*** UPDATE #3 *** This gym is still a solid 4 star and a…read morerecommend if you can afford but I a had to cancel a couple of months ago (cancellation was no problem). I left the gym because of dues increase. I just can't continue as the closing hours during the week and weekend are far too early for me leaving me not able to get there as often as I need for the price. I understand things are rough in Oakland and downtown with many vacant offices and apartments (less people) but, I must have a gym that I can get to without rushing to after finishing work at 6:30 PM and that has later PM weekend hours. I am unhappy as management would rather see someone cancel who uses the space 1 - 2 days max per week instead of leaving their dues as they were vs. any increase considering the place was usually nearly empty when I did go those 1 - 2 days per week. I was a member for 10 + years before Covid and when the gym was Club One. Current management/ownership should also take members membership history into consideration when they decide to increase dues in today's financial climate amongst cutting hours, classes, and closing the wet sauna. BOTTOM LINE - if you want a GREAT GYM in Oakland, The Club at City Center is the best overall gym for sure.

This is a very shady gym, and honestly I'm not surprised it's turning into a ghost town. My dad…read morepays over $170 a month for this place, and somehow they still can't consistently keep the hot water running in the showers or pool. The locker rooms are gross, a lot of the equipment is outdated, apparently there's a jacuzzi that's been out of order since covid and the only thing this gym really had going for it was the basketball court. I first came here back in 2022, then again in 2026, and the difference is night and day. In 2022 the place was packed. Fast forward to 2026 and it looks abandoned. Either people got priced out, or everyone found a better gym. The funniest part is how they handled their guest pass policy. When my dad signed up, he was told he could send guests even if he wasn't physically there. I had already used the guest pass once before while I was finishing college, and they took all my information down. Ever since then they've absolutely spammed me with texts and emails trying to sell me a membership, even after I told them I didn't live in the area. It was way harder than it should've been to stop the marketing, which honestly doesn't inspire much confidence if you ever wanted to cancel a membership. I recently moved back and figured I'd use my second guest visit. I walked over for a leg day because they have one machine I actually like. The woman at the front desk asked for my dad's information and then asked if I could call him to confirm I had permission to use the guest pass. I explained he was currently out of the country. She disappeared into the back for a few minutes, came back, and suddenly said, "Actually we've changed the guest policy, so even if your dad called, we still couldn't let you in." ...Wait, what? You literally just asked me to call him. So I asked when the policy changed, and she said, "Maybe about a week ago." The whole interaction was awkward and honestly didn't sit right with me. Maybe it really was a brand-new policy, maybe it wasn't. Either way, asking me to call my dad for approval and then immediately telling me his approval doesn't matter makes absolutely no sense. The irony is they spent months blowing up my phone trying to convince me to buy a membership, but the second I tried to legitimately use the guest benefit that came with the membership my dad already pays for, suddenly I couldn't get through the front door. If you're spending over $170 a month, there are far better options. The YMCA down the street has a better value, and if you're willing to spend a little more, Equinox offers amenities that this place isn't even close to matching. This gym feels like it's circling the drain. Poor management, inconsistent policies, dirty facilities, and prices that make absolutely no sense. Save yourself the headache and spend your money somewhere that actually values its members.

I have been a member of this gym for decades. I look forward…read moreto a variety of classes and enjoy the community of other members. A big thank you to Eduardo, who leads classes in fitness, Zumba, and TRX. His enthusiasm for helping people become fit is infectious, and done with good humor.

The facility is great and spacious, I really like the jacuzzi and steam room. Awesome.read more

I paid for my daughter's May swim lessons and called to cancel within hours of payment because she…read morecouldn't attend due to health conditions. The front desk told me the supervisor would process my refund and booked June lessons instead as a replacement. Based on that promise, I accepted the June booking in good faith. The supervisor Hannah then emailed me citing a 6-day cancellation policy and refused the refund, the same refund their own staff had promised me. Now I'm left with two months of paid lessons I didn't ask for, zero refund, and a company that makes verbal promises they don't keep. I'll be cancelling my membership and disputing the charge with my bank. Would not recommend.

Beautiful facility with a great pool. Staff have a great Customer Service attitude…read moreClasses are terrific in the gym equipment is top-notch. Very affordable!

Love the Oakland Y. The community is amazing. Great equipment that they upgrade frequently. I feel…read moresafe working out here and I feel the equipment is clean.

The Oakland YMCA is better than the Berkeley one, but there is still plenty of room for…read moreimprovement. Let's start with the pros: it's in a good location, it's a sizable space, and they have a lot of cardio machines. I recently had to wait for a machine, and that may have been the first time I've experienced that here. Now for the cons: 1) Like other East Bay YMCA locations, there is no towel service. I have exercised at YMCA locations all over the Bay Area, and I've noticed that on the Peninsula and in San Francisco, Marin, and the South Bay, members do not have to bring their own towels. I get that it's a luxury, but I wish the holdouts in the East Bay would get with the program. 2) There is no hot tub. (This is something the Berkeley YMCA does have.) 3) Machines and other things are out of order for extended periods of time. (See photos.) 4) The water pressure in the men's locker room is lackluster. 5) They renovated the men's locker room last year and it is certainly nicer, but I don't understand why they insist on those mats that feel slightly less painful than stepping on legos. (See photo.) 6) The staff does not answer the phone - at least not consistently. Earlier this month, I called three times over the course of a week to ask about something I accidentally left in the locker room and to check about holiday hours. All calls were during business hours, and no one ever picked up. I left a voicemail the first time and never got a call back. Am I going to continue using the YMCA? Yes - it's a 10-minute walk from home, and it has the basic gym necessities for me. I'm unlikely to recommend it until they start putting in a little more effort, though.

Touchstone gym located in downtown Oakland…read more This is a more small and intimate gym in comparison to Pacific Pipe. There is a small Boulder section, top roping, work area, weights, and workout area. The staff here is super friendly. My friends took the intro to climbing class here and they really enjoyed it. The staff was really helpful in teaching them the ins and outs

I love the structure. Super fun, climbing competition. Great stuff. Super fun…read more I came for the 2024 climbing competition. I had such a great time so glad I came. This building is gorgeous and so fun so aesthetic. The staff was super friendly. When I made a joke about my chalk, they were receptive and fun. Their store was pretty well stocked. Grab myself an adorable, red crop sweatshirt. They're set up was very organized. Literally zero drama. Highly recommend, and I'll be back.

I have been coming to Gopa Boxing Club for over 2 years now. The owner, Alfredo, has built such an…read moreamazing boxing gym community. The lessons are great, intentional, and are catered to everyone's different skill levels/needs. Alfredo is a great coach and he also has wonderful assistant coaches as well. Whether you're trying out boxing for exercise, self defense, or trying to become a boxer, there's a place for everyone here and I definitely recommend that you come try it out!

Date: 10/1/2016 Time: 12:37 PM 63° Partly sunny…read more I have been to this park for at least three picnics in the past; twice with my classmates from Oakland Tech and once with the alumnus from McClymonds aka Mack. Well, some of the people thought I was lost and wondered why would a Chinese woman attend a picnic which was predominantly African-American. I mentioned who invited me and that I was also a 6th grade classmate to a guy (CO'70) who was on their football team. Thereafter, it was cool. (Hey, I am friendly, I don't bite even though I am a Lady Bulldog from Tech. I got a few laughs.) DeFremery Recreation Center is a Victorian style building in DeFremery Park, which is located in the heart of West Oakland on 16th & Adeline. It is a very spacious park (9.5 acres) with plenty of picnic areas, shade trees and a swimming pool. Other features include tennis courts, basketball courts, softball field