I was invited to God's Gym for leg day and immediately upon my arrival I meet Gary. Gary's whole energy field was bright and uplifting and I knew that I was in great hands. Picture this- a gym where it feels like the 1980's in the best way. No pretense , no " lifestyle branding" just you, your gymmates , and Gary pumping iron. I felt like I was back in the gym with my dad when I was a kiddo. I loved being part of the camaraderie- everyone cheering you on to see you succeed and Gary counting your reps and motivating you to crush it. Although it was only a half hour session I began to question what I was actually accomplishing at my home gym. At God's gym people weren't scrolling their phones- they were present and they were putting in the work. read more

I love this gym and the people that work there. Gary is the perfect blend of professional and personable. I was able to see real results and gained a lot of strength. Do yourself a favor and check out this gym! read more

This place is THE BEST. Training is spot on for me-not too hard, not too easy. If you're looking for fancy schmancy this is not your place but if you're looking for clean real and right, head here, they've got you covered. And. Then there are the smiles, Re:the God piece, don't let it scare you or keep you away. It's the name. There is no preaching. There are a few bible quotes, but keep an open mind and an open heart and read them as what they are, words. read more

Day by day Everyday , 5 star everyday!! the best trainer in Oakland, get your body back , Best place to push you for that last count, gods Gym come from a good family and they're all helpful and nice people. read more

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Gary, Sr. is the best bodybuilding trainers I've ever had known and worked with. He's compassionate, he cares and he help you get to your goals to a healthy lifestyle. He's been my trainer for over 20 years and I have achieved my goal for a healthy and strong lifestyle. You feel welcomed and appreciated by Gary and his staff. He's very knowledgeable and all he asks is that you do your part and he will help you with the rest. read more

Gary Shields and his wife Donna are like family to me. Gary has always offered encouragement and wisdom and pushed me to reach my goals. In the year and a half or so that I went there, I went from being described as someone who looked like I've never lifted a weight in my life, to bench pressing close to 250 lbs and being told I looked like a bouncer. I'm sure I could have been gone a lot further had I been more careful about my diet and getting enough sleep. Some people get put off by the sign or the name of the Gym, but any discussion of religion is voluntary. He doesn't bring it up unless you do. I've heard that people of all faiths go here to train. In response to the comment about going there on a Saturday, Gary only opens the Gym on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays because people there train only 2 or three days per week. This is pretty standard for many weightlifting regimens. Different body parts are worked on different days, and he keeps track of the workouts, introducing new exercises regularly to keep your body from reaching plateaus. Highly recommended! P.S. Apparently this review was saved as a draft over 10 years ago and never got posted until now. But my opinion stands. Gary and his wife are great people and this is a great Gym. read more

I trained here 1992 to 1994 My trainers were Norris Lewis and Gary whenever he had time. Those transformed not just my body but my whole spiritual attitude. I remember my friends thinking I was crazy to get up at 3 00 am so I could be at the gym by 4 00 am four days a week. As i said not only did they transform my body, (I was in the best condition of my life when I left there) I left there closer to God. I strongly encourage you to train there. They changed my life.......let them do the same for you read more

It's a gem of a neighborhood gym. I signed up to train with Anthony for 3 times a week. Anthony's a fantastic trainer who is super friendly and approachable. He really helped me get results and build muscle. I feel like I learned more about bodybuilding after training with him. Rate-wise, you're getting much more bang out of your buck with a personal trainer here than if you signed up for one at 24 hour fitness or LA fitness. Gary and Donna, who own the gym, are super nice and friendly. They get to know all of their regulars on a first name basis. I value supporting a black-owned business, especially in rapidly gentrifying Downtown Oakland. In the early morning there are a lot of seniors of color working their asses off and putting me to shame. This gym has clients of all races, ages, and genders - you feel like you're part of a community working out there! read more

