Prime Time Athletic Club
Burlingame, CA 94010 (650) 697-7311
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 5:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - Good for Kids: Yes
21 Reviews for Prime Time Athletic Club
One of Prime Time Athletic Club's Favorite Reviews
They have clean locker rooms with clean showers and hot tubs. Their pool is always clean. They have a huge variety of weight lifts and other work out machines. I like how they have tons of classes you can take, rooms to play raquetball or badminton, cycling, tennis, and basketball.. i might be forgetting something...
they have TVs in the locker room and workout rooms so you won't miss your fav episode while you work out. They even have a childcare area so you can take your kid in while you work out too. They have a cafe with DELICIOUS salads and I've heard their sandwhiches weere pretty good. Their fruit smoothies are good and their pastas too.
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If you are tired of the 24hr clubs, then this will be a pleasant change for you. I worked as a spinning instructor for several years and I have to say that this is a great club to work out at.
I was once a Prime Time member for 3 straight years until I had to leave for college. My mom and younger brother have not left yet, and have been loyal Prime Time members for almost 10 years now. Having returned back to the Bay Area, I have not re-joined for a couple reasons: 1) there's only one location and that definitely deters me from coming here after a long day's work, and 2) high membership fees ($60) that I can't see myself shelling out for a gym that I will most likely not go to very often (see reason #1). I still occasionally come here for their group classes and steam room, compliments of the bi-monthly guest passes my mom receives in the mail.
Prime Time could use a little revamping as far as their locker rooms/showers and cardio equipment go, but all in all, it's one of the nicest gyms I've ever been to. Great amenities (pool, outdoor basket and tennis courts, racquetball courts, tons of group classes, sauna, jacuzzi, steam room, and all the toiletries you need in the showers). Their lobby area is furnished with a water fountain, making the entrance very serene and inviting. Their free towel service is great, you can ask for as many as you need for your post-workout shower. Very family-friendly place, which means that during the summer, their pool will be crowded with kids, so don't expect to be able to easily snag a lane to swim your laps. Interesting fact to note: the RAC (Royal Athletic Club) used to be next door to Prime Time, and soon enough, they lost all their business to Prime Time and so Prime Time capitalized on that by doubling the size of their gym.
The parking lot was an odd shape but I was happy to find a spot. I did note that all types of cars were in the lot- so I figured I could afford this club. I walked in said I wanted a tour, filled out a card and poof---a man appeared to take me on a tour.
The 1st Floor was 80's themed...nice touch...the free weight room was crowded and I counted 6 people. Each of the work out locations were little rooms, not a wide open floor space like 24hr fitness. It has 10 racket ball courts that were very busy. They offer leagues and many happy people were waiting for courts. They have at least 5 studios with different classes, yoga, pilates, spin (cycling), aerobics. Which was impressive, many people in all the rooms. Rooms were small, but appeared to meet the needs of the customer.
They have many treadmills, rowing and elliptic machines all hidden in different "rooms". I was totally lost on the tour....thank goodness I had a guide who was really nice.
Outside they had a lap pool that was busy. No Masters class- but they were looking for a coach....so no real programs. but many rec. swimmers. Spa looked clean. They had a Private 2 lane lap pool next to the back 2 tennis courts....looked slightly yellow- i wouldn't swim in it, but no one was around. So if you like privacy---have fun!
Tennis courts- 4...but no leagues and no programs.
Prime Time acquired the club next door to them, so they are now connected and that side is more updated with better carpet, showers and sauna.
This club did not fit my needs, but if I wasn't focused on tennis I would have joined.....Membership is not expensive: Initiation for 1 person with racquet sports is $250. Monthly is $105.. For 2 it is slightly higher for initiation but monthly is under $130. So it is reasonable for such a large facility with a $10 towel service.
Check it out- it might fit your needs.
I'm a new member, so I will be updating this review as time goes on.
LOCATION: For me, location can't be beat. Takes me less than 5 minutes to shoot over there, and that is VERY important. I won't even bother showering there unless I swim, because it's more bother for me to grab a change of clothes and what I need in the shower than for me to just towel off the sweat and drive home.
It is in an industrial area, though, off of 101. Wouldn't expect a gym to be here. And they are located two doors down from See's Candies. When I park in the back lot, I can smell chocolate and caramel. Thank the powers that be, there is no retail at that location, or I would gain weight going to this gym....
MACHINES: I never have to wait for a machine, and there is no time limit. BIG PLUS! They have lots of different cardio machines and also a free-weight room.
