Live Oak Strength

2.2 mi

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.

I did not expect to learn about new foods at the gym, but this was a pleasant surprise.

We also lift weights!

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Strong Island Fitness

(40 reviews)

2.8 mi

Rick (the owner @ Strong Island ) is an impressive individual (Smart, honest, kind). I noticed that…read morehis doors had reopened post COVID, so I decided to stop in and tour the facility. The gym is perfect. Well equipped, and no nonsense. I was born and raised just a couple of blocks away from here (back when Velo Sports used to operate out of the address). The North Berkeley neighborhood is seriously benefited by having this establishment in it. Five Stars!

Amazing gym. Really clean, staff is friendly and most importantly PRIVACY! It is small but every…read moretime I go there is 5 people max (even for rush hour).

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82 years strong!

Berkeley Barbell Club

4.7

(29 reviews)

1.1 mi

I trained at Berkeley Barbell Club for about six months and really loved it. The monthly price is…read moreso 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!

Amazing gym in the neighborhood. I got enrolled this month, and I'm so happy I did. The machines…read moreare 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.

Deadlift platform, hex bar, and deadlift yoke to ensure safe and easy barbell loading.

Equipmemt

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Anabody Fitness

(35 reviews)

2.0 mi

I've been training with Bita at Anabody for three months now and she has been incredible. Bita…read morehas a PhD in Sport Physiology and it shows! I pulled my back a few weeks in (not related to my workout) and Bita helped me find ways to continue training while stretching and healing my muscles. Her workouts are thoughtful, she takes the time to understand your needs and capabilities, and she injects fun along the way. I've gained 6 lbs of muscle in just 3 months. I've also had a hard time staying consistent in my workouts in the past, but I so enjoy my sessions with Bita that I don't want to miss a single class. High recommend.

Was really happy to see a locally owned gym opening in the neighborhood and eager to try it out. I…read morejoined recently and I've taken a few small group classes now with both Ana and Juan. The classes have challenged me in a very good way and I appreciate the attention, enthusiasm and energy the trainers bring. I'm looking forward to more classes and building up my strength. Highly recommend trying this new local gym out!

We're committed to your success!

Funtional, fun workouts!

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Meet your trainers, Ana and Juan!

The Technique Physical Therapy

(67 reviews)

1.9 mi

Rob Lin is an exceptional physical therapist. Rob and his entire team are patient and welcoming,…read moreand his 1-on-1 work is phenomenal. If you have the option, I cannot recommend The Technique enough. I knew when I signed up that working with him would be an investment, and it is one I am so glad I made. I came in with an injury that I have been struggling with for 4 months. I had been seeing another PT but I had repeated setbacks during my recovery. I was in consistent pain and I wasn't improving. In 3 weeks or so, Rob has gotten me to a place where I can function again and even push my physical limits. He is kind, reassuring, and his hands-on work has consistently made an obvious impact. Immediately after getting off the table, I feel less pain and improved stability that last. His work on me has allowed me to push further during session and during at-home exercises, which he's tailored based on my feedback. TLDR: I've already recommended Rob and The Technique PT to friends struggling with injuries and would urge anyone to book a free in-person consultation. Rob is amazing and I look forward to every session. I can't thank him and his team enough. -Raya (she/they)

