M2 Revolution

Time: 7:00pm/55°F clear
Purpose: Wanted to find a spin bike class near my neighborhood and this was the closest one to Nob Hill.
Set-​up: Place is located right below at mechanic shop on Bush Street. Walk up a flight of stairs and you will be amazed what you see. Went inside you can see new and old spin bike and more fitnesse equipment being used.
Staff: The owner mike very pleasant and helpful asking me if I done this before. I told him I was no stranger to the spin bike and cycling world as I just want to be in here away from the bad weather when it sets in. Mike said okay go ahead take your bike and if you have your own bike pedals let me know and I’ll install them for you.
Cleanliness: Expect some drips of sweat here and there but nevertheless it’s a clean place that people clean up after themselves.
Products: Spinbike/​fitness instructor on duty guiding you through the session. Helps you adjust to your comfort level not necessarily a bike fit but close.
Punch Line: Up to date equipment, friendly owner, moderate price, easy to get to by any means, starbux&Peet’s up the street, tea shop, Polk street businesses.
Final Thoughts: With nasty weather about to set in this would be ideal place to keep your joints moving and your heart going. Beginners or not the beginners don’t be shy just come in Mike will help you and guide you throughout your whole ordeal. Best bet to come here is plus the transportation a ride your bike parking is meter and there is no parking from 3 to 7 on Bush Street for a peak hours.

M2 is the perfect gym for aspiring tri-​athletes. Mike the owner is a great guy and makes the classes enjoyable.

I used to come here regularly in 2006 or 2007 when training for triathlons and also went to Michael’s classes in the Marina before when he held them in a different gym. I’ve lived in Chicago and Boston since and tried lots of spinning classes. Hands down, Michael’s classes and instruction are the best and will kick your butt the hardest. I haven’t met anything equal since, ESPecially not the instructor in a Boston gym who taught one class in Uggs.

This place is an injured runner’s dream come true. Alter G, spin classes, access to TRX, weights and some of the best energy I’ve seen at any gym ever. It’s enough to pump up your adrenaline before you even start sweating. M2 himself is a legend — aside from his own athletic accomplishments, he’s extremely considerate, friendly, helpful and motivating. And not just motivating about whatever workout you’re trying to do — he builds up your confidence in some unspoken way. Quite frankly I don’t know what else you could ask for.
When my legs and feet are working properly, I prefer to run with the wind/​rain/​fog/​sun in my face, but this place not only got me back on my feet running again, it put a smile on my frustrated face every day I walked in that door.
Thanks M2!

Like a few of the other reviewers here, I first went to M2 due to a running injury. I was 2 months from the biggest race of my life (the US Olympic Trials in the marathon) and had recently been diagnosed with a stress fracture in my shin. I was a few weeks away from being able to run on the Alter-​G machine as part of my rehab, so I started searching the city for a place with an affordable rate and flexible hours. I have used Alter-​G machines in LA and all over the Bay Area (Peninsula, East Bay, and the city) and had done extensive research trying to find the best rates. The best I had ever found was $ 200 for ten 30 minute uses. Since this was going to be too expensive and the location and hours of that place were not convenient, I reached out to my running network and was shocked when I discovered M2. For $ 100 per month, I had full access to the whole gym, could use the Alter-​G as much as I wanted, and could access it at all hours of the day!
(Please note that I have been very pampered in my running career, having competed at a Pac-​10 school in track and cross country and currently running for a Nike sponsored track club. So, my standards for equipment and professionalism are very high.) Everything at M2 was perfect for what I needed. There are no problems with the Alter-​G, they have another treadmill that goes up to 15 mph (never seen this before), and they have the best spin bikes I’ve ever used. I needed to do a significant amount of cross training, so I went to several of the classes and they were some of the most intense/​challenging workouts I’ve ever done. Most importantly, I could come whenever I wanted. If you need to come during non-​business hours (which I had to do almost every day,) the owner will ALWAYS make sure there’s a way for you to get in.
The people are wonderful. The owner is an ex-​champion Iron Man, so he understands competitive athletes. I had dozens of great conversations with him and got some incredible insight about cross training workouts and advice about mentally overcoming my injury. All the members that I met were equally friendly. I never found out how the gym evolved and how these people found out about M2 in the first place, but somehow it has become a group of very nice and unique people.
Now that I am healthy again (thanks to M2!!!) I am ending my membership, but the owner has already been hospitable enough to let me rejoin whenever I want in the event that I get injured again. M2 was exactly what I needed during the most difficult time of my entire running career. It was such a great experience that I now feel inclined to write my first ever Unilocal review… even if that means that my SF diamond is the rough becomes discovered by a few more people. ;)

Cycling and triathlon enthusiasts need not look elsewhere to enhance fitness. Michael (aka M2) is a former 2x Iron Man champion and while his state of the art CycleOps spinners will give you the most precise power-​based workout you could ask for, it’s truly his years of experience and know-​how that will put you to the next level. He teaches almost every class (of which there are many to choose from during the week, morning and night) and he structures a workout wonderfully. Keep going and you’ll notice that it doesn’t stop at just the workout, but extends to an overall fitness methodology.
Early morning classes in the summer watch Live Tour de France coverage during the session. How cool is that?! The rest of the year, you’re likely to watch a TdF, Giro, Iron Man or classic cycling movie on Blue Ray as the music bumps and the watts build.
Lastly, great community of people. Continue to come and you’ll get to know folks who tend to come to a certain time slot.