Completed 6 weeks 3X a week training with Anthony. Going into this I was a little hesitant and nervous because I never worked with a trainer. After completing the 6 weeks I'm really glad I took a chance. Workout: strength and cardio. You are working out with 3-4 other people in rotation, but Anthony never leaves you out of the loop. From the first set to the last he is there to encourage you to push though if your struggling. What made me most interested in choosing Anthony as my trainer is the fact he deals with people who have/had injurious. I have had 2 major knee operation so some exercises are off limits for me. Some days I come in and tell Anthony my knee is hurting and he not only listens, but changes up the workout make sure I'm not agitating it even more. Diet: when trying out myself I always struggled to loss weight. I could never find anything that would work for me. It felt very overwhelming. Anthony created a nutritional plan for me. He gave me pointers on food to eat, things to look out for, and encouraged me to not beat myself up if I went over calories. I have lost a total of 10 pounds so far!! Place: I really liked the atmosphere at God's Gym. It's not your YMCA but there is a certain kind of personality and community there that makes you feel comfortable and a part of. All the other trainers greet me and are always welcoming when I come in to workout. I never feel uncomfortable or nervous to workout there. I always look forward to the next time I come in TLDR: it really pays to have a trainer. Would recommend training with Anthony because he listens and is always willing to give encouraging advice. read more

I really enjoy my time working with Gary. To me it doesn't matter how exhausted I become when training, I love every second of it and working with Gary helps me take my passion for fitness to another level. I haven't worked with anyone else at his gym (which is a family owned facility), but Gary himself is a very experienced and supportive person in his field of work which makes me work effectively. I have been on a bodybuilding journey for a bit of time now and I am an incredibly focused and self motivated type of person with a background in nutrition. Gary's additional support from the fitness side of things has thus far pushed my bodybuilding journey in a positive direction and has exposed me to new challenges as well as helped me identify areas I need to train harder on. I cannot recommend this gym enough for training support. You do not have to aspire to become a bodybuilder to join this gym. All sorts of individuals attend this gym with various goals. If you want a supportive and knowledgeable team to work with who will push you to become a stronger person, this is the place to be. Also, this gym is focused on training individuals, it is not the type of facility you come to at any time of the day to workout by yourself. This is why you will see the hours and days the gym is open are not similar to places like Equinox or the YMCA. read more

I joined God's gym in June 2010. I was referred by my cousin who is a member. I took a leave of absence for a year due to relocation reasons. When I joined the gym, I weighed 180lbs, within a months time I was down to 160. Gary provided me with a diet plan that worked. I train with Donna when I initially signed up it was for 2 days needed to know that I could make it!! I have been a member of several gyms in my life time and hands down this is the BEST! Donna, Gary, Gary Jr. and Anthony are very knowledgeable in what they do. They care about their clients and their clients care about them as well. After my one year break, I signed back up in February of 2015. I commute over 2.5 hours to work and I very seldom miss my Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions. I love this place. I am holding down 146 and I give all credit to Donna and Gary Shields... read more

I highly recommend anyone who is trying to get into a gym routine or reach a fitness goal but have NO idea where to start - to come here. I only saw Anthony for a couple months, but I learned a lot in the short amount of time. I went from thinking of the gym as a chore to looking forward to working out. (Which was my main goal!) In addition, a huge concern for me was being intimidated by gym culture. God's Gym is the most accepting, friendliest space I have worked out at. Everyone greets you and really wants you to do your best. Great vibe! Can't recommend enough! read more

Best place to get motivated and endless support in your journey to getting in shape. Anthony, Gary and Donna are some of the kindest and most encouraging people I have ever met. I WANTED to go to the gym, which was a first! Sad I couldn't continue my training as I moved out of the area. read more

WELL, I had to take this photo today with my trainer. Gary Shields has been an awesome motivator and has helped me to stay accountable. This marks the 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of me making a Lifestyle Change... and maintaining my weight loss. A little over 105lbs. read more

I had zero experience working with a personal trainer but was so glad I signed up with them. I love the vibe in there - everyone is embraced as family and each workout goes by quick. Not alot of down time. Its High Intensity, but they adjust the weight and workout to your desired outcome and bodytype. I've seen all shapes, sizes, sexes, ethnicities work out there, so dont be intimidated by the black building. :) My 6 week, 3x a week sessions has finished but will be signing up for more soon! Check 'em out! read more

