American Barbell Clubs — Local services in Santa Clara

Solid gym but customer service is an issue.

I’ve been to this gym on and off for the last few years, even when it was under the old name and management. Overall like the gym and the only reason I change is based on personal circumstance and convenience.

Last Sunday I decided to come back in for a day pass with a friend. I wanted see if we could find a time and rhythm so we could workout together regularly. We had a great workout session and after getting home I realized it would be better to try for a month.

So I got the number from the American barbell website and called in to see if I could buy a month pass, but get credit for the day pass so I don’t overpay.

The person that answered let me know he’s not authorized to help but I could call the club manager (Chris) Monday morning to see if he could help.

So I called back Monday just after 8am. The person who answered said Chris was coming in late and asked how he could help. I told him the situation and he said that it’s possible and I just had to come in (same day) to sign the agreement. I told him I wasn’t planning to come until later that week and was worried that the person I talk to would not be able to help and wouldnt have the context of our conversation.

He reassured me I would be helped and said I needed to come in the same day. I asked if I could get to Chris later today and he said that I would need to come in to sign the agreement and emphasized I needed to come in Monday. So he offered to make a note in my profile and noted the time I would come in (530).

I ended up needing to swing by earlier (4pm) since I had to grab some antibiotics for my son from the pharmacy. When I arrived I was greeted by the Assitant manager. She took the time to understand the history and situation and called headquarters to try and connect the dots. In the end she let me know that she was sorry but she couldn’t help. And that the day pass was gone. I asked if there was anyone else I could talk to, and she offered her manager who I left a voicemail for as I left.

So in the end, while I’m super disappointed by the policy of not crediting the day pass (seems silly at best), I’m most disillusioned by the runaround I got and the lack of consistency, esp in that it caused me going to the gym and burning 40min for no reason.

I hope I’ll get a call back and get some clarity on...

I really wanted to give them five star. It has been a great summer. Very motivating work out environment, gym bros are very warm hearted. Place is nice and clean and has all the equipment I wanted. However, on August 17th there was a new woman staff. The rudest I ever seen. When it is their time to close, she just kill all the lights, I was doing my last set on benching. The sudden darkness made me had no idea where to re-rack the bar. It is not only rude but also very dangerous. People complained about it, she did not seem to care. In addition, after three days of spectating, she is extremely racist! She would ask the Asians to re-rack the weight only because they are the last one on that area( they did not even use the machine) yeah, she clearly sees who was using it, and ask Asians to do the weights re-rack. My girlfriend who is also Asian wants to check out a protein shakes on 10:55pm, and I see she purposely shut off the register and claim she will not sell anything since it is past the work hour and register had been shut off. It was really really really good to work out there the whole summer. It was one of my best memories here in California during my summer internship. I would miss this place when I go back to college. However, this woman makes me feel sick. Five stars or even 10 stars for the whole experience, zero for that new...

On their website, it is mentioned that I can get a 7-day VIP pass. When I went there with a print out, the guy behind the counter (a pathetically rude ass) told me that they don't offer 7 days any more. It's only for 3 days. So I said OK. They asked me for an ID. I am a student in Canada so I told him that. He said "Sorry, this pass is for residents only". Seriously? What if I am visiting for 3 months and want to join? Are you telling me that I cannot get gym membership if I am not residing in the US? How does that even make sense? I cannot believe the guy behind the counter treated me as if I was some weirdo who wanted a free pass! I simply wanted to try out the gym! Rude staff. Unclear rules on their stupid website. Never going there...