★ 5

Swell Santa Barbara is one of the best gyms in town! The quality of the equipment is top-notch, and the layout makes every workout feel smooth and efficient. I especially love the outdoor workout area — it’s such a unique and refreshing feature that makes training here stand out. The entire gym is always spotless, which really shows how much the team cares about maintaining a great environment. The sauna and steam room are the perfect way to unwind after a tough session. Overall, Swell delivers an exceptional fitness experience — highly recommend!

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★ 5

This gym is as good as it gets! The facility itself (machines, weights, locker rooms, etc.) are in great condition and clean. Also, the staff and management here is incredible. They have always been available when I need something. The GM Jess is as good as it gets when it comes to running a top tier health club! Thank you Swell team.

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★ 5

Beautiful and clean, love the open air upper decks. Nothing like working out in the fresh marine air.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Exceeds all of my expectations!!!

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★ 5

Amazing place better than equinox

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★ 3

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★ 4

great yoga classes

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★ 5

I love it here. definitely worth it. Great equipment, clean, smoothie bar, pool hottub etc etc. everyone is friendly, not overly crowded

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★ 2

Nice, clean gym with good amenities. Dropped in for the day which was a little pricey ($75). Didn’t mind paying that but then I had $100 taken out of my wallet while I was in the sauna, hence the low review. Would not let valuables out of sight. I didn’t have the locker locked as I was in the sauna in the locker room so partially my fault.

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★ 5

Nice gym with good amenities. Definitely would recommend Swell

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★ 4

I miss it so much. It’s a really great gym, but also a third space where you can spend time (play a round of pool, tan in the lounge chairs when sunny, bring your laptop to finish up some work at the gym before/after your class). The views are great and the class selection is as well. Miranda’s Barre class can do wonders for you even though it’s only 45 mins twice a week.

A few things holding me back from a 5 star review: the mats (like for individual use) are often in terrible shape, the pricing varies so much and you just have to get good at negotiating with the staff for a plan that works for you (I wish it was more honest and transparent), also it has classes at 5:30 AM… but non after 6:30 pm and the gym closes at 9pm (locker rooms included) on weekdays. As someone who works an 8-5 job, and isn’t a super early morning person, I felt like the schedule wasn’t super accommodating for working out after work (which is pretty standard).

The pool, saunas and views from the outdoor part are amazing ❤️❤️

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★ 5

If endorphins could talk, they'd be shouting Brooke Lyn's praises after her Wednesday 7 AM Yoga Sculpt class! This class is the chef’s kiss of SWELL workouts—equal parts sweaty, empowering, and downright fun. Brooke Lyn is a magician with weights and flows, somehow making you forget your arms are on fire because her energy is that contagious.

The playlist? Absolute bangers. The moves? Killer but approachable, even if you’re half-asleep when you roll in. And her vibe? Like your favorite hype friend who also moonlights as a fitness goddess. Try it! Your future self will thank you!!

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★ 5

Great spot!

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★ 5

High end gym with excellent workout equipment, a pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, and cold plunge. Very nice and quite expensive. Good workout classes and yoga included.

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★ 5

Wonderful yoga and Pilates classes with great instructors and the pool is awesome and heated very comfortably.

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★ 1

The gym is nice and the best part is the variety of the classes, but the terms of the agreement is really not practical for someone who travels for work.

The initiation fee to join is $600. The monthly dues are $199/mo. There is no option to pause the membership at all.

They offer promotions on the initiation fee all the time (ex: $99 initiation fee 2 months ago, $0 fee last December), and they refused to offer me that same $99 promotion they gave my friend 2 months ago after I politely explained over email and said I would like to continue going to the gym if they could honor one of these two previous promotions.

They refused to budge on offering something better than their current promotion of 50% off (still $300 initiation fee)

Really disappointed in the management in discouraging a sign-up

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★ 5

I've been a member since 1989. Best club in town. Now I'm an aqua sub! Xoxo 💚

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★ 5

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★ 5

Best “large” athletic club option in Santa Barbara. Pool, dry sauna, steam room, multiple weight rooms, tons of classes, indoor/outdoor spaces, smoothie bar. The club is in the older side, but has been making a lot of renovations.

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★ 5

Been a member since 1989! Best club in town.