I am an avid runner who attended over 10 sessions of PT with Dr. Lin at The Technique to address a…read morechronic foot tendinopathy, which was preventing me from running. I hate to be the first reviewer leaving less than 5 stars, but given that PT is a major investment, I felt I should be honest about what worked and what didn't work for me during my treatment. What worked: -Dr. Lin has excellent bedside manner and generally makes his patients feel at ease during treatment. I can tell he is also a well-trained massage therapist with expertise in various techniques. -Dr. Lin takes a holistic approach, isolating not just the symptom but root causes that may stem from various parts of the body. -The practice was well administered and Dr. Lin's assistant Milly is fantastic. What didn't work: -The holistic approach felt like a double-edged sword, as it caused my treatment plan to lose focus. At its peak, my plan had over 20 PT exercises. When I expressed to Dr. Lin that this felt unmanageable, he suggested alternating 10 each day. But this still felt unwieldy and I couldn't do all of them while really focusing on form and progression. I later switched to a PT with a different approach, identifying a highly specific biomechanical chain of events that contributed to my condition. He prescribed just ~3-5 exercises a week with a keen attention to detail. Ultimately this led to a much better outcome for me and I'm now back to running at pre-injury levels. Of course, for other conditions, Dr. Lin's approach may work better than it did for me. -I felt that, at times, my feedback wasn't fully considered. After about 8 sessions with Dr. Lin, my condition re-flared and it was bad enough that it was inhibiting my sleep multiple nights a week (to be clear, this was unrelated to our work together and unfortunately is just a part of my injury). When I expressed concern about my progress at that point with the hope of adjusting my program, Dr. Lin focused his explanation largely on anxiety, leaving me feeling that my concern itself was unaddressed. Also, after about 10 sessions, I noticed that his massage approach felt too aggressive for my injury and wasn't really helping, rather it led to more next-day soreness. When I expressed this, he did reduce the massage intensity that particular session but unfortunately returned to the previous intensity the next session.

Our highschool hooper went through performance training and PT to carry him through a successful season!

Lincoln University men's basketball trainer

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Gary Payton II and Julian at the team fundraiser

Bold

(189 reviews)

2.1 mi

I've gone to BOLD for over a year now and it is the best fitness class experience I've ever had…read more The owners are so accommodating, they run their business ethically, and lead with compassion. I needed to freeze my membership due to a surgery and the owner did not hesitate, even wishing me well on my recovery. At any other studio, I would be charged for such a last minute change. This workout has changed my body more than bodyrok, hot pilates, or any other reformer class has. I even went to a different lagree studio regularly when I moved for a summer and my body changed for the worse only after 3 months-- it really shows you how effective and unique BOLD is. I guess I can never move haha.

Classes are hard, I always come away from classes sore for like a week. But I like that they target…read moremuscles not normally targeted in my gym routine. The class male instructor as it was a lot of upper body and I noticed many of us struggled more to keep it.

Reformer pilates

Inside the studio

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Happy Hour Fitness

(81 reviews)

3.7 mi

Javier is a beast! Can a workout also be cathartic soul cleansing? It can here, seriously though…read morehe's very good, nice calisthenics group class.

Over 10 years now! Still training at HHF x 5 classes each week ranging from Core, Bosu to Spin…read more I used to be at a self-training studio that had timed circuits with a repetitive bell to move you to the next machine, or person waiting at your machine - that studio was not be a good fit for me. The high energy intense workouts that challenge me physically and mentally are at HHF. Over the past decade, we know each other's names, support one another in/out of class, and encourage one another to be at the next class. No class is the same!

Bosu

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Agility/Stability/Speed

Anytime Fitness

4.2

(99 reviews)

3.7 mi

Great self service gym in nice area of Berkeley. Open 24 hours. Looks like they have a few group…read moreclasses and nice staff here. Clean and nice crowd that works out here .

Cramped space, horrible layout. Quality of equipment is poor, minus the machines stuffed in the…read morecenter of the room... I haven't used them but they appear to be in better condition than the rest of strength training equipment. Street parking only. This location really needs some serious thought and consideration on how to arrange the space to make it useable and convenient for standard gym users vs. personal trainers + their clients.

Sign inside the shower room -- no mention of limiting shower time to preserve water or be courteous to others who might be waiting

Get to a Healthier Place. Anytime Fitness Berkeley (Solano Ave.)

