The Studio - A Bay Club Property

Recently on a hunt for a new gym, I made use of a guest pass at every gym within a 10 mile radius of my house. When I narrowed it down to Club Sport San Ramon and the Studio, the staff were kind enough to offer me a second 5 day pass to help me make my decision. Two days into my second pass, I decided to join the Studio.

I chose The Studio because of the classes, amenities & lack of crowds, and I'm not gonna lie...it's pretty nice having a Starbucks right downstairs!

The classes are small enough that the instructor takes time to help you with modifications if you need it. Also, the classes are fun, diverse and a great workout.

The Studio is basically my home away from home.

I am a huge fan of classes, and they have plenty of great ones to choose from. The instructors are fantastic and always offer modifications for different levels, and to accommodate injuries. My go-to classes are fire, forge, yoga and beach body. While I tend to stick to that schedule, there are many other classes to choose from, and I do appreciate how they occasionally throw new and fresh options into the mix.

If you prefer to do your workouts on your own, there is also a nicely equipped gym. The machines and weights are all state of the art. You can even check your social media while you're on the stair climber. Not sure why you'd want to, but it is an option!

The locker rooms are amazing! There are several private showers, a steam room, sauna, hot tub, lockers (you don't need to bring your own lock), hairdryers and toiletries. The spa music playing in the background keeps you feeling relaxed and peaceful post workout.

The Studio also has a few other cool perks and conveniences for its guests. There is a nicely stocked tea bar and filtered water available at no cost. If you forget to bring your water bottle, or you need a light snack, there is a small snack bar with water, protein bars, salads, etc. If you're looking for athletic clothes, jewelry, or supplements, you may also find these items in the lobby store.

Finally, for those that love getting a massage, manicure, facial, lash extensions, look no further. All of these services are offered to guests as well as the public for a fee.

The only con for The Studio are the higher than average membership fees, that increase by a couple of dollars annually. Fees aside, I still love my second home and would recommend it to anyone thinking of joining.

Updated: They now open until 7pm on weekends like other gyms.

Pros- less busy. More classes at convenient hours. Close to highway. Plenty parking. Childcare option (though it's only a small room), clean bathrooms, sauna & hot tub (never used so I can't comment).

Cons- High membership pricing. No kickboxing classes. Could use some lockers downstairs in the weight room to keep keys/phone.
Some wasteful practices like the lounge area with a fireplace running 365 days a year. That should not be where the $ should be invested.

The Studio is arguably one of the most interesting gyms that I have ever stepped foot in. Unlike other gyms that are mostly big buildings with lots of public exercise equipment, assorted courts for various sports, and a sh*t ton of big guys within always trying to get bigger, the membership associated with this gym consists of mostly a large array of hour-long classes (conducted in a few small training rooms) that hones in on building the various physiques of the human body.

The classes there are divided into 3 categories: Forge (strength training), Fire (cardio), and Flow (yoga, stretching, light core-work). Although you're completely free to do whatever classes you want, it is recommended that you pick one of these three types as your primary pursuit for what you're looking to physiologically achieve. On top of your main emphasis, the gym itself recommends that you do a combination of all three, so that you can reap the benefits from everything that it has to offer. It also adds a nice balance to what your emphasis is as well.

I wasn't sure if I'd like the layout of the gym at first, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that I was actually getting better workouts here than I previously was under the supervision from my body-building friends down at 24-hour fitness. What I like about the classes here is that they are all full-body workouts, and they really do kick your ass if you're willing to put in the work. After only about 3 weeks of routinely coming here, I've noticed a six-pack beginning to develop its shape on my torso, and my arms are beginning to give me that Chuck Norris-look as well, which is incredibly satisfying for sucker my age.

The classes that I mostly stick to are as follows: Fire Circuit, Forge Circuit, TRX Circuit, various yoga variants, and occasionally a spin class. I've tried other classes as well, such as beach-body, functional fitness, barre, and many others, but they don't really give me that satisfying tiresome burn that I'm looking to inflict myself with when I'm at the gym. However, it should be noted here that I'm a 22 year-old ex-marathoner, so it takes a lot for me to burn myself out.

