24 Hour Fitness

(Updating my review as it is not a 24hr Sport anymore.)
Ever since Santa Cruz’s 24hr Fitness was renovated from «Sport» to «Super Sport», I’ve checked out a couple of the other 24hr Super Sports around the Bay, I work in Palo Alto thus can easily stop by the others on my commute home, and definitely find the Santa Cruz one to be lacking in the amenities that even the corporate website lists as qualities of a «Super Sport” — i.e.: towel service, plenty of equipment, personal viewing screens on cardio equipment, basketball court, etc. (some locations even offer racquetball)
Not to mention, the bathroom renovation is best described as «putting lipstick on a pig» and really can’t compete with the other 24hr Super Sports around.

I am SO relieved to see other reviews about the attitude of the staff here. I was beginning to wonder if it was just me, if I had somehow managed to offend everyone who worked here? It’s the only 24 I’ve ever been to where nobody ever greets you when you walk through the door. They noticed I walked in, and promptly turned around and started chatting and laughing with each other. It is strange! As for the gym itself, they’ve come a long way with all of the upgrades, and that’s really nice! The staff just kills it with their cold nonchalant attitudes, which I’ve found is rare with businesses in Santa Cruz. Surprised that nobody from the company has addressed this, considering how many people mention it in their reviews.

This location is now a Super Sport — I guess the bathroom and front desk renovation warranted the upgrade? Who knows. What I do know is that they upgraded the level of the club without a substantial upgrade in services or equipment — AND fees doubled this year with no notice. Shady. Corporate is constructively trying to terminate the contracts of those of us who were sold ‘lifetime’ memberships.
It’s not the cleanest location I’ve been to — the fact that this location has a pool is likely part of the problem. Another contributing factor is that some of the members are inconsiderate (dumping trash, hair from a hairbrush on the floor?!), so maybe some reminders to members would help… There are also quite a few who feel comfortable having long-​winded telephone conversations and /​or texting while working out.
Still, the staff is nice, this location has all the equipment I want for a work out and they have childcare services.

Since the recent remodel, things are much cleaner, brighter and more welcoming. Lots of new equipment to use. I go during the day. It’s almost always busy and crowded. Perhaps if I went in the late evening or middle of the night, it wouldn’t be. I think that’s the point of being open 24 hours. I often catch it when it’s not busy and it works well for me. The place is active. It has a good buzz to it. I don’t use the restrooms, don’t take a shower and don’t use the lockers. About that I can’t speak.
All kinds of people go here. All ages, all sizes. I rarely recognize anybody from a previous visit. Some are hitting it hard. Very few seem to know what they are doing. Almost nobody is in any kind of shape. Most just drift from machine to machine with a dull look in their eyes like they hate being there and they don’t look very comfortable. They do a set, sit there, fiddle with their phone. Do another set. Stare out the window. And repeat. It bugs me that most people don’t have the least understanding of gym etiquette. Don’t tie up a piece of equipment checking your email for the 100^th time! Your holding me up ! Stand to the side so other people can use the machine. It’s not uncommon to find free weights loaded on a bench and nobody using them. Dumbbells sitting on the floor instead of racked. But this behavior is not the Gyms fault. I don’t believe that staff should be policing everybody or scrutinizing habits. It’s up to each of us to pay attention.
Lets face it. It’s a cheap place to work out and that’s what most people are looking for. It’s up to the individual to make the best of it. It’s a «gym», and not an exclusive club. If you would rather have the staff (who seems very pleasant and personable to me) park your car for you, hand you a hot towel and a martini when you walk through the door, you came to the wrong place.

Its still a 24h fitness but the equipment is showing its age, it’s getting more crowded and there are some newer/​nicer gyms in town.
I think I’ll be looking elsewhere.

