Crunch Fitness - University Square — Attraction in San Diego

I previously gave this gym a 2 star rating due to its poor gym culture, rude staff, and lack of cleanliness, which resulted in me cancelling my membership, but I've rejoined for the new year.

I'm excited to see that they've really turned themselves around! The staff are so friendly, and will leave you alone if you're not interested in pursuing personal training.

The culture is much better during the hours of 8am-2pm, when the high schoolers are in class, lol. Not so much after, but can't really blame Crunch for being in a prime location.

It's still not the cleanest gym, and I haven't seen any sanitizing products, but it's much better than it was a year ago.

My original review below 👇

This gym is really only good for treadmill use, since anything else is being hogged by people making videos. Filming is apparently allowed at this gym.

The staff here are standoffish at best, rude at worst, especially the male staff. It took over 40 minutes for me to sign up for a membership because the staff helping me kept ignoring me during the sign up to talk to other patrons. It wasn't just to greet them with a "Hi, welcome!" But the staff was having full on conversations, and would roll his eyes, or scoff when I would try to keep the sign up going.

I've learned to just not approach the staff, especially the male staff, cause I'll just be ignored for another patron, or talked to rudely.

I thought maybe I was just being paranoid, but I've managed to make some friends at this gym who have seen how poorly the staff here have treated me.

The only time I've ever been treated kindly by a staff was on the phone when calling to cancel, she has a bright, bubbly voice, was super kind and helpful, and somehow she managed to convince me to try it out for another month.

So I guess here's to trying it out for...

The manager of this place was super friendly and helped me and my boyfriend fix our membership issue when we weren’t in the system from signing up months ago. I do only give it three stars because the location doesn’t look anywhere near complete and I believe they’ve been signing people up since February / March. It doesn’t look like it’ll even be done by December which is what bums me out because I’m halfway done with my Weightloss Journey and most likely will be when this location opens. I’ll still use it, I just wish they’d provide more of an estimate for customers, especially since the customers paid. I hope they can provide an update soon instead of leaving everyone in the dark. It was said to be finished in July, then they pushed to August, now sometime in September. I get building a building takes time, but Planet Fitness, when they opened were true to their date. Even months in advanced. I just would like an update or an estimate of the gyms opening. Unfortunately looks like we’re all going to have to wait. I just wish they’d be more transparent. Since transparency thrives far better than hiding in the shadows. But as said, the manager was great, so no hostility to the staff.

Also: My boyfriend used to work in the shopping center and explained construction workers used to come in and out all the time. But as of lately it looks like nothing is being done. (I live 3 mins away so I go to this shopping center nearly daily).

Changing to one star. I’ll change it back to three when they open. They’re now stating October and this is bad business practice as well as false advertising by promoting wrong and...

First and foremost, I came to Crunch with little to no experience in the gym. I, of course, was initially intimidated. Three months later, the Crunch at University Square has become my "safe space". The clientele are friendly, non-judgmental, respectful, and largely serious about working out. The staff are beyond welcoming. They are genuinely interested in the well-being of the gym goers and are invested in seeing them grow. I often see the staff assisting and advising different individuals on their own time. HOWEVER, the MOST generous, helpful, caring and supportive staff member is unquestionably their personal trainer, Sam. I have had the good fortune of training with Sam for 3 months now, bi-weekly. I have seen a dramatic change in my physique. And it's not just me; my family, friends and acquaintances constantly comment on my transformation. Sam has a Degree in Kinesiology and is working towards her DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy). She is not only encouraging but extremely knowledgeable. For someone who is just beginning, intermediate, or an expert in the gym, I can guarantee Sam can teach you something new about your body and yourself. I had hoped to grow physically as a result of taking personal training... And I did. But I never dreamed of how much I would grow on a personal level. Sam has helped me reach my goals inside and outside of the gym. Would recommend! Thanks so much to everyone at Crunch and a big Thank You to Sam for helping me become my best self.

-Oliver...