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★ 4

Professional staff, very clean space, extra services for free, steam room, sona, hot top, swimming pool, skilled trainers; basically it is one of the best clubs I have been at and I have been in 100s around the world. The main issue is the members with sense of entitlement. They think they own the place and complain a lot. Don't really respect each other. They lay down in steam room and so a and not willing to sit up when someone walks in. Or knowingly leave towels and garbage everywhere for the staff to pick/clean up, etc.

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★ 5

Such a treasure! Amazing outdoor space to lift overlooking beautiful SB! Pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam. Great workout classes & good coffee is a bonus!

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★ 4

Beautiful facility and amenities, the females at the front desk are always so friendly and say hello, however I have not had one positive experience with any males who work here. I walked in and there were three of them at the front desk, one named Kyle, and they just stared at me even made eye contact with me and didn’t even greet me or say hello. Not a friendly vibe when the individuals who clean the bathrooms are more friendly than the actual employees… All in all, facility is great, employees need a quick lesson in professionalism.

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★ 5

I've been a member of SBAC since 2017 and the facilities and class offerings have improved year after year. Some of the negative reviews mention old and outdated equipment. I'd say those reviews are old and outdated. Nearly everything has been refreshed recently.

The multiple workout areas offer plenty of space and I've never felt encroached on by other members. Sure, there are times when it can feel busy, but that's any gym during prime time.

The staff is always friendly and happy, and a shoutout to Miles for always welcoming me by name.

The monthly membership isn't cheap, but the value is there if you use the facilities. Cleanliness there has never been an issue for me and they have staff who disinfect and wipe down the equipment all day.

Another review mentioned that this place is being overtaken by people outside of their social class like hipsters and millennials... calm down lol. It's a friendly place for people to work on their fitness goals and have a good time doing it.

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★ 5

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★ 5

I have always debated joining swell but after a week of joining their classes and using their facilities, it was clear that this is the place to be. While the equipment isn’t 100% it is the truly the experience that sets this place apart from the rest.

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★ 4

Exelente para ejercitarce

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★ 1

Who do these gyms have on their sales staff? Why does it always have to be someone that has absolutely no customer service skills or really any idea what they are even doing? I'm shocked at the lack of communication, the rudeness of the management, and the actual offering that this club has for such an exuberantly high price. If you're going to charge that much, maybe invest in hiring sales and management that actually knows what they're doing and how to treat a potential customer. Stop your bait and switch schemes and maybe hold a staff meeting or two so everyone can get on the same page. AWFUL.
A word to the wise: don't complain and let them figure out who you are or else they'll tattle on you to your employer. CHILDISH
Last thing... Way too much chlorine in the pool and hot tub... You should fix that. It's like a bleach bath. YUCK

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Hmm, what more could you ask for.
Thinking…

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

The athletic club is by far the best gym Santa Barbara has to offer. The space is large and has everything you need. There is a great turf area for functional training, squat racks, well maintained machines, a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, cold plunge and towel service. They have tons of fantastic classes included in your membership and a small group training hiit class or Pilates for an additional fee. There is a complimentary coffee and tea bar as well as a smoothie bar and beers on tap you can buy. The space has a pool tables, plenty of seating, and outdoor lounge chairs making it possible to come and hang out after your workout or get work done remotely. Additionally, they offer Theraguns for recovery. If amenities and community are important to you in a gym this is the spot to come.

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★ 5

Really great staff and equipment. Love having the option to use the sauna and ice bath as well for recovery.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Was visiting SB and went to Swell. I went to the Killer B class and it was awesome. They have a knowledgeable trainer, provided a workout plan, and the circuit style blew away my typical workouts. So much better. That said, I am coming back off of a long break and I was nervous it would be too hard. The beauty of the Killer B program was I was able to do it at my own speed and difficulty level. The Swell facility itself was great. Used to sauna, the steam room and the ice bath. Great gym space generally but the Killer B space and program is awesome.

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★ 5

Swell is a great facility with loads of training options for athletes. What makes it special are the people who work there. Jess, who set up my membership, is so sweet and helpful. Eric is also a great guy and was really accommodating throughout my membership period.

The gym has a turf area which is really useful for dynamic moves. The squat racks are high quality and overall the gym is in great shape and not crowded. There’s also a nice lounge area where you can do work. A nice little touch too is there are Hypervolts to help you get loose.

I definitely recommend this as one of the top gym in Santa Barbara!