I’ve been a member for over 5 years and of the SC location for over 3 years. I’m glad to see they are making necessary upgrades but not sure why it’s now a Super Sport. The SS I’ve been to are truly ritzy. They tell me «It’s a ‘location’ thing’». Ya, and my black belt nephew would like to be Bruce Lee but he just isn’t. It’s done some nice upgrades and is utilizing space better. BUT there’s still serious issues including simple clean up along with employee maturity and responsibility. In the SS I’ve been to the staff make sure there’s no garbage on the machines or around the floors. Here you’re lucky if someone sweeps the ladies room.
There’s only one guy, literally, who always greets each customer and says «have a good night» when they leave — which, according to someone who works for 24 Hour in the valley, is part of the job. Yet here the majority are too busy chatting among themselves to notice anyone – unless it’s a hottie with a question, then they’re all totally focused on that one customer, like grouping around a celeb. So it’s the maturity level obviously. As an investor in the business world, it’s very annoying to see the lack of training.
There’s no way to lodge a complaint, apparently, without using a computer; or calling the manager. But just a warning: the toilet seat in the wheel chair accessible stall is (still) loose, despite that the same situation got a restaurant chain sued in the 80s.
I also saw an instructor in front of a class showing them how to use hand-​held weights incorrectly. Only the most rookie athletes rock back and forth to move weights but that is exactly how she was demonstrating. Clearly they need to have more credible instructors.
I know one thing, if they want to start charging existing customers the Super Sport price they will need to expand the locker rooms and get the tell-​tale towel service.
The other thing I would like to see happen is the common-​sense signs that all small gyms usually have reminding people not to sit on the equipment while texting and browsing and not to monopolize equipment. These are huge issues at this location because most of the machines represent the only machine of its type, other than the ellipticals.
And personally I think that there should be a minimum training of some kind for new clients, simple common sense stuff that help them understand, for example, if you want to put on muscle you should avoid lengthy sessions doing cardio. You would think they would reach out to someone if only to prevent that inevitable lawsuit when the girl with the eating disorder who at 90 pounds still thinks she’s fat, dies on their treadmill.
But all else aside this is a decent place to get your workout in at a very reasonable price (so far). It’s centrally located and once you get the hang of it the parking is not bad. Also the clientele are friendly and helpful overall. But the point is if you want to not have to deal with water-​soaked floors (many women simply don’t bring towels); homeless people; broken equipment; and immature reps then you pay the higher price and go to a ritzy club.
So 24 Hour, if you are now a ritzy SS please start acting like it.

«Upgraded» to super sport. Why? I have no Idea ($). Manager is great however.

I have been a member of this gym for 3 years, I recently
was disabled and am having a major surgery that will
not allow use of my membership for 4 months.
I went to 24 hr fitness on Soquel ave 4 times trying to
have membership frozen since September, each time
the right person not there, or they do not have right
form, left message for manager, no return call.
Went again last week, young girl took copies
of my Dr paperwork, she would freeze my membership.
Today they suspended me, called the company toll
free #, spoke with supervisor Randy who told me he
didn’t give a crap about my problem unless I paid
all past dues and had written proof I had tried to freeze.
Congrats!, u just lost a customer for life and now I’m
going to tell everyone I know and meet not to go to
your gym, how bad your customer service and outdated
old equipment is. Dont’t go to 24 HR Fitness, go to
Total Fitness on 41^st Ave, Capitola, much nicer, better
plans, good customer service. Call them@831 476 7373
24Hr Fitness Sucks!!!

Can you say REMODEL!!! The place looks much better now, though they did not replace the tile in the men’s locker room.

After 15 days of renovation, this is now a Super Sport w/​o the towel service. What makes this a Super Sport? I have no clue. The trainers no longer have offices. The flooring is all new. Everything got rearranged. No new equipments YET. Plenty of open spaces. They did install digital lockers in the middle of the free weights area by the men’s locker room. I can tell by the looks from the morning regulars that they have never seen them before.
Despite appearances and whatnot, this gym has the basics. It is entirely up to you how hard you want to train. There is a kid’s club, a pool, a sauna, a steam room. all coed so it is fun to get the glances and stares every now and then. The TRX is located upstairs and what seems to be a surplus amount of treadmills. I hate cardio but I love it at the same time.
The gym is my escape from reality. I only stop for these reasons: shoe laces untied, something hurts, and phone calls or texts about my kids. And work.
I’ll be there in 6.5hrs.
Looking forward to improving myself.

