Margo is the best trainer I have worked with. I have a background of over 20 years of competitive sports and have worked with trainers at Gold's Gym and UC Berkeley. I contacted Margo after having twins and losing much of my cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, and core strength. Margo offered to come to my home to help me work out while my babies napped. She created a safe, effective, and challenging workout plan for me using what I had at my home. Her workouts are definitely functional with whatever tools or environment you have available. I worked with Margo for over a year and rebuilt my strength and fitness with the exercises she created for me. After having the twins, I couldn't even run 5 steps without pain. After working with Margo, I could sprint up stairs with ease. What I like most about Margo Rose is the care and resourcefulness she brings to her clients. She has created her own unique set of exercises that are safe and effective and can be modified to increase the level of challenge as you get stronger. Margo emphasizes the importance of self care, and brings a warm and nurturing approach to her clients. By the end of my time working with Margo, I launched into a full-scale weight loss program. I lost over 40 pounds, I reached my goal weight, and I still use the workout she designed for me daily, to maintain my core strength, muscle tone, balance, and flexibility. Margo will help you achieve your health and fitness goals. At the very least, she will get you going in the right direction. Do yourself a big favor, and give her a call! read more

Margo was the first personal trainer I ever had. I was just beginning a weight loss and exercise program. She was amazing. She listened to all of my concerns and created routines and exercises that fit me. If I didn't enjoy a particular thing, she would make changes and find something that I did enjoy. She pushed me to work harder than I thought I could, but never to beyond my limits. She cheered me on every step of the way and celebrated every little achievement with me. Margo doesn't just care about the size of your pants or the number on the scale. She is concerned with your overall well being and health. She works on whole-body fitness, not just flatter tummies and thinner thighs. She wants you to feel better and be healthier. That includes flexibility, strength training, cardio, and body work. And huge doses of ego boosting! her endless enthusiasm and energy did more for my self confidence than any amount of weight loss I achieved. I have since moved out of the area and worked with other competent trainers. But no one has been able to come close to Margo. I would recommend Margo to anyone, regardless of their fitness level or goals. She can work with someone who is already quite fit but bored with the same old things to come up with new and exciting exercises. She can work with someone who hasn't worked out in ages and help them get back on the road to better health and a more active lifestyle. And everyone in between. read more

Until I started working out with my new personal trainer, Margo Rose, last month, I detested doing any kind of exercise. While managing to keep our workouts uniquely fun and engaging, Margo Rose also challenges me to go beyond what I thought my body was capable of doing. Furthermore, she's always very attentive to making sure that I'm using the correct form and posture so as not to injure myself. And while I must admit that I occasionally feel a bit sore from rediscovering muscles I forgot I had, in just the short time that we've been working together, I've noticed that many of my chronic joint and muscle aches and pains have disappeared. I also love the fact that we can work one-on-one in her lovely, well-equipped private studio, as I tend to be self-conscious and intimidated working out in a public gym (which is why I haven't been inside of one for years). Now I actually look forward to our twice-a-week training sessions. In fact, I'm thinking about making it 3 times a week in the near future. Thanks again, Margo Rose. You have really inspired and motivated this reformed middle-aged couch potato/computer junkie to do a lot more than channel surfing. read more

I have been working with Margo for several months now. I was immediately struck by her positive attitude and down-to-earth approach to personal training. As a woman over 40, I really appreciated that she wasn't expecting me to have the skill or strength of a 20-year old! She showed me some very simple exercises that I could do at home and, to my surprise, it didn't require a lot of time or a lot of repetitions. Very quickly, I noticed changes. I found my posture improved and I was standing taller. One day, I realized the basket of groceries which used to feel heavy, felt easy to carry! During our session, Margo suggested taking some photos of me doing the different exercises. Along with some written notes, I use the photos to remind myself of the exercises and the proper positions. I also appreciate Margo's attitude that exercise takes many forms and is not limited to doing the same exercises over and over again in a gym. She has a creative approach and suggests ways to have fun and put variety into getting active and fit! I highly recommend Margo as a personal trainer. read more

I have worked with Margo Rose as a personal trainer since 2006 - and she has taught me so much - routines and exercises - that I still incorporate into my busy corporate lifestyle. One of the things I loved about her approach - she showed me there is more than 1 way to accomplish an effect - if I hated a certain exercise (like I hate certain stomach exercises) - she found different ways that I did enjoy to exercise those same muscles. Wonderful! Margo is one of the most positve and unique people I know - anyone working with her as a personal training - will benefit for the period of time they work with her - and for years afterward. I still use routines and exercises she taught me - that keep me flexible . She also helps you develop a more holistic perspective on the whole effort to stay fit and healthy. read more

Fitness Chick here, just writing to say that Margo is one of the best personal trainers I've ever had the pleasure of working with. She's very careful and makes sure to know her client's health and past injuries before working with them to develop the best fitness plan for their goals. She's very realistic and down to earth about what she does and how she does it. Add to that the fact that she's charismatic, fun and has one of the most BEAUTIFUL views of any fitness studio in the whole Bay Area (and basically OF the whole Bay Area), and you have a formula for fitness that will keep you on your routine (even when so many people have a tendency to "fall off the wagon"). Highly recommended. Two thumbs up!!! read more

