David Barton Gym

This is probably the worst gym i have ever been to in the entire world. Im currently the member (Unfortunately) at Christopher st. Here are just few reason, not to join this gym.
1. Their yearly contract in a total scam. You can’t leave the membership if you moved out of the neighborhood. There stupid policy is, that you should be 25 miles away from the location to cancel the membership. Someone from the stupid management pls tell me how it can be possible when manhattan is only 6 miles long? should i move to NJ to prove that im 25 miles away? Ridicules!
2. If for some reason you’re not able to workout physically and want to cancel the membership, there stupid policy is to get the note from the doctor, saying that you’re not allowed to workout for 6 months. Now who are they to decide if someone should be away from workout for 6 months? and why a doctor would write something down when its totally depends on the patients physical health. Pls explain Mr. David barton.
3. Way to over price for very little facilities. At least 60−80% more membership charges then other gym’s. Machines are old and no upgrade in any equipment.
4. Management is very rude and not educated at all to deal with customers problem. Example Mr. Max (The manager at Christopher st.) Behave like a manager of a grocery store instead of a classy gym.
5. No cooperation even from the head department in special cases like cancelling the membership for some very genuine reason.
I would never recommend to join this gym to anyone.

The best gym on UES. The trainers are super smart in adapting exercises that achieve the maximum benefit, but are tailored to individual capabilities and goals. Management takes a real interest in their members. Especially, Scott, who is always checking in to make sure you are receiving the maximum benefit including making sure you are happy with your trainer and that you have a membership that is tailored to your needs. While other gyms have the equipment, it is the personalized service that sets this gym apart and Scott effortlessly makes it comfortable to workout at the gym.

Terrible experience. After the hard sell where they cut prices, I experienced nothing but horrible service. Each class I took was taught by a sub rather than the regular instructor. I decided during the trial period that I did not want to continue as a member. While it took only a day to process my credit card, it somehow takes them up to 60 days to issue a refund. Unfortunately after 60 days that did not come. I have spent over a month trying to obtain the refund, calling and emailing managers and the corporate office. The corporate office did not return phone calls or emails. I ultimately filed a dispute with my credit card company to rectify the situation. Only upon my stating this in an email where I also mentioned I would be voicing my experience did the vp actually respond. Within an hour in fact. Amazing. It should not take that much effort or the threat of truth on Unilocal to be issued a refund. I would like to note this was for a year of membership too, not just $ 100 or so. Thousands. I wouldn’t be surprised if this were a part of their strategy. Be very cautious of this gym!

Ok, I’m SUPER picky. AND I’ve belonged to almost every gym in the city during a 28 year period. They all have their own individual benefits but none of them have the full package like DBG. First, VERY professional and exceptionally friendly. Everyone I spoke to during the onboarding process starting with new membership — Chris and manager, Scott very helpful — and lined me up with the perfect trainer: Jenny West who is phenomenal. Super smart, all business and very caring. All the trainers are super friendly — especially the manager Terrence, Jose, Fonze, Sven and Nick. You will find someone who is perfect for you.
The gym is spotless. GREAT music. aesthetically very sexy. Its not just a gym — there is a very clear sense of community, respect for all the members — extremely well managed. I don’t know how they manage to find such awesome people but everyone there is TOP NOTCH. From the minute you walk in the door you will feel welcome there — Cara + Danny go out of their way to get you checked in, beverages, towels, FREE apples! Plus its only a ½ block from Central Park. ** awesome steam room.
BEST GYM IN THE CITY. hands down. Ask Sir Paul — he knows!!!

Honestly every single person here has a trainer. You look around the gym and there isn’t one member working out with a trainer. There is a lot of loitering and chit chatting going on in the ladies locker rooms, and they are the hispanic workers, gossiping in spanish at the top of their lungs.
I worked out three times a week with a trainer, so they didn’t charge me a membership fee, but my tip is no matter what they ask for, you shouldn’t pay any initiation fee. There’s always a way around it.