24 Hour Fitness in Santa Cruz is finally closed for remodeling (30 Sept. 2015 to 30 Oct. 2015) — and tented today to rid the vermin. This review is based on the past three years. The facility has had no face lift since its opening 23 years ago (and most of the equipment was used when the building opened in 1992). I understand that they recently renewed the building lease from the property owner, the Canapa family. 24 Hour Fitness plans to increase cost to the «super sports» level — aprox. a 40% increase in price once they reopen — with no added amenities!, maybe a few new pieces of equipment? — the walk in rack rate will be $ 54 per month. The Costco 2 year «sports» level was priced at $ 369.99 ($ 15.42/month — the former club price) and the «super sports» two year price at Costco is $ 649.99 ($ 27.08/month — the remodeled club price). The Costco deal is listed as new members only, but that has not been enforced at the Santa Cruz club in the past. I doubt that they will enforce a change as I was told that the local Costco was selling (before the remodel) $ 6,000 per week of 24 Hour Fitness memberships, most likely more than they were selling at the local 24 Hour Fitness club. I was told that all the people that contracted a membership years ago for $ 99.99 per year will not have any changes and that there would be no change to the silver sneakers program — but best to confirm the information with the local club and to confirm that the Costco membership can be used more than once, before purchase.
Santa Cruz 24 Hour Fitness had sunk to the lowest level of quality — and had been a horrible environment — with mold growing on all the walls — locker rooms that looked and smelled like dungeons — and a complete lack of basic gym etiquette by a small number of members that made it hard for all the others wanting to work out. The local staff was kind — but had no authority to do anything. The club was a like a homeless services center with people camping in the parking lot and living in the fitness center. The local county health department inspected the pool on a regular basis but did little to get the company to clean. The club frequently ran out of soap for hand washing — and would run out of toilet paper. No surprise as there are over 10,000 members at the Santa Cruz club with 2,000 — 3,000+ people using the club on a daily basis! There was only part time cleaning with no complete cleaning — ever.
As 24 Hour Fitness plans to increase the price — there will be an expectation that the remodeled facility will improve. Cleaning should be based on how many people use the place, not on some corporate formula that does not factor in that the Santa Cruz building is old with several small areas. Air handling systems need to come up to code — and there needs to be some air circulation — so that the mold does not grow on all the surfaces. I have my doubts — and will update this review in a few months. I want to be optimistic, but I am realistic. Good Luck if you work out here!

This place is dirty and everything is broken. The staff is unapproachable. Lots of buff men slamming free weights around. Lots of unwanted advances.
Check out Craiglist’s «Missed Connections» for an idea of what the mens locker rooms are like.

The pool, sauna and steam room are kept in fair condition and the staff are friendly and usually helpful. On the other hand, outside of the free weights, the equipment is in less than average condition.
There are always at least a couple treadmills not working properly and a few bikes as well. As for the weight machines there has been some improvement recently, but when something is out of order it seems to stay that way for extended periods. I’m in the East Bay a couple of times a week where I visit another 24 hour location. That place is the most sparkling and immaculate facility you can imagine. They upgrade the machines on a seemingly yearly basis, to the point where it’s almost frustrating. Because these are two extremes: one club in perfect & flawless condition and another far from that. Maybe something in the middle would be more appropriate — especially for this location.

I have been traveling around the country and using 24 Hour Fitness as a place not only to work out but to keep clean. These fitness centers are usually very modern and have many amenities, however this particular location was old and extremely run down and filthy. I wanted to watch a basketball game and none of the sitting bicycles had working audio jacks. And basically I was afraid to touch anything the whole time I was there. Probably the worst 24 hr Fitness location that I’ve been to so far. The only redeeming quality, was that the single staff member on duty on this Tuesday night was very nice, and the showers had plenty of water pressure which is ironic considering California is in a severe drought.

