I trained at Berkeley Barbell Club for about six months and really loved it. The monthly price is so good, definitely the lowest in East Bay, especially for 24-hour access. You even get a free guest pass once a week. The space is clean and has an air conditioner for hot days. Plenty of racks, and when it's busy, working in with others is easy. The owners are genuinely nice and welcoming. They host a bunch of optional WhatsApp groups for things like hiking and running. If you're shy, they'll go out of their way to make sure you know about these groups, but not in a pushy way. I would have kept my membership if I hadn't moved! read more

Amazing gym in the neighborhood. I got enrolled this month, and I'm so happy I did. The machines are all top quality, with new ones and new equipment always coming in. The atmosphere and the outdoor space are my favorites, also clean bathrooms and great location. Cody the owner is such a nice person. I highly recommend it. read more

Im on call today so hanging out close to work. I don't live in Berkeley but if I did I'd go to this gym. The guys running the place are very friendly and know what they're doing. I was impressed that one of the owners -Connor - can close the #2 iron mind gripper like it's easy. It's not easy - I trained jujitsu for 15 years and closing the #2 = gorilla hands. Jiujitsu medals on the wall also. Anyway- lots of good attitude and plenty of barbells to get strong. Great gym. read more

Obsessed with this gym. Everyone's so chill and kind. I'm working with Connor - starting from absolute zero and he doesn't make me feel like that all. I avoided gyms because I don't know how to use most of the machines, so if you're like me (older and intimidated), I highly recommend the Beginner Training sessions! Off to schedule my next one right now! read more

A true gem of a neighborhood gym. Berkeley Barbell Club; great community, kind owners, welcoming atmosphere, and 24-hour access. The equipment is thoughtfully chosen, and they expanded into the space next door so there's lots of room. Can't recommend it enough! read more

Amazing location, access anytime, great gym. Farmers market right outside on Tuesdays so perfect for picking up some local produce after a workout. read more

Awesome place with a great community vibe. Excellent, real weight lifting equipment including a row of 4 heavy duty rack stations, and great outdoor area. Super friendly staff, with no pretentious attitude, they're just excited you're visiting to lift! read more

Kody is so great, I'm coming from out of town and needed a gym to get strength training done. It's a warm community here and I'm glad I found this gem! Will be back if I'm in the area again for sure :). read more

This gym is great, friendly and helpful staff and has a good community vibe. Been getting personal training with Kody and would recommend them to anyone looking to get help with strength training. read more

Both my husband and I have been training with Connor at the Barbell club for several months now and he is just an absolutely amazing trainer. He is great for people working with/ recovering from injuries. And more than anything else, both my husband and I love Connor for his amazing personality. He makes the workouts fun, knows exactly how much to push you so you make tremendous progress in little time and takes the fear out of lifting for newbies like me. He is extremely knowledgeable on how to structure workouts and recovery for maximum impact and we learn so much from him every session. He doesn't take shortcuts, is extremely patient and very flexible. The most fun I have ever had at a gym! Definitely reccomend to anyone that's looking to get started or continue their weight training journey to meet him. read more

Venue: While I had some familiarity with strength training, working out in open gyms has always been nerve-wracking. I always stayed to the same exercise and equipment because I had such a huge fear of learning and failing in front of others. This more private gym environment really helped me focus more on myself and gain confidence with strength training. I have learned a lot here and now feel very confident as well to workout on my own in public settings. Personal Trainer: Kody is an amazing instructor who is able to specially tailor a routine that will definitely push you to your limits but not murder you. After working with him for just under a year I have seen an immense change in my physique and strength. His encouraging energy is really motivating and his exercise tracking helps you monitor your progress. I couldn't recommend Kody enough. read more

See all

Kody, the owner, is the kindest human in fitness. I have nothing but good things to say about how welcoming he was. The equipment and gym are perfect for my needs--not intimidating--just right. And the community will keep you coming back. read more

