I have a goal - to finish well at my first Spartan Race. I…read moream committing to strengthen my physical abilities for this race because my friend encouraged me to push myself beyond my mental blocks. As part of our training, she suggested our team visit a Ninja Warrior-style gym to practice. We had a blast doing the obstacles and learning techniques by watching others. On the other hand, my entire upper body ached 3 days after this "play date" which proves how challenging it is.

Such a great experience for adult outtings or kids birthdays. Very physical. Challengingread more

Touchstone gym located in downtown Oakland…read more This is a more small and intimate gym in comparison to Pacific Pipe. There is a small Boulder section, top roping, work area, weights, and workout area. The staff here is super friendly. My friends took the intro to climbing class here and they really enjoyed it. The staff was really helpful in teaching them the ins and outs

I love the structure. Super fun, climbing competition. Great stuff. Super fun…read more I came for the 2024 climbing competition. I had such a great time so glad I came. This building is gorgeous and so fun so aesthetic. The staff was super friendly. When I made a joke about my chalk, they were receptive and fun. Their store was pretty well stocked. Grab myself an adorable, red crop sweatshirt. They're set up was very organized. Literally zero drama. Highly recommend, and I'll be back.

Welp, this location is itty bitty. No parking. And limited equipment, but it'll get the job done…read more The staff was super nice. The lady answered all of my questions, and she was willing to show me around but I politely declined. The free weights go up to 60lb dumbbells. There's a dual cable machine near the 3 weight benches. There's a TRX band, sand bags, and twos sets of the small dumbbells. I just needed an hour bench workout, and I got it. The location is just off the main strip. A little walk around the area was nice. I found parking one street over in the residential area. The roads are tight and parking can be hard to find, but this place did good by me.

The Albany branch is very good: friendly and helpful staff, all the cardio and weight equipment you…read morecould want, a great air filtration system, and many classes offered in the gym. The not so good is about poor customer service from the East Bay central office. They're not accessible, transparent, responsive or professional. I submitted an inquiry about certain deliberate, repeated and disruptive member behaviors, including a question about what help other members could expect from desk staff. The central office agreed it was disruptive, said they'd do XYZ, and then....no action, and silence for over half a year, unresponsive to a few follow-up inquiries. Then recently the Y central office emailed me that, in their experience, my experience didn't exist, never mind their earlier acknowledgement, and that it was up to me to suck it up and somehow deal with it. I am so disappointed with the East Bay YMCA member "services" crew, and with the complete lack of effective communication and recourse channels.

The pool is great! And it's open way more hours this summer than the past. Pretty much 12-6pm…read moreeveryday for rec swim. FYI the pool is only open during the summer.

The Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area (SCRA) is a hidden gem located above the Cal Campus and on…read morethe road up the hill on the way up to the Lawrence Hall of Science. It features an outdoor swimming pool, a ropes course, locker rooms, fitness center, barbecue/picnic area, and the Haas Clubhouse. I've been here for a few private parties at the Clubhouse. But what I really enjoy is bringing the family here for a swim and a chance to hang out poolside or on the grass. It's quiet, peaceful and in lush surroundings. And it's only a short drive from the urban grittiness of my Albany home.

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. **…read more OK, there's got to be at least a dozen of these so-called rock parks in the Berkeley Hills, most of which apparently present "challenges to early-level rock climbing" according to the city parks website. I don't know what that means to no-level rock climbing types like myself except a palpable fear of slipping on the rock stairs they carve in some of the smoother boulders. The most famous rock park is Indian Rock due to the sheer size of the outcroppings, and just up the block is its smaller and most discreet sister, probably overlooked except by those who presumably introduce themselves as early-level rock climbers at social mixers. It's still quite pleasing in its modest way. If Indian Rock is Marcia Brady, then Mortar Rock surely is Jan who claims to be dating advanced-level rock climber George Glass. "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!" "Sure, Jan." RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

Mortar Rock Park is the middle of three interesting rhyolite outcroppings here in the Berkeley…read moreHills. most people find Indian Rock Park on Google maps and come to see it. But be sure to also check out mortar Rock Park and grotto Rock. What makes Mortar Rock Park special, there are deep divots in the rock said to have been created by the ancient people of the area as they were grinding nuts using the stones.

