As someone who had never stepped foot in a gym before, I was nervous about taking the plunge at…read moreBody Mechanix. I couldn't have made a better choice. The community here is incredibly warm and welcoming--you genuinely feel like everyone is cheering each other on. It has an authentic Oakland vibe rather than the intimidating "gym bro" atmosphere I'd feared. Personal training sessions with Minh have been absolutely transformative for my strength, flexibility, and--most importantly--helping me feel healthy and energized throughout the week. Minh is organized, knowledgeable, encouraging, and genuinely fun to work with. Over the past couple of months, I've strengthened weaker areas, improved my mobility, and learned so much about how my body works. The results have been noticeable beyond the gym too--on the soccer field, I feel more dynamic and effective than ever. I can't recommend Minh and Body Mechanix highly enough!

Meh, place just OK. Kind of snooty workers, strict rules, very small inside, too expensive, nowhere…read moreto park. Not feeling it.

Monica is one of - if not THE- most compassionate and intuitive people I've ever met. Not only does…read moreshe care about her craft, but she centers the individual and their overall wellbeing. I have multiple disabilities and illnesses, which have resulted in a difficult relationship with my body. It was important to me to find someone knowledgeable about the body and a comfortable, private space where I could learn. I initially reached out to Monica to focus on getting stronger, and I am! The unexpected results have more to do with my confidence, and she's helped me recognize that I'm capable of so much more than I thought. Ok so I could go on forever about how amazing she is, but in addition to all of the above she: - provides customized weekly workouts - Is extremely flexible when it comes to scheduling conflicts - Has a safe, clean, calming space in which to work out and learn - Can tactfully Target specific areas of strength training to meet specific goals - Can advise on supplementary actions to further progress - Offers frequent check ins throughout the week for accountability and progress She's also got a wonderful memory and an expert understanding of anatomy. If not for her, I wouldn't have pursued figuring out underlying health issues that have impacted my energy, mobility, and overall wellbeing.

Monica didn't just help me 'lose some weight', she coached me to carry out a more active and…read moremindful lifestyle to ultimately help me accomplish the goal of feeling at home in my own body. She's very patient and will only push you if she knows you can do it (trust me, you can :P). Sessions with her are not just another gym class, she truly listens to you and your concerns and keeps you motivated in your journey to become a better you

Max is a very professional, reliable, and knowledgeable personal trainer! He is super approachable…read moreand motivating. Not only do I look forward to our workouts, but I have also been amazed at my results- I lost 20 lbs without sacrificing muscle mass. I 100% recommend Max if you are looking for an efficient, dedicated, and talented personal trainer!

Started with Coach Max a year and a half ago and saw very positive results. After some health…read moreissues, I returned to pick up where we left off Coach Max knows what he is doing. He motivates you and keeps you moving and growing with different exercises so things never get stale. He also gives advice regarding nutrition that has been very helpful. With Max's continued guidance and encouragement I can challenge myself to lift heavier, get fitter, and am surprised at what I can do! I push past my limits, and you will too. He is also a great guy to spend an hour with and I always look forward to my workouts.

I joined Oakland's Most Powerful a year and a half ago. With just two 1-hour classes each week, I…read morehave made tremendous gains. Mel and Luis lead efficient classes, allowing time for mobility exercises, warm-ups, strength exercises and cool-down in just an hour. Both coaches emphasize proper technique, and in every class I benefit from the specific observations and pointers they give me. What's more, Mel and Luis are awesome people, bringing a positive stoke to every class, and building a diverse, fun, and welcoming community. If you are looking for one thing you can do to benefit your health, get fit, or support your athletic performance, look no further than Oakland's Most Powerful.

I've been working out with the coaches at Oaklands Most Powerful Gym through Strong Start and it's…read morebeen amazing. The coaches are knowledgeable, encouraging, and build a great sense of community. I ENJOY going to class, have built strength and tools that are helping me feel great. Highly recommend Coach Mel and Coach Luis! (And don't be intimidated if you're just starting out - the program takes you step by step)

I have worked with Frank since February 2022. His approach to training is personal and tailored fit…read moreto each person's needs. I've appreciated this immensely, as I've sustained multiple injuries over the last couple of years. He has always met me where my body is physically--finding the best ways to support my recovery while continuously increasing strength and mobility. His care for me outside of the gym (mental, emotional, social) is also incredible. He always inquires after my family and work worlds, always encouraging me to take care of my health and wellness. All I can say is sign up with Frank today!

From the owner: Hello! I'm Frank Panares, your dedicated personal trainer committed to guiding you on your fitness…read morejourney. Whether you're looking to enhance your functional mobility, manage chronic pain, or simply get in better shape, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Join me at Polos Gym, located in the vibrant Laurel district of Oakland, or let me bring the workout to your doorstep for added convenience. My philosophy is straightforward: "I can't promise it will be easy, but I can guarantee impactful results." Let's embark on this transformative journey together and unlock your full physical potential!

I love this gym! It is so well equipped, the other patrons are very respectful and it doesn't get…read moreoverwhelmingly crowded. Polo, the owner, is wonderful. I have been training with Rio for the last few months and achieving my fitness goals. I highly recommend coming here!

This is such an awesome gym! All the equipment you need for strength training--including barbells,…read moreracks, dumb bells, kettlebells, machines, and plenty of cardio options, too. Never a wait. Free parking. Great hours. Very clean and well maintained. The patrons and trainers are friendly and Polo, the owner, is a super nice guy. This is a real community asset and far better than the big box gyms. I highly recommend this place.

I like this gym. I wish they would keep it cleaner, enforce the rule of putting equipment back…read morewhere it belongs after use, and use disinfectant in the spray bottles to clean equipment other than water. Water isn't cleaning it.

The TVs have distorted pictures (pixels), audio output on machines broken most of the time...needs…read moremonitoring for functionality.

If you're like me, you're here to find out -- what results can I expect? I'm all about that "before…read morevs after" story. Before: - Postpartum mommy bod with NO pelvic floor, NO core strength, and NO upper body strength. I couldn't even jog for more than 5 minutes. After: - Body confident mama who wore a SILK hip hugging dress to her friend's wedding with no Spanx! Ha! My arms are the most toned since high school 20 years ago (truly! I looked up my old photos!). I feel confident in shorts again. I can easily lift my baby, pull my body weight up, and even... RUN! My neck that used to get tweaked every other week hasn't flared with pain in months. Ezekiel helped me fundamentally change how my body carries itself. How does he do it? He studies and analyzes how each exercise is helping your body specifically. For example, we were doing chest presses and I wasn't moving up in weight - he researched and tested out different adjustments to my technique until we saw results! This is the difference between exercising by yourself or exercising with any other trainer -- Ezekiel uses his deep knowledge of how the body works to tailor a plan for you.

I used to be incredibly active but when the pandemic hit, I went from overactive to couch potato…read more From prior experience, when I've went from a period of very little activity to back to what I used to do, I very frequently end up injuring myself. Ezekiel was very patient with me and allowed me to build the confidence in my own ability. Not all trainers do this in my experience. My previous trainer do a general assessment and then push you at your max to obtain results faster. This was not my goal, I wanted something sustainable and Ezekiel took this to heart. When I was ready to push myself, he definitely provided. He always kept each exercise fresh. I noticed that I started to do more weight-lifting (something I dread and get bored with) on my own. Please consider him if you want something who really listens to your needs.