I've been coming to God's Gym and training with Anthony for at least two years, and I don't know what's taken me so long to leave a review. This is one of the most important and positive commitments I have made in my life. Coming here not only leaves me feeling physically better, but mentally better as well. Anthony really caters to each of his clients and knows just how much to push everyone he trains. He also always makes appropriate modifications to his workouts to keep things interesting and challenging. If that's not enough, he's also one of the most caring and encouraging people I know! Beyond the training aspect, Gary and Donna have fostered an amazing community at God's Gym where everyone feels like family. Even though I work out in the mornings and have to get up earlier than I need to, I never dread coming here because this has become the best way to start my day! read more

I've worked out with trainers before, even one that I loved, and the experience with Anthony has still been on a different level entirely. For the last 5 weeks, I have had the pleasure of having Anthony as my trainer. I have found capacities in my body that I didn't know existed. Anthony is hardly summed up by a five star review. Anthony has one of the sunniest and positive personalities you'll never meet. The workouts are different every day and are fun and enjoyable and never boring. The gym environment is also great. From other trainers and other gym goers, everyone is kind, supportive, and encouraging. Expect to be greeted by everyone when you arrive. Since my first day, the atmosphere has been nothing but positive. I feel very welcomed and extremely comfortable. I've been very impressed with my experience thus far. I love the that God's cultivates a great mix of clientele. I see both men and women (regardless of age, level of fitness, or experience) working on their goals. read more

God's Gym is an Oakland institution. Gary has decades of experience making the benefits of personal training accessible and digestible. When you train there you are treated as family. I love the group classes and getting inspired by the other members and trainers part of the God's Gym family. The training experience and the spirit in the space makes a big difference in your fitness compared to other options I've explored. read more

This is the best gym that I have ever been a member of! Gary Shields and his wife own and operate the gym. I have been going off and on to him for over 10 years. He is the only one who can get the weight off. When you leave you are drained. He also offers diet plans and can analyze your current eating habits. The equipment is *old school*. I've seen several celebs in this gym as well, frequently the Channel 2 crew! read more

If you REALLY want results go to Gods Gym, you will not be disappointed. A good friend referred me over a year ago and I have been going there ever since. It's a family environment with a very high level of training expertise and professionalism. They work with people starting from every fitness level. No cussing or Swearing at God's Gym but plenty of Sweating that is for sure.... Gary, Donna and Anthony are the best. Thank you God's Gym Team!!!. read more

God's Gym is perfect not for what it offers but for what it doesn't. There is no spinning class led by an elf in a leotard who screams at you, there is no Pilates machine waiting list, there is no towel service, there is no overweight salesman pushing you for a Platinum Membership. There are only Serious trainers, friendly smiles and old school weight training here. It warmly reminds me of the high school gym but less messing around. I have seen excellent results in my first 4 weeks and plan on being part of the God's Gym family for a long time to come. read more

I've been training at God's Gym for a year and a half now with Gary Jr and it has been one of the best decisions I've ever done. I've gone from benching the bar to benching 305lbs! Might not be much to some people but personally, I never thought I'd even come close to that weight in my life! My strength and health has improved immensely since the first day when I walked in fat, weak, and out of shape. Training with Gary Jr is intense but fun as well. He challenges you to keep pushing even when you think you can't anymore. (I think this runs in their family's blood lol!) Gary Sr is always observing all the people training even while he has clients of his own to ensure we use proper form and technique (sometimes even asks you to squeeze in more reps when he knows you can still push through to get every ounce out of you while you train - like wait, you were counting my reps? I thought you were training someone else at the moment? Lol) From the outside, the gym might look daunting or intimidating, but right when you enter those doors you get greeted with a friendly smile from Gary SR and the rest of the gym family and you'll feel right at home. It's just something different about coming in to a family owned and run gym that you won't get at any other gym you go to. If you're worried about it being a religious gym because of its name, don't worry, Gary Sr is not walking around with a bible reciting verses while you work out. (Maybe if you asked him to? Lol Jk) It is a no frills gym with respectful people, friendly atmosphere and trainers that will help you with your fitness goals wether you are male, female, young or old. Their 30 minute workout regimen might sound like a walk in the park, like really? Only 30 mins?! But that's 30 mins of non stop training! If you still think 30 minute work outs are easy, come on in and train with us :) There's a reason why God's Gym has been here in Oakland 30 years strong! read more

