Prime Fitness — Local services in San Diego

Going to Prime Fitness is fulfilling, rewarding, and just plain-old enjoyable. While the main reason I go there is to improve my strength and coordination using free weights and fitness machines -- and the selection at Prime is top-notch -- what I like best about the place is the low-key vibe and the fact that the gym's layout easily accommodates everyone who is there at any given moment. Since there is excellent redundancy in the equipment, there is never a wait to use the weights or machines -- I simply switch over to an alternative set-up and easily accomplish everything on my day's routine. I distribute my whole-body work-out over three days: push day, pull day, and shoulders-and-legs day. So comprehensive is the gym's array of equipment that there are still machines that I have not yet tried, leaving plenty of opportunity for future experimentation.

The other factor that contributes to the gym's welcoming ambience is that it is a neighborhood gym. Everyone going there seems to pick up on that, making it easy to meet fellow gym-goers and establish an easy rapport with others who are interested in fitness and self-improvement. I've met six people who live on my street, including two who live right in my building. People are friendly and, when asked, are eager to share their own tips and pointers which have helped them out in their journeys to better fitness. No attitude or haughtiness here, just a chill vibe that lends itself to working out hard and making progress. There's a nice balance between members' respecting others' independence and an enthusiasm to talk about what has worked for them in weight-lifing routines.

The place is clean, the equipment is solid and well-maintained, and Keith, the owner, is always ready to offer useful information about virtually any aspect of weight-lifing, cardio, or all-around fitness. Going there is one of the best parts of my day.

Location, equipment, great atmosphere, and dedicated gym-goers, this place has it all. I couldn't recommend it more highly. ...

I was a member at Prime for 6 months. I always paid on time, followed the rules, cleaned and made good use of the equipment, and was respectful to other members. Despite that, my membership was abruptly and arbitrarily terminated by the owner after one unintentional incident on a machine — an accident I immediately apologized for and took responsibility for.

The owner prides himself on the fact that the gym is plastered with “no slamming” signs, and I always respected that. I am not a weight slammer. The owner, however, framed my ONE accident as me “allowing the weights to drop,” claimed it was a “second instance,” and decided that my “training style” was not compatible with his gym — something I find very discriminatory and diminishing. He also implied that I belonged with “customers wanting to slam weights [who] will be asked to go elsewhere,” and mischaracterized an accident as intentional slamming. In the same message where he made the one sided decision to terminate my membership, he wrote that the incident disrupted the gym -and I quote- “but specifically to the client that is paying good money for the service that I am providing.” This makes it crystal clear that to him some members are considered more valuable than others.

He also said he had “given me a previous warning,” which clearly reflects a management style focused on warnings and judgment rather than creating dialogue with customers or giving them the opportunity to be heard when unintentional incidents/accidents happen. At Prime, the approach is completely arbitrary and punitive.

Other reviews report the same issues: passive-aggressive signs, unreasonable enforcement, and especially dirty facilities. My experience unfortunately confirms...

Updated Review (10/1/2025): After one year under Keith's personal training services, I find that I progressed far more than I ever imagined or expected. I have friends noticing my results, and having someone as knowledgeable, patient, and attentive as Keith has really started to pay off. This gym is also baked into my routine, and I find that I am able to complete my workout peacefully and without fighting for machines. I am looking forward to further dialing in my workouts and nutrition under Keith's expert guidance to put on more muscle mass and getting summer body ready for 2026.

Previous Review (10/1/2024): Prime Fitness is an excellent, well-maintained, gym that offers everything you could need to get in a good workout. I hardly ever have to wait on equipment which is a big plus. The flexibility in hours also helps me get in a workout when I need to.

On top of that, Keith’s personal training services are bar none through his attentiveness, calm presence, and focus to make sure his clients are set up for success in a sustainable manner. I have gained a bit more muscle mass in the past 3 months working with Keith and following his workouts. As we have worked together, he continues to dial in where I am at and push me when I have needed to be pushed. I look forward to many more training sessions with Keith, and highly recommend his services to anyone looking to push themselves physically and mentally to...