Although it doesn't particularly bother me to any extent, really, men in general at this gym are a rare sight to be seen. Unless I am doing one of the more weight-intensive classes here, I typically find that I am almost always the only guy in a room. From my current observations, the overwhelming majority of the members that I see here are middle-aged to older women. There are younger-looking people (of both genders) too, but they are far and few in between, more often women. Again, the overwhelming minority of males in comparison to females doesn't bother me to the slightest, but it is something to take note of for those who might care about how many bros actually come here. If you're a man, especially a younger one like myself, it might feel a little weird coming here at first.

With other amenities such as saunas and hot-tubs in the locker rooms, a fancy guest lounge, a bunch of other cool (and often free) individual services, the price tag comes out to be (give or take) $150 a month. With that kind of damage to my wallet in mind, it's likely that I won't stay around here for too long because I'm still in college as is. I still think that this gym is essentially worth it though because I came in with pretty much no basis on how I should pursue any kind of workout that isn't simply a hard run. Now that I've learned a plethora of exercises from the classes here however, I'm not sure if I'll stick around for too much longer.

If you're committed toward getting lean and/or losing weight, then it shouldn't be too difficult for you to achieve that here at The Studio if you're consistent enough.

I was a member since 2012. It was a wonderful gym, had great classes, and I made amazing friends, but than it was bought by Bay Club. I believe they are just waiting for the lease to be up to close this place. They have not done anything to improve this gym since buying it. They took down all the signs, and never replaced them. You use to be able to buy cute workout clothes, and supplements, now the shelves are bare. It's already looks closed. Instructors and members are dropping like flies. If you have any suggestions or questions, there primary response is silence. When I did decide to resign, they are now making me pay for a full month I won't be there, because it's corporate policy. DO NOT JOIN!

I love the classes.
I just took off one star because their steam room is broke since last year and they don't fix it
And one star because couple of the front desk people are sarcastically give rude comments all the time. They make me so uncomfortable that I try to avoid them as much as possible.(older lady with short hair)

Would love to give this place a 5**** rating, but the hours are really limited.
Plus another member mentioned she thinks there's mold in the steam room??? Which I don't use, but it you do....be careful.
Monthly dues $169
Hours - close at 9pm Monday through Thursday
Friday - close at 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday - close at 7pm
Let's extend the weekend schedule by at least another hour

Way better than other places, except for their limited schedule.

Unfortunately they are now offering classes within the workout weight room and cardio area now. They have an entire upstairs with many rooms and facilities and the small cardio weight room.

It was already cramped and have such limited equipment. I was challenged to create programs based on the limited equipment and space. But now it's practically impossible to get in get around and get out with a decent pump with all the classes inside the weight room. Who ever made this decision pls change it.

@$110 per month. I don't think I can recomend this facility unless its a second gym anymore.

One star for staff. One star for man cave. One star for location.

Jennifer and James both went above and beyond (displaying both kindness and professionalism) for our visit a few weeks ago when the power was out at our primary Walnut Creek location. My kids visited with me and had a blast, as Jennifer helped keep them entertained. The gym was very clean, a fresh towel on every machine and just all around relaxing! Hope to be able to visit again soon!! Shannon H.

The older I get, the less patience I have for overcrowded, dirty, cheap gyms. In my 20's it would have seemed absurd to spend $100+ a month on a gym. I loved my $20 a month 24 Hour Nautilus (yes, I said Nautilus and yes, I know this shows my age).

But now I'm at a point in my life where I want to be able to take a shower at the gym without fear of getting a foot disease and I like to be able to sit down on a chair without worrying that I'll sit in someone else's sweat...

In comes The Studio. It's just beautiful. The locker room is amazing with a steam room, sauna, cold shower, whirlpool and beautiful showers. There are 3 different rooms where classes are held on a regular basis in addition to the cycle room and a pilates room.

The "living room" where you can sit and relax is very calming. There's always hot water and tea bags for a hot cup of tea and free wifi throughout the club.

Classes are wonderful, especially the yoga instructors Malia and Kelli B. The yoga room is beautiful and you forget you are at a "club" and really get that yoga studio feel.

The downstairs free weights and cardio area isn't big, but it's big enough and gives you what you need.

Very happy here and so glad to have joined my first "grown up" gym. :)