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Coaching + Personal Training

Boss Bitch Training

(3 reviews)

2.1 mi

I highly recommend Anne. Full disclosure, I have not worked with her as a personal trainer, but was…read morea regular at her HIIT fitness classes at the YMCA in downtown Berkeley. I looked forward to her classes every week because of her excitement for helping everyone, not matter their starting fitness level, find a way to be active, engage with the class with a variety of modifications to choose from, her sense of fun, playfulness, and creativity, and the thoughtfulness she put into planning each class. She thought of fun themes for exercises-- like creating a set of exercises that involves going to the beach, surfing, and doing burpees and starfish jumps. I don't know if the story made sense-- but it did make the exercises more fun. Anne has a spark for creativity and making activity and exercise fun. I looked forward to Anne's class every week and can only imagine that her training work is even better!

I'm been working with Anne for a few months and she is absolutely incredible. I was a complete…read morebeginner and very nervous to start working out at first and she made me feel super comfortable and excited for my work out journey. I have seen progress and it's only been about three months. She is always on time and very professional. She's also very flexible on finding a schedule that works for you. I would highly recommend Anne and I'm excited to keep working with her! I wake up every morning that I work out with her excited compared to in the past I would dread having to work out. This has definitely helped my confidence and mental health in addition to getting stronger and more fit physically.

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Lift & Sprint Boot Camp

(25 reviews)

3.2 mi

Lift and Sprint has changed my life. Literally…read more No matter your fitness level (seriously!!!), Amy and Nic will make you feel comfortable with working out. When I started, I don't think I could run a half mile without dying. Now, I have several 5k races under my belt, and I'm hoping to do a 10k before the year is up. I still remember my first workout - my arms were so dead that I could barely turn the steering wheel while driving home. It was hard to imagine continuing to do it, but everyone was incredibly nice and welcoming. I was tired of feeling weak and tired, so I made myself go back. And back again and again, and now it's not so hard to make myself go. Once, I forgot to bring my workout clothes to work with me, so I went in what I was wearing (knee high rain boots, leggings, and a short-sleeved shirt). This is the kind of person Lift & Sprint turns you into, even if you thought it would never happen. The workouts won't be easy. But they are only 45 minutes. If Amy has had too much coffee on a Monday, you may find yourself thinking "omg, what have I done? Make it stop." But it's only 45 minutes, and trust me, you can survive 45 minutes.

I have been training with Amy and Nic at Lift and Sprint for about 4 years now and so far it's the…read moreonly group workout that I've LOVED enough to stick with. And I've tried a lot of different types of workouts.... Things I love about Lift and Sprint: - you get to workout outdoors (watching the sunrise from the track is way better than a dark smelly gym) - every workout is different, which keeps things fun and interesting - they accommodate all ages, levels, and abilities (they trained me through two pregnancies) - great community vibe (no egos or BS) - close attention to form and technique (almost feels like personal training but in a group setting) Lift and Sprint has given me more than just a place to workout, but has helped me to develop healthy habits at home in a way that has permeated my life and overall well-being!

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East Bay Regional Park District

4.7

(595 reviews)

8.2 mi

I went hiking at the Reinhardt Regional Redwood Park for the first time and loved it!…read more Plenty of street parking at the Redwood Bowl lot and we had no issues with vehicle break ins, luckily, although there were a few warning signs up to remind you to put your valuables away. There are bathrooms by the Redwood Bowl but we couldn't find any helpful maps so just used our phones to navigate. The trail we ended up taking was around 4 miles and took 2 hours. Most of it was shaded and among redwood trees so I really enjoyed that this could work as an afternoon hike. It's a moderate difficulty level with some steep areas. There's also a popular picnic area with grills and an archery range. You could even walk to the nearby swimming pool or visit the Chabot. We only did one half of the hiking loop so will be back to check out the other side.

