairs
-punching bags and medicine balls upstairs as well
-Women's only workout room upstairs
This isn't a joint to stand around in your latest gym fashions, this is a place to work out. 'Nuff said. -
Review from Greg S.
Alameda, CA
2/24/2011
A club for you if you really want a work out. No posers here. Its clean and the equipment is available and they have great resources. They have day rates as well as a variety of plans. No frills, a good work out and none of the posing.
They also have a separate room for the ladies. Lockers and sauna too. -
Review from Kim D.
1/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
The last time I was down South, behind the Orange Curtain, I had brunch with the fam, and my Mother was talking about... as Fergie Ferg would say, her "fitness".
I blanched.
My Dad grinned.
"I love Zumba!" Mom exclaimed, loud enough for me to slouch deeper into my seat and put on a huge pair of sunglasses. "I shimmy! I love doing hip rolls - it's really strengthening my core! You took dance for all those years, Kim - you should try it - you're a natural, you'd be so good!"
My Mom is not losing her hearing; I think she speaks louder than necessary in public to embarrass me. It's working.
I know that for many, "Working Out" is such a cliche resolution for every New Year.
My personal goals tend to be a little more realistic:
* Don't get up in the middle of the night to take bites out of sticks of butter
* Eat 4505 Chicharrones in amounts lesser than half my body weight in a single sitting
* Floss more. Or at least BUY more floss so I feel like I'm making an effort to follow through
So, I just got back from my first Zumba Class @ Alameda Athletic Club. It's close, it's convenient, it's definitely not a pick-up joint and they offer a Free 7 Day Pass if you take a 5 minute tour that really truly is a 5 minute tour. No hard sell - no talk of signing on the dotted line or promising them your firstborn or remaining kidney to join the club.
I actually made a point of asking about membership packages and was told, "Enjoy your 7 Day Pass and let us know what interests you - we've got different options - but please, enjoy your class this evening!"
+ Small but nicely equipped room designated for women
- Could be very crowded during prime hours, though. Three or four could share the space, max.
+ Fridge with reasonably priced beverages downstairs; $1.00 water - I am always disgusted at places that charge $2 or $3 for the same
- Aerobics floor is NOT a proper Sprung Floor which is absolutely necessary to prevent injuries. As I write this now, BOTH of my knees ache and I kept the level of impact low during my one hour class specifically for that reason.
* I will take a mat pilates class there, but no more Zumba; it is not worth the risk
- the mirrors are set at uneven intervals on the walls making it difficult bordering on impossible to see the instructor if you're on the left side of the studio and the right side is crowded to compensate for lack of visibility
+ The instructor had a nice energy
- She didn't ask if anyone was new to the class
- She wasn't wearing a microphone so I had to rely heavily on the mirrors such as they were and craning my neck to see her and follow her lead.
- I personally don't like to dance classes that do not define counts. "Okay, so we're gonna really feel this song and then chest-pop (stick your boobies out) roll your hips and then go uh-uh-uh!"
* I'm not a dance snob; I love Latin rhythms, cardio hip hop; Afro-Hatian is one of my FAVORITES. I just need to know are we doing a 16 count of THIS before we start undulating like Shakira?
- The studio was not enclosed, which I have always preferred but as I mentioned: it's not really a place where people appear to oogle, but I did notice a few men - quite possibly spouses of other class attendees - lingering in the hallway and watching.
- Whether it's a dance, yoga, pilates studio - whatever - it's just really bad form to stand and watch, even if you're watching your spouse. There are other people who may be self-conscious about "gyrating hips" and doing "chest pops" - standard Zumba moves while other people watch.
AAC definitely needs to reiterate that it's disrespectful to class participants and it's also a safety hazard, since they're standing, clustered in a small space that leads to another actively used cardio room AND the landing of the stairwell.
+ I did work up a good sweat; the music was okay.
- It was frustrating, even for someone like me who has an extensive dance background and training to feel so lost due to the absence of a microphone for the instructor and the crappy floor.
+ I believe I burned enough calories to eat a bag or two of 4505 Chicharrrrrrrrrrrones, free of guilt.
Kim D + 2 aching knees - out. -
Review from Monte B.
