San Mateo Athletic Club (Building 5)

1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA

Address:	1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94402, USA
Phone:	+1 650-378-7373
Site:	smccd.edu
Rating:	3.9
Working:	5:30AM–10PM 5:30AM–10PM 5:30AM–10PM 5:30AM–10PM 5:30AM–10PM 7AM–7PM 7AM–7PM

Location

Photos 20

Reviews 9

Ryan R

I was a member here for a few years simply because it is very near to my home and work, but I cannot recommend this gym. They have extremely sketchy business practices - they do not post the pricing online, they charge a high amount for joining (~$200-300) on top of high monthly fees (~$80/month for me with parking), they charge extra for parking when there is tons of empty space in the community college (~$12.50/month), and they have a very unfair policy of "not charging for usage" A.K.A. you will be fully billed even if you never set foot in the gym for a month or two. There is no meaningful way to pause your membership because they still charge you 1/3rd pricing and your pause needs to be within a 2-6 month time-frame. If you cancel and rejoin later you will need to be the multi-hundreds of dollars for "registration fee" again. This is quite atypical for me in my gym-going experiences throughout life and I find it to be a very dubious, "strong-arm" tactic preying upon the mostly older/non-athlete crowd that this gym attracts. The gym itself is so-so for people under 50. There is one squat rack but two smith machines. Three benches. No platform for deadlifting or olympic weightlifting although there are bumper plates. Lots of cardio equipment, including two rowing machines. The gym overall seems to have a focus on corrective training and rehabilitation for its more elderly clientele, which is absolutely fine if thats what you need. This gym could be very convenient if you live in the area but its overly-expensive cost (especially for something attached to a community center), its sketchy business practices, and its complete lack of flexibility in pricing/membership make it overall not worth the effort.

Demetrius Madrigal

This review is for the San Mateo Athletic Club, this listing came up when I ran a search for the location. The pools are decent, but there are significantly better options available. The real problem is their underhanded membership policies. When you sign up for your membership, they charge an exorbitant amount to get you started. They charge first and last months fees PLUS an $80 registration fee PLUS a monthly fee for the parking pass. I also got a $75 fee charged to my account 2 months after I cancelled my membership. I called up and they told me that it was for an unreturned parking pass that I had already paid for when I signed up. I offered to return the pass if they would refund the money, and they vaguely implied I would get a refund by saying "sure, why dont you bring it in and well go from there." It was only after I asked for confirmation of the refund that they said "no, we cant give a refund." I felt like they had tried to trick me. Overall, thoroughly underhanded. I cant recommend this place at all.

Paola Lancellotti

This place is amazing. My children participate in the the Summer Swim team and it is great. They get a great work out and have no pressure of being on a full time swim team. The practice time is after the summer camps so they can attend camps and then go to swimming practice. They can also attend the practice all week or skip as needed. The coaches are very experienced. I recommend it to all children. My daughter also attended the Babysitting class and found it very comprehensive and fun.

Jim AHl

Great gym with a wide variety of clients from top class athletes to people recovering from serious spinal problems. Im a 67 year old member recovering from knee replacement, back issues & old injuries. My trainer John N is fantastic. Equipment first class & two nice pools.

Laura Oliver

Love it here. The staff is great and the availability is great too. Its a great community. Downside is lack of Olympic weight lifting equipment, only 1 squat rack, no sauna. Great group fitness classes and great personal trainers. I cant wait until they have massage.

Valeria Childers

Great Club, great equipments and great staff. I love this Place. They have a very friendly staff. Teija is one of my fav. She introduced my to the pool and helped me with my swimming strokes. I highly recommend this place.

Bill C

outrageous that a public community college would charge $20 to the public to use a facility we built! But district staff use it for free.

Haystack Calhoun

College staff do not use SMAC for free--contrary to some other posts on this site. I am staff and pay my monthly dues since Day 1.

Tom Mulders

Perfect facilities for both gym and swim workouts.