Berkeley Ironworks

Fantastic experience: another great touchstone gym. great setting and variety of climbs. definitely good for people into weightlifting although some of the equipment seems to be aging a bit. yoga room is nice but can be dark and musty especially when there are a lot of people there. and what the he11 is going on with the men's sauna?? why is it one-way glass...like you can see out but not in...all i'm saying is it seems like whoever designed it was looking to get up to some illicit behaviors which like to each their own but also they tape the light switch down so it is dark in there like o m g yall why is this place so scandalous ay ay steamworks is like not even that far away.

Fantastic experience: Great old school and natural looking climbing gym with friendly staff. Fun lead climbs, clean restrooms, and plenty of gym equipment.

Fantastic experience: Great facility with an ample amount of climbing, lifting, cardio.

Fantastic experience: Great spot for climbing and there's a decent sized gym. Be warned that parking is hard to find at peak times.

Fantastic experience: Love the route selection and classes they offer!

Fantastic experience: Ironworks is where I first started climbing about a year ago so I might be biased. But I’ve recently tried a couple other gyms and it makes me appreciate ironworks even more! FYI I just boulder so can’t speak to other aspects of the gym. Pros: soft mats and walls are not too too high, meaning I can challenge myself more and take risks at my limit without too much fear of injury. Some of us have iffy backs - not trying to stress about hurting myself on a hard mat, I’m trying to have fun and challenge myself. Not tons and tons of bouldering routes, but I actually find that less overwhelming than having a million to choose from. Yes, it can be crowded, but that means you can learn from watching other climbers plus it actually forces you to rest between climbs!!! Which is a good thing. And, I find the variety of wall shapes very compelling. Staff has always been friendly, music is good (subjective obviously), 10 dollar day pass for ppl on medi-cal makes it pretty affordable. Thanks y’all!

Positive experience: A lot of signs with a lot of words and nobody reads them. Otherwise good gym.

Negative experience: The people who work here are lovely, it's never too crowded, and the facilities are nice. Compared to everywhere else I've climbed, Touchstone gyms always feel a bit corporate and uninspired. The routes (both sport and bouldering) tend to be too straightforward to be fun. It's a fine place to train, but if you haven't frequented other gyms, I'd encourage you to spend some time at the smaller ones. Unfortunately Touchstone has created a monopoly so I expect a lot of people who love it here don't have much to compare it to.

Negative experience: They won't let you use their bathroom for 10 seconds when you drop off your kid. Unbelievable!

Fantastic experience: Climb, Lift, Fitness Classes, Sauna, Spacious and great location

Fantastic experience: Rock climbing central

Fantastic experience: Very nice place to practice rock climbing, I only wish that they would put a count of how many people are present and what the capacity is! If not it’s cool.

Fantastic experience: Better workout equipment than I've seen at most climbing gyms. I appreciated the leg press. And of course we had a great time climbing. The toprope belay test was fast.

Fantastic experience: Routes are pleasantly channeling, Staff is friendly, bathrooms are so clean!

Fantastic experience: Cash only. Come early since longs get long and move slowly. Even better if you come with friends so you can divide and conquer between the token and the 4 food lines (meat, veg, beef noodles and coconut pancakes).

Fantastic experience: This place is the best! I love the gym. It has everything you need for regular gym workouts from weights, work out machines for isolation, treadmills and bikes. They offer spin classes, yoga, boxing, and many different classes applying to climbing. Into classes, intermediate classes focused on indoor, outdoor , bordering and getting into V5s. This gym also has the best workout stations for people training specifically for climbing with hang boards and weighed harnesses. With a great community and staff whats no to love !

Fantastic experience: Been a long time member of Berkeley Ironworks. Not only do they have superb climbing facilities but the weight training is one of the best. It’s always very clean, staff very friendly and overall love this gym. I definitely recommend it as a gym option if you love climbing and want high quality weight training equipment.

Fantastic experience: This place was amazing! It was the first time I tried climbing and felt encouraged!

Fantastic experience: Love this gym. It’s got a great sauna too!

Positive experience: Monthly dues have gone up by 20%+ over the last year. My contention is that the service has gone down significantly over the same period. 1. Several of their long time route setters quit to work for Planet Granite because touchstone was unwilling to give them a raise. 2. The rate of replacement on routes is way down. Routes stay up now for 3+ months. They used to swap out a panel every 2 weeks to keep things fresh. 3. The routes are generally less creative than they were 3 years ago. (see #1). Love the gym network but they are slipping. It shows.

Fantastic experience: I have been a member of Touchstone gyms for over 5 years and I don't even climb! I love the great mix of people: very eclectic across a range of backgrounds. Not hoity toity and not Hoi poloi. Great equipment from oly lifting to treadmill. It can get SUPER crowded in there and the kids class often gets in my way, but I am a grumpy old man ;) hoy poloi

Fantastic experience: I've belonged to a dozen gyms over the years, and Berkeley Ironworks is the only great gym I've ever been a member. The staff is awesome, all of them. The facilities, all of it, are kept in top condition. And everyone who goes there seems to be in a good mood, all of the time!

