I could not be more grateful to have met Tommy and to have the chance to work with him. Over the…read morelast ten years, I have come to him twice in physically rough shape -- and each time he has rebuilt me into someone stronger than I ever thought possible. The first time was due to serious back problems, even after going to physical therapy. The second was after having a baby, when I could barely climb a set of stairs. Tommy met me exactly where I was and, day after day, helped rebuild me. He has this incredible superpower - that when something in your body isn't working quite right, he has a Mr. Miyagi way of getting it back into alignment. He combines deep foundational knowledge of the body with an incredible understanding of the connection between muscles and the nervous system, all grounded in a calm, steady presence that pushes you further than you think you can go. He knows how to challenge you right to your physical and mental edge without ever putting you at risk -- and in the process, shows you what you're truly capable of. He is truly one of a kind.

Tommy is hands down the best trainer I have ever worked with, and I've had experience with a number…read moreof trainers/coaches. He's insanely knowledgeable, so motivating, and just wonderful to be around. He creates super individualized plans based on your goals / abilities, and is constantly adapting them to keep you progressing and challenged. I've been working with Tommy for 2.5 years, starting after the birth of my 2nd kid and through pregnancy, birth and postpartum with my 3rd. After 3 kids I can honestly say I've never been stronger. I was a college athlete and now an endurance runner -- Tommy has upped my game in every possible way. My only warning is that you'll get addicted -- I started working with Tommy once a week and now am up to 4x a week because I love working with him and see such incredible results. There's truly no one better!

I had a consult recent 8/2023 with Alex which costs $250 an hour and I walked away quite…read moredisappointed. Firstly, I had high expectations based on the yelp reviews but I was skeptical as they were written OVER 4yrs ago and all had buzz words like they're from his friends. Anyway, disappointed because it's $250 1 hr to diagnose chronic pain I had - but he spent the first 20 mins or so just talking about his "philosophy and beliefs" and experience in the industry. He cleaned off a table for us to use to diagnose my problem but, after trailing off he forgot and we never used it. That left us 30ish mins after babbling chit chat - had me do a few movements to assess and then sent me off with 2-3 exercises that (like a chin tuck) that I could have googled myself. And have googled. I had been pretty specific before had that I was hoping to get out the session some advice I've NOT tried before and even emailed a detailed list - but I walked away with literally 3 things I'd already tried. So I didn't think it was worth $250 at all. Frankly feeling scammed and ripped off. Feel like I could saved $250 by sticking to my free YouTube advice. Glad I didn't get suckered into committing to a "package" Alex, I'm waiting for the refund if you are genuinely offering it.

Alex has been super helpful in the recovery of my low back. He goes the extra mile to make sure I'm…read moreworking on the specific areas that need work rather than the generalized exercises I've gotten from other physios etc. He also spent additional time and effort outside of our session putting together a specific recovery program for me with easy to access videos I can refer to when I'm doing my exercises at home. I highly recommend him if you want joint-specific rehabilitation and strengthening advice.

I was in search of a personal trainer as I am not crazy about gyms. I saw a sign walking Lake…read moreMerritt and that was the start of my amazing journey. Your Success My Goal (YSMG) boot camp is just that. Your success is their goal! Jeff is the best trainer I have ever come across. At the initial start, he observed my movement and guided me for improvement. I appreciate that he is not a cookie-cutter trainer. He started with me at the beginner level. Within 2-1/2 months he has me running the track twice and doing a plank for 30 seconds. I still have a ways to go but muscles I didn't even know I had are alive and thankful. He is kind and encouraging to everyone regardless of their fitness level. When I am in doubt of my ability, he encourages me. He truly cares about his clients and their goals. Thank you, Jeff. You have a client for life! If you are looking for a personal trainer, you are in the right place!

After decades of false-starts, Jeff changed how I look at fitness, at training. He pushes when…read moreneeded, and also slows down when warranted. He keeps every session fresh and challenging. Even after my eminent move cross-country, his influence, his support, has changed what was a chore into a welcome habit. I look forward to continuing where we leave off - a stronger more capable body. Thanks Jeff

Juliet is undoubtedly the absolute best trainer I have had (and I have cycled through about six or…read moreseven trainers). She pushes me mentally to be the strongest person I can be. She helped me put on muscle and prepare me for my first ever powerlifting competition in a safe, healthy, and non-intimidating and very supportive way. Juliet is not only a trainer but a genuine friend and inspiration to many as well. Her charisma and knowledge of the body and its anatomy and musculature makes her expertise and training unmatched. It is my second or third year of training with Juliet and I plan on having Juliet as my trainer for many, many years to come.

Tom is awesome. Just took my first kettle bell class and it was with Kettlebell Zen. Why I enjoyed…read morethe training: -Tom is rigorous about great form -The class caters to ALL fitness levels -Tom pays attention to where you might want to be pushed -Students are really encouraging -It's like having a coach take you seriously & listens VS. an instructor with an ego I HIGHLY recommend training with Tom at least once. I enjoyed the time a lot and will be back---even though I live an hour away.

