Berkeley Ironworks

Been a member for 2 decades. Walking in the door always makes me smile. Just love this place.

Good gym with fun mix of routes, but it’s pricey and sometimes gets very crowded.

Very cool staffs!And if you miss playing Dota at your gaming desk, you can play it here !

Nice climbing gym. Usually easy to find a partner after work. The flipside is its very crowded after work. But nice facilities.

Not really a place for beginners. Training classes do not cover all safety rules so you learn at tests (e.g. can't practice before test, harness straps have to be a certain way, have to say all gear terms). Aside from inconvenience of having to take test each time, it leaves me uncomfortable that I don't know the rules. Suggest giving complete checklist to start. Not enough beginner routes under 5.10 rating (noticed a lot of 5.11 and 5.12 routes were not being used).Feels a bit unsafe with all the people, unsupervised kids, and some of the ropes getting caught when you are trying to belay. Suggest more locations and better maintenance and supervision.A few other problems: lack of parking and lockers, customer service could be better, and it's expensive.Think I'll stick to running because it's free and easy.

It's kind of funny how they hire someone to respond to online reviews but can't hire another person to administer lead belay tests. Took me over a month after moving here to take a lead belay test. First the gym was too busy after work, so we came back at 7 in the morning before work. Then there was only ONE employee (for a reasonably busy gym) so couldn't test then. Then it was too late at night. Finally we got to take one. Denied 4/5 times I tried to take a belay test. How is 9:30 pm "too late" at night to make a belay test when they close at 11 pm? One guy who works at the desk (the one from Berkeley) is nice. Another guy barked at me for being in the weight area with no shoes (though it was not well signed and it was an honest mistake on my part, he didn't have to yell at me). One of the girls rolls her eyes and sighs when we want to take a lead belay test.

Convenient location, near the 80/880 freeway. I went a lot during the day time when I was still a student and that pretty much avoided all of the crazy congestions that people are talking about. It's fairly economical for students since there are some good discounts on membership. So if you are a student, you should definitely check it out.

Excellent routes, very friendly people. The routes are a bit stiffer than your normal gym, so leave your egos at home. This is a positive though. It can get a little crowded, and you have to wait your turn, but the setting totally makes up for it, as well as the friendly people. Highly recommended! -Matt

Been coming here since I moved to the area in 2014. Is about time to leave a review...I really like this place, not only because of the classes, the climbing, or the fitness equipment, but also because of the community here, including the excellent and super friendly front desk staff and the other folks who work here (setters and maintenance folks) who have all become really dear to me.There is towel service, there's a sauna, showers are clean, and the gym is kept up-to-date and improvements are made. The equipment in the weight room is great, and they have everything you need for your lifting desires. There is a large selection of classes and every month other events take place too.I recommend BIW to everyone who is looking for getting/staying in shape and for a great community.

Friendly staff and clean facilities. Good balance of bouldering, top rope, and lead routes. Price isn’t cheap but is reasonable for the area and offerings. Sometimes gets crowded (there are seasonal, daily, and hourly patterns), but the weight training and cardio areas are rarely busy. Haven’t tried any of the classes, but my friends have been happy with the yoga and core sessions.