TOWEL service is also excellent - had to pay a one-time $10 fee for towels forever. Easily worth it as I would pay more than that to wash towels at my building's coin-op machines.
FELLOW GYM'ERS: I also appreciate the fact that there are no meatheads here, standing around, either blinded by their own over-sculpted, "flaxseed oil" infused (if you know what I mean) bodies, or can't take their eyes off of some woman's bodacious ta-tas. However, it seems that there are few folks either above 20 or below 40 years of age.... bummer. The parking lot is always crowded but the facility is so big (100,00 sq. feet!) that it never feels crowded inside.
TV: It's nifty that they have TV's everywhere, and some of the machines have their own screens. There's also a flat-screen in the locker room with a small couch, off to the side. But I wish they would choose different channels than CNN, ABC, and FOX. Who knew Nancy Grace is equally as bad when you can't hear her as when you can?? And I really don't want to watch "Wheel of Fortune" while working out. The other night, some of the TV's were frozen or blank. However, when I went home afterwards, it appeared that Comcast was having some signal issues, so it may have been due to that.
LOCKER ROOMS: clean and they play soothing new age-y or classical music. No stank in the women's locker room. They have steam baths, jacuzzis, and saunas.
DECOR: a bit '80's (crazy teal and pink wall accents, anyone? paging Olivia Newton John...), but they seem to be improving bit by bit as they renovate. I have never seen a gym with a wall-sized water feature in the lobby....
CLASSES: 500 classes a month. It's cool that pretty much all of the classes (except for some of the spinning classes) are included, but I really wish they had more weekend and evening classes so that I can take better advantage of them....I just can't seem to pull my lazy bum together for Saturday AM yoga class, but could do it on the weekdays if they would have later classes, like 7:30 or 8:00 pm starting times.
COST: ouch. $105/month. ouch. But you do get a lot for your money. As the membership director told me, this is not a gym, it's a club.
They auto-bill your credit card or debit from your checking account each month. And I like that there's no contract, just give them 30 days' notice if you want out. We'll see as time goes by if it continues to be worth it or not.
AMENITIES/EXTRAS: three free sessions with a personal trainer, free monthly chiropractor, podiatrist, nutitionist and physical therapist sessions.
$50 sessions with a masseuse.
They have two pools (brrr, they're outside so I haven't tried them yet)
Tennis, racquetball, basket ball, squash and handball courts to get your 'ball on
child care and children's programs
two cafes (one is being remodeled right now) with healthy food and you can set up a tab so no need to bring cash
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This place is great. I moved here from Fitness W.E.S.T. in Daly city which got shut down and is getting all the racquetball courts torn up. I live in SF so this is a big of a BART commute for me, but definitely worth it!
When I first walked in I just though, wow we didn't know what we were missing over at Fitness West. You are greeted by friendly staff, the place is clean, professional, and high quality. Every kind of facility, exercise equipment, group programs you could want.
They have eight racquetball courts. They are pretty decent. Although one interesting thing is that the front walls are concrete and the side walls are not. So it makes for some interesting bounces out of the corners sometimes. The league we have there is great; competitive, but most of all friendly. All skill levels are welcome. And more players than you can shake a stick at, so you will never be without a game.
I like how the locker system is set up to choose your own locker. You're membership card will open any locker that is not in use, and then you trade it for the key when you go do your workout.
Back at FW we had to pay a dollar for a towel. Here they offer you two every time you walk in the door.
Prices are on the higher end of things, but it is a private club, and a nice one at that so it's to be expected.
And the reason for 5 stars instead of 4.....Free coffee in the lobby!
My family joined Prime Time about 14 months ago, and we couldn't be happier. Compared to other high end gyms, I feel that the dues are VERY reasonable. My husband and I pay $135 per month. For $20 per kid extra per month, they can stay in the (very clean) childcare area for up to 2 hours a day. They also have a free tennis clinic on Sundays for the little ones.
What I like most about PT is that they have everything you could possibly want in a club - TONS of classes, pools, brand new cardio equipment, weights, spinning, massage, snack bar, jacuzzi, sauna, tennis... but no 'fancy pants' attitude. True, the decor is a bit outdated... when's the last time you broke out the the mauve and mint green accents? But, it's immaculate and the facilities/equipment is top notch.
By and large, the instructors are excellent. I love the spinning classes.
Collectively, my husband and I have lost 25 pounds since we joined!
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Been a member for over 2 years. mixed feelings...wish I could find better.
If you're in your 30's or older, and your priority is to find a decent place to workout with some good amenities (pool, modern equipment, classes) and want to avoid crowds, then this place may work out for you.
