24 Hour Fitness 10636 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530

"TLDR; FILTHY (mold, flies, body hair, etc), rude staff, and tons of broken equipment. Long version: This place is in desperate need of better management and corporate oversight. The gym is well equipped but the staff is lacking in hospitality. My first time there I walked in while the front desk agent was having a conversation with a friend and was clearly annoyed when I said hello and asked about getting a membership. He didn’t even acknowledge me with any words, just sulked over to the computer screen and dramatically swung it around in my face and showed me options. When I asked about any trials he said no but just told me to go work out that day for free. No paperwork or waiver or anything. As far as the facilities, I was told on my second day there after asking another front desk agent about the last time the locker room had been cleaned that the cleaning staff / company was on vacation (or something) and that essentially it was the front desk persons job to clean it but since there was only one of them it wasn’t getting done. After going for 10 days straight now (out of lack of better options with a pool facility), I can tell you that the men’s locker room hasn’t been mopped once. There is trash, dirt, body hair, toilet paper, etc, all over the place - It is DISGUSTING. All of the shower stalls both in the men’s room as well as the public one by the pool are covered in black mold. The public shower by the pool also has an infestation of some kind of short winged flying insect. There were probably 20-40 in the two corners of the shower multiple days in a row. I would have taken photos but that would have been a violation of their locker room photo policy. As for the equipment, 8 of the 10 stair masters are currently broken. Several of the ellipticals are broken. Pads on one of the ab machines are destroyed and falling apart. There are missing dumbbells and they are constantly in disarray. I hope that someone from 24 Hour Corporate reads this but I will be sending them a letter directly as well. This is not a good look. Especially for a “Super Sport” location."

""This equipment is temporarily OUT OF SERVICE. We apologize for any inconvenience." If you are planning to visit this location, be prepared to see these words EVERYWHERE. Main issues: 1. Majority of equipment is broken or ill-maintained. 7 out of 10 stairmasters are broken and have been broken for greater than 2 months. 2 out of 3 cable machines have been broken for the past two months. This is just a sample of the machinery in disrepair at this location. The biggest issue is the amount of time for equipment to be fixed, if at all. 2. Gym is generally in a disorganized state. Dumbbells are all over the place or missing. Weights are left where ever they were last used. The locker rooms look like a tornado of toilet paper and other fluids recently touched down. Paper towel dispensers and spray bottles are frequently empty and/or missing. While I have observed staff cleaning, it would be helpful to perhaps post signs reminding members of some general cleaniness rules to help inbetween the cleanings. 3. Policies for 24 Hour members is greatly lacking or not enforced. General policy doesn't allow street clothes/shoes in the gym, however you frequently see street clothes that are not appropriate for exercising in any way. There is no policy regarding bags on the gym floor, which means 7 out of 10 people bring large bags that are strewn about as they exercise. During peak times, this becomes significantly difficult and a hazard to navigate around the floor without tripping or damaging someone's belongings. 4. Hot water for showers. Someone else mentioned this already, but generally no hot water for showers. Not sure if this is an issue with the landlord, a cost issue for 24 Hour, or some other general maintenance issue. If it's a maintenance issue, then my expectations from #1 would apply as that this may never get fixed. 5. (Not specifically the fault of the gym, but still important to note for visitors.) Gym etiquette is rarely followed here. Many gym-goers are not wiping down equipment, putting away weights and equipment, and some are not willing to share or cooperate with other users during the busy times. While some of this is just representative of the types of people you get from a low-cost gym membership, it would help to have more personal trainers and staff roaming the gym to help inform and educate regarding the basic etiquette for those new to the gym and fitness. Currently this location has only one personal trainer employed (that I'm aware of and has their picture up on the wall). Unfortunately these ongoing issues have caused me to get another gym membership at a 24 Hour competitor. While I hope that they remedy a lot of these issues, the response from management has been purely lip service to date. I remain open to returning to this location in the future if things change."

"It's pretty good. Has a punching bag which is great. Some weird people attend, who hog certain equipment by putting their bag or cell phone on them and go nuts when you try to use it when they walk away. Aside from that the gym seems OK. The hogs are what bring it down a notch. I was generous, because it really should be a three star, but the staff are good and friendly."

"Modern facilities with lots of amenities. It was just so busy any time I went (6am, lunch, 8pm) that I was almost never able to do the workout I wanted. The gym etiquette doesn’t make things better. Instead of getting up and letting people work in, people camp out on machines for long periods. When I did politely ask to work in, people seemed bothered by it, unlike at other busy gyms. Weights are often not where they’re supposed to be, and I had to consider buying my own weight collars because they were nowhere to be found."

"This location is my go to gym when in CA. They are absolutely amazing. Earl and his team have such excellent customer service and keep this gym in absolute tip top shape. We're originally from the Bay Area and would patron this gym often before moving. We were so happy to see they survived the pandemic closures and are thriving again. This facility is always very clean. Many patrons have great gym etiquette which is so clearly facilitated by the practices of the staff and making sure equipment is properly used, cleaned and returned. The staff is super friendly and approachable. They offer a variety of classes, personal training and just tons of equipment if you prefer to do your own thing. Highly recommend them!"