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 2

I am a member and I just want to start out by listing the positives of this place— the people that work here are SO sweet and the place is always incredibly clean. Their facilities staff are incredibly hard working and kind and do an amazing job keeping the place looking great.

I am a bit disappointed in my experience here for the following reasons:
-Price. This place is far too expensive for what it’s worth. And upcoming price increases are upsetting especially when previous members aren’t locked into a deal as we missed MANY facilities that were not open due to Covid yet continued to pay full price.
-Facilities. From no laundry service during almost all of Covid, laundry machine breaking, and facilities like jacuzzi and spa seemingly constantly closed, it is definitely something to improve upon when you’re paying roughly $2,500 a year to go here. No nice products in locker rooms (for this much I’d be expecting high quality name brand products, not stuff that gives me allergic reactions)

-No enforcement of mask “policy.” no one wears a mask. Even at the height of Covid. Not only that but people are constantly up in your six feet maskless which is frustrating when you work with high vulnerability individuals. Also a bit saddened and disheartened by the way upper management treated an elderly woman who was inquiring about the mask “policy,” per the Independent.

I will continue going but primarily because this is the only facility within walking distance with a steam and sauna and an amazing array of athletic equipment ! But to emphasize again- high quality employees that give 100% to make this place beautiful.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 1

Its the best club in town because they have bad customer service and are the most expensive so it is the least crowded in town. Also it has a steam room and sauna that sometimes works.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Amazing club with such kind staff and top shelf equipment! Excellent outdoor facilities and COVID safety precautions

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★ 5

Clean and open air outdoor workout areas. Front desk and sales staff are all very professional and personable. I'd still be a member if I didn't have memberships at other clubs around town and home workout equipment.

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★ 5

Felt great to workout again..

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 1

SWELL Santa Barbara Athletic Club is not so SWELL!
As many of us do, I was really excited about joining a Gym and starting a new health program for myself. Based on a friend’s recommendation I went to the Santa Barbara athletic club. Wow!!! I can’t begin to express the treatment I got! Excuse me????? Are the workout machines in this place made of gold? Or is the bad attitude by the employees a “we only like certain people here” a filter! Either way stay away! You’ll be spared the embarrassment! My opinion:
un-available to return calls. Could care less about new members! Snudi and self absorbed! Very uncomfortable atmosphere! In the end just another sweaty gym with a big ticket price and a bad attitude!

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★ 5

I’ve belonged to this athletic club for 20 years and still enjoy attending classes. We’re fortunate to have a place like this in Santa Barbara.

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★ 4

Swole

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★ 4

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★ 1

Save your money if you want relaxation and respectful people. You will not find it here. The place has become a hangout for hipsters and entitled millennials. We recently cancelled for this reason and others stated below .
1 - Big decline in member quality in 2019.
New members do not respect private space
of others.
2 - Newer members have turned club into a personal space for themselves. Last Thursday three people on phone in hot tub area. Signs clearly state NO CELL PHONES.
3 - Members treat hot tub/pool area as party zone. Loud conversations, sales pitches, pick up lines, music on cell phones etc. are the norm now.
4 - If you're looking for solitude and relaxation in hot tub, forget it. Staff does not police club rules or posted signs. People simply ignore the rules as if it were there own house.
5 - We paid almost $300 per month for a higher level of clientele.That has has changed dramatically this year. Wife and I no longer look forward to being around our own social class of people.
We are DONE with this place...

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★ 1

Terrible customer service

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★ 1

Add pricing to your website or have someone who can quote membership pricing available when I call.

It's really annoying first not find what I was looking for on the website and then to call and not be able to speak to someone who can assist with something as simple as cost.

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★ 5

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★ 5

I've worked out here for years. I chose this place because they have everything I need to transform myself yearly.

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★ 5

Love this club. Lots of great classes, a nice heated pool, friendly people and a great atmosphere.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Is a beautiful place with great staff, and a lot of different classes, machines and equipment for the workout.
Love it.

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★ 3

Went by but didn't enter and am not a member... the music & energy emanating from there were enticing.

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★ 5

My favorite gym/club in Santa Barbara.

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★ 5

It’s a great club w a lot of fun options for group classes-2 jacuzzi options-Wet and dry saunas-all the trainers are very knowledgeable and helpful

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★ 5

Me gusta por que tiene todo ademas que es un lugar muy limpio y las clases son maravillosas

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

Clean gym and good selection of group classes like yoga, spin, swim and cardio classes. Pool, sun chairs, hot tubs, saunas, smoothie bar, pool table are some of the things that makes me want to come here.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Love the steam room

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★ 5

Excelent!