If I could give DB a zero, I would. Shady business practices. Sleazy membership advisers. They will charge your credit card for fees you have not incurred. Beware. They do not run an honest business.

David Barton doesn’t feel like a gym, it feels like you’re working out in someone’s Hollywood Hills mansion while they are on vacay. You know, the kind of place you put false eyelashes on to workout in case you get DISCOVERED… Been here for 2 years and still think it’s the best on the UES. And I should know, I belong to every gym and studio in town.

This gym is clean. The staff is always helpful and cheerful and usually it’s a familiar face. The location is pretty awesome since you can easily combine a jog in central park before and/​or after your workout.
The patron to machine ratio is always acceptable, probably because of the cost of membership.
I wish they had more tv channels available, other than that no real complaints from me.
This gym is expensive, but because of that it also feels a little more exclusive than some of the other gyms in the area. Occasionally I’ll make the trek down to the lower east side DB gym which is a beautiful facility as well. The cost of doing this is included in my monthly membership on the UES.

I feel I just cheated on Equinox, and I don’t feel good about it at all. Recently, I finally decided that I was going to cancel my Equinox membership after 5 dedicated years. I was moving to an apartment building with a gym, so the rational side told me that I could save a smooth $ 150 a month. During this transitional phase, I saw that David Barton Gym had a LivingSocai that gave me a month’s membership for $ 69. No matter how you look at it, that’s a pretty good price for one month of gym in Manhattan. Thus, I decided to at least try it out for the week that I was going to be couch surfing in the UES before my move-​in date.
David Barton Gym is right on 85^th and Madison. It’s not a huge location by any means, being that the whole gym is on one floor. This gym totally has this industrial/​lounge feel to it. In contrast to the brightly lit gym that I’m used to, that plays upbeat music, David Barton’s lights are so dim in certain areas that I just want to go to sleep instead of working out. On top of that, playing KC and the Sunshine Band doesn’t make me want to run faster or lift harder. The times that I’ve been here, it’s never been crowded. At most, there are 10 – 15 people here, and you almost always have the locker rooms to yourself. That’s a huge plus in the sense that you have access to any machine that you want, but does that mean that no one wants to be a member here? Here, they do have most of the machines that you’ll need, but I did find a lack of kettle bells on the floor. Also, the stretching area is kind of in the corner, which makes me feel like I’m getting grounded for doing something bad.
Speaking of the locker rooms, boy are the lights dim there. Aside from the dim lights, it seems that the A/​C doesn’t really reach here, so it gets a little humid. That, is a little nasty, especially after working out. Also, they have a weird system with their lockers in which if you’re looking for a day locker, you can only use specifically marked lockers. On the plus side, David Barton gives you a full range of Aveda shower products. From the shampoo, condition, and body wash, to hair gel and moisturizer, you get hooked up in that sense. I think I still prefer the Kiehl’s that Equinox has, because the Aveda products tend to smell a little on the peculiar side, but that’s just a personal preference. There is also a coat check right when you enter the locker rooms, which is always a nice little tidbit.
Overall, this gym just doesn’t have that gym feeling to it. Being that there are couches and lounge chairs literally around the whole gym, is just begging for someone to just hang out and read a magazine, as opposed to getting a workout in. By all means, David Barton does beat out other gyms such as Crunch and 24 Fitness. They provide towels and bath products, which many sub-​$ 100/​mo gyms do not. There are no lines to wait at any of the machines, and it is definitely a chill atmosphere.
Nonetheless, for the price of ~$ 100/​mo, I can’t really recommend it. My LivingSocial price of $ 69 is just around what I’d actually pay monthly for this gym. Sure Equinox is a little more expensive at ~$ 150/​mo, but you know that old adage: You get what you pay for. Perhaps it’s just that this UES location is bare, and that the ones in Astor Place in Chelsea are much better, but I can’t see this location beating out the Equinox on 85^th. I’m sorry for ever straying from you my beloved Equinox. I swear it won’t happen again.

Most fun I have ever had working out! What an environment! Luis is a killer trainer!