Peak My Interest…read more ***PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE YELP PAGE FOR REINHARDT REDWOODS REGIONAL PARK*** I was attempting to change the name to the proper moniker that included "Reinhardt," but Yelp mods, being the highly regarded sort, somehow decided in their infinite wisdom that they should change it to "East Bay Regional Park District"?! What the what?? 0_o So, that's on me, kids. My bad. Onto the review... A giant ±1,833-acre redwood forest nestled in the Oakland Hills, this park was a former logging site back in the 1800s. Fortunately, there has been a nice resurgence of redwoods to replace those that were cut down. It ain't old-growth, but we'll take what we can these days. The Good: * Free at certain times of year and at certain entrances (more below) * Mountain biking on certain trails (check map and trail signage) * Horseback riding on certain trails (check map and trail signage) * Camping available (check website for info and reservations) * Reservable and non-reservable picnic tables (check map & website) * Restrooms available in parking lots, as well as at some campsites * Nearly forty miles of trails with something for everyone * If you're looking for a moderate ±4.5-mile loop, go to the Skyline entrance and take the Serpentine Prairie Trail to Dunn Trail to Golden Spike Trail, then back to Dunn Trail The Meh: * $5/vehicle entrance fee on weekends and major holidays between April and October, only at the Redwood Gate entrance * Most of the trails are pretty decent, but some are in rough shape due to water damage The Ugly: * One of the few parks I've seen with "off-leash" sections for dogs--which is fine, except you know there's a good majority of dog owners who think they can control their dogs but really can't. We saw a panicked guy chasing his dog down a trail at one point, and who knows when--if ever--he caught up to it. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Conclusion: Great park with tons of trails and lots to see and do.

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Preserve

Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park

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Reinhardt Redwood Regional Preserve

Joaquin Miller Park

4.4

(313 reviews)

5.9 mi

What a nice park; filled with greenery and trails galore…read more Park near the ranger station. Be sure to walk over to the nursery garden area too. The Sunset trail is a winner; get a brochure to view your route. Enjoy.

Beautiful park in Oakland. Lots of nice trails and there are dedicated off leash dog areas and dog…read morepark. Plenty of parking is available as well. There is a playground for children and steps for those that want to use stairs for their exercise routine.

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Temescal Pool

3.9

1.6 mi

First time visiting this outdoor pool faciltiy on 1/17/26 (Saturday) during their public hours…read morewhich opens at 11am. Front desk staff was friendly and I was able to sign up for a 10 visit pass for $51, otherwise it's $6 a visit. I figured this will hopefully keep me consistent for the beginning of the year. The facility itself could use an upgrade but overall it is wat you would expect from an older building. The entrance into the pool is through the locker area which has lockers, changing area with benches, showers, and bathrooms. The pool looks fairly clean on the surface and we'll maintained. There are lanes divided into slow, fast, and medium speeds for circle swimming. Much of the demographics is 50+ during the time I went and they were all spaced out fairly evenly. The pool is actually open earlier for swim club members ($55/month) which is nice for early birds and the crowd seems younger at that time. I was told it's open to the public to sign up for that as well. The water itself was a good temperature. The pool goes from 3 ft to 9 ft. The bottom of the pool was clean on the 3 feet side, but had debris on the floor in the 9ft side. Folks would swim for about 30 minutes - 1 hour and more folks would flow into the lanes. Everyone is respectful and the regulars would chat with one another at the walls. There are kickboards and other supplies you can borrow from in a shed if you'd like. There is a lifeguard on duty. I asked her for the time, but she didn't know it, which I thought was odd because I could hear her talking on the phone or talking aloud. I asked another swimmer for the time and he said there's a clock right behind me, which I didn't see, and I'm surprised the lifeguard couldn't just tell me there was a clock to check. Apart from that, I enjoyed my one hour swim and got a reality check on how out of shape I am. I'll definitely come back to continue swimming and work my way up to the fast lane. Check out more recs and spots in the bay @thefoodhigh

Superb pool. The lanes are wide and the pool is heated. The pool length is 30 yards. The other…read moreswimmer are friendly.

