I bring my mom to the class on Saturdays called Gentle with Tonia which is geared toward seniors…read more Tonia is a great instructor and I highly recommend this class not only to seniors but also to anyone new to barre, recovering, or looking for a slower paced class. Please note that gentle does not mean easy. Also, be aware that the ac is usually turned way up! Be sure to come early so you can grab street parking. Also, bring grip socks!

At age 56, I have greater flexibility and stronger balance than when I was younger. I began barre…read moreto rebuild core strength after having my kids, 180 lb and 160 lb pregnancies on a 120 lb frame. Susan and her team are excellent instructors with attention to form and cuing. I have arthritis and scoliosis, there are always a variety of modifications offered in each class. I'm always invigorated by the workout of barre/pilates/yoga and really enjoy the community of folks I've met there.

I've been doing Bar Method for over 10 years now and it challenges me every class. The teachers…read moreare fantastic. The studio is friendly and supportive to everyone who walks through the door. Over the past few years they have expanded and developed various formats, such as Bar Cardio, Bar Flow, Bar Pilates, Bar Strength and Bar Restore. While I am a huge fan of the classic bar method exercises and format, it is wonderful to have a variety of classes to choose from and change it up every week. Bar Method is such a regular part of my daily life, that I can't imagine being without it. The exercises target such small specific muscles that support the larger ones, and I believe I've less prone to injuries because of these work outs. I strongly encourage anyone who is curious to give it a try!!

Five stars still for awesome and dedicated instructors, wonderful community, and a clean, bright,…read moreand welcoming studio. I know what to expect every time I arrive for a class: positive vibes and encouragement. Plus, I always feel better after I finish class than when I first walk in.

VITA has changed my life! I started out only going to "VITA on the go" outings (hikes,…read moremeditations), and then I started going to classes. I also did health coaching with the owner, Katy, and went to a talk offered by one of the Barre teachers. With these offerings, VITA has changed my relationship with my body for the better. I appreciate the holistic approach to health/exercise and the sweet community VITA has created. Every community needs a VITA in it. I'm so grateful that mine does!

No one warned us that it was power barre! But somehow we survived. Perhaps it was that promise of…read morecheese and wine at the end of the line. 6 of us friends attended Katy's "barre, wine & cheese" night at vita and enjoyed ourselves. It's always a plus when you can combine torture with pleasure. I love one-off workshop type events vs regularly scheduled programming so when I saw this event on the newsletter, I recruited my friends and off we went. Payment online is a little confusing as is finding and paying for the special events Vs the scheduled on their website. These are under the "soul" category. We did not have to bring anything to class, but towel and water were optional. The sticky mats were provided along with weights and stretching bands. There's even a water dispenser on the wall like they have in airports. The unisex restroom in the back is large and clean. It sits opposite of a daycare room. Parking is street parking or you can park at or take the BART and walk up a few blocks. I had been to vita when they first opened 6+ years ago for a Pilates/yoga/barre class. I remember it being hard, so katy, the owner, who teaches the power classes must have been teaching, and I hadn't been back until now! Make sure to wear your tank top because the room is heated and only gets steamier with the huffing bodies. Otherwise the studio is bright and clean. There is a little merchandise to buy at the front and cubbies for your stuff. We all wiped down our mats after class with the wipes provided. The acoustics are terrible so when the music is on, and people are talking before, and after it gets very that you have to shout. After the 45 minute class, a foldout table was set up in the middle of the room with cubes of cheese, bread, crackers, salami and cups of wine. There was plenty of wine and some nonalcoholic, but the food was wiped clean. The tasting was educational and Katy is as passionate about her cheese pairings as she is about her exercise.

I won an auction for 3 Pilates reformer classes last year and I haven't stopped going! I knew I had…read moreto start building strength for my health, but was having trouble motivating myself to go to the gym. Alison's classes are fun and challenging. I can tell I'm so much stronger than I used to be.

If you are one of the many of us, trying to get back into shape after Covid, Truve Fit should be…read moreyour first stop. A key factor of whether you will stick with an exercise program is the having a frictionless environment. Truve has validated parking at the Hive so you do not have to be driving around in circles trying to figure out where you can park safely and get into the class on time. When you walk in through the front doors, the vibe is very chill so you do not feel anxious walking into class. Most importantly, the other people working in the gym are extremely supportive and will become your community quickly. Having all these things in place makes a fitness routine so much easier to establish. There are even free community classes if that's how you prefer to give this place a try. The instructors are excellent. Classes are capped at 10 for general fitness classes, and three for Pilates. As a result, their instructors can give you abundant corrections and attention so you avoid injuries and develop great form. If you are worried that you don't know how to use a Pilates Reformer, you can hire a private trainer for three classes to learn the ropes like I did. This is the premier gym in Oakland for rehabilitation from injuries. I am a 7 year cancer survivor who has had numerous surgeries. Each time, I've had to fight back to regain my health, strength and flexibility. My last surgery was major, set me back the farthest, and happened during the height of the pandemic; recovery felt close to impossible until I walked through these doors. Not only have I converted fat into muscle, lost weight, gotten so much stronger and gained so much range of motion over 5 months, but I can keep trying new things like TRX Bootcamp that turned out to be fun. Truve's got a wide range of things you can try to keep from being bored. Also, you can go buy fresh baked bread and pastries at Firebrand Artisan Bakery next store or empanadas at Javi's Empanadas caddy corner after you finish your workout. Truve's location is fabulous.