The bay area is great for training outdoors but we all know that working hours, bad weather and other time constraints can limit our capability of training consistently and efficiently. The M2 studio is pretty much the best solution out there. In the past year I tried different options and never succeeded on staying motivated, fit and happy … M2 changed all that!
The atmosphere is as friendly as it can gets, the main focus is all on you. After a few times you go there you realize how all the resources are invested to make your training life better (no marketing or fancy looking/​useless machines)!
A list of what I consider the best amenities of the studio:
— CycleOps equipped cycling classes (consistent power reading on the best customizable indoor bike you can find on the market)
— AlterG Treadmill (with my plantar fasciitis It is saving my running fitness)
— Professional running Treadmill (16mph max speed :-))
— VASA trainers (my swimming is greatly improving thanks to those)
— …Michael McCormack! You can google the guy and learn as much as you want, or you can have a few cycling classes and chat with him to realize how great of a coach/​person/​friend he is

Well, first of if let me explain I’m not into cycling — this gym was recommended to me as I was injured (i’m a runner) and they have an alter-​G treadmill, which is a great tool for recovery.
— The Alter-​G gets the star: it worked fine. Very nice machine. Never had an issue with it.
— Cleanliness: well below par. I might even use the word «filthy». The lockers are totally disgusting, green stuff in the one and only shower, it smells, and you can tell the machines and floor don’t get washed very often. I know this is a one-​man operated gym, but that’s no excuse.
— Opening hours: unacceptable. I guess if you do the spin classes, no issue since it’s all scheduled for you. But if you’re looking for a different workout (treadmill, weights, or cycling on your own), then you have to make sure there’s someone in. The gym is typically closed during the day until 6.00−6.30 at the owner’s discretion or when spin classes start. It also closes on a regular basis when the owner takes his team for rides out of town on some week ends. If you’re not part of the spin classes, you don’t get informed of that. They use an online system to book the treadmill appointments, but to my great disappointment, even when I booked slots, sometimes the gym was simply closed, with no one in, and no one answering the phone.
— Pricing: they offer per use or monthly subscriptions. It’s not cheap, but I assume the investment in the alter-​g was a lot of money, and since they have a sort of monopoly they can price whatever they want.
I guess it’s a small gym, and the owner does what he can. The spin class itself seems to be fine, but other services are definitely lacking professionalism. As a paying customer you should be entitled to the same level of service.

This is not your average spin class! I’ve never done a push up while cycling on the road, and you wont see that here. It’s a cycling specific workout, geared to improving your fitness on the road as well as your technique. I’ve been training here for 3 – 4 years now and my fitness level is off the charts! By utilizing the CycleOps trainers with wattage based performance analysis, you have an immediate reference for your fitness level. Owner Michael McCormack is a no nonsense instructor, who has coached several athletes to great accomplishments (Yay Brett making it to IM Kona!) I can’t say enough great things, it’s just amazing.

Great Cycling studio!
Going to the classes has definitely made a me a faster and a stronger rider. This is not your typical spin class that you’d find at your local gym, if you want to get faster and stronger like the pros, this is the place to come. Be prepared to sweat!

Been going here for two years now and still happy with it. They have put in a few upgrades, including a batch of the next generation CycleOps bikes, ceiling fans, lighting and a serious treadmill that can go 16 mph if you want to try it out. Gets really crazy up past 13 mph.
If you want the most up to date class schedule, make sure to check out the Facebook page for the studio. Messages for extra classes due to rain or other notices get posted to
a lot faster than he can update their website.

M2 Revolution is a cycling training studio. The studio also has the Alter-​G anti-​gravity treadmill, Vasa machines and general free weights /​core equipment. M2, taught by former Ironman champion Michael McCormack, is not your typical gym/​aerobics spin class. It is a power-​based cycling class geared for the endurance athlete (triathletes, cyclists, etc.). I prefer M2 to the other games in town (that I’m aware of) — VeloSF, Breakaway Performance — that use the Computrainer because you don’t have to lug around your own bike. Also, M2 has more economical pricing. The CycleOps stationary bikes allow full adjustment to get pretty darn close to your own bike measurements. (Minor detail — you see your wattage output on the CycleOps, versus setting the watts on the Computrainer and regulating cadence for the output).
Michael is a quirky guy (as many accomplished athletes are), but extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Caveats include classes consistently start ~15 minutes behind schedule and some of the bikes could use some maintenance. NOT a plush spa-​like atmosphere, but fine for getting a good workout and improving fitness.

