Client Testimonials

  • I felt really comfortable and safe in the class. You get a lot of attention - especially around form and technique! It was challenging but also not uncomfortable to the point where I felt like I couldn’t handle it!

  • Coach Larissa is always thinking about me as a whole person. She offers her own experience & authenticity, recipes, tips on general wellness, and support / celebration with my growth in our work together.

  • I love the studio’s grounded, chill vibe. Everyone is friendly, but not phony. There’s the right amount of encouragement without competition.

  • Coach Sarah consistently provides feedback on form in a way that is very approachable. I feel extremely confident in her classes that I’m being observed as to not injure myself. I wish I could get to her classes 3x a week!

  • I+M is a fun, safe space to build confidence in training, and has really amazing, smart trainers!

  • My trainer Leslie does a great job of making modifications for me. I’m an older client and I never feel awkward. She knows just how to encourage me to lift more weight. Love that she tracks my progress which is important to me to know if I am making progress!

  • I’m obsessed with the whole experience at Iron and Mettle! I feel so comfortable lifting here, and it seems so much more approachable than other settings I’ve tried like personal training, going to crowded gyms, or trying CrossFit.

  • I started this year as a complete beginner to strength training. I was hesitant at first to join the semi private classes after the intro sessions but decided to give it a try and I really enjoy them! I like that the weights are customized to each person without competitiveness and there's a fun group energy to everyone doing the same workout. The workout of the day is also really varied and you get to try a lot of different things.

  • I love the size of the gym and the way that the staff makes women feel safe & supported. I also love the design / decor - so cute!

  • My trainer Lauren always goes above and beyond! She’s great about keeping up with my life and always shares pet pictures, which I love! She’s great about pushing me when I need encouragement and recognizing when I need to scale back. 15/10 stars.

  • I can't believe I can deadlift something that is 150lbs. Iron + Mettle is the real deal - grateful for this amazing gym and its amazing coaches!

  • It has been fantastic working with Marina. She is knowledgeable, supportive, responsive and I have learned so much from her. Super grateful to be working with her at Iron and Mettle.

  • Before I started training with I+M, I had worked out with a few different trainers in the past- none of whom I felt I saw amazing results with. A few months prior I had started to learn to deadlift and squat at home, but again wasn't super serious about it, nor did I particularly enjoy it. I always felt intimidated by the bar and scared of the weight, thinking my size was a limiting factor, which now after working out with you for more than a year I know is nowhere near the case!

  • I was hoping I'd find a trainer who was a good personality fit, who would hear my thoughts/concerns and help adjust as necessary, and who would strike the balance between pushing my limits and supporting me where I was. I found that at Iron and Mettle!

  • I am so deeply appreciative of Iron and Mettle and the culture you have cultivated. I first found lifting in 2018 and it helped improve my relationship with my body dysmorphia. Soon after, I became burned out and overtrained. Finding Iron and Mettle helped me focus on form and safe lifting and pacing yourself and has helped me get back into it in a way that is much more healthy and sustainable. I feel stronger everyday and I really can't imagine my life without it.

  • I am so glad I found Iron + Mettle! I love going to a gym that focuses on empowering women through strength training! I wish there was more of that in the world. You have a really special community and i'm so glad the studio is so close to my house!

  • Coach Jackie has been absolutely amazing at helping with my form and my confidence! All the coaches are fantastic but I've really enjoyed working with Jackie over the last year.

More about Who We Are


Iron and Mettle is a feminist & queer-friendly studio located in the Noe Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. We offer personal training and semi-private group classes. Our mission is to help our clients prioritize their strength, develop the lasting results they desire, and love the way they move. We use a proven strength and conditioning program that incorporates both strength training and aerobic conditioning in a fun and sustainable way - without a focus on diet culture or shame.