Spring 2008 Intrasquad Meet

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Crown Memorial State Beach

4.3

(169 reviews)

5.0 mi

Fantastic beach for younger kids, and a great option for East Bay residents who aren't up for the…read moretrek into the city or the even longer drive to Santa Cruz. The beach is clean and has useful amenities, including outdoor showers, picnic tables, and restrooms. I haven't actually used the restrooms, so I can't speak to their condition, but I can say I've never noticed trash on the beach, even on busy days. The crowd is generally respectful, which goes a long way. The downside is that the water isn't exactly pristine by appearance, smell, or feel...but you can't have everything. My favorite thing about this beach, aside from the fact that the water isn't freezing, is how shallow it stays. I can wade out with my kid what feels like half a mile and still not feel like we're anywhere close to being too far from shore. P.S. Do NOT forget to pay for parking if you're in the lot. It's yellow, located at the far end, the fee is 5 dollars and it's easy to miss. Also, they don't accept Discover debit.

In The Teen and I's new Friday ritual of water watching before we head home, we stopped by Crown…read moreMemorial before heading through the tunnel to let traffic die down a bit.. This was definitely the place to be back in the day! Parking was a snap and we found a bench to sit on starting the water watching. The view was awesome and the sun was shining just like Bob Marley said. There were people, young and old playing in the sand, lots of bike riders, and of course, those dog walkers. The Teen put the phone down and ventured out and some sand, touching and driftwood drifting.. Definitely, we will be back when it gets warmer with hopes of finding front row parking again!

7/2022

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Alameda Beach

4.0

(166 reviews)

6.1 mi

Alameda beach is one of the few beaches in norcal where you can lounge at…read more We have been regularly doing our open water swims in the area and the water's always feeling relatively clean and refreshing. There is plenty of parking all along the roads and overall, a great place to reset in the mornings, evenings and on weekends.

Love, love this beach! It's a perfect place for toddlers. Easy parking, tjs basically across the…read morestreet, clean sandy beach and calm waves. Makes for a perfect day in the sun! Its close location is also ideal given that its way closer than any other beach

Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary

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Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary

Splash Pad Park

3.7

(3 reviews)

2.8 mi

This park is small, but has a great location!!…read more Also home to the Grand Lake Farmers Market on the weekends, this is a great place to come to eat at after grabbing a bite at one of the nearby restaurants, especially on nice days when you want to eat outside. There's a small water fountain area here, plenty of parking under the 580 freeway, and plenty of areas to sit down. Decent Park!!

It's one of those, places in the Oakland area other than right on Lake Merritt a place where you…read morecan sit in feed the birds and watch people pass by Fun fountain structure for kids and nice enough on farmers market days, One of the places we walk by on our daily walks A gem of an urban park, mostly maintained by neighborhood volunteers. The Saturday farmer's market is year-round, and well worth a visit. Restaurants in the Grand Lake neighborhood (on Grand and Lakeshore) are diverse and welcoming. The Grand Lake Theatre shows first run movies and include an organ player on Friday and Saturday evenings. A walk around Lake Merritt is a 3 mile jaunt well worth the effort.

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Athletic Playground

4.4

(123 reviews)

0.4 mi

Took a beginner silks class here and had such a great time! I was a little intimidated at first,…read morebut the excitement quickly took over. The instructor was super kind, encouraging, and explained each step clearly, which made it easy to follow along even as a total beginner. A few years back, my kids also took the parkour class and absolutely loved it--it was the perfect way for them to get moving and burn energy. Overall, this place has such a fun and welcoming vibe. Highly recommend for both adults and kids looking to try something new!

Really cool spot. Took a handstand class here which was excellent but there are also a ton of other…read moreclasses I want to take. Friendly folks, great facility.

AcroYoga / Partner Acrobalance

Handstands!

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Monkey Ninja Camp! Ages 5 and up!

