Adam K.: ★★
Not enough workers sometimes, some workers have been rude to me in the past. Other than that there are a lot of machines. The people who clean the bathrooms and locker rooms don't show up every day. Sometimes I'll go in there and the entire bathroom is trashed and doesn't have paper towels or toilet paper.
MAtthew Becker: ★
The Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) at UC Davis is a textbook example of style over substance. On paper, it looks impressive — modern facilities, extensive programs, and the usual promises of promoting student well-being. In reality, it’s overcrowded, poorly maintained, and often more of a source of frustration than benefit. Equipment is frequently out of order, wait times are unreasonable, and the overall atmosphere is chaotic, not motivating. It’s hard to see this as a “resource” when it feels more like a chore to use. The bigger issue is reflective of a wider problem at UC Davis: a university that invests heavily in optics while neglecting basic student needs. Safety concerns go unanswered until tragedy strikes, as seen with the fatal incident involving a student and a garbage truck — something that was preceded by numerous complaints about the exact area. Mental health resources are fragmented at best, despite alarming statistics, including the highest student suicide rate in the UC system between 2008-2018. UC Davis seems far more comfortable directing funds into reputation management — such as extensive PR campaigns after the 2011 incident — rather than providing meaningful, long-term improvements for its students. It’s unfortunate to witness students who are serious about their education sidelined or stigmatized, while administrative priorities revolve around maintaining a polished exterior. For those considering UC Davis because of its advertised “student-centered” experience, I recommend taking a closer look at the consistent pattern of neglect beneath the surface. The ARC, much like the institution it belongs to, appears well-branded but fails to deliver on the essentials.
C.: ★
The ARC is supposed to be the fitness hub of UC Davis, but it’s always packed and falling apart. Good luck finding a machine or space to actually work out. Just another overhyped and underwhelming spot on campus – no real support, no real improvement. Also I have heard during 2008 to 2018 there were 20 student committing suicides, the most of all UC campus. ARC does not help much on students’ mental issues— perhaps just a surface effort for the brand. If they truly care about their students’ health, the fatal stabbing incident in 2023 will be likely prevented! What a shame! What a loss
chanlee ko: ★
On top of paying tuition and the gym membership itself, the parking is charged by the hour. At the time of writing this review, an hour costs 2.75. If you frequent the gym enough and you live far, expect to pay at the minimum for the membership itself, 50 dollars, and 110 for parking if you go all weekdays for 2 hours for 4 weeks of the month. A grand total of 160 if you are a dedicated weightlifter. TAPs routinely tickets so you cant get away with it unless you know someone who works in that department personally to void it just because you know someone. The equipment is good but it’s always crowded so expect to work in with someone here and there. No sauna or steam room sadly. The app used for scanning into the gym is outdated and requires you to sign in every time you use the app. They recently did some upgrades but it definitely is not worth your time and money to go here if you are a more experienced lifter. Go here if you get it for free, or go to a gym in sac or woodland. Edit: i recently found out the gym is not in charge of the parking situation, so il retract one star but keep it at three stars. Edit: I went here for a day pass, I was doing a leg day and I didn’t have the proper shoes for barbell squatting, if you have any knowledge on weightlifting, going shoeless with socks is an effective measure you can do in this instance. I was told to not do this by some employees at this gym. Wearing improper shoes for squats can cause injury and muscle imbalances. Furthermore, I noticed some trainers giving improper form to people doing half ass squats that moved an inch; terrible form and terrible trainers that don’t know what they are doing.
Ryan G: ★
I literally never see the staff do anything to encourage their policies. People take forever, don’t clean equipment, never fix equipment in a timely manner, and never say anything of hoards of friend groups using one machine loudly and obnoxiously. The one thing they do decide to do, is to tell people to wear unsafe shoes when lifting because wearing socks ONLY while lifting - not walking around or anything, isn’t allowed even though it is not explicitly stated. If they want to say it’s unsanitary to wear socks on the ground that no one is working out on, how about the policy to wipe down your equipment? How about those people leaving their sweat on equipment where our body parts and intimate body parts are touching? The spills from outside drinks that are never cleaned up? But no. Socks are their concern.