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Highest end health club in town. Pilates, raquetball, spinning, pool, hot tub, sauna, etc

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★ 5

So clean, not just your average gym. You can sit and read, have a smoothie, lie out by the pool along with every workout option you can think of. Friendly, professional staff, great layout, great views. Not snobby, very comfortable. I'm joining.

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★ 5

Lindo. Trabajo

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★ 3

I go there to play squash. the people are very nice, but the management has been questionable over the years.

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★ 5

Sadly this is the best gym in town other than the Coral Casino

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★ 5

This is a club. Not just a gym...

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★ 5

A real club not just a gym

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★ 3

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★ 5

Great gym, nice pool, good food and beer/wine. Great all around gym

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★ 4

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★ 5

Clean bathrooms, showers, locker rooms, pool and equipment. the Group classes are amazing, I recommend Kick boxing and yoga. Private lessons are fantastic especially Pilates. They have Great beer and wine, Salt water pool and Jacuzzi's along with sauna and steam room with towel service. The staff is friendly and outgoing

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★ 5

I have been a member of this club since they opened the doors. There have many changes over the years...some good, some bad.
I do think it is still the best athletic club in Santa Barbara.
I enjoy the classes and special friendships I've made in the 30+ years I've been a member.

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★ 1

Rude , sexist , and patroniziig.I am in the process of contacting the owners of this club, For years I was member, then I began to visit. The staff has no knowledge of the sytem and how to check people in, the service is terrible and high turnover of staff. Probably because of the abusive management. Terrible food service , they complain and always are understaffed and / or "closed" . But without a doubt , the management team is rude and dismissive. In fact they are almost never there ( Jeremy) Matt and Chad are less than involved .the equipment is mediocre. Over all run down. Dirty, they never clean the matts or machines. _ heath hazard The spa smells like scum. The management team treated me like a "small woman". Ran by mem and degradiing men at that Telling me that I ws not a memeber and refusing to give me a corporarate email for complaints This is what to expect behind closed door not upscale as they prpomote themdselves. Quite honestly iI don;t know how they can get away treating people this way, when if fact they are not involved , lack of integrity and could care less about anyone who s not paying. I wa sconsidering becoming a member again , until this most resent reflection. I am making it my mission now to let others know the truth.
Jeramy is never there, yet calls himself a manager . He refused to information, and hung up on me. I will be contacting the owner. I would not recommend this treatment to anyone. They are totally unptofessioinal and dismissive

I will say that many of the instructors are very nice and very good at their skill. I would have become a member again ( as was considering ) until this shocking issue today. I am letting my member friends know about this, they will not be happy about this experience.

Chad and Jeremy work together and are not effective -- scary to see people like this run someones business. This only gym with a pool, and probably the on reason people stay. BECAUSE ITS N OT THE DECLINE OF quality personel or managenemt. If I was the owner I would really take a look as this as a HUGE RED FLAG. How many other re and have been disciminated against, patronized at treated like crap. I am shocked at the behavior.

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★ 5

Never very crowded, definitely best gym in Santa Barbara.

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★ 5

This is a great club. I am a member for 15 years. Great work out, nice facility, terrific trainers and excellent social programs. I have many friends there in addition, I met my wife at the Club.

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★ 3

The facility is nice and clean. The staff is friendly.
It would be nice if they had some more early morning classes and a variety of skilled exercise instructors across the board.
Some of the classes at the club cost members more money and it already is costly to be a member.

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★ 5

This just isn't a club, it's truely a home. Great people, fun times, and excellent instructors.

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★ 4

I've been a member over twenty years, joined when it was only $70 a month. I've tried to leave, joining the Y twice, but always return, though it's more than doubled in price. Why? Because it's CLEAN and there are no children running around. I was furious when they compromised the pool by building the spinning room right over it, blocking the best sunlight, but I haven't found better in SB.

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★ 5

This Club by far is the best all around club in Santa Barbara.. Social, Classes, People, Trainers. Worth the money!

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★ 5

Best club in town!!

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★ 4

Great Club! is got all you need! I wish Locker rooms where bigger but that's all

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★ 1

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