Alameda, CA
3/9/2011
Mr. Paul Blaisdell
Manager
Alameda Athletic Club
1226 Park Street
Alameda CA 94501
Dear Paul:
Your records will reflect that I have been a member of Alameda Athletic Club for the past 10 years. It wasn't until earlier this year that I chose to take advantage of exercising with a personal trainer--David Mauntz.
I have now been training with David for the past two and one-half months and can honestly say I can feel and see the difference in my mind and body. David is steadfast in coaching me to exercise correctly and take full advantage of the equipment and sessions. More importantly, David constantly provides encouragement and support during all my workout sessions.
Your club is fortunate to have David as a personal trainer, and I would be remiss if I
did not commit these comments to writing.
Thanks and have a great day!
Sincerely,
Peter Romualdez -
Review from Wild B.
Santa Clara, CA
12/28/2011
I love this gym. I worked out here in the 80's and early 90's and liked it. I moved on and was a member at 4 other gyms over the years. I'm so glad I'm back. I'm saving a ton of money on my membership and have everything I need to work out. This is one of the best weight lifting gyms in the Bay Area. There are machines no one else has. The place is real down home, no attitude from the other members. They have all the cardio equipment I need and even have classes if I wanted to use them. I'm lucky to have such a great gym in my hometown.
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Review from Monica A.
Alameda, CA
7/7/2011
Just moved around the corner from this gym and was so excited to be able to walk there. I took advantage of the one week free pass and did not return after my first workout. This place is filthy. The machines are in desperate need of some attention. It was too bad because the price was right and location too but I will continue to look for a place that is kept up better then this dump.
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Review from Chrissy C.
Alameda, CA
12/9/2010
I love Alameda Athletic Club. The equipment is well maintained. The staff is geniunely friendly. Great place to work out. Lot's of older, very fit people working out - it reflects well on the gym - makes me want to get fit and get old. I'm a late bloomer - I hope to get really, really old :)
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Review from m b.
Garnerville, NY
2/20/2008
I don't know what the heck Inga is talking about in her review. I have been a loyal member of the gym since 2004 and I have loved it ever since. Anyone who knows anything about the equipment in gyms knows that older equipment is typically much better then the new ones. Why reinvent the wheel? The old equipment is what started the sport of weight lifting and I love that the club has kept it around as well as incorporating new machines. Also the club isn't filled with muscle envy as Inga also said. There are lots of friendly gym folks just looking to get back on the road to health. There are almost no muscle heads and I'm there everyday!
Back to the point the Alameda Athletic Club is a great place to workout without the intimidation of big gyms and snobs. Its perfect for getting in a quick workout and getting out! -
Review from l a.
Oakland, CA
9/7/2011
I have wanted to try this gym because of the location on Park St. Although there is no parking lot, parking around the corner is easy (all you have to do is lug your stuff to the gym!). I purchased a Groupon and must say that this is one case where I will request a refund. The gym is not air-conditioned (although they do have fans in some rooms) and the women's locker room is super-old with rickety, small lockers that have been jerry-rigged to accept personal locks and don't even fit normal-size gym bags! Showers are on one level and everything else is up two more - who wants to trek upstairs while wet to finish dressing? This area has no ventilation, no windows, no A/C., no fans - it is stiflingly hot and stuffy in here. I used one of two upright bikes (that's all there are in the gym) and I was upset that they are rickety and difficult to adjust. Since I have a similar bike at home I know how they work and requiring "strength" and "tricks" to get the seats to move is absolutely wrong. I like that there is no music, but the TV's are so small, you can't read the closed captioning on them and there is no way to hook into a wireless system to use headphones.
Some exercise equipment is behind the desk and you must request it- and often there is no one behind the desk to assist you! Nope, this will not be my gym! -
Review from sheena r.
Chicago, IL
9/10/2009
i've had my membership to the alameda athletic club for almost a month now, and i have to say i do love it. the club is nothing fancy, nothing flashy, but a place where one goes to simply get fit, stay in shape, or lose weight. this is not a place where one goes to impress others with how much they can bench, or to show off their new lululemon apparel. its a place where you go to get a good sweaty workout, without having to worry about how you look or if your doing something wrong. this is why i'm definitely a fan. i feel comfortable there.
some other great things about the club:
they have classes everyday except fridays. i have only gone to their vinyasa yoga class on tues/thurs, and i just love it! i have never taken yoga before, and the instructor is so great and gives us proper attention and helps us out with our form. no one is concerned about other people staring at them, or worrying about not being able to do certain poses. i definitely recommend it! i have yet to try out their other classes such as tai chi, pilates, yoga/pilates combo, step, cardio dance.