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Rebekah Y.

10 years ago

Owen's approach to personal training is warm, direct and supportive. I am 61 years old and have multiple health issues that made me hesitant to work out without personalized guidance. Yet I knew if I didn't start exercising, my health would continue to deteriorate. With Owen's calm and confident direction through the ZeroForce High Intensity protocol, I have seen dramatic results, regaining strength and vital muscle mass after years of little or no exercise. With his knowledge of the body and personal attention, I know I am getting a program specific to my needs. He takes detailed notes on my progress and prepares new challenges for each session that safely encourages me to do more. Owen is always attentive to my every rep, monitoring my form and response, offering friendly support at just the right moment. What I appreciate most about our 20 minute sessions is how present Owen is with me and how dedicated he is to my well being. I sense that he cares deeply about all his clients and wishes to provide them with the most productive and meaningful workout no matter their age, ability or motivation for optimal health for all. His new facility in Emeryville offers a warm and inviting setting so one can focus on the workout in a centered and mindful way. I look forward to working out there as I have been using the San Francisco location so far. This is a potent workout for anyone serious about building muscle with a tight schedule. I highly recommend Live Oak Strength and Nutrition. read more

Robyn K.

6 years ago

I knew the Shelter-in Place mandate was the right thing to do, but I was worried I'd lose all the strength I'd gained during the time I'd been working with Owen at Live Oak Strength. I have several health issues that make it imperative for me to stay strong, and while I've been active while staying at home, I knew I needed the Live Oak high-intensity workout to continue to stay strong and healthy. I was so happy to learn that Live Oak Strength is open for business online during Shelter-in-Place. I had my first virtual workout this week, meeting with Owen in my living room through the magic of the internet and Zoom. Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was pleased to find out that by using things I already had around the house (yoga block, beach towel, 5 lb. weights), Owen was able to direct me through a challenging workout. Just like during my workout at Live Oak Strength, Owen monitored my form, corrected my posture, and pushed me to work harder than I would on my own. Try a virtual workout with with Owen or Lucy; you won't be disappointed. read more

Jane M.

9 years ago

I love working out with Lucy at Live Oak. I love that in 20 minutes, twice a week I am stronger than I've ever been. This is a great fit for me with a full time job, a long commute and 3 kids. It's great to have this time just for myself. Lucy encourages me and pushes me to work harder than I ever have before. I've never been able to motivate myself to lift weights and now I am hooked. My chronic neck pain that plagued me for over a year is gone thanks to my workouts. Every week I look forward to my time with Lucy and I highly recommend Live Oak to anyone interested in getting stronger fast. read more

Beau B.

9 years ago

Owen is an awesome trainer. He is knowledgeable, attentative, and motivating. I came to Owen while looking for a trainer that applied the Body by Science approach, namely high intensity training. The workouts are short, but very effective. This is great for me as I work long hours. I cannot recommend Owen enough. read more

Seth R.

9 years ago

Owen is a master at what he does. Low-key motivation combined with a high level of expertise equates to positive results in a surprisingly short amount of time. Highly recommended. read more

Austin B.

9 years ago

Do your body a favor and sign up. Owen and his team are second to none. It's a unique approach to fitness and strength building that saves you time and gets RESULTS! read more

Live Oak Strength - healthtrainers - Updated July 2026

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I was just starting to get into Sweat classes before this pesky pandemic hit. Speaking of hit, my…read moregirlfriend and I have really come to love the HIIT classes sweat offers. We have now become regulars to their zoom offerings and while not the same as in person, having become familiar with Anya and Ashley, they are both very good about calling us out on adjustments to our form or slacking off. What I like most about these classes is that they always offer an option with some at home equipment if you have it (bands, weights, chairs, balls, etc) or alternative options if you don't have these things. I personally prefer full-body days but I also enjoy showing up to class not knowing what to expect. That element of surprise keeps you on your toes. This is probably more of a thing for classpass users as they don't say what the theme is for each class. Thanks Sweat for keeping me somewhat active during this crazy time.