This gym is huge and has way more machines than patrons and classes are always small, once I even had one by myself! It was like having a personal training session without the price tag!
Only downside is the ladies locker room attendant either hates her job or me and is the grumpiest person you will encounter there. More than once she has killed my work-​out buzz…
Take Jim’s dance class, he is the best!!!

Of all the gym options on the upper east sise, there is no doubt that this is the best gym. not over crowded, always clean, and definitely upscale — gets you away from the mess at NYSC

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed David Barton — I’ve been going there on and off for, hmm, I guess 7 years. This location is quite literally one block from my parent’s apartment, and as the closest gym it was deemed the best by my mother, who was the first to get a membership in my family and still goes there.
If you don’t know David Barton Gyms, then you may be a little surprised when you first walk in. The theme is industrial, and the sparse décor and dark steel color everywhere drives the atmosphere. You enter on the second floor and there is the cardio area, with several different types of cardio machines lined up. The service counter is on the right as you walk in (men’s locker room is to the right of it down a hall), and the women’s locker room is around and way down the hallway on the left. The weight machine/​free weight area is along the left side of their space, with stretching and group classes in the back.
I’ve had a few different types of memberships here — they usually offer a special student summer rate (which is a great bargain), and I’ve had their unlimited annual membership and currently am rocking one of their packages (buy X number of visits for a certain rate, reduced per visit as you buy larger bundles). Their membership staff are REALLY persistent, so if you’re not totally interested you may get annoyed by their constant contact. BUT, they are super nice and pretty accommodating for reasonable requests (I asked if I could do two payments instead of one and they worked that out for me).
Overall, David Barton Gym is nice — it’s the upscale version of similar gyms like Bally’s/NYSC/etc, and with that come nicer amenities (towel service! steam room! sauna! free apples! expensive equipment!). You also get the typical UES gym crowd, a mix of fitness freaks, bodybuilders, and housewives trying to combat the effects of aging and fit into their sample sized clothing. Peak times are pretty much what you would expect anywhere, so plan accordingly. I’ve only worked with my mom’s trainer, who is not affiliated with them, but they seem nice and friendly. I haven’t taken classes — those are available depending on your type of membership, and since I’d have to pay extra, well, F THAT. My one complaint would be the space allowed for people using free weights since several of my favorite movements require space to move within. Oh, and the amount they charge, but every NYC gym is trying to rip me off, so at least I can walk across the street and have «Mother/​Daughter» workouts here whenever I’m in town.

I started going to DBG two weeks ago, and absolutely love it. The facility is clean, the staff is friendly… there’s nothing bad I can say about it. I like all of the amenities; this gym is simply awesome. During my first visit, I was using one of the exercise machines incorrectly. One of the trainers came up to assist me immediately. This place is never overcrowded… I cannot say enough good things about it.

