AXIS Performance Center

Really nice and not pushy, even when I decided not to go here after all (since I moved to SF). Infrastructure was good, trainers were competent, professional and friendly.

I love Axis! Specifically my trainer Maria and Bodyworker Diane. I originally only came to see Diane for massages but started training with Maria to help strengthen my back (I was recovering from an injury).
My previous experience with trainers at gyms wasn’t very good but Axis has totally won me over. Each trainer is very professional and knowledgeable. Sessions are a little spendy but totally worth it.

Great facility and extremely well-​qualified trainers… they are awesome… it’s worth the money. and i like how they do the pricing. you pay when you meeet the trainer. no monthly fees!!!
Kim Samson (i think that’s how you spell her last name) is awesome! i highly recommend her although i’m not sure if she is still working there since i haven’t been to Axis in awhile — moved away a year ago…
anyways she is very professional, knowledgeable and easy to work with… if you have an injury. she finds safe alternate exercises for you to do. and also she gives you exercises to strengthen areas of your body that are great in preventing injuries/​soreness…
Axis also has massage therapist that work onsite… but i don’t know how good they are… if you have had a massage there let me know!!!
also there locker room facilities are really nice… and they have all supplies/​amenities… it’s actually nicer than the Decathlon club!

I’ve been working out at AXIS 2x/​week for more than 2 years. I have a love/​hate relationship with the place, because I love the results that I get working out there, but there are some things about it that I annoy the heck out of me, too.
The original reason I went to AXIS was to hire a personal trainer because after I got married, I seemed to be on a trajectory of gaining 10 lbs. every year. Not good. As of now, I’ve lost 70 lbs. and am in better shape than I was when I graduated from college. It was a lot of hard (sometimes brutal) work with my trainer, plus 3 – 4 additional cardio workouts each week on my own… but I could have never done it without the support and «extra push» from my AXIS trainer.
Here is my take on the pros/​cons of this place:
PROS
–It is a nice facility… always clean and well stocked. The locker rooms are great and include everything you might need so you don’t have to lug all your stuff if you want to work out and then go straight to work.
–The trainers are fun. They have good personalities, are friendly, and will never have you doing the same routine over and over.
–They are constantly buying new equipment. If something is out, and credible (ie. not some crazy fad), they will have it.
–They offer a great Circuit training class on Saturdays, which is basically a cheap way to get in another training session in your week.
–Master Trainers are a complete deal (only $ 83 per hour) compared to most other elite facilities. Whoever created their pricing strategy for the training costs needs to take a class on business 101. With about a $ 10 difference per session between a 10 year seasoned expert and a brand new, inexperienced trainer, there is NO incentive to go with a less experienced trainer. And the price increase last year was $ 3.00. Are you kidding me?
CONS
–Too many people on the floor at once. When I started working out there, they would max about 10 trainers on the floor at once. With clients, that is 20 people using equipment at once. It was completely manageable. Now, they are averaging 15+ trainers on the floor at once, and more clients doing 1 trainer to 2 clients, so there are a lot more folks in there at once. On certain days, it can be very chaotic and a total pain for trainers who have a strategy about what exercises they need you to move through in sequence. It is starting to feel a little bit more «24 hour fitness» than «elite performance center» — especially on those days when I can’t get on a freaking treadmill and it is 7am.
–Weekend Hours. I can’t fathom why this place shuts down so darn early on Saturdays. If you sleep late on the weekends, or just aren’t a morning work out person, it is VERY irritating that you can’t come in at all on Sunday to do cardio or after about 1−2pm on Saturdays.
–They are constantly moving stuff around and several pieces of equipment are constantly «out of order» (ie. stepmill, rebounder). The last 3 weeks, I haven’t seen the gym look the same yet. What happened to the punching bag? If I have to play «hide and seek» with equipment that I use on a regular basis one more time, I think I’ll scream.
Like I said, love/​hate. But it is more love, than hate. Especially for my trainer. Erik R. is a rock star. He keeps me in great shape by pushing me exactly the right amount, he is the nicest guy on the planet, and he keeps things interesting so I don’t get bored after so many years of consistent training. Note to managers: he needs a raise :)

Um… don’t go here. The trainers here are all fat and lazy and you can forget about anyone paying attention to you as the staff are all snobs.
Maybe you’ll find better luck at the 24Hour Fitness by the Sears.
* * * * *
Okay, fine, I’ll be serious now. The trouble with Unilocal is that if an establishment gets too good a rating, it starts to all go downhill as everyone and their mama’s will come flocking. And I don’t want that to happen to Axis. I’ve got a good thing going here.
The trainers are pretty cool and when you have fun, you don’t notice all the pain and agony you feel when working out those muscles you didn’t even know you had. A lot of times, I fall over cracking up because once you get to know other trainers, you start commiserating and all sorts of hilarity ensue, which is great exercise for the abs. I’ve been going here for 2 years now and I don’t think I’ve ever felt as healthy as I do now.
Shout outs to:
Jeremy — I don’t think it helps to get me started on a conversation about food every freaking session. Your getting me started on Filipino pastries as I’m in the midst of a deep lunge just isn’t working, man. Really, you truly kill me whenever you do that. :)
Adin — Cutting out gluten, soy, AND dairy from your diet is just too hard-​core for me, dude. I can’t compete with that.
Garrett — Your commenting on the sweat spots on my armpits doesn’t count as a compliment. Maybe it does in the ‘trainer world,’ but all it did was make me self-​conscious. Now I gotta cover up every time you come around. XD
Jin — Keep smiling and being your sweet self!
Naomi — Even though you’re not my trainer, you’ve always shown genuine concern for my well-​being. Thank you!
Bev — I’m long overdue for a good massage. You shall hear from me soon.