Working out at God's Gym has made me a better person. Over the past 9 months, I have been working out 3 times/week with Anthony. Not only am I happy with how I look, but I also have so much more energy, more positivity, and I feel healthier. Anthony is one of the kindest and most charismatic people I have met. He genuinely wants his clients succeed and will do whatever he can do make that happen. His unrelenting encouragement and deep knowledge of fitness and nutrition make him a truly excellent trainer. Despite having worked out at God's Gym for so long, I still leave feeling sore and knowing that I got a rigorous work out. Gary, Dona, and Anthony take great care and hospitality for each person that walks through the door. They strongly value integrity, which fosters an incredibly comfortable, fun, and family environment. So grateful to be part of this community. read more

I went online looking for a personal trainer and learned of Anthony Navarro and God's Gym. I was a bit skeptical and intimidated at first but the first day I walked in everyone was super friendly.Gary, the owner, welcomed me to his gym and as soon as I signed off, Anthony had me working my butt of. Hes knowledgable, pushes you to your limit but also works with you when you need the extra push. I signed up for one month to try it out and after the experience and the 8.5 lbs lost, i signed up for another month. Def worth your time especially if youre a bit unfamiliar and looking to be in a no judgement zone with professional focus on your needs. read more

After years of passing up personal training because I couldn't find anyone whose training style was worth the money, I did one session with Anthony and was hooked. Not only is he incredibly FUN to train with - sometimes I forget I'm working out, even though I'm sweating, huffing and puffing - but he's increased my strength and taught me how to get lean, sometimes with limited time on my side (pre-vacation, etc.). The next day, it's always very clear I've run through a tough workout because I'm sore. Anthony is also one of the most positive people I've ever met, and has a gift for making his clients feel like royalty. I leave every session feeling like a total boss because Anthony encourages me and celebrates my successes. I really can't recommend Anthony's depth of knowledge, amazing personality and training style enough. I rarely travel to the East Bay from SF, but I love training with Anthony so much that I'm signing up for sessions with him at God's Gym in addition to my sessions at my SF gym (his old location). I would pay what I did at the old gym to continue training with Anthony, but due to the incredibly affordable nature of the sessions at God's Gym, I don't even have to. Signing up with Anthony is a no brainer as far as I'm concerned! read more

I've been training at God's Gym for about 2 months now - 3 days/week. I've been training with Anthony Navarro for over a year now. I have worked with many trainers in the last 6 years, and I haven't found one yet who is as professional, knowledgeable and positive as Anthony. I strongly recommend both the gym and Anthony to anyone looking to get in shape, and here is why: It should speak volumes that I left my previous gym to keep working with him as a trainer. His customer service and knowledge of fitness are both amazing, and he is eager to help teach clients to be successful in their goals. He has a very positive attitude and provides the right kind of motivations when the going gets tough during the 30 minute work out. Yes - it's 30 minutes - but it is never *only* 30 minutes. Be prepared to work hard, sweat a lot and then get a cardio assignment for the day. It's nice to have the flexibility of hoping on a treadmill right when you're done to knock it out, or go on with your day after 30 minutes and make time for cardio later. A note on the gym itself: despite the name, I have never experienced it to be a religious place. I consider myself non-religious and I have observed people of all creeds, backgrounds and ages that train here. The common thread is hard work. The owner Gary has done a great job at making everyone feel welcome and motivated to obtain their goals. Everyone is friendly and trainers and clients alike work together to keep each other getting the most out of the time spent. It's a no frills gym with respect and kindness towards others as rules - values that aren't often shared or vocalized in corporate gyms. It should also be said that the cost of the training is a fraction of what it would cost for 3 times a week at any other gym. Depending on what time you train, you workout with others in a small group on a circuit of exercises, but the trainers never take on so many that people are waiting on machines or lacking personal attention to your form on each exercise. read more