This review of All in One Fitness and personal trainer Diane is very overdue - sorry Diane! My wife…read moreand I signed up for a series of "buddy" personal training sessions over 8 weeks starting in January 2025. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience. The Gym: the facility is small but clean, and the patrons range in age and fitness levels. Everyone is very welcoming and understanding of the sometimes tight quarters that can take place in a smaller place, and they do their best to keep out of the way or allow others to pass. It's a great place and I enjoyed it a lot. The Trainer: Diane is amazing!!! My wife and I wanted to learn how to safely carry out weight training with dumbbells and a variety of other equipment as we're getting to the age where it's important to maintain our muscle mass. Diane did a great job developing a program that we felt like we could tackle, and over the course of eight weeks we saw massive improvements in strength and balance. She's also very sweet and fun to hang out with as you sweat your way through your hour. We highly recommend her!!

I've been meaning to write this for a while, but life has been busy. I'm 74, and have never been as…read morefit as I should be, but I got into really bad condition during the pandemic, way too much sitting. I started having severe back pain and found that walking with hiking poles helped this. I thought it was due to my spinal curvature (but it turns out it was due to weakened muscles!). I used to be a member of the Berkeley YMCA, but didn't like it as much when I returned after the pandemic, with the women's fitness center gone. So I was mainly walking at the Marina. But last summer I had 2 falls there, both stupid things, tripping on my pole and on the edge of a raised surface. The second fall caused a fracture in my ring finger and I had to get my wedding rings cut off, as they quickly became tourniquets on my swollen finger. So I decided to look for another gym, where I could hold on to the handles on the treadmill. I asked my kids for recommendations. One of them mentioned All in One Fitness in Albany, a few blocks from his house, where he'd seen a sign welcoming people over 40. So I went and checked it out, and this is what I found: To start, it's easy to get to from my West Berkeley home, easy free parking, comfortable and friendly atmosphere, wonderful and friendly trainers, all the equipment one could need in a small space. My trainer, Diane, who is also the manager, is not only excellent as a trainer, but her enthusiasm and support has been really been encouraging. I feel comfortable there with everyone; I don't feel out of place at all. This place, and in particular Diane, my trainer, has truly changed my life! Diane said at the beginning that she wanted to make it fun for me to come to the gym. I thought, "Oh, right!" (in a skeptical, eyeball rolling way). But it happened - it is fun! And I feel so much better! And I can walk without my poles and carry grocery bags! I have personal training twice a week, which has been wonderful for learning new things and keeping up the variety and fun. I have so many things I can do now, not just the treadmill and bicycle, and I can do them on my own between training days. I think it's been 5 months now, and I'm getting stronger and feeling so much better! As I said, it's changed my life! I highly recommend this gym!

Beautiful setting and friendly staff! Hours are limited for non-UCB folks though. And lanes may…read morebe crowded.

Golden Bear is a fine pool. The lifeguards are smart and competent. BUT…read moresince the children are there weekdays until 5 pm, the place is left a MESS. Clothing, food stuff, bottles, paper of all sorts remain. It is not healthy, It is certainly not pleasant to be there with the spaces littered. PLEASE. have the counselors (and parents) instruct children to remove their litter when they leave...and provide places for the 'mess' to go, that can be dumped elsewhere. We should NOT have to see piles of leftovers at the pool site.

Bay Strength is not a gym. It is not a bunch of trainers. It is not a set of equipment. Bay…read moreStrength is a source of inspiration and perspiration. It is a reason for people to bond while they bend. It is a place where people come to lift their spirits as much as lifting weights. I highly recommend Bay Strength to anyone looking for a way to get started on strength training without being intimidated by it! The trainers are great at providing the right mix of support, guidance and independence to let each person navigate their own journey. They go above and beyond to provide an open, accepting, and fun environment which makes the whole experience so much better! I've only been training here for a few months and I can already feel myself getting stronger every week. Big shoutout to Kelly and Katherine for being amazing trainers and for helping me get started on my strength training journey!

I love this place so much! As someone who has always been intimidated by weight rooms at most gyms,…read moreI immediately felt at ease and welcome at Bay Strength. The coaches teach you and correct your form in a positive way that is so encouraging, you never feel self conscious. They'll help you with alternative exercises or modifications if you ever need it. It's also so nice to not have to plan out your workouts, since the coaches lay everything out for you. They make it easy so that you can just go in and have fun while working at your own pace. The absolute best part of this gym is the people. I've made so many friends and we're always laughing and chatting and being silly. We cheer each other on, celebrate PRs, and crack jokes between sets. It's a true community, and I always feel so uplifted every time I'm here. Joining Bay Strength was the best decision I've made in a really long time, and I'm so grateful to be a part of this beautiful place.