It's roughly 3 to 4 times more than 24 hr fitness (which I was a member for most of my 20s).
I don't think it'll work out for those younger since there's not much of a singles scene, and the crowd is definitely "older"...average age has to be in the late 40s to 50s.
Why do I pay so much to stay at a 3 star gym? It's the best one close to my residence and we all know that's primo.
I only give it 3 stars because i have also had memberships at some NOICE gyms (excluding 24 hrs)....and that's the standard I use.
What I HATE about PrimeTime:
Parking sux...you always will find a space but the design of the lot is bad, bad, bad. Unsafe for you and your car.
The men's locker-room STANK...ALWAYS...if you don't think so...then you're probably one of the reasons why it smells. This isn't the 80's anymore...there is technology to avoid that musty sweat laden stench.
They keep asking you for your membership card...again, this ain't the 80's...you give a name and boom, your picture should pop up on the screen..."Pass".
I don't like the fact you need a radio to hear the monitors...can't I just plug in my headphones?
So I'm fussy...but again...standards.
Now the good stuff:
I love that I never have to wait for equipment.
Complimentary towels..NOICE!
Professional massage for $50 +tip
good classes and instructors
comp coffee and tea with a comfortable wait room to chill.
decent cafe with decent grub for decent dough.
upscale facility and feel..although dated in some areas, I can tell they are re-modeling "as needed".
good locker-room amenities like deodorant spray.
decent pool but can be crowded.
I think you generally get your money's worth, but definitely geared for families w/ kids...that would make it a bargain. If you want to see eye candy or be eye candy...don't go there...cuz most of the members really don't care...
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I have been a member off and on for about 8 years now. Never have to weight for a machine and you can almost always get into any of the classes last minute which is great for some with as hectic of a schedule as me. had to take one star off for the old school decor but otherwise a great gym and light years better than any 24hr.
You get two towels at the front desk when you come in, theres small hand towels on the 2nd floor in the workout machine area.
The stairmaster units and the bikes have their own internet/TV units.
Never have to wait for a machine to work out
No one's checking you out
Sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi are all in the locker rooms.
Locker rooms are clean, your card doubles as a lock so you don't have to bring your own combination lock.
Massages for a very reasonable price
Tons of racquetball courts
Open till 11pm
TV's everywhere
You can charge everything to your account
Guest passes (its not a lame marketing scheme like 24 hr fitness where you can only bring that one person only once since they sit your guest down and pressure them into membership. Thats annoying BS, 24 sucks.....)
Shampoo conditioner body wash, lotion, deodorant spray, hairspray all available to use (but I don't use them, I like to bring my own...)
Hair driers
1basketball court
Tennis courts
Fitness classes (tons to choose from, but I wish they had some of them at later times)
What I wish they had:
More towels available in the locker room
Q tips
Disposable flip flops ( like what they have when you get a pedicure, even if you have to pay for them, its nice for guests that you bring with you)
I wish the showers were cleaner
Indoor pool
I wish their steam room was infused with eucalyptus like the nob hill spa....
Water fountain in the locker room
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This is probably the "nicest" gym in the area, if you're comparing apples to apples. Which would be hard, because few cover as many bases as Prime Time does. Being members here really makes me and my husband want to go exercise (or at least not viciously oppose exercise), which is the most important part, anyway, right?
I love that my gym is open until 11pm on weeknights! I can get home from work, have a leisurely dinner, digest the dinner and get myself to the gym with plenty of time for a decent workout.
When we signed up, my husband and I each got 3 meetings with a personal trainer for free, which was a great way to get a headstart on our workouts. I believe they also offer nutrition, massage therapy and podiatry and a bunch of other wellness services, some for an extra fee.
I've never had to wait for a machine here, and it's not too crowded on nights (8-9pm onward) or weekends. I agree with the reviewer who said the pool can get crowded with children in the summer, which is very annoying to those of us who want to use it for laps.
The reason I gave it only 4 stars is for the management's lack of responsiveness to the pool issue and a few others. They need to plan children-only times for the pool as well as adult-only times for the pool.
There are also way too many group fitness classes at bizarre times, despite many members' requests for more weekend and evening classes... instead, most of their classes are in the middle of the day on a weekday. Or before noon on the weekends. Don't they realize most of us work 9 to 5 and commute? I guess the retirees have cornered the management on that one.
That said, I do love how clean and well-equipped this place is. And that I can watch VH1 shows with my own radio and headphones!