Other than will power, this place provides everything else you need to meet your fitness goals. They have a bunch of trainers to choose from, my trainer is Daniella. Here’s what she has helped me achieve thus far:
Stats from ³⁄₂₀₀₇ to ⁸⁄₂₀₀₇ (had a baby in Oct., got busy for a bit)
Weight: 192lbs to 169lbs, –5% bf
Mile time: 8’40″ to 6’49″
Jump: 3.5″ short of the rim to one-​handed 4-​finger grab on rim
Not to say that it’s easy, far from it, but I just did whatever my trainer instructed, no thinking necessary. I’d definitely recommend trying it out, even if you feel that personal training is a waste and you can do just as well on your own. I used to have that opinion, but the results I’ve seen have changed my mind.

I’m on my second training session and feeling pretty good and motivated. I really enjoy the space and am looking forward to more sessions! I have a goal and I will update my progress for you here! so far so good!

I’m so disappointed. From reading the reviews I was really pumped to get pumped up at Axis, but alas the staff lacks some customer service. I tried to get an appointment with a PT to do a tour and also work out a workout schedule, but am having a hard time with them returning calls. I want to give you money so that you can torture me! What’s wrong with this picture?
Going to call the Menlo Park locale to see if they’re any better.
To be continued…
05÷01÷07 Update:
Since the posting of my not so kind review, I was contacted by a marketing representative from Axis. She was concerned about my experience and was dismayed that I was not satisfied. After a brief conversation regarding my fitness aspirations, we were able to set me up with a trainer and also a time. There were prompt follow up calls from this rep and another from Axis. Once I chose my trainer, he called to schedule a time for a tour and to also set a workout schedule. This was the service that I was expecting from reading all of the reviews.
The tour went well, the facility is clean, quiet and the staff is very helpful. They have towel service and free water. On Fridays they have a fresh fruit platter. Yum! The locker rooms are very clean and have everything one may need to freshen up apre workout. The equipment is also modern and well maintained. They have a treadwall, it’s like a treadmill but in the form of a rock climbing wall. Awesome for someone who’s afraid of heights like me.
My first session was today, so far so good. Phil, my trainer, did an assessment of my abilities and started a fairly easy workout. No need to kill the Noudle just yet. He gave me some great pointers on using the foam roller more effectively and also got me to do some new exercises that I know I’ll feel tomorrow.
Upgrading from one star to four for now. I may revise once again after a few more sessions and I start to see some results. So far the experience has lived up to many of the previous reviews.
5÷17÷07
I’m upgrading it as I thought I would and should. My sessions have been going well and I’ve already started to notice a difference. My running has improved and I feel great. Phil is a stickler for squats, lunges and core exercises. AWESOME! I’ve been challenged and an very happy. Yay!

Great place — very friendly, knowledgeable staff, who all work well together. Clean, well-​maintanied equipment. I go once a week, so I can take what I learned back to the free campus gym and use it all week. It’s a great way to get some new ideas for general or specific areas of fitness. Going once a week makes it affordable. You can review the bios of all their trainers on-​line to find one that fits your program/​needs.

Great gym and spa! You work out with a trainer, never by yourself. Between sessions, you can use their aerobic machines and the elegant and well-​appointed upstairs women’s locker room. The gym provides free bottled water, towels, fruits, and lockers. Every trainer I have met so far is in great shape, encouraging, and certified.
The Los Altos location reminds me of the Decathlon Club without the high-​end fees and social scenes. Axis is definitely for serious athlete wanna-be’s like me! ;-)

All of the trainers at Axis are great and tailor your workout to your needs and desires. You’ll find a trainer with whom you’re comfortable and enjoying working. Everyone in the gym is working out one-​on-​one with a trainer. I went there four years ago to put together a workout regimen to use on my own after abdominal surgery. I’ve stayed with them ever since.

I have had a great experience at Axis. I started working out there in 2003. My fitness has improved and I’ve learned a lot. I like that it isn’t crowded and the equipment is all high end and well maintained.

Finding a great personal trainer is extraordinarily difficult. In fact, I have several friends who are ideal candidates for personal training but they are confused about the proper criteria to employ and so they just procrastinate forever.
Axis solves the problem by ensuring that you have a wide selection of great trainers to match your preferences. This is a gym where you only workout 1:1 with a trainer. I started working out at Axis in 2001 and it has definitely improved my fitness, even though I was nearly obsessive compulsive about training before I walked thru the door. Although their client list includes many elite people, their rates are completely reasonable.
Axis could use a mini-​café to complement its current offering.