Lots of classes offered in the day or evening, weekend, and weekdays. Small groups of 8max. Circuit…read moreexercise with bicycles, rowing, or ladder for you to choose from. Weights provided. Environment: lots of room to workout. High ceilings and open windows allow lots of fresh air to enter space.

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My husband and I have been working with Ash for almost 2 years on a weekly basis and we couldn't be…read morehappier. The gym is clean and well maintained. Parking is generally easy on Piedmont Ave and surrounding streets. Ash is very knowledgeable and we always leave there feeling better than when we walked in. I have trained with Ash through 2 pregnancies and one postpartum period so far and he has helped me stay strong and active. He is equally understanding and respectful of my physical limits- whether it be from nausea, general pregnancy discomforts or general fatigue. In terms of scheduling, we buy our training sessions in packs and have weekly set times. If we need to change our schedule, Ash has been very accommodating. Both Mindy and Ash are very reachable via email or text so communicating with them regarding scheduling or billing has never been an issue for us. Overall I'd highly recommend BK roots for personal training. Both Ash and Mindy are very knowledgeable and experienced and can help make anyone regardless of age or physical fitness level feel strong and capable with their body.

I have had chronic back pain, sciatica, and piriformis syndrome since 2013 and my usual approach…read morehas been to go to Pilates or a physiotherapist to maintain core strength. I started going to Mindy last April and she has turned my life around in the past one year. Not only does Mindy take a physiotherapist like attention to detail with injury, she also brings a strongly intuitive understanding of what the body needs to heal itself. I had been hearing about the importance of retaining muscle mass for women in their forties and coming to Mindy addresses that for me as well, in addition to the recovery from my injuries. Mindy assessed my strength and identified every single muscle system that needed work. With all my past attempts to heal myself, the focus had always been the core. She shifted that to be the full body. She had me working on my glutes, hamstrings, and back muscles in addition to my core. Her focus on my shoulders has improved my tech-neck posture and significantly changed the way my body responds to stress. Through the past year, I have had multiple setbacks (back spasm, low iron, low energy levels) and she has always met me where I am at to build the strength back up again. She has advised me on nutrition, conserving iron, and adjusted our sessions for my low energy days just right so I could continue to build from whatever I had. I am now looking forward to going on an anti-inflammatory regimen that she recommended. Previously, she was tracking my food consumption on MyFitnessPal. At 46, I am the strongest I have been since my early 30s, after over a decade of having a broken back. The two sessions with Mindy are so important to me that I plan my travel around them as often as possible. So many of the pains that I thought would never go away are gone now (knee pain, lumbar spine pain). Working with Mindy has been such a gift! I truly appreciate her no-BS, straight talk approach to solving these problems with empathy, deep understanding, and hard work. Thank you for all the healing and my renewed belief in my body's ability to heal!

Express Strength

(6 reviews)

I've been a client at Express Strength for a little over a year and I am happy to report that I…read morehave experienced a significant improvement in my strength and knee related issues. Alexis is kind, patient, knowledgeable and clear. I always get an excellent workout and look forward to my time at her studio. If your physical therapy work is not keeping pace with your progress, please consider Alexis & Jack's studio! I admit I was dubious about using machine weights and fewer workouts but their method really works. Consistency is key and they are methodical and meticulous in their planning, attention and training.

This place is perfect for me - one-on-one guidance and support, with no other people there at the…read moresame time. Alexis is kind and extremely known.

Harding Method Fitness

4.6

(14 reviews)

This used to be a really cool place to work out but unfortunately when the new owners took over…read morethey started jacking up prices and sending unpleasant AI generated emails and the vibe in the gym has deteriorated. The old owner was a really nice and laid back person which built up a really robust client base. the new owners don't have the same charisma or good energy. I am planning to move on when the new rates go into effect.