Fantastic experience: This is a Great Climbing gym everyone is very friendly and helpful. The gym equipment all works and does it's job. The locker room is clean as well as the steam and shower areas. The people at the desk are real climbers and not just a staff members If you are a climber you will have the chance to meet some of the best Yosemite climbers at Iron works. I don't need to make a list but many of these people have climbed all over the world and in some cases are a major part of the history of Yosemite climbing. Climbing in a gym is different than climbing outdoors. The best part of Iron Works is that you will be able to condition your self for the day that you decide to go climbing on real rock, while you meet and talk to real rock climbers that know the ropes. Climb and enjoy your self. Don't sweet the small stuff. If there was a better climbing gym in the area I'd go there. I have not found that place yet. Along time member of touchstone at Iron works.

Fantastic experience: Wish I still lived in the area so that I could come here after work everyday for a nice chill workout. Great rock climbing gym and worth the membership.

Fantastic experience: How could anyone give this place anything less than 5 stars!? Great gym, great staff. I wish it wasn't so crowded sometimes but it's not a big deal. Great to see so many folks being active.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful gym. Fun and challenging climbing routes. Clean bathrooms. Good ventilation. Helpful and friendly staff

Fantastic experience: My favorite climbing/workout spot! Great climbing routes (for both bouldering and lead climbing), excellent gym facilities with an incredible free weights section, a cute sauna, and friendly and helpful staff.

Fantastic experience: I've been going to this gym nearly 14 years straight. I can't recommend it enough!

Negative experience: Touchstone loves to take all of your money. They're super greedy. Yay capitalism. The staff are amazing and genuinely lovely people tho

Fantastic experience: My son had a great time clinging here for a competition! It’s a well kept facility with kind staff.

Positive experience: I've always loved climbing here. It has changed quite a bit over the past few years but still lots of fun. Unfortunately their prices have somewhat skyrocketed, but I guess that's a sign of the times.

Positive experience: Somewhat old gym with alright routes

Fantastic experience: This is a great gym. Thanks for the quick fixes. Wish I could give 5 additional stars for the Dave Altman memorial in the back.

Fantastic experience: Berkeley ironworks is amazing there structure is actually like your climbing outdoors the coach's are nice and dedicated it's family and friend friendly clean and spacious I encourage all to check it out and get there own opinion.

Fantastic experience: There are lots of routes for top rope, lead and bouldering. The layout is interesting and fun, and there's a nice busy buzz without it feeling overcrowded.

Fantastic experience: My favorite climbing/workout spot! Great climbing routes (for both bouldering and lead climbing), excellent gym facilities with an incredible free weights section, a cute sauna, and friendly and helpful staff.

Positive experience: Really decent sized gym for how short the walls are. The workout space is everything you would need. I cannot attest to the rope climbing, but the bouldering is probably a 3/5. Too much inconsistent setting that focuses on one move wonders followed by easy climbing. I would have more fun in flow. But overall the gym and staff experience is very pretty solid!

Fantastic experience: Great facilities and kind people. Fun place to be.

Fantastic experience: Extensive space with climbing walls, full gym and yoga studio. Very clean shower and sauna. Easy parking.

Fantastic experience: By far my favourite Touchstone climbing gym in the Bay Area. The bouldering problems are complex and more technical than muscle heavy. It gets quite busy - both on the bouldering side and the sport climbing side during the evenings. The atmosphere is very convivial and there’s a more traditional feel to the gym somehow. There is a workout section as well with cardio machines and weights! Overall, really liked this gym.

Fantastic experience: Fun climbing gym, a little crowded and the walls are shorter than what I’m used to for bouldering but it gets the job done. I haven’t used the gym area but it looks great!

Fantastic experience: Fun climbing gym, a little crowded and the walls are shorter than what I’m used to for bouldering but it gets the job done. I haven’t used the gym area but it looks great!

Fantastic experience: great bouldering, gym, and yoga class

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym. No pretentious bull. Staff is amazing.

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym. Bouldering wall has a little of everything. Gym shines the most with the top rope. Has a full workout section with equipment which is awesome.

Fantastic experience: I love it! There is a wide variety of routes from easy to very hard. Everyone can find their level.