I've been working with Anthony Navarro for over a year now, and the results I've experienced far exceeded even my most ambitious goals. When he moved from his old location in San Francisco to Oakland for God's Gym, I followed him there! The commute is very well worth it: He's an amazing trainer, very encouraging, extremely motivating, dedicated to his clients, and very knowledgable about his trade. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone, whether you're just starting out on your fitness journey or looking for some fresh training. As for the gym itself; it is one of the more positive and encouraging fitness atmospheres I've had the pleasure of training in. Gary has done an incredible job of creating a gym that I believe anyone (regardless of age, level of fitness, or experience) could very extremely comfortable and welcomed in. I've been very impressed with my experience thus far. To echo another reviewer - to those of you who may be uncomfortable with the name, I have not perceived this gym to be an overtly or pushy religious environment in the slightest. Everyone is welcome here. read more

I have to confess - I'm OBSESSED with God's Gym! Through a friend's referral, I started working out with Anthony in advance of my July wedding. More than anything else, I've never felt better in my life. I have more energy, I'm happier and all around healthier and more balanced just from three workouts a week. What I love about Anthony is that he's there to truly coach me, through my work out and through diet challenges. He's not going to put me down if I enjoy a cheeseburger and he's ALWAYS SO POSITIVE - I can't say that enough. I really appreciate his constant encouragement and enthusiasm. I feel like there are so many gyms that focus on what you're not, but God's Gym focuses on what you are. Anthony is so kind and super body positive, so I always feel comfortable pushing myself through a challenge while I'm in the gym. I'm really going to miss it when I move to LA... read more

God's gym is an old fashioned family owned business. It's not a fancy shiny gym. It's a place where people who are serious about their fitness goals can get the training and support necessary to get there. You show up, do your workout and finish in an hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The owners greet everyone by name as they walk in. They check in and give you positive feedback. And if you need prayer, they'll do that too. They run a simple straight forward business with no gimmicks. read more

I went to God's Gym looking for just some workout. But it turned into something so much more! Anthony has been such a great motivator and awesome trainer who helped me stay on track. I liked the focused, intense training sessions, and made some great friends in the process. Also, both Gary and Anthony were so supportive, friendly, and genuinely cared for my health and progress, it was truly a family feel. I would definitely highly recommend God's Gym to anyone who wants to get into great shape and feel supported the whole way! Thanks Anthony and Gary! read more

Signed up here because I wasn't training hard enough anymore. Wow. It's everything I hoped for, and AMAZING value if you compare it to other personal training programs on the same street. Its a HIIT program where you do a ton of work in 30 minutes. Gary is very attentive and you always feel that he's watching you. The vibe at the gym is great and absolutely nonjudgmental. I'm blown away. read more

The best Gym in the world. What can I say... Half an hour of solid personal training in a non-"look at me" environment. Men, Women, all races, all ages...there to work out- nothing else! And work out we DO, I tell ya' This is no "posing " gym! My wife and I have been going there for years now and I can honestly tell you, my life would not have been the same if I had not! And not in a religious way!! Many think of the Gym as being some haven for Christian teachings, but it's not at all!! Gary and Donna Shields are just incredible talented people. I feel so fortunate to have this man as my personal trainer! read more

God's gym is a great place to work out -- friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a respectful and trustful atmosphere that feels more like family than any other gym I've ever been to. I am commuting here from downtown San Francisco twice a week just to work out with my trainer Anthony (a great guy), and it's definitely worth the trip. I definitely recommend this place both if you have been working out for years, or if you are just getting started. read more

