East Shore Athletic Club

After reading some of these reviews, I feel as though some people are expecting the four seasons hotel, not a gym! After working in a gym for many years, and still being in the fitness industry today, I can tell you that even if there is someone cleaning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there will still be sweat and dirt. It's a gym! I only go to the ESAC's on Daniel Island and West Ashley, do not do the groupr fitness classes, spinning, or childcare, but I find the equipment, staff and cleanliness to be exceptional. I have both worked at, and been a member of, many gyms in the past, and ESAC Daniel Island and ESAC West Ashley have been among the best. I go to the Daniel Island location during lunch, and each day, am greeted by name with a "hey, how are you doing today" by a young woman named Lauren. My whole workout, she is either chatting and laughing with the members or doing some deep down cleaning. If she happens to be at or near the front desk when I leave, she always says bye, have a nice day, etc. The floor at the DI location is stained, and the showers (at least in the men's room) are in a little bit of rough shape, but I know it's not due to lack of cleaning. I go to the West Ashley location on the weekends, and find that their staff is always friendly, their locker rooms clean, etc. As far as the price, it is expensive, but the equipment is top of the line, with individual televisions on each piece of cardio equipment. You also have access to something like 8 or 10 clubs throughout Charleston, which is a real advantage for for people who live in one area and work in another. Also, I know they have discounts for certain locations where you only get access to certain locations (I know West Ashley is one, Daniel Island isn't one.) Finally, many of their clubs are 24 hours, which is great for me because I love occasional 6am workouts of Sunday mornings, which you can't do at most clubs. So although I pay more, I feel it's well worth it! Pros: Cleanliness, Staff, Equipment Cons: Older Building at DI location more

Joining East Shore Athletic Club was a big mistake,not only is the staff rude the quality of the equipment is poor and the club at Park West is not clean. Sometime you have AC is the rest rooms and some days all you have is a fan. The instructors are very pleasant but the classes never,never change and even the instructors look bored. Spinning is extra adding insult to injury on an already over priced gym. Look around long and hard before joining East Shore Athletic Club. Pros: Pleasant instructors Cons: Poor customer service,inadequate A/C,boring classes more

There is always a "wait list" in the childcare room so you can not make your fitness class. I waited there with my son this morning for 45 minutes until I finally got fed up and left. I ran out of time! There were 3 other upset parents as well. The childcare fee is extra per month and seems difficult to even get your child in there. There needs to be more child care workers in the nursery to help out. There was only one girl in there to watch the children so there was a limited amount of children allowed at one time. And...there were other people standing behind the front desk or in their offices.....I am wondering why they did not go into the nursery to help so the customers can have their workout? Afterall, we are all paying for the childcare and the workout! I am frustrated that I had to leave without working out while other staff members were standing around or sitting at their desks. Where was the athletic club's teamwork? It appears they do not care about their customers! Pros: convenient weekday times Cons: wait for childcare, parking, service more

East Shore Athletic club is a great gym only if you have never belonged to a quality gym in the past. I recently became a member after relocating here from New England. The locations are very convienent with good weekday hours but very poor weekend hours. I find the gym is highly overpriced for what you get. The staff is friendly and helpful but the facilities are not always clean,the class schedules are not offered often and the quality of the classes is poor. I think the instructors only know how to teach a class one way and it never changes!. In addition larger towels and spinning classes are extra. I would look around a long time before you commit to this gym Pros: Great locations and Good Weekday Hours Cons: poor quality classes and the clubs are not always clean more

I've been working out for years, have been in my share of health clubs, and none in this area compare to East Shore! First of all, their equipment is emaculate. You won't find any rusted up dumbbells on their racks, or squeaky machines that don't work. What you will find at East Shore is state of the art equipment that is obviously very well maintained. That's a huge improvement over some of the "sweat shop gyms." Second, you'll find a professional staff that is committed to excellent customer service. For instance, every time I come in, I'm greeted by name and am often asked how my workouts are coming along. Every time I'm in the club, I'll see an employee cleaning equipment, tidying up the weight room, or helping out other members. Third, these guys have eight locations around town, whcih means no matter where I am in the Charleston area, I can get my workout in. Add this all up, and I'm a member for life... no doubt about it! Pros: 8 locations, state of the art equipment, clean, professional Cons: no pro shop more

I have to say that East Shore Athletic Club is the number one club in the Charleston area that I have been to. I recently moved to Charleston from Atlanta and have been "gym shopping" as people often call it. Out of all the ones I've seen, ESAC is by far the best! What sold me was the variety of amenties that the clubs offer and convenience, not to mention the staff! When I went to check out one of the locations, the staff I met were so nice and they really made me feel welcome, almost like part of the family. Also the convenience is amazing!!! I live in downtown Charleston, but I work on Daniel Island. Depending on the time of day and how I feel, I have to option go to any club. ESAC makes it so I can't forget about taking care of my health and body. I absolutely love that I have the option to go to one club or to go all 8! Everyone should definitely go check them out!! Pros: convenience, friendly staff, clean Cons: none more

I can't think of a better health club in ALL of Charleston. No matter where you live, you bet there's an ESAC close to you! I work in West Ashley and live in Mt. Pleasant, so it's very convenient and I can go to all locations!! The staff is so nice and always greets me when I walk in the door. I have been a member of many clubs and this one tops the list. Thanks East Shore for finally getting it right!! : ) Pros: location, staff, pool, group fitness Cons: n/a more

This is the only chain of gyms in Mt. Pleasant and the prices they charge are ridiculous. Most of their locations are converted supermarkets and still have that grocery store feel (some even have the old grocery store floors showing through...) The spinning classes are pretty good as long as you wear tennis shoes or look cleats on your biking shoes. You will pay $10 extra dollars a month for classes, though. Their fees are a joke for what they have to offer, but that seems to be the standard in this area. I don't get it. Pros: Several locations Cons: Overpriced, not enough variety of classes or services. more