I cannot recommend Branden Henderson enough! From the…read moremoment I started training with him, I knew I was in excellent hands. Branden has been instrumental in helping me achieve my fitness goals, and the results have been great! What sets Branden apart is his personalized approach to training. He took the time to understand my goals, limitations, and preferences, and tailored each session to maximize my progress. His expertise in fitness and nutrition was evident in every workout plan and dietary advice provided. Not only did Branden push me to new limits, but he also ensured that each exercise was performed with proper form and technique, minimizing the risk of injury. His motivation and positive attitude was contagious, making every session enjoyable and something I looked forward to. Thanks to Branden, I achieved my goals of loosing weight, building muscle, improving endurance and have never felt better. I am stronger and feel confident. I was training for the Spartan race since February and can say I killed it with his preparation and help. If you are looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, and inspiring personal trainer, look no further than Branden. He will undoubtedly help you reach your fitness goals and beyond!

Elite fitness has top of the line trainers such as Remi and Branden Henderson. I trained for over 6…read moremonths with Branden and he has been an exceptional coach. He is not in this field for the money. He truly cares about his clients. He approaches coaching in a holistic manner, focusing on mental, spiritual and physical health. He provided meal plans, strength training plans and weekly coaching check ins. In our checks in he would share his wisdom, strategies to do better, encouragement and accountability. He is truly an amazing coach and trainer. Book him if you are ready to change your mind and body.

For the past few years, I have mainly focused on cardio until I got injured before a race. I…read morerealized I needed to do more strength training to prevent injuries. I have always wanted to learn how to lift heavy but was intimidated at the gym. I never had any formal training with weights other than group HIIT classes. My friend was doing 1:1 training with Minh at Body Mechanix and she highly recommended him. Body Mechanix felt like a friendly local community gym. The trainers and staff were welcoming. Minh had set up a complimentary consultation. My goals were to gain overall strength, maintain consistency, and work towards achieving a pull up. Through personal training with Minh, I learned proper techniques and developed the confidence to lift heavy. As a beginner, I was surprised I could deadlift 1.5x my body weight. Minh was very patient and positive. He was very encouraging and pushed me to challenge myself. I saw good results with my training so I signed my stubborn 70+ year old mother for sessions with Minh. In the last couple of years, she has been losing muscle mass and struggling with lower back pain. Her physical health has impacted her energy level and mental health. After a couple of sessions with Minh, my mother has regained confidence and a sense of accomplishment. To my surprise, she was able to do 10 push ups in a row and carry heavy weights that most people around her age group might struggle to do. I highly recommend training with Minh and Body Mechanix!

If you're looking for a gym where the trainers will lovingly torture you while you question every…read morelife choice you've made, BodyMechanix - Laurel is your spot. I've been coming here since I turned 34 (I'm 37 now, so let's just say my attendance record here is more consistent than my dating life), and it's become my second home. My happy place? Boxing with Nico on Thursday nights and Andy on Saturday mornings. They work us hard--from the bags to the mitts--and you can tell they genuinely love what they do, which makes you want to work harder too. The vibe here is energetic, supportive, and community-driven, even if you're like me--assertive, rebellious, and just a little defiant. I've made it my mission to talk back during workouts, roast the trainers mid-burpee, and encourage others to listen to their hearts when Nico, Andy, or any of the other amazing trainers push us like soulless robots. (They're not soulless, I promise--just slightly sadistic, in the best way.) If you think lifting weights and working out is drab, you haven't done it here. The community is what makes every drop of sweat and near-tear worth it. The trainers truly care about your transformation, not just physically but in how you see yourself and your own strength. They've created a space where you feel seen, pushed, and celebrated, even when you're lying on the mat wondering why you thought a 6pm class after work was a good idea. Shoutout to the trainers Ming, Angelo, Warren, and Tori, who keep the energy high, the encouragement real, and the workouts spicy. And to owner Terrell, who's built a place that feels like home (if home had kettlebells, a power rack and trainers encouraging you on while you question your life choices). If you're looking for a place to get strong, laugh while suffering, and meet some of the best humans in Oakland, come here. And if you see someone talking back to the trainers while smiling and refusing to quit, that's probably me. Come say hi, and let's complain about landmines together.