I believe that as long as your parents are members and you are 18, you can actually join this athletic club for a reasonable price. But now that I'm 19 years old, this deal no longer works for me and the club demands a much higher rate from me. Still, if you can overlook the expenses, the place is fantastic. The pool is lovely and clean, though crammed with screaming children in the summertime. The gym equipment also never fails to disappoint- there's always a machine open and it is usually always clean. Unfortunately, I actually gained weight instead of losing it when I became a member because Wendy's is located inconveniently nearby, and I found I could not resist after completing a rigorous workout. I have faith in others to have better self-control than I, though. Therefore, I by all means recommend this gym to all who can afford it!
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Used to be a member of this gym for probably a year and a half. It's very good for a nice clean workout and it does have a nice pool, jacuzzi, and sauna. Also has a See's factory right next door so if you're playing basketball/tennis outside, it smells like chocolate.....so those calories you may be burning actually may be put back on later with a large craving of chocolate.
The place can get real packed around 5-6pm and parking can be a lil bit of a hassle and it's expensive. You're paying for quality. This place even has bikes where you can surf the internet on.
I'm not a big fan of gyms with limited hours though. Closes at 11 during weekdays and I think 6pm on Sunday?
This place is exceptionally clean. Right after using a machine, I see a few people cleaning them up and all that good stuff. There is free coffee and a nice little caf upstairs. There is also a nice locker room for women and a sauna and steam room. The pool is a great place to be in the summer, except there are a lot of loud annoying children in there.
Prime Time offers a lot of different classes that are free and open to all the members...I tried yoga once and it was hard, but a good experience.
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I have been a member of this club since last summer and I love it. There are a lot of classes (though I wish there were more to take in the evening) cardio equipment, nautilus and free weights to help you get in shape. This is more of a family gym than 24hr or Bally's. For example, there's a staffed childcare area and kid's fitness instruction available. Also, I don't mind paying a little extra for the nicer facilities, towel service and cafe. I don't feel like anyone is checking me out or trying to pick me up here. If that's what you want, this isn't the place for you. Personally, I feel very comfortable at this club.
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I've been a member here for 7 years. I love this place. I love how this place is clean. They have great machines to use. Free weights.. etc... big pool, tennis courts, tons of raquet courts, basketball court... etc...
Never have to wait. Clean, big, internet access on the bikes, many flat screen tvs, has everything...tennis courts, basketball courts, pool, racquetball, punching bag, restaraunt, and even a waterfall...
I had to stop going because none of my friends had memberships and it sucks working out by yourself. Friends thought it was a bit more expensive than 24. $60/month plus membership fees. I thought it was definetly worth it. But working out with friends is much better so I now wait in line in a small gym just to work out with friends...uhhhh 24 hour..oh well..
Ill be back...
I have been searching for a gym and heard great reviews about Prime Time. I called to inquire about membership. "Kasey" helped me. I called him 3 separate times and I was put on hold for an unusally long time all 3 times. He quoted me $105/month for membership without racquet sports and $120/month with full access of the club. That's a big investment so I asked for a 14 day pass or something, so I could try it out and make sure it was the right fit for me. He said he couldn't offer that but he could give me several guest passes to try it out. I told him when I would be coming and he said the passes would be ready for me at the front desk. I went there. No passes. He wasn't around. They called him and left a message. They wouldn't even let me in. I was already there with my gym bag and I told the front desk person that I already spoke to Kasey for the passes to try the place out. They could have at least let me in to try it out-I was already there. Anyway, I left and never tried to contact them again. They didn't seem like they wanted my business anyway.
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Prime Time has really grown over the years. I was a member for about 8 years until I moved out of the area. This place has all the equipment you're looking for including a basketball court, tennis court, swimming pool, and just about any class you can think of. I still go once in a while when I get guest passes!! The only downside is that it is a lot pricier than 24-hour fitness, but you really get for what you pay for so here's my 5 stars
This place has it all.
It's just a little pricey but hey you can't put a price tag on your health right? Just a little crowded after 5pm
Me and boyfriend just recently joined this club. I really like it compared to your regular Bally's or 24 hour fitness, not to get me wrong, i use to love those places too especially their classes, but i don't like seeing 5-10 people i know @ the gym in a day, or guys standing around just to check out the ladies.
This gym has nice heated pools, with laps, and a different lap pool, but you need to reserve it in advance, they have many cardio equipments in different rooms where you don't need to wait, different weight rooms (some with free weights and some that have resistances with weights) ... basketball court, tennis court, racquetball, squash, massage for $50/hr, podiatrist, chiropractor.. scheduled classes, pilate classes or pilate classes with the reformers....nice!
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