Be me,
Stressing the fuck out, wedding in 3 months.
Checks time, 11:30 pm. Fuck! My gym is closed!
Google «Santa Cruz gym».
First result: 24 hour fitness
Double checks time to make sure it’s still opened
«Opens 24 hours»
Makes sense duhhh.
Drove 25 minutes from the woods, finally arrived.
Walked in with my cash ready and my blood pumping
But guess what???
Mother fucking register is closed.
Disappointed as fuck, I walked back to my car.
Alright, what if I find one of those free passes???
Signed up for 3 day free pass immediately.
Ran back in like Charlie with his golden ticket.
«Sorry bro, you gotta validate before 10 pm.»
Mother fucking whaaaaaaaat???
Take my money please!!! I really just want to work out man!!! Faaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhuck!!!
Honestly, if you’re not really accepting customers after a certain time, make it clear on your websites.
It’s just so misguiding; To call yourself 24hours fitness while shunning people away from working out because it’s pass «10» pm.
Fuck this place, I’ll take my money elsewhere.
TL:DR
They won’t take my money!!!
Just let me get gains broooooo!!!

I used to go here a few years ago and it was pretty run down but I had a two year membership so I made the best of it. As time went by, most of the failing equipment, shower heads, etc. just got worse. By the time my membership was up, the shower head by the pool was completely ripped off. you had to use the hose to rinse. Just pathetic. It’s been a couple of years and I went in to see if they had fixed things a bit.
I was flat out told I could not even get a 1 day pass and the manager would not even come out and talk to me. Apparently they don’t want any return business. Not all 24 hr gyms are like this but this one in Santa Cruz is a dump, uninterested in BASIC customer service and sorely in need of a management overhaul.

First off I want to say, I’m sorry in advanced for writing such a negative review. It’s not my intention to be mean or dismissive, but maybe by writing honest reviews we can get this 24 Hour location to change their policies.
Here’s the reality: there are way, way, WAY too many people using the gym and it makes the place almost unusable.
Like for instance, maybe you decide that you want a flat bench. Pretty reasonable request, right? Not at 24 Hour! There are so many people, and just a few flat benches, so have fun waiting 10−30+ minutes for one to open up.
You can also see into the pool area from the weight room, which is kind of weird and makes my girlfriend not want to use it because the guys using the weights are just ogling everyone in there while they do reps.
I figure that this place is so mobbed because it’s the cheapest place in town– like $ 10 or $ 15 a month if you get the Costco deal, which is basically free compared to a good gym. But you totally get what you pay for. We cancelled our membership and won’t be coming back.
Please consider having a occupancy limit or some other system that would let people get a full workout in a reasonable time without waiting forever for machines. Until that happens this place is only a good deal if your time is worthless.

This place stinks like a middle school boys locker room where immature boys piss all over the floor and the janitors are too lazy and fed up to clean it up.
Literally that is the stench that welcomes you when you walk into this gym…
The gym itself is tiny and has limited machines.
I really wish they had another one in Santa Cruz l, capitola or Scott’s valley but unfortunately this is the only one close by.
I can really care less about the machines but omg please make the stench go away. I don’t even know how the staff at the front desk can handle standing there breathing in that stench…

I don’t get the low star count for 24 hour fitness; it’s a gym, not a beauty spa lounge. Also, it’s a GYM
.where people sweat… ya, it’s going to smell. As long as it’s clean and employees are around, it’s fine with me. I never see equipment out of commission, and if it is, it’s working within a day or two. The majority of other gym goers are nice and clean machines after using them. If you wanna be extra clean, you can spray equipment down before you use it. Prices are good too. If this place doesn’t do it for you, there are plenty of country clubs in the area

I just read «AlexO“s review and found myself so outraged by his lies and rant I felt compelled to write my own and set the record straight. I’ve been a member for about a year, my second time joining this gym. I was greeted by the Mgr Jennifer professionally and she gave me a tour and explained my options and went over all their services. Love her! She introduced me to Master Trainer Katie who I liked and worked out with weekly for months. Katie got me to the results I wanted and now I’m on track with all my fitness goals. I love all the staff members and rarely wait for a machine or equipment. I’m a swimmer and love having access to a pool when I feel like cranking out laps. Cool yoga guy named Charles too.
Bottom line, good gym, great people, sweet monthly rate with no strings attached… I’m stoked!