Iron and Mettle - San Francisco, California

Lisa Chen

I feel so fortunate to have found Iron + Mettle — this gym has the most supportive, kind, and empowering environment. Since coming here, I’ve seen dramatic changes in my overall strength, mobility, and body awareness, which improved chronic pain and injuries that I hadn’t been able to resolve for ages. I primarily attend the semi-private classes, which are challenging and well-structured but also fun so the time flies by! All the coaches are highly knowledgeable, encouraging, and offer personalized advice to make each workout fit your own goals. Wish I could rate more than 5 stars!

Gina Cargas

Best gym ever! I come to semi-private classes 2-3x a week and also will stop by for open gym when I can. I joined iron & mettle three years ago and it has completely changed my relationship with fitness and with my body. There are no mirrors, no scales, and no talk about calories or diet culture. I had never lifted before coming in, and I am now completely and totally addicted.

The trainers are positive, encouraging, knowledgeable, super experienced, and adaptive to your individual needs. They’re all really well-versed in how age, anatomy, hormonal cycles, injuries, and life stages like pregnancy or menopause might affect your body and strength. I feel like at a lot of gyms they cater to folks in a specific age bracket, life stage, body type, etc., and I appreciate seeing how trainers here work with such a wide range of clients. I’ve also really been enjoying the specialized workshops they’ve been offering recently, with focuses like hypermobility, the pull-up clinic, hip extension, etc.

Thanks to the whole I&M team - and their perfect dogs!!!

Gayathri S

Could not be happier with my experiences at Iron & Mettle. The personal training is of the highest quality, the trainers are all super responsive, actively listen, and teach me something new every time. I wish every person who identifies with womanhood looking for a place to care for their fitness and health could find this gym - it exceeds all expectations

Gabriella Cuellar

Joining I&M three years ago has truly been the best decision I've made for my health and fitness journey. After years of being stuck in a cardio-focused routine or struggling with improper lifting form, I was in a real rut. This gym completely changed my approach to fitness and has helped me build strength in ways I never thought possible.

What I love about I&M is their emphasis on positive body image—there are no mirrors, which creates a space where the focus is on how your body feels, not how it looks. I learned to listen to my body and understand the importance of proper form, including how to properly brace my core (something I went through life without knowing!).

Thanks to Danielle and her amazing team, I’m in the best shape of my life in my 30s! They truly care about each person’s progress, and they take the time to check in, listen to your needs, and track your progress in every class. If you experience any discomfort or tightness, they don’t just let it slide; they’ll take time to review your form and provide you with stretches or alternative workouts to help you feel better.

If you're feeling stuck and want to learn how to strength train correctly, I&M is the place to be. It’s more than just a gym—it’s a community where you can grow stronger both physically and mentally. I can't recommend them enough!

Tammi J

Danielle has created a truly wonderful place. I love the workouts and personal training and just wish I would have joined the gym sooner! I’m definitely much stronger and fit and love the supportive community that she’s built!

Emily Wang

Small, private, strength training gym geared toward women. I bought a 3-pack of three 1-hour intro classes for $300 total. My 1st class was focused on barbell squats, 2nd class was focused on bench press, and 3rd class will be focused on deadlifts.

My trainer has been very encouraging and focused on teaching me good form for each of the key exercises. During the intro sessions, I haven’t felt very challenged - but I think that’s because they’re focused on form for these classes. My friend has said that the semi-privates are better for a more challenging workout.

Elle Creel

Have been going here for a few months and had a very positive experience! Very supportive environment where I’ve been both able to learn the basics of strength training through individual training (thanks Marina!) and then begin improve and increase weight through the small group classes. Gym has a great community aspect as well with fundraisers, nutrition seminars, special clinics, etc. also available.

Christine Gaudenzi

I've been working out with the BEST strength coach at Iron and Mettle now for almost two years. This is THE MOST supportive environment I've ever encountered in a "gym" - it is so much more than a place to work out. Women of any age, background, level of fitness can be assured that you'll be guided progressively to get stronger than you ever imagined was possible. Given I started at 57 years of age - I was blown away by how strong I could grow with the right coach, a mindful style, a mix of work outs so one never gets bored. And I LOVE that this is such a safe environment with NO focus on restrictive eating or body size- simply a focus on being the strongest fittest and most agile/mobile you can be. Plus there are great workshops, an ability to work out solo if your trainer has some much deserved time off and a true community feel! I've recruited friends who now join me or take classes on their own and everyone loves it. Grateful for this partnership in health and can't wait to see what the next two years brings in my growing strength and confidence!!! Thank you Danielle and Coach Kristi and the entire team - including the dogs! xoxo