Called in to double check if they were open because online it said open and the person on the phone was absolutely rude and gave attitude when it litterally said it was open online,FIX YOUR SERVICE HOURS ON SAFARI Response to owner who replied:Yup i guess thats a valid excuse for him to be rude to a potential client? He said "uhh tf its christmas eve and its late" read more

Berkeley Barbell Club - Gyms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Berkeley Barbell Club is hands down one of the best gyms in the area. The space is clean and the equipment is great -- nice outdoor area too. Special shoutout to Aristotle -- an incredible trainer who really takes the time to understand your goals and tailors workouts to match. He listens, adapts, and genuinely cares about your progress. Highly recommend! read more

Excellent gym! Easy to sign up for a membership, and also easy to cancel online, which is welcome considering that most gyms require mailing in cancellation forms in triplicate. Membership gets you a door code, so you can work out whenever you want, 24/7. Highly recommended! read more

Berkeley Barbell Club - Gyms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Berkeley Barbell Club (and especially trainer Kody) are the absolute best! I started training with Kody because I was a runner in my mid-30s having done nothing but running as exercise for all of my young adult life and started to feel knee pain. His weight training coaching has turned me into the fittest I've ever been in my life and a multi-marathon runner per year with NO PAIN at 38 years old! His positivity is totally infectious and you sometimes forget that you are even working out cause it just feels like shooting the sh** with a friend for an hour (while squatting 80+ lbs). The gym vibe is so welcoming and everyone is super nice. If you are a no experience gym person, this is a place for you! You will feel your most confident gym self in NO TIME. Run, don't walk to join this gym. You won't regret it!! read more

It took me some time to get around to writing this review but it's been in the back of my head for a long time. I attended this gym for a month about a year ago with my fiance. I came in first, and was looking forward to another boutique weightlifting gym experience, especially because the equipment offered in the space was thoughtful and the reviews seemed great. One of the first days I attended, I was staring off into space (as one does after a big lift) and noticed that one of the men was looking at me with fear. I was staring in the direction of his phone without even thinking. I am all too used to that look of fear in the bay area as a small black woman. I have never stolen anything or committed a crime, but I my time in the bay was so racialized, I had to move back to the South. Many times, I am always overly aware of how I'm standing, talking, moving, anything in the bay because despite being 5'0, people think I will steal or hurt them. Turned out the person watching me and his phone back to back, was one of the owners. I already knew I had to make him comfortable with my presence, as I usually had to in the bay, and noted that I was a federal employee and used to work in Big Tech. He noticeably softened, and mentioned he himself was half black (although passing). My fiance and I only stayed a month after that because it was just so blatant and saddening. If I'm inside of the code-locked gym, my only purpose is to be there for the service I paid for. This, among other experiences over almost a decade, is why I left the bay ultimately. It was just one of a few straws that broke the camels back. I knew I couldn't be a part of the gym community there after that interaction because it would always be dependent on me explaining myself -- how much I make, why I'm there, that I'm safe, I'm human. I think for any other demographic this place is great. But if you're a younger looking black woman and especially dark skin, you already know the bay places your social status in a place where being in a Berkeley-heavy environment is not going to safe or welcoming for you. I absolutely kept the peace and was nice to everyone while there regardless, but I've learned over time to minimize my time in spaces where I receive the worst assumptions to start with. I do want to note that the other owner never left me feeling out of place and it was appreciated. read more

After having hip replacement surgery and continual lower back pain, I was looking for a personal trainer that was familiar with chronic injuries and more specifically, someone who could work with a client who has had a hip replacement and can work with getting my body back into working condition. That personal trainer is Connor Barnett. Even within two sessions, my body is able to do more than it has in the last 6 months. Why live with chronic pain if you dont have to? Instead of ignoring jt, or icing it, or heatpads, or weight loss schemes, just make an appointment with Connor. he explains the workouts as you are doing them, is very friendly, but also makes sure you finish your sets and with correct form. Do yourself a favor if youve had chronic back issues and make an appointment today. read more