Suvham Dhital: ★
They have been making changes that seem to just make things worse. There used to be dividers to separate the courts which was useful since a stray ball from another basketball court or volleyball court can cause injuries like a sprained ankle but now there is none so if your stray ball has a potential to roll across 4 other courts. They also take a while to do repairs on machines and currently the lockers are closed for renovation so you have to change in one of the 2 bathrooms available. They also have no volleyballs you can borrow while you are at the arc. The ARC overall feels like it has just gotten a lot worse over the past few months and I hope it gets better.
Yi-Chang Sung: ★
I had a very terrible experience at ARC today. The locker room is currently under renovation, leaving no proper changing facilities available. The only restroom (located on the 2nd floor) was extremely dirty and had an unpleasant odor this evening, making it virtually unusable for changing or as a bathroom. Staff were not proactive in offering assistance or alternatives, which is frustrating . There's also an insufficient number of daily lockers available. These conditions will continue for the next six months according yo their announcement, which is concerning. At minimum, members need access to CLEAN AND ENOUGH facilities for changing and using the bathroom.
Forest Goddard: ★
Well. The gym itself has a good spread of equipment and is pretty much the only decent gym in Davis, which is what led me to getting a membership here. But for non-students, a membership is $50 a month, and on top of that you’ll need to pay $15 a day for parking (if you don’t pay you’re basically guaranteed a parking ticket). When you’re at the gym, good luck actually getting to use any equipment because the place is swarmed with hundreds and hundreds of people. The thing that pissed me off the most about my experience here though, was when I finally went to cancel my membership I was informed that I would still be charged for the next month, because you have to cancel your membership more than 10 days in advance of the start of the month to avoid being charged. I won’t even be in town next month, so I’m getting charged $50 for something I won’t even be able to use, and I went to cancel like 5 days beforehand specifically to avoid that. This policy is buried in their website and they do not inform you of it u too you cancel. I would only recommend this gym if you’re a student and get in for free, or have no other options. Otherwise, it’s worth it to just drive to woodland or sac and go somewhere else.
Jake: ★
Worst gym I have ever been to. Careless staff overpriced membership and hidden fees. Not to mention parking is terrible and you’ll more than likely get a ticket.
Lori Jennings: ★
Been going to the arc for awhile now and I have to say it has been a terrible experience. If it’s not the $50 a month it’s the 64$ parking tickets and the lack of care staff. Would never recommend this gym to anyone.
Brus S: ★
Arc Davis where do I begin. For starters if you want a good lift in you’ll have to pick a perfect time like a weekday at like 11 am and even then you may have to wait to get a lift in. Non members pay 50$ a month and even if you started at 30$ a month they keep raising it for you anyways. Parking tickets are handed out even if you pay the 15$ day pass which will be around $3900 per year if you go 5 days a week. The workers don’t really do much the basketball courts are never swept and the equipment is 20 years old. Cant believe I can finally move away from this terrible town and get a real gym.
Jake Ryan: ★
Machines are always broken and there are too many people. Go home. Leave me alone.
Nathan Nevins: ★
This is how busy it is at 10pm on a Thursday. It’s ridiculous. I find it funny how UCD allows non-affiliates to purchase a membership when it’s so busy that students can’t even use it. And yet we’re accepting more and more students each year. It’s been like this the last 4 times I visited.
Zisheng Ling: ★★
Today I came into Arc trying to play basketball, but got informed that I am suspended because I “borrowed my card to other people”. This is an outrageous accusation as I only come to ARC with my girlfriend who is from UCD, and I don’t have friends that are out of this school. With this been said, the staff members on duty tonight at 20:45 are reluctant to help me. They even said they are going to call the police if I don’t go away. I came in with a great attitude but went out upset. I believe that ARC is a place where people are friendly and willing to help us, but maybe I am having second thoughts after today.
Jon Dugger: ★
Will change their open hours with little to no notice, and dont care if they are making it inconvenient for people to use the facilites
Federico Zabaleta: ★
Extremely crowded