This place has made me a vastly better cyclist. The results are easy for me to see on my weekend long rides. I’m climbing faster. I’m riding in a paceline faster. When I get dropped on a climb, I can catch up to my group before they stop for a regroup. I now understand why other spin classes didn’t not help my cycling: they weren’t taught by someone who understands what makes someone a better cyclist. Michael is someone who gets it.
Addressing the atmosphere, yes, the classes don’t start on time, but you always get your full workout and Michael is always available for a chat. Much more important to me than following the clock.
And yes, some bikes are in need of maintenance but they are heavily used by athletes multiple times a day.
And yes, it’s not a health club. Don’t go for the amenities or because the showers are spotless. Go to get your ass kicked and become a better athlete.

While I think the spin classes are excellent workouts and the instructors are very good, I quit until they can address some of the issues that every one else on Unilocal seems to ignore. I came consistently to this class for about 3 months.
The class has never started at the time specified on the schedule. There have been less than 3 times in those 3 months that I can remember, where the doors were locked and we had to wait outside. So just beware the class will typically start about 10 – 15 mins late.
2) They bikes are from several years ago and considering how often they are used should have some real maintenance conducted. (the seats slide down during class no mater how hard you tighten them, the backlight on greater than 50% of the computers is broken, and several bikes which always migrate to the back row simply don’t work).
3)The bikes are filthy (as is the changing room) and as far as I can tell the place is not cleaned often enough (maybe weekly) which for a sweaty gym is deplorable.
Great workout, but just not worth the hassle and the price.

Hands-​down, the best one-​hour bike work out in city! This program (classes) will make you a much better cyclist. If you want to improve your cycling, come here.
The training methods Michael (the owner, also known as M2) uses are great– he uses he uses intensity, watts and interval training rather than more subjective measures like perceived efforts or heart rate or whatever. Everything is measured by a mini-​computer on the bike– you see you cadence and watts either real time or on an interval average, so you know how hard you are really working. And results pay off.
Dont be put off by the intense nature of everyone doing the class– they are mostly very accomplished cyclists, triathletes, and the like (it’s a sport specific gym after all), but Michael goes out of his way to make everyone feel welcome. He’ll remember your name, if you were at class (or not) the week before, comment about your form, make suggestions etc. Highly recommended!

If you want to improve your biking, come here. Mike’s an accomplished Ironman triathlete and his training methods are the latest-​and-​greatest. Stuff you read in tri and cycling magazines, you can do right here. But even more impressive is that he will remember your name the first time meeting you.
This isn’t your typical spin class. The bikes here have both cadence and wattage, and over the span of a class you’ll be varying things up. After a few sessions you should figure out your 10 minute sustained wattage because during the session you’re asked to bike at 90% wattage at mid-80’s rpm, or 100% at 90rpm, etc. Maybe it sounds complicated, but really its focused training where improvements can be monitored quantitatively.
M2 Revolution is upstairs in a non-​descript location that you’d never find unless you were looking for it. And even then maybe you’ll miss it, so bring the address. There’s also treadmills and a swim exercise machine. The changing rooms have bathroom and shower.

Wow who knew my fat butt would be working out at this club!
1^st of all, Mike the owner is one of the most incredible people put on this earth. Not only does he remember everyones names that enters his gym, but he is so motivating and very helpful with your spinning progress. Mike truly cares about your progress and he will push you to your max and beyond.
2^nd of all, don’t be threaten by the intensive members of this gym, yes, they all might be fit and training for multiple TRI-​athlons, but hey, if I can do it, and I happen to be five times the size of all the other members working out, and my Tri accomplishment is eating a TRI-​colored-​pasta, and I am having a blast, I know you will aswell! ;-)
3^rd, if you are one of those intensive triathlon people, this is your place.
and 4^th, The community and the atmosphere of this spinning club is very comfortable and delightful. Everyone is friendly, Mike has changing rooms where you can keep your stuff there in cubbies for weeks at a time and not feel worried about burglary or needing to bring it home. There are two showers, a large mirror with blow driers, creams, hair sprays and other goodies, if anything, this bathroom is more homey feeling then my own bathroom at home.
If you are a beginner cycler, an experienced cycler or even just a person who wants to sit on a bike, you have to come join Mikes M2 Revolution Club.
See ya all soon!

Michael is a great coach and mentor. He’s not an old school guy that preaches miles and miles or hours and hours on the bike. He understands an recognizes that we are working professionals and while working towards our goals, we need to maximize and efficiently use the time we have to train.
I met Michael while training for my first Ironman and was immediately drawn to his training methodology. Having received my bachelor’s in Kinesiology, I know a bit about training. And if you’re working towards improving your cycling, this is the place. How good is M2? Well, after training with M2 and adding a powertap to my bike, I completed the cycle portion of my 1^st Ironman in 5 hours and 55 minutes and ranked 46 in my age group.
Trust me, have Michael help you figure out your power numbers and you will thank him for you improved cycling performance.

The best 1 hour workout. Michael’s classes have definetely made me a stronger cyclist. Since everything in the class is based on power, you have a goal to reach with each workout. Plus the bikes are awesome, and allow you to very closely match your fit to your regular bike. Michael will work with you individually to help you reach your performance goal.