Uneasy about how to start strength training? Curious about that iron ball with a handle, resembling…read morea tea kettle? Cubicle player with limited time? Cubicle evader with ample time? Athlete with a need to be stronger and more balanced? GO.SEE.TOM. He will intelligently, strategically, and swiftly challenge your body into phenomenal shape. Your strength will grow exponentially. Your body will morph in ways that will surprise you. You will laugh, bond with good community, enjoy the glory of nature, and ALWAYS leave wanting more. I met Tom 1 year ago through a fellow fitness practitioner, started training with him 5 weeks ago, and am in shock at how quickly my fitness level is growing. I am pushing more weight than ever before, and I credit his smart programming. As a trainer myself, I have not enjoyed working with someone so much. He trusts my own body awareness, but pushes me past my limits in such a natural way that I am seeing RESULTS, and looking forward to getting up to train.

I can't say enough great things about (Teddy) my trainer! Every session is challenging, motivating,…read moreand perfectly customized to my goals. They take the time to focus on form, explain the "why" behind each exercise, and always know how to push me just the right amount. I've seen incredible progress in my strength, endurance, and confidence since starting. Beyond the workouts, Teddy's positivity and professionalism make every session something I look forward to. If you're serious about getting results and working with someone who truly cares, I couldn't recommend them more highly!

Great experience overall. Very professional and motivating, with structured workouts tailored to…read moreyour goals. Highly recommend

Adults classes - I've tried the BJJ, kickboxing, and free self-defense classes. All have excellent…read moreinstructors and a good instructor / student ratio. The environment is helpful, friendly, and no-attitude. Warmups vary in intensity depending on class and teacher but usually are at least 15 minutes of intense exercise. This is followed by 30 minutes on a technique, and the end is drills or sparring (in advanced classes). Respect for safety and other students is enforced well. In kickboxing, you will not be allowed to spar until approved by the instructors, which means you need to know the basic techniques and show self-control. I appreciate this because this means your sparring partners will be well-behaved and courteous, not panicked and dangerous. Kids classes - the kids BJJ class is great with a very high instructor/student ratio and a lot of attention paid to partnering kids up in a productive way. There is enough firmness in the instruction that kids will try hard, but no militaristic nonsense. Fun games are used as incentives to work hard and do techniques well. The instructors have been great with accommodating different dispositions and temperaments of kids, and will work with parents to figure out a solution. Kids progress at a realistic pace and earn stripes at about the same pace as an adult class. They do also train in kickboxing once every few classes, so the kids do get some striking/kicking experience as well as grappling. Bathrooms and mats are actually clean and not scary, it's clear the owners care about hygiene and people not getting sick. If you've been to a variety of other gyms you know this is hard to find, some places seem to think grime makes you tough instead of just dirty. Only downside is the gym has only a single space so there is only one class at a time. Currently (05/26), classes run from M-Sat for adults with a single kids class on Saturdays. If you wanted to train 5x a week for competition you might want to look at another gym, but Four Elements works great for us.

I've been training at Four Elements for over eight years and cannot recommend this school enough!…read more Located right in the heart of Downtown Oakland, Four Elements is accessible via many forms of public transportation. There is also parking nearby for folks traveling by car. No matter where you're commuting from in the Bay Area, you won't have trouble accessing the gym. Karin and Mollii are knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and engaging instructors who make kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes a total blast. The broader community at Four Elements is incredibly inclusive and supportive of women, POC, and LGBTQ students. If you're looking for a martial arts school but are wary of training in toxically masculine environments, this is the gym for you. Come on by for a great workout!

Coach Vince has a gift. I am in my 3rd year of training with him, and one thing that stands out is…read morehe has very loyal students who stick with him for years. And there is very good reason for that. Vince has a way of meeting you at your level, encouraging you positively wherever you are in your growth. He strikes a good balance between discipline and not being overly formal, between teaching and refining technique and encouraging your overall fitness training. He pays very careful attention to his students and he'll step in and show you that slight change -- physical or psychological -- that's going to make all the difference in your performance. Without being a drill sergeant about it, he's able to motivate people to train hard and grow beyond their limitations. I will be honest for a second -- I am not someone who loves exercising. At least I didn't used to be. And now I look forward training on a regular basis, and I absolutely have Vince to thank for that.

Been training with Vince for about a year…read more I came in with a mixture of kung fu / wushu / dance background, and Vince did an excellent job in identifying my strengths and helping me use it to my fullest potential. Vince acts as a real model of what a martial artist should be: he knowledgeable about the history, philosophy, and application of different styles while also keeping an open mind to different interpretations and methods. I've witnessed many students (myself included) come in with a giant fear of getting punched in the face. Vince really has a way in helping people become more confident in their abilities using martial arts as a medium. There aren't that many Sanshou specialists in California. Vince is a one of a kind coach.