Anthony is the man! I did personal training at God's Gym for a few months, recently had to stop because I'm a poor student, and I really miss working out at God's Gym. Anthony, Gary, and Donna will tailor your regiment to meet your specific goals. I wanted to get stronger and bulk up, my girlfriend wanted to tone, and Anthony pushed both of us to meet our goals. He was super flexible when it came to scheduling, and if you have any questions Anthony would be more than happy to answer them. read more

I'm not much of a Yelper, but being new to the area I thought my feedback might be helpful to someone else like myself. I moved here 3 months ago and was exploring what gyms I would call my new training home. This one was exactly what I was looking for. Great training and even better price. I get tailored workouts each week to help me reach my fitness goals. I've been going for a couple months now and can notice I'm actually developing muscle. My trainer Donna is fun and always full of positive energy, which is hard to do at 530 AM. read more

I started here at the recommendation of a friend and LOVED God's Gym. I was originally trying to get back in shape after not working out for a couple months, and I did 2x a week for 6 weeks, cross-training with yoga 1-2x/week. I got in great shape and strong again, and Gary Junior did an amazing job of tailoring the workout to focus on parts of my body that I requested. The workouts are extremely efficient 30-minute weightlifting circuits (private to groups of 3), and instruction is super form-focused, which I really appreciate since I don't know my way around a weight room. It's expensive, but worth every penny, and I plan to go back quarterly for a boost in strength. Last but definitely not least, the gym vibes are so great -- it's family owned and operated, everyone is so nice, and they really listen to you and track progress. read more

I've been going to God's gym for training once a week for a few months now. I have never had such a positive experience with a trainer, with a gym, or with fitness in general in my life. As long as I can afford it and I live in the area, I will go out of my way and shift my budget around to keep training with Gary. I came in on the verge of tears because I had strength imbalance issues with my lower body weight training. I had been training a few months already and was ready to give up. Donna was super sweet, Gary listened to me vent, rearranged his schedule and set me up to start training the next week. I had only ever planned to go in for a few weeks, max. I already belong to another gym and I felt like I couldn't afford to pay for two. But...wow. Gary is so kind, so supportive, he really cares. Everyone in the gym trains hard, and they are all smiles. Gary's granddaughter cheerfully pops in to say hi to her grandfather periodically and Gary's son pops in to say hi as well. It's such a strong, loving environment. Despite being so caring and cheerful, God's Gym is also tough. I train for 30 minutes and man, every week it is killer. Gary will push you so far out of your comfort zone, harder than you ever thought you were capable. You've done 5 reps and you think you're done...but you have 20 more. And somehow, you manage it. You're sore as all get out the next few days, but you put in 110% effort, and before you know it, you've accomplished your old goals and you're setting new goals. It's an amazing feeling. I'm a young woman, and a staunch atheist. I kind of giggled the first time I walked by God's Gym and thought, "that's silly." But I really grew to respect Gary and his philosophy. It's simple: he loves God, he loves life, and he cares about you. He wants you to be the best you can be. He won't let you be any less than your best. He's an inspiration and an incredible trainer. I highly, highly recommend him to anyone struggling with themselves, their body, their self esteem or their fitness. read more

Amazing experience thus far after 3sessions very focused on goal and great training from Anthony Navarro makes the work out sessions bearable and overall a pleasant workout read more

I joined God's Gym 6 years ago because I wanted to lose 15 pounds. I lost 5 in no time and gained muscle tone. I lost another 5 and gained confidence. I lost another 5, had accomplished my goal and I felt happy. My 3 workouts per week punctuate my day, strengthens my discipline, and sets me up to be healthy, productive and happy. I have met wonderful people who are enormously supportive. I will forever be grateful to Gary and Donna Shield's who have created a jewel of a gym. I recommend God's Gym wholeheartedly. read more

Gary, the main trainer at God's Gym is an awesome guy, as positive and inspiration as it gets. He understands people have their up and downs but at the same time doesn't just let people give up. I started working with him after I lost a significant amount of weight and he helped out a lot with nutrition advice as well. Been working with him for over three years. read more