Fantastic experience: Ive been going here since I can remember and now as a high school students I love to go back and have fun climbing with my mum

Positive experience: I come here 3-5 times a week. It's a mid-size gym with friendly staff. Has most everything you'd need in a climbing gym. Coming from the Earth Treks family of gyms, I can't help but compare Touchstone gyms to those. Routes aren't reset as often and it'd be nice if the Touchstone gyms provided lead ropes and a system to trade belays, but lacking these services definitely isn't a deal breaker. I'd also say the routes lack creativity as there aren't too many "fun" routes, but overall the climbs are fairly decent. Recommend those interested in climbing to check this gym out

Negative experience: Terrible. I've been getting charged the FULL PRICE of my membership fee since March 2020. I don't even live in California anymore. I've requested cancellations through their website repeatedly to no avail. There is no phone number to contact anyone. No one responds to emails. Shame on you, Berkeley Ironworks, for your shoddy handling of this pandemic.

Fantastic experience: Berkeley Ironworks is a super fun climbing gym: great setting, good hold selection, often reset, and cool terrain. More then that, the people are super friendly and the atmosphere inside is relaxed and fun. Just an overall awesome place which I couldn’t recommend enough.

Fantastic experience: always a great place to climb and get fit. the pandemic guidelines are followed well while allowing people to be active and have a good time. plus the staff are as friendly and helpful as always

Fantastic experience: big climbing gym. can get crowded with lots of University students.

Fantastic experience: Great climbing gym

Fantastic experience: big climbing gym. can get crowded with lots of University students.

Negative experience: It's pretty meh and expensive. For the roped routes I climbed (5.9 through 511b), increasing difficulty just equated to crappier holds rather than any kind of interesting body movement or thought-provoking sequences. I left feeling like I had gotten some good exercise, but mostly bored and underwhelmed. Also the difficulty rating is totally wonky here, with "5.9" being a 5.6 jug ladder and "5.11a" being a 5.10b-c. I think this gym is geared toward more of a novice crowd. So if you've never climbed before, it could be cool and you could take yoga classes or whatever, but if you were just in Joshua Tree or Red Rock last weekend and want to stay pumped during the cold months, I think it's not worth the steep prices.

Fantastic experience: 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

Fantastic experience: 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.

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

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

Fantastic experience: Fantastic little place with lots of bouldering and climbing. Lovely atmosphere and staff. It is pricey for day passes and memberships, but it’s on par with other climbing gyms. Very friendly to kids and people of all gender identities.

Fantastic experience: 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.

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

Positive experience: 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.

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

Fantastic experience: Super salle d’escalade avec un espace musculation/cardio bien fourni. Merci Jessica !!

Negative experience: 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.

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

Fantastic experience: It was a great to assist all clients thank you very much.

Negative experience: 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.

Fantastic experience: Surprise!? There's an iron works in Berkeley! And they do tours. Our gang Spent an hour there was absolutely flabbergasted with the amazing creations that have sprung forth from this Secret location. Numerous churches in San Francisco have statues and items from this beautiful facility

Fantastic experience: One of my favorite gyms in the country. Good top rope, bouldering, workout, and stretching areas. Not lacking in anything. Often reset. Clean holds. Sparsely overrun (with kids). What I love in a climbing gym.

Fantastic experience: Excellent variety of climbing options. Everyone is really helpful with tips and showing you how to do a section if you have trouble.

Fantastic experience: Great choice of climbing walls. Gym has all the equipment and weights you would need for a workout. Changing rooms are very clean. Sauna is a bonus. Showers are simple, remodel happening now though - should improve them a lot.

Fantastic experience: Great rock climbing gym. Challenging routs of all levels, Lead climbing, top roping, and bouldering. Exceptional staff and great place to meet other climbers and have fun.

Fantastic experience: Come during the off-hours or parking may be a problem. Equipment for Oly lifting and traditional strength training. Plenty of cardio machines from treadmills to ellipticals, rogue bikes and even an airrunner. Climbing options are great- lots of lead, sport and bouldering options. They rotate often enough, and having a membership with touchstone gives you access to all the sister gyms as well. Great place, price is a bit steep but still cheaper than some other places with similar offerings.

Fantastic experience: Great routes, friendly staff, clean facilities

Fantastic experience: Experience with this gym has been great. The staff are approachable and knowledgeable, and the culture amongst climbers is friendly. I appreciate that they mix up new routes every other months or so. Definitely my favorite gym in the bay area.

Fantastic experience: Really great gym, for climbing, bouldering and doind work out

Fantastic experience: Great gym! Unlike most people, I didn't go there for climbing but to use the weight room to do my lifting workout. The staff was super friendly and helpful. I got a day pass ($20) and I was ready to train! The gym is overall pretty big and well equipped. I didn't use most of the equipment but there are many machines, treadmills, dumbbells etc. I did my workout in the free weights room, which is very well equipped. There's one standalone power rack (with safety pins and everything), and a big Rogue rig/rack with adjustable safety arms and J-cups. Great selection of bars, including a beautiful Rogue Cerakote Ohio Power Bar, Ohio Bar and Rogue Olympic Bars. A lot of metal plates and Rogue bumper places, starting at 5 lbs. I can recommend the gym to everyone!