I've tried four gyms in the East Bay and, for lifting-focused folks, this one is heads and shoulders above the rest. There aren't any frills, but it has all the equipment you need and a great community to boot, headed up by a pair of super friendly and awesome owners. Give it a shot! read more

I started training with Kody at his home when my regular gym closed down during the pandemic. Kody is a great trainer, but his equipment was necessarily limited to what would fit in a one-car garage, and sometimes street parking was a little tough in his neighborhood, so the experience wasn't all that it could be. I'm so happy that Kody and Connor opened up this gym! The new space has plenty of room for everything and there is a HUGE parking lot. And Kody continues to be a wonderful trainer ...... read more

Berkeley Barbell Club - Gyms Near Me - Berkeley, California

See all

Really love this spot. The owners are extremely kind and knowledgeable about fitness, nutrition and how to safely get the gains I want. They both have years of experience in the fitness industry and such a passion for health. The membership cost and personal training session are very reasonable and there's parking in front which is a huge plus! Definitely recommend checking it out and supporting a local business! read more

See all

I see Kody twice a week for personal training. The prices are so affordable and I'm getting stronger and able to do exercises I never thought I'd be able to! Not to mention - this has helped me run way longer distances. This gym has also become my community - Kody is going to run a half marathon with me in a couple of months and the crew does monthly activities so members can get to know one another. I highly recommend this gym - you'll get stronger, join a community, and make great friends! read more

Great environment and vibes are always chill! No matter what time you get there, you will have an amazing workout! Great staff and regulars

Berkeley Barbell Club is a great little gym. I love the intimate feel, the equipment is quality, and the owners, Kody and Connor, are great trainers/ people. Added bonus that parking is easy as well. Do yourself a favor and check this place out! read more

I have been loving going to Berkeley Barbell Club. First off, it's so easy getting parking in front of the gym (can't do that at equinox), and when you walk in you get hit by great music (also can't get that at equinox). The gym itself is great, it has everything you need and I've never had a problem using the equipment I need. Everything in the gym is tidy, organized and well maintained helping you get in the work you want to do. The owners are super helpful and supportive if you ever need anything. 5*/5* would recommend to anyone. read more

I started working out at the Berkeley Barbell Club in September as a total novice. I started out by doing beginner personal training sessions with Connor, but have slowly started to gain confidence in working out by myself. Connor also made me a 20 week program to follow that is tailored to my own body and my fitness goals. I've always been really intimidated by big gyms and it's kept me away from delving into the world of lifting. I love that Berkeley Barbell Club is in my neighborhood, because I feel so welcomed by Kody and Connor. The equipment is very well kept, the gym is clean, and the prices are unbeatable. Highly recommend checking out this gym. read more

Small, community-based gym with great personal training option. Gym: small but everything you need, the times I've been sharing equipment has never been a problem, friendly owners and fellow gym-goers. Personal training: I'd been lifting intermittently for a couple years but wanted to improve my form. Over the course of 3 sessions, Kody coached me on the big compound movements and also gave me an array of new exercises that I can work with, as well as helped me understand more of the theory behind what I was doing in a way that was responsive to my needs. Always the right level of workout -- nicely challenging but not sore-five-days-later hard, with positive and supportive coaching. read more

This is my favorite gym I've worked out at! Everyone is so kind and welcoming & they have tons of great equipment (and it doesn't feel crowded!) despite the smaller space. It was never too busy & the 24/7 access is a huge plus. & Kody's free run club is a must join read more

What a fantastic club! Personal Trainer Aristotle is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and a terrific listener. He created a workout routine tailor-made to accommodate my physical constraints, focused on strength and endurance for progression. Co-Owner Kody is super helpful and supportive! The gym is clean, with natural light and air streaming in, enhancing the right vibe for a great workout. read more