When looking for a trainer it was important to me to find someone who wasn't focused on weight…read moreloss, was body positive, and could help me get stronger. Monica has been an incredible support for the past two years and has pushed me just enough to build muscle while never making me feel bad about my body. My health has improved; I've got more strength and muscle definition than I ever have; and I've made a new friend. Monica cares deeply for her clients, is super knowledgeable about anatomy, has all the tools in a clean and organized space, and is a lovely human being.

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.

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!

It's been a while since my last review here, and I'm happy to say this gym has only gotten better…read more I wasn't very consistent with the gym over the past few years, but I've been back for almost three months now and have actually been looking forward to every workout. I'm down 15 pounds already and honestly feel like I'm in my 20s again. The gym has everything you need to get a great workout in. It's clean, well maintained, and the atmosphere is exactly what I'm looking for. No influencers setting up tripods, no one hogging equipment for photo shoots, just people focused on their workouts. Everyone is respectful, cleans up after themselves, and gives each other space. It's become part of my routine again, and I don't see myself going anywhere else. Definitely happy to be back.

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!

full disclosure, I only use PF for the black card perks. I know, I know, I *should* be working out,…read moreespecially given my age, diet, lifestyle habits, and ability to find opportunities all day long to complain about my health and weight, but ... if you can't tone it, tan it! which is exactly what I do. tanning booths here are nice, up to date, clean, and effective. I literally get tons of compliments on my tan. granted, id rather have more athletic calves and thighs, but tanning is so much less work and time. front desk staff are friendly and helpful, just like at all the PF locations. I've had a good experience each time I've been in here

I get a free basic membership through Silver Sneakers. And I pay $13 a month extra for the Black…read morecard. It's well maintained with lots of equipment and some classes. They offer free training during the week. I love the amenities of the "Black Card": massage chairs, hydromassage beds, total body enhancement machine (aka "beauty angel". I don't use the tanning beds as I am fully melanated. But they are available with the Black card.

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.

I have worked with trainers at high-level tennis academies and in collegiate athletics, and I can…read moresay without hesitation that Luca is the best trainer I have ever worked with. What sets Luca apart is not simply technical knowledge, but an extraordinary ability to translate movement into feeling. Luca's explanations, demonstrations, and carefully chosen cues allow me to make meaningful connections in my own body. I have struggled for years with tight hips, limited mobility, and a fractured back that often made movement painful and uncertain. Luca recognized immediately that so much of that tension originated in my hips and lower body, and with remarkable patience we have devoted ourselves to strengthening those areas. The results have been nothing short of transformative. I am now squatting and deadlifting--movements I once associated only with pain and the fear of further injury. Even more importantly, I carry Luca's cues with me every time I train on my own. This experience has changed not just how I exercise, but how I inhabit my body. In a world that constantly alienates us from ourselves--through screens, endless sitting, work, comparison, and the pressure to look a certain way--Luca offers the opportunity to reconnect with your body from the inside out. There are no mirrors in the gym because the goal is not performance for an audience or chasing an image. The focus is on sensation, awareness, and discovering what your body is capable of feeling. Every session leaves me more alive, more grounded, and more grateful to be embodied. I never leave exhausted in the way I once thought a "good workout" required; I leave energized, confident, and deeply connected to myself. Luca approaches every client with exceptional care and attention, meeting each person where they are and helping them build strength not as an end in itself, but as a way of expanding freedom, resilience, and joy in everyday life. That is a remarkable gift, and I cannot recommend Luca highly enough.

I've been training with Luca Yacón at Radically for the past three months. This was my first time…read moreworking with a personal trainer and the first time I committed myself to "the gym." I had always had a very negative connotation around the gym and held a deep belief that it wasn't a space for my body to inhabit. From the initial Zoom call to our first session, Luca's attentiveness made me feel truly supported and understood, easing my anxieties. Luca's approach to mobility and strength training is grounded in listening to your body without limiting it. I felt incredibly encouraged by the pace, but also challenged to dig into the strength I already have. Luca pays amazing attention to form and breath, laying the foundations that accommodate a variety of body types. I always leave feeling grateful for the workout, the lessons learned, the conversations, and the confidence I've gained through this supportive community at Radically Fit!