Margo Rose has a very practical style of personal training. She really wants to help her clients know how to make careful, fun exercise choices even when they are on their are on their own. The Margo Rose private personal training exercise studio has a stunning view of San Francisco, the bay and Alameda beachfront. It is spacious and airy with excellent privacy...you get to see out for miles yet no one can see into the studio! I loved the indoor/ outdoor ciruit training options! We did yoga, hoola hooping and gentle cardio on the beach mixed in with a great focus on abs and strength training in the studio. Margo Rose is a great personal trainer, she really makes exercise comfortable and fun! read more

I found out about Margo through a friend but waited a year before I actually starting training with her! Once I was in the place in my life to really start changing my habits to become more healthy, I started weekly training with her. Margo is a great mentor and teacher, she meets me where I am and each session with her is supporting me towards meeting my health goals. She not only creates personalized workouts that are easy to do anywhere (including in front of the TV!), she also has been a wonderful guide and mentor when it comes to nutrition and healthy eating and drinking habits! It has only been 2 months but I have lost 10 pounds and feel so much healthier already! read more

I found Margo for my girlfriend who was looking for a new personal trainer. For some reason my girlfriends review isn't showing up so I'll post straight from my girlfriends review. "Functional starts with "Fun"! Margo is inventive and will give you what you need in any given session. Her home is clean and comfortable for workouts-or, she'll take you outdoors to a variety of settings where a workout can keep you out of a "rut". She will also come to your home if you choose. Her prices are fair and competitive. She listens well to her clients and strives to meet their goals." My girlfriend is happy and so am I. read more

I have been working out with Margo for a while now, and she has been a great influence on me and my health. She really puts the "personal" in personal trainer. She tailors every workout to your individual needs overall and also what your needs are on a daily basis. Her workouts incorporate many aspects of fitness including strength, cardio, flexibility, balance, and stress reduction. She is always very concerned to make the moves safe, comfortable, and even enjoyable. If you want a great personal trainer in Alameda, Margo Rose is your woman! read more

When I started looking for a fitness trainer, I looked for someone who was not a drill sergent and not a perky cheerleader. Margo definitely fit perfectly. Very down to earth, and understanding, she put together a plan for me that worked with my needs and crazy quirks. She almost killed me on the stairs, but the walks on the beach made up for it. Balance is key for me and that is what I got from Margo. If not for the economic downturn, I would still be utilizing her services. For now, I will highly recommend her services to others. read more

I can't recommend Margo enough! What she's helped me to do with my body over the 3 months I worked with her prior to my husband losing his job was amazing. Not only did she push me in my workouts but she's so encouraging and supportive that she's helped me develop positive beneficial habits that will allow me to reach and maintain my fitness goal on an accelerated time frame, plus she's about 2/3 the price of trainers in the city! What a value and what a valuable resource! I'm so glad I found her! read more

margo worked with my mom and i to develop a unique program for each of us. she took careful note of our habits, concerns and long-range health and wellbeing goals. the woman knows her stuff and she was fun too boot! now we have our workout programs and we still enjoy working with her when we get out of our routine or need fun motivating! it's more like goofing around with a good friend than a work-out! check her out!!! read more

Excellent Personal Training! Margo Rose claims she can make fitness more fun...and she really does! She had invented many of her own exercises specifically designed to be as comfortable as possible...but they still get the job done. It's GREAT to realize that I don't have to have 'pain' to get 'gain'. Now on the weekends I run around playing with my nieces and nephews instead of just watching! read more

Functional starts with "Fun"! Margo is inventive and will give you what you need in any given session. Her home is clean and comfortable for workouts-or, she'll take you outdoors to a variety of settings where a workout can keep you out of a "rut". She will also come to your home if you choose. Her prices are fair and competitive. She listens well to her clients and strives to meet their goals. read more

Margo is a dynamo. I first met her almost ten years ago when she was facilitating networking groups in casual settings. Since then I have known her in all sorts of settings and have always found her to be an extremely creative thinker and energetic human being. Margo is a careful listener and she always has something encouraging to say with enthusiasm that is positively infectious. read more

Margo is fantastic! She's the first personal trainer i've ever had, and it's been great working with her. i feel very comfortable w/ her. i like the fact that she's always taking my body and my limits into consideration, but pushes me at the same time. i've only been going for maybe 8 weeks, and i can already see the difference! i'd highly recommend her! read more

Just when I need a nudge, a tune up, Margo Rose provides me with the support and guidance to keep me up and running. I travel and need a trainer who is flexible, available and personal which she really is. She has a great overall sense of health and feminine strengths so in addition to exercises she fine tunes areas of diet and beauty for me. read more

I worked with Margo at a women's fitness center in Oakland for over a year. She was dedicated, enthusiastic, and walked the talk. If you are looking for someone to confidently push you into making and keeping a commitment, call Margo. She'll be there every time, and provide you with excellent care. read more