I'm glad that Blue Sparrow decided to cross the bridge and open up their second outpost in…read moreTemescal. They definitely get points from me for proximity and parking (you can easily cruise into a free spot if you take a 07:00AM class)! I've taken two of Emily's Barre Fit classes and really enjoyed both. She uses a variety of props in this class that keep things interesting: ankle bands, hand weights, balls and of course, the barre itself! I like the combination of dance, cardio and strength training. Whilst I sometimes have a harder time picking up certain bits in Bar Method and Dailey Method, I find Emily's teaching really meets me where I am. I can easily see myself being a regular in this clean, spare studio. I'm also really looking forward to getting on one of their six reformers. NOTES: - Grip socks are required for all classes so bring your own or buy some here - There are lockers at the back of the studio

Beautiful studio and good selection of grippy socks…read more Compliments end there. New clients are afforded a rate of $20 for their first class. I sprung on this deal, reformer classes are typically upwards of $30. After reading the descriptions of the classes available online, students with injuries are dissuaded into signing up for any pro or pro plus class, so I opted for the fit. There were not many timeslots available and ended up with one that was within a realistic hour I would actually wake up for. I was still late, blame it on the traffic, rain, my horrible walking and parking skills. Thanks for answering the phone during the class and directing me in the right direction. I got there finally, 15 minutes after the class started and the two other students were still doing mat work. What, I signed up for a reformer class, to use the expensive equipment I don't have at home, I didn't miss much. Throughout the rest of the class: -adjustments and instruction were always directed to the other two gals, I don't need a lot of attention, but seriously, I was chop liver -10 reps and then stretching?!? I didn't even break a sweat, please more continuous work The instructor at the end of the class was only interested in selling me more socks, hearing the good feedback and did not want to provide me any other airtime. Case in point, I let her know constructively, the class was a little slow for me and she had a gall to say 'anyway' and keep rattling on. What ego. Completely miffed.

I was going through a breakup over the summer and what better way to get over a man than to keep…read moremyself busy? I did the 2 week intro class pass because it was the same price as a single drop-in. I really took advantage of it because I was taking classes back to back every single day for those two weeks. One Saturday I took all their morning classes. That's like 5 in a row. It was amazing. I had so much fun! There's like a 15 min break in between classes. I love every single class that I took! The only downside to this is I live so far (South Bay) so to beat traffic on weekdays I would come super early (around 2-3pm) and sleep in my car parked at the Trader Joe's parking lot and wait for their 4pm class. I even considered moving to Oakland just so I can start taking their classes again and be in a closer vicinity. I love what they stand for (body positivity). I love the staff. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. If you try one instructor and don't like their vibe or playlist, I encourage you to try another! There's always someone out there for you that fits what you're looking for. I cannot recommend this place enough and wish they had options for day passes. I wish I could come in for one day and take back to back classes again. Hoping they open a studio in the South Bay!!

First time dancing (in a studio) post-baby and what a great comeback with Hipline and warm welcome…read more FYI the entrance to Hipline is not street facing, there is a walkway next to Top Dog if parking on Lakeshore and signage pointing you in the right direction. I took an early morning class (Shimmy Pop, Indoor) with Nadiah. Upon entering there was a sign welcoming the newbies to the studio (including me!). After check-in, I received a newbie studio tour and joined the class shortly after. Absolutely loved the space, what the studio stands for, and the class format. SO fun! Great class and instructor. Would love to explore the other class type/styles, and incorporate into my schedule. To note, there is a newbie pass ($24) for unlimited classes for 2 weeks from start date. Can't wait to come back and explore Hipline more, thank you for the awesome experience!

I am not kidding when I say every class here will kick your butt. Such a good workout and…read moreinstructors are amazing. I can't remember any names but I have not had a bad one. They all take time to explain the moves to you and totally help you modify if some of the moves are difficult. Music is amazing too and lockers up front are clean. Front staff is super nice too.

Lauren informed us as much as we needed for first timers and made us feel comfortable with being…read morenew to Pilates

I have been a member since ~2018. I love this club because it is gigantic and it is almost…read moreliterally across the street from my warehouse loft. If you go to the Crunch Gym in Alameda and then the Bladium -- you'll have a new appreciation for space and room to breathe. The remodeled men's locker room is cool -- most importantly -- it is clean and does not stink. I only use the facility for cardio and free weights. The machines and free weights are probably 30+ years old (seriously), but they work and I like the old school steel plates. The entire facility has been under construction and it looks like they're going to make the facility like something on par with the NFL Combine's fitness facilities. I learned during the pandemic that new weights and weight machines cost a fortune, but I'm hopeful they will update the equipment. Most importantly, I hope they extend the hours of operation on the weekends. Indeed, their hours of operation should be 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (minimum) every day. Oh, there is always free/available parking and the gym manager is extremely responsive/professional. Bottom line: this gym has the space and location to become the best fitness facility on the East Bay -- but they must extend their hours and spend a small fortune on new weights/weight machines. The images I have included with this review are dated, but they give you a good idea of the size of this place and show the degree to which they are re-doing the place!

I grew up playing at The Bladium since I was 4 years old with lil kickers. I played with the Bay…read moreOaks and SJND for indoor footie and played with my AAU basketball team in this facility. So many memories, like winning a state championship and rock climbing with my friends. The Bladium was an experience: to drink, to play sports, to work out, to have fun. I recently came back after finishing college, just to find the main football field and a majority of the weight room gone to pickleball. At first, I did not mind, however, it feels like the only people who come in are pickleball players. Its sad to see my friend's old family business being made into a pickleball center. Even the new company's logo shows where their priority is at. Heartbreaking to see. I will always remember the sounds the floorboards made.