upstairs there is a seperate room for women only which i really like. i'm not completely comfortable working out with weights in front of men because well i'm not sure if i'm doing it right. this room is great, and so far every time i've gone its been empty. another great thing about the club -- it never seems to be packed. theres always cardio machines available, located on the first floor and second floor as well. they are a bit old, but hey they do the job!
lastly -- no contracts. i did have to pay a sign up fee + first and last months payment up front, but other than that, cancel whenever, which is perfect for me, because i'm only going to be in alameda until december.
so if you're looking for a simple place to get in shape, i highly recommend the alameda athletic club =] -
Review from Mike D.
Alameda, CA
6/28/2010
This gym is great. Management has done a fantastic job of incorporating modern fitness instruction (classes) and updating the equipment and decor. Everyone is super polite, friendly and motivated to work on their fitness. Hands down the best bang for your buck in Alameda.
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Review from decoux m.
Alameda, CA
7/20/2008
This is the only gym in town that really feels like Alameda on the inside. I've been just about everywhere around here to workout, and this is the only place in town where you can overhear 70+ men and women sighing and saying "remember the 40's?" I don't know, but I really don't mind that they have an insanely irradic class schedule, or that the equipment is from the dark ages, or that the locker room walls are musty and slimey smelling. I like the hand drawings on the second floor of all of the old time heavy weight rivalries of the 20th century. How cool is that? When you're going into your second minute of wall sits you can look up and instead of seeing Magic, or some TV sitcom, or whatever, you see these legendary champions of the ring.
Listed in: Gyms a la Cultural Phenomena
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Review from David D.
Alameda, CA
1/25/2011
I've worked out here since they "adopted" those of us who were left in the streets by the closure of Iron Island. I have to admit, it's such a huge step up from Iron Island, I can't believe I stayed at Iron Island for so many years without even looking at what was just around the corner.
It's clean, the equipment is usually in good repair, and the staff are all very nice. It's a very low-key gym, with an amazingly varied clientele. During the afternoons, when I usually work out, you have a mix of muscle studs, teenagers (some of whom are muscle studs themselves), middle-aged men and women, older men and woman--and they can all lift more than me! :) And they're all very nice.
If you're serious about weight lifting, you'll like this gym. If you're intimidated by those serious about weight lifting, you'll still like this gym.
When I see people come in to check out the facility, I just want to pull them aside and say, "It doesn't get any better than this in Alameda. Sign up. You'll be glad you did." But I don't, because that would make me seem like a freak who working on commission, but really isn't working at all. And that's even worse. -
Review from Melanie C.
Alameda, CA
9/29/2008
I used to go to this gym because it was convenient and cheap, but you get what you pay for. The machines are very old; they are the same machines my Dad worked out on when I was a little girl. They also don't clean very thoroughly. (The same booger is on a machine where it's lived for the couple of years I was a member, it's pretty gross!) Also, for a long time there was this huge hole in the wall downstairs in the women's locker room; their fix was to cover it with a poster. I found this out as I was leaning over to put on a shoe and went to rest my hand on the wall. Needless to say my hand went right through the poster and right through the wall.
I brought a neighbor in to join right around the time they were having a promotional deal where you can bring in a friend and receive one month free. My neighbor joined 2 days prior to me receiving the promotional mailing and even inquired about me getting credit for her joining. I asked the guy at the counter to look into this and he said the owner did not want to honor this. Well, I'm sorry to hear that they would rather lose a loyal customer rather than part with one month free for something I deserved. I wrote a letter to the owner of AAC, he asked me to consider coming back and offered me 2 months free which I thought was nice, but I had already quit their gym and go to another now.
Hopefully they will work on their customer service so they don't continue to lose customers! -
Review from inga r.
12/30/2006
not busy, decent cardio but very old weight machines. some look like they are from the 70's/ the price and location its OK, I just wish the three test-fests would stop lounging on the weight machines admiring each others muscles so others can USE the machines.
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Review from Matt W.
Alameda, CA
8/10/2009
I used to belong to this gym, but left because the equipment is old and doesn't operate properly and the lack of cleaniness. My clothes were infested with ants in the locker room during my workout.