Fantastic experience: Berkeley ironworks is an excellent gym. They have a good mix of boulders and rope climbing as well as an abundance of what you’d expect from a good gym (squat racks, bumper plates, cardio and weight equipment of most flavors). The place is staffed with friendly people, and is clean and well run. The only downside is that sometimes it can be a bit too popular. But I guess that’s my fault for joining...

Positive experience: Being new to the area I wanted to find a place where I could get a good work out with the bordemn of a conventional gym. Berk Ironworks is that place. You have the option of rock climbing, taking a class or working out. It's not cheap and it gets crowded. Advice is to go during off hours if possible. Super friendly staff and mixed clientele of all athletic abilities.

Fantastic experience: Great climbing gym

Negative experience: One third the space is climbing. Of that third, half the bouldering area is right up against the toproping area (great!), there's zero room to sit leaving most people to crowd the wall (great!!), all the while little toddlers run around (great!!!!). In short, avoid this place.

Fantastic experience: Amazing staff and routes

Negative experience: The staff was absolutely rude and kept my ID hostage. I would not come back to this place and give them patronage. Stay away! If you are visiting from out of town, do not come here. The day pass is $25 for their 15 foot wall for lead Climbing. This is what happened... I arrived an hour before closing time and wanted to take a tour with a staff or check out the gym to see if it's worth the $25 day pass (for the next day, when I would have more than 1 hour to climb). The staff refused a tour and instead asked for my driver's license so that I can see for myself. I checked out the lead climbing area, was pretty unimpressed, and left to go back to my car. I left the gym without my ID. When I realized it, I drove back and asked the front desk for my ID. The male staff, different from the female one who took my ID in the first place, held my ID in his hands and started the following line of questioning: "what time did you get here? where were you this whole time? I saw you disappear for awhile" I explained that I had left without my ID and now I'm here to pick it up. He still didn't budge and responded with "well, you people come in here and try to sneak a workout in." At this point I've assertively told him to hand back my ID and that I did not try to sneak a work out in. I left because I was very unimpressed by their facility and customer service. Note that this Caucasian male staff used the phrase "you people" when talking to a POC. This is not acceptable.

Positive experience: Lots of climbing, but can be very crowded at peak hours. Gym equipment is somewhat lacking, and yoga classes are filled way past capacity. The sauna is nice. If you only care about climbing, it’s great. Not a stellar gym otherwise. Despite my many comments they continue not to publicize their teacher discount- teachers get 10% off membership.

Fantastic experience: Great place

Fantastic experience: Great walls, awesome cardio, fantastic instructors.

Positive experience: Great climbing gym Cons: Gets super crowded Holds can be seriously greasy due to volume of traffic Humidity is high Pros: Full service: towels, showers, weights, and massive loads of climbing

Positive experience: Pulling plastic!

Fantastic experience: Very pleased with Ironworks in Berkeley. My daughter was interested in rock climbing, so I reached out to see if they offered a camp over winter break. Initially they had said no, but then a few days later responded and said they had decided to move forward with youth winter camp. The communication, responsiveness and willingness to support the camp, I thought was awesome. My daughter was very excited every day to climb and cannot wait to go back for more! Even one of her classmates was there for the camp as well. Thank you for the great experience.

Fantastic experience: I come here to boulder every once in a while. The cave here is awesome and the other bouldering areas are interesting. If you're in to rope climbing and don't have a partner, just walk in and have them announce it over the speaker. It's super common here. Parking lot's always packed, but the wait for a spot never takes too long.

Fantastic experience: Usually I take my 5 yo daughter to climb in Diablo Rock Gym in Concord - which is closer to our home, but it was packed on one of the weekends (they hosted an YCL event) so, we decided to visit the Ironworks. I was amazed by the place. It's huge and not so crowded in comparison to Diablo Rock gym. Staff is very nice. Definitely, will visit the gym occasionally.

Fantastic experience: Friendly staff and tons of walls to climb. Gym equipment is outdated and rusty, but hey, you don't come here for that. Overall a great place to climb.

Fantastic experience: Great all around gym. Nice balance of rope walls and bouldering problems to go along with standard gym equipment and group classes.

Fantastic experience: Great all around gym. Nice balance of rope walls and bouldering problems to go along with standard gym equipment and group classes.

Fantastic experience: All the hip kids are there.

Fantastic experience: My happy place

Positive experience: Best sauna of the Touchstone gyms. Interesting variety of climbing, lotta overhung routes a little stiffer than gwpc rating wise. 2nd best bouldering in the bay (see: dogpatch boulders) and great variety of classes. Lot of really fit boys girls men and women but a pretty open and welcoming environment. Way less cliquey vibe than the boulder area at gwpc.

Fantastic experience: It's bigger and taller than other climbing gyms around here that I've been to