24 Hour Fitness — Attraction in San Carlos

Summary: +1 star - instructor and staff -1 star - class -1 star - equipment -1 star - facilities -1 star - safety

Details:

Background: I have been a 24 hour fitness member for many years.  From San Francisco down the peninsula, I have visited most of the 24 clubs.  I also visited out of state clubs in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Texas etc.

Instructor and staff: San Carlos used to have many great instructors and classes.  After the pandemic, classes are down to minimal but still have a few I would still consider the best instructors around.  Staff are in general very friendly and helpful.  I don't think they were paid much.  I don't think instructors "work" there for the money.  I really appreciate the instructor's time and effort.

Classes: San Carlos has the least number of classes among all the 24 locations I visited.  Of course, there is no new class for years.  If an instructor cannot teach, there is usually no sub.  Classes are overcrowded because Redwood city shut down their classes and didn't replace it.  All the overflow came to San Carlos.  Class size doubled instantaneously creating a lot of stress for the poor instructor, students and staff.  Now, we need to line up (I used to do that in most classes, not a problem), enforce reservation and check names.  Instructor sometimes had to give up her equipment to the student.  Many bring their own light weight dumb bells because there is none.

Equipment: In general, equipment is old.  Very old.   I have not seen any new machines for years.  Some 24 locations have brand new Les Mills weight and equipment. The green artificial turf is relatively new (5 years?) but I am not sure if I want to touch that carpet.  Everybody walks on it to and from the bathroom.

Facilities: I pretty much gave up parking in the 24 parking lot.  It is small and people can get aggressive.  There are other stress free options: PG&E station, street parking etc.  Men's room is small.  2 urinals and 2 stalls.  I am fine with that.  Cleanliness is normal.  After the pandemic, I saw a person cleaning during daytime which I have not seen before.  San Carlos does have that gym smell, esp. in the machines area.  The dark sticky floor doesn't help.  They did some improvement by removing the stinky stuffy cycling room during the pandemic.  It is still a very strange room with dim light (black light?).  Ventilation in the studio is poor.  Some instructors open the fire exit which I really appreciate the fresh air.  Otherwise, it can get hot.  But it is still better than San Mateo.  If you want hot Zumba, go to San Mateo.  Guarantee you to sweat, ALOT.

Safety: Instructors used to announce NOT to put valuables in the lockers.  Lockers were broken in many times, not just at this location.  Always carry your valuables with you and keep an eye on them, i.e. put them in the front of the studio.  I also heard of cars break in around the area.  Don't leave gym bag or stuff visible.  PG&E parking lot is pitch black at night.  Find a buddy. It is kind of ironic that it is right next to a PG&E station with lots of electricity.  People parked across the street jaywalked to the gym, dangerous.  A cross walk is already built probably for that reason.

Suggestions: Give instructor a reserved parking space.  Next to the dumpster is fine.  Sunnyvale did that. Get new Les Mills body pump equipment.  Mountain View did that.  Or just get more equipment so I don't need to bring my own dumb bell.  It's dumb. Better air circulation.  I know ventilation can get tricky and people play with thermostats.  Keep trying. Add more classes.  There are so many certified instructors.  I have been to classes with 5-6 instructors.  They are all not teaching.

So, why do I keep coming back for this 1 star location?  I like the instructors and I understand you get what...

Ill start off by saying that I have been a member of 24 hr fitness for 12 years. Originally from the east bay and have visited roughly about 20 different clubs. Whether travelling out of town, or due to the fact that I have worked in different parts of the S.F bay area. Ill start off by saying parking is horrible. The 2nd worst, only being better than the California st. In downtown SF which only has metered parking. Be prepared to wait 5-15 minutes or risk getting car towed by parking in brewery lot. Even at 5-6 am lot is already full. Than again there are only about 45 spots so as you can imagine they fill up quickly. On a side note, whenever the brewery has events their patrons frequently take up gym spots with no one enforcing parking. Front desk receptionist are usually watching movies with phone propped up. Very rarely do you get acknowledged when entering or exiting. Gym overall is small with moderate amount of free weights and machines. Lastly the cleanliness is at an all-time low. For a while my home gym was hiltop mall in Richmond which was pretty bad. This gym takes the cake. It is not unusual to see the same pile of trash or dirty paper towels sitting in the same spot for days on end. Gym is lightly cleaned once every 24 hours which is not enough considering the hundreds of people using the equipment and bathrooms daily. Many water leaks in the roof. Bathrooms constantly smell like raw sewage, partly due to the fact that toilets gaskets are leaking. Common for paper towel and toilet paper diapensers to be empty. Shower area and suana/steamroom has had the same black mold spots for months on end now. This tells me that whoever is doing the cleaning either needs more help or simply does not know how to properly clean a public facility. O, and dont look in between wooden slats in the dry suana. You will see piles of hair and black grime build-up, which could easily be cleaned by a simple pressure washing. This place is a joke. Considering the area it is located you would expect...

Outstanding Community and Maintenance – 24 Hour Fitness, San Carlos

24 Hour Fitness in San Carlos stands out for its welcoming atmosphere and well-maintained facilities. From the moment you walk in, you're often greeted by name, and staff members initiate friendly conversations that make you feel like part of a community.

The gym’s cleanliness and equipment upkeep are top-tier. The janitorial team makes a consistent effort to keep the facility almost spotless, ensuring a comfortable and hygienic workout environment. Unlike some clubs where broken machines sit untouched for weeks, here, maintenance is swift—most issues are resolved within 24-48 hours unless a rare part delay occurs.

A big shout-out to Daniel, Luis, Connie, and Brandon, who are always there to support everyday interactions. Whether you need assistance with facility questions, help with machines, checking out gear for workouts, or even advice on fitness, products, and supplements, they go above and beyond to assist members.

Perhaps most impressive is the membership culture. Regulars are courteous, returning weights and equipment after use, and many exchange smiles or a quick greeting. It’s a refreshing place where face-to-face interactions are still valued, making workouts feel both productive and social.

If you're looking for a well-kept gym with a friendly, community-driven vibe, this 24 Hour Fitness location is a...