After receiving a promotion at work, I decided I would treat myself and step up my «class» of Gym. I dropped New York Sports Club (like a hot potato) and joined the Uptown David Barton Gym (being a member of the Uptown club did give me the privilege of using any of the locations, but more on that later…) conveniently located a block from my apartment.
Each of the DBGs have a «personality». Needless to say, the personality in the Uptown Gym is supposed to be very «posh» and VERY Madison Avenue. I do agree that on first glance the gym is impressive. Flattering lighting (much more flattering than NYSC), Aveda products in the bathroom, fit trainers everywhere you look, and a coat check in the Locker Room — very impressive as my first visit was in the middle of January.
I loved the space, swore to be there 7 days a week, and forked over the LARGE amount of money required (much more than I was used to). At first, I absolutely loved the feeling of walking up the stairs and entering the space. LOVED handing my bubble coat to the extremely nice locker room staff and really loved leaving with my hair smelling of Aveda Mint.
Soon, the love wore off.
Like I said, I live about a block from the gym which at first seemed great; however, I work next to Bryant Park — a good 30 minutes away (on the ALWAYS splendid 4,5,6 trains). That means that I was either going to the gym in the AM (before work, after Happy Hour) or when I got home from work/​happy hour/​client entertainment at around 8:30PM. I would need SERIOUS motivation to do either!
At NYSC, there were ALWAYS classes available — and usually classes that fit what I was looking for, were entertaining, and forced me to be at the gym for at least 45 minutes. DBG really lives up to its «personality» and all of the classes are between 7:15AM (not working for someone who has to be in midtown by 9AM) and 6:00PM (not working for someone who doesn’t get back to the UES until 8:00PM.
These classes are all scheduled for the women and men in the area who happen to still be on the UES during the middle of the day (no judgment at all — just jealousy!).
While I was allowed to visit the other gyms, neither the Astor Place nor Chelsea locations would be convenient for a UESer who works on 43^rd. Needless to say, never made it to these gyms.
Finally I had to accept that DBG, while luxurious and a decent staff, was not worth the ridiculous sum of money taken out of my account each month. Somewhere like Equinox — somewhat similar in fees — at least has multiple locations and workperson-​conducive schedules!
After 9 months (and having to pay a «breaking contract fee»), I quit the gym and rejoined NYSC. Now I am paying a QUARTER of what I was paying at DBG, and have the option of going to the gym everyday during lunch or after work and taking advantage of their plethora of classes.
Bottom line, if you can afford DBG, have a very flexible schedule, and live/​work EXTREMELY close to at least two locations, it’s worth the $$. If none of this applies to you, do yourself a favor and stay at the cheaper spots, suck up the less than perfect facilities, and splurge on a hot dress when the results of all of those conveniently scheduled classes and gym hours are evident!

Hey, just to let all Unilocalers know, my friend and I both wrote reviews about some of the problematic service with DB on Unilocal and guess what, taken down within a week!!! Unilocal is for sale! What a bunch of losers.

I have to dissagree with the other reviewers. The gym isn’t that great at all. The fitness floor in small and crammed. The lighting inside if horrible — it feels like you’re almost working out in a club. The locker room feels like you’re using a high school gym locker room.
The staff isn’t that great either. I received attitude from the women checking me in as well as one of the trainers on the floor when I asked a question. Also, the communication between staff is pretty sucky. I scheduled a pilates session and apparently, my request was never processed. I showed up to the gym and the pilates instructor did not have me on her calendar and had no knowledge of who I was. She couldn’t stay to train me b/​c she had personal plans and there was no one else there that could train me. She was nice when I asked to reschedule, and unfortunately I had to cancel the session last minute.
There’s no way I would pay the outrageous fees associated with this gym. Your money is better spent elsewhere. This gym is equal or only a slight step-​up from New York Sports Club, which is half the monthly cost. Maybe this gym was better in ⁰⁶⁄₀₇ when these reviews were written.

The biggest draw to the uptown location is the near empty feeling atmosphere. The gym feels like its YOURS. The loft like, dimply lit space offers the basics in cardio machines and weights. Another draw is the quality of personal trainers and training packages they offer with discounted sessions the more you buy. (They also give you between 3 – 6 months of gym membership free while you are training). Definitely take Jim’s Saturday cardio sculpt and Sunday yoga. The Aveda bath products, bowl of green apples that’s always available for snacking are added perks. End your workout with a steam too.

I would have liked to give this gym three or four stars for good yoga classes, originality, and a nice women’s locker room. I commend the founder’s idea but it has POOR MANAGEMENT to the extreme. Beware if you ever want to cancel your membership! They will just ignore you.
I cancelled my membership in January because I was travelling too much. It is now MAY and the gym still charges me every month. I contacted them 5 times (phone, email) starting in January to cancel and get reimbursement. DOES IT TAKE HALF A YEAR TO CANCEL A CHARGE???
This was the worst management and customer experience that I have ever experienced. There is no way I would want to return to this gym again unless they change their blatant disregard for respecting customer needs.

Super swanky, upscale, upper east side gym. I’ve been as a guest of friends and it pains me to see healthy people take the elevator up a floor to work out.