I guess the "Old School" vibe they tout refers to 75% of the equipment being broken or in disrepair. Or maybe it's how all the surfaces (including the carpeted floors) are filthy/dusty and the only way to clean any of it is with a few dirty rags + spray bottles. Oh there are paper towels dispensers ...that do not dispense paper towels because they're broken or they just never bother to refill them. I don't know. Maybe that's what Old School means. Like back in the day before standardized cleaning products were part of the gym experience? They also don't have functioning water fountains because from what I heard the owner didn't feel like it was cost effective to fix the issue. I guess they'd rather their customers bring their own source of drinking water to avoid dehydration. But hey, they DID put signs over the drinking fountains to let you know not to put anything down the drain, probably because they didn't want to clean it out. It was nice to look at them and dream, though. The MOST "Old School" thing about this gym, however, is how all of the weights and weight machines are rusty, filthy like everything else, placed seemingly at random and in disrepair or broken. Like roughly 80% of this stuff has something that either SHOULD be fixed or NEEDS to be fixed. Every day I went I was watching out for that one jagged, rusted piece of metal that was going to tear into my skin and give me a disease. Yeah this place is "Old School" alright. Like a crypt. But even crypts that have been in service for a few thousand years are somewhat hospitable to human life.

Moved to Otay Ranch from Orange County recently, and this place is THE BEST GYM if you're a bodybuilder. Even during after work "rush hour" it's never packed, and you don't ever have to wait for equipment because they have so many variations of each one. Everyone is nice and there for the same purpose, no groups of kids standing around on their phones, no wannabe "influencers," everyone picks up after themselves. They have so much unique equipment that few other gyms have, I feel like a kid in a candy store. The "old school" vibe is not everyone's cup of tea, but if you like Gold's Venice or The Gym in PB you'll love it here. Worth making the drive every time I come here.

Very welcoming atmosphere, great machines, asked about a few machines that are out of order and the employee assured me that it’s getting taken care of and replaced with brand new equipment. Overall great experience here, love it.

The equipment is decent but poorly maintained, the staff thinks it’s a great idea to have their horrible music blasting to a limit where you can barley hear your own music even with noise canceling head phones. When you ask to lower it they tell you that’s the standard limit which is complete bs. Half the staff doesn’t even care about their job which shows why they always have new workers, the bathrooms are horrendous they’re always a mess. Over all this gym needs some work!

I have been a member for a little less than a year now and I would not recommend this gym to anyone. The machines are always dirty the free wights are filthy, the restrooms always have flies in them and it smells very poorly, I have never seen the showers ever work or been used before nor have I seen the water fountain ever work. I mean if someone pays $30.00 a month least you could do is make the water work for your customers. The only thing I have seen them do is add a couple calisthenic workouts outside when they should be investing that into flooring for the gym. The windows are filthy and you can barely see inside. I payed the same amount at La Fitness In Eastlake and it came with a pool sauna lockers clean restrooms and weights basketball court boxing room and water fountains that work. I would not recommend this gym to anyone.

This gym makes me feel like I’m Arnold Schwarzenegger!!!

Ever since ultimate took over as the new owners, this gym only Got better! The equipment is 🔥 and the staff is very friendly. Highly recommend it!

I’ve been a member here for two years now. Everything here is old, which is fine, as long as things work. Cable machines are fine, but the electronic equipment lacks. Consistently. They keep promising (since I’ve been a member) new, updated or repairs on current equipment (treadmills, stair steppers, etc). All the treadmills are either gone or broken, and have replaced them with hamster wheels. There is only one working stair stepper at a time. Hard to want to go to the gym where not many things work.

Amazing atmosphere with great service and people. If you’re looking for a gym that will give you results and push you to be your best this is your gym🦋

Started going here in 2011... Highly recommend. I moved away in 2015, and since then I've had the pleasure of having memberships at many luxury gyms such as Equinox, Iconix, and local high-end health clubs. Those are great, very comfortable spots, really mellow environment. I've also been to gyms that are on the other end of the spectrum, such as competitive powerlifting gyms full of screaming sweaty mass monsters shooting up insulin and GH in the bathroom. Both kinds of gyms have their pro's and cons- maybe I'm just biased since I started my journey here as a young teen, but Ultimate Fitness/Fitness World is an absolute gem. Sure it's not a pristine health center with all the newest equipment and machines, or the most up-to-date interior paint job... But is that really necessary? Ultimate Fitness has all the equipment you could ever need to build an incredible physique, the people are unobtrusive (sure a lot of young guys walking around flexing in mirrors but who cares just mind your own business), and the ambiance is great for putting you in the state-of-mind necessary to work hard and do what needs to get done. I personally enjoy the really mellow gyms where they aren't busy and have luxuries like a sauna, clean showers, towel service... BUT... I don't NEED the luxuries like that, and maybe even those are maladaptive toward achieving my goals. It sure is a lot harder to get a good workout in when you're surrounded by a bunch of old people who are only in the gym because their cardiologist told them to be. When you're surrounded by people with likeminded goals and ambition, it makes you want to work harder toward what you're trying to achieve. And hell, when some super jacked guy takes his shirt off next to you as you're lifting, it sure does help remind you what the f$ck you're there for. With all of that said... If you're looking for a hip place to do a spin-class in the morning before work, meditate in the sauna, and then clean yourself off in a well kept shower with fresh towels... Then maybe you need to look somewhere else that caters toward that kind of lifestyle. But, if you're trying to lift some quality weights and use some well designed machines for the purpose of forging a well rounded physique... Look nowhere but Ultimate Fitness- your search is over.

It's the best gym I've been to!! My 2nd home! They're very friendly and clean!! And they help you start your journey or keep it going!! I've been a member for almost 10 years!!

If you can get past the dumbbells being haphazardly labeled and organized, it’s a fun gym. Loved seeing equipment from the 90’s I grew up lifting with, the facilities are clean, and they’ve got everything you need there.

Would be pretty solid gym if any of the dumbbells were in the right place and all the the equipment actually had their weight stack pins

Wonderful place to workout. It's a mostly younger crowd, but there's still those that are between thirty to sixty present. The staff is very friendly. More comfortable than a "how are you doing today, sir" establishment. Only reason I don't put 5 stars is some of the cardio equipment doesn't work in terms of the screens turning on, but they're still useable. Showers and lockers are available. You only have to bring your own lock to use the lockers. And there's a small outdoor area to exercise in as well. Definitely worth the membership. (Mostly because I value a non threatening gym environment hah hah.. )

Best Gym in SD hands down! 🔥

This gym has everything you need and more. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend this place.

Old school the best 👌