I have always hated going to the gym and working out but I love this place. Working out doesn't…read morefeel like a chore when you have Annie as a trainer. She is not only knowledgeable about movement, weights, and your body but she can work with your limitations (I started with a back injury). I also highly recommend her for the great conversation and recommendations for yummy food. If you're thinking of trying this place, do it! They have a 3 session package that is a great deal and then you will be hooked too.

Berkeley Barbell Club

4.7

(29 reviews)

FITNESS SF - Oakland

4.0

(431 reviews)

I started working with Mae about 6 weeks ago as someone who was pretty new to the gym, and she has…read morebeen great. She immediately made me feel comfortable and never intimidating, which made a huge difference for me starting out. She does a really good job of explaining what we're doing and why, so I actually feel like I'm learning instead of just going through the motions. Every workout feels challenging in a good way, and I've already noticed myself feeling more confident in the gym. If you're new or just want someone knowledgeable who makes the process feel approachable, I'd definitely recommend Mae.

Signed up for membership here since this location is a quick walk from home. It's nice, but the…read morespace is a little small, esp for the area. At times I had to wait a bit for a machine to free up, which was annoying. But the space is clean and everyone seems respectful, so I wont complain too much. I just need to figure out which times are less crowded. It would be great if the app displayed that info - like Planet Fitness. Will I return? Um yeah. I'm paying for a membership, and it's up the street. Another positive: based on the reviews I was nervous of passing out from lack of ventilation, and the temp was actually perfect. It wasn't stuffy/hot at all.

Bay Strength

CRUfit

Through out the workouts the trainers give helpful cues for doing the activity oror movements…read morecorrectly.

I can not say enough good things about Mark Sutro and his teaching and coaching abilities. I was…read morevisiting from San Diego and took Mark's cycle class and I enjoyed it so much that I stayed for his rowing class. It was my first time doing a rowing class and Mark was so helpful and continued to help correct my form and guide me in the right direction through the class. His music is excellent! A great blend of classics and current hits, all high energy and making you want to move! The facility is clean and well maintained and if I lived in the area I would definitely join. They have a wide range of classes for every interest and skill level and a full schedule throughout the week. Towels are provided and there is a water dispenser on one of the faucets in the locker room.

Najee Talib

(33 reviews)

I found Najee to be a great coach that listened, was thoughtful, accommodating, understanding, and…read moreflexible with schedule shifts, and had did a fantastic job of getting the most out of me during each session. I started working with Najee shortly after our first child was born, in an attempt to get back into some semblance of shape. My wife had found Najee pre-pandemic to help get in shape for our wedding. After our child was born, we both decided it was time to get back into shape. I'm a professor of Exercise Science, so I have a high bar when it comes to allowing someone else to design a fitness program for me. In my experience, Najee blends a high level of knowledge and curiosity with an impressive capability to read individuals and keep them motivated as they move out of their comfort zone. My wife and I are motivated very differently, yet Najee was able to keep each of us focused while also listening to the feedback we provided about how we were feeling about our workouts, both physically and mentally. Quick example of my results: I'm in my 40's now and after a couple months of focused work with Najee, I was snowboarding with more power and stamina than I had in the previous 10 years. I'd recommend him to anyone, whether you have a specific goal or not (I didn't at the time). Najee can work with you to help find what works best for you.

I've been training with Najee for over a year, and I couldn't be happier with my results. He's not…read moreonly an excellent trainer but also genuinely cares about his clients progress. His upbeat, jovial personality makes every session enjoyable, even when he's pushing me to my limits! I've gotten noticeably stronger, lost weight, and feel more confident in my body. He challenges me in the best way possible, firm but never harsh and always keeps me motivated. If you're looking for a trainer who truly knows what he's doing and makes fitness something you look forward to, I highly recommend Najee.

Ashley Marie Fitness