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Gym
updated: Jun 19, 2011, 10:11 AM

I'm thinking of joining a gym in town not only for fitness but to meet people. Does anyone have any recommendations on which gyms I should look at? I'm a fit single professional female (40 yo).

I'd also like a gym that offers classes in Pilates too.

Alternately, are there any activity leagues I should check out?

Places People Are Talking About:

Carpinteria Athletics	Goleta Valley Athletic Club	Killer B
Physical Focus	Santa Barbara Athletic Club	YMCA

What People Are Saying:

COMMENT 184472	2011-06-19 10:20 AM
I think the YMCA is perfect for you!
COMMENT 184477P	2011-06-19 10:27 AM
Killer Bee Gym
COMMENT 184482	2011-06-19 10:59 AM
The gym is not really condusive to "meeting" people... Men, (I myself am one), are afraid to converse with women working out as 95% do not want to be disturbed while exercising. If a male even says "Hello" , it is construed as "hitting on me..." Anyway, at least you will be in shape :) I would suggest being friendly at a Peet's or Coffee Bean and Tea instead of the gym. Just my opinion.
COMMENT 184483	2011-06-19 11:05 AM
Thanks 482. Best to assume everyone is at the gym to workout. People can be nice though - don't be afraid.
COMMENT 184493	2011-06-19 11:35 AM
Agree w/ 482 but it all depends on which gym you join. The Y works for meeting people...also try the SB Athletic Club. They have a bar area where members hang out (they even serve beer) after a workout and also a couch/TV area for lounging in. Membership is a tad pricey but it is what it is. Good luck and yes, leave people be that are working out. Afterwards? You're on your own. :)
COMMENT 184494P	2011-06-19 11:44 AM
Physical Focus is a great place with a low-key vibe and lots of interesting people.
COMMENT 184504P	2011-06-19 01:04 PM
Second vote for SB Athletic Club. They have a bunch of social events in addition to excellent group fitness classes including pilates mat and reformer opportunities. It is slightly more expensive than other gyms but not unaffordable for a single professional. I think you can get a one week free pass through their website if you just want to check it out.
COMMENT 184507P	2011-06-19 01:06 PM
Travolta, you trying this again? Perfect! ;)
COMMENT 184512	2011-06-19 02:05 PM
I work out at Killer B and the Y. I have never met anyone at the Y, but at Killer B everyone is SO friendly. The classes will get you in shape, but no pilates.
COMMENT 184513	2011-06-19 02:05 PM
Crossfit Pacific Coast has a great community and is nothing but classes. No pilates however. The age demographic might be a little young, but there are more than a few of us 40+ members, however. Claw
COMMENT 184526	2011-06-19 03:41 PM
You should try meeting people that have similar hobbies such as hiking, swimming or running. That way you actually share some passion with the other people. Going to the gym to meet people is the equivalent of going to a night club when you don't know anyone.
COMMENT 184535	2011-06-19 04:27 PM
Santa Barbara is the greatest gym you could ask for. Wide open ocean and lots of mountain terrain. I second the statement to get out and hike, surf, run, etc. Don't need a gym to meet people or stay in shape. Use the extra money that would have been spent on memberships to do something you enjoy :) Why spend time in a cage to get fit for the activities you love, when you can just do those here!
COMMENT 184541P	2011-06-19 05:10 PM
Another possibility is check out www.meetup.com for the kinds of athletic activities you might be interested in.
COMMENT 184573	2011-06-19 07:56 PM
If you're looking for the social aspect, SBAC is the place, I go there now and it drives me nuts. Its a bunch of people standing around talking and the facilities are second rate for a first rate price. Its an older crowd too, if you're under 40 you're not really going to meet anyone. SBAC is really just a bunch of well off older people talking about their new boat and their weekend in Mammoth. I used to belong to Goleta Valley Athletic Club and miss it dearly. In my opinion GVAC has the best facilities in town and if you're a dude, the women from UCSB that workout there are not a bad distraction. Still, you don't join a gym to be social, you go there to get/stay in shape.
COMMENT 184597	2011-06-20 06:15 AM
I went to Santa Barbara Athletic club for years, but noticed I was getting sick--colds and things a lot, and started paying attention to cleanliness there. About 1 of 10 users wipes down their equipment after use , and there are no attendants in the bike/elliptical/treadmill room, anyway, to do it. At the Y, practically every one cleans their equipment after use. (I started wiping mine down before and after but was still getting sick so quit the SBAC.) The place looks spiffy, though!
COMMENT 184657	2011-06-20 08:41 AM
Carpinteria Athletics (next to the Post Office) has a good vibe, rarely crowded, is affordable, and classes (Pilates, Spin, Yoga, Senior Fit, etc) are included in the membership... you didn't mention where you were - or how far you'd be willing to drive so their hours may not be for you unless you live in Carp (they close at 9 during the week - 7 on weekends) and class schedule is limited.
COMMENT 184665P	2011-06-20 08:51 AM
It takes time to get to know people regardless, so you won't strike up longlasting friendships quickly. Depends what you're looking for. Some good suggestions here; I go to the Y, but I'm there for the facilities. Still, do tend to bump into familiar faces, and it has a nice friendly admosphere...
COMMENT 184715P	2011-06-20 10:44 AM
One of the best ways to meet people is to join a group that interests you and become a volunteer. You can always exercise on your own.
COMMENT 184776	2011-06-20 01:36 PM
@35 best response EVER.
COMMENT 184802P	2011-06-20 02:41 PM
I've been a member of SBAC and YMCA - I heart the YMCA but IMO it's much more of a family scene then a singles scene as far as gyms go. Both have lots of activities and events but SBAC has much more social/adult activities vs. the family events at the Y. For the price you can't beat the Y, though but if meeting other active singles is a priority, go with SBAC for sure - they have dances, cocktail events, happy hours, etc... and pilates. For me, I'll take the Y for me and my fam over SBAC anyday.
COMMENT 184822	2011-06-20 03:40 PM
First, I agree with 535: Why would you want to join a gym when we have a gorgeous ocean, hiking trails, beach, biking, etc right in our backyard? Also, a friend convinced me to join him during his workout at Spectrum last week (I'm female, mid-30s) and I was weirded out by how quiet and serious everyone was. I mean, yes, we're all there to work out, but what's wrong with a little smile, a polite hello, or maybe some innocent chit-chit? When you go hiking, people are friendly. Why are these "gym people" so intense? And Pilates is for women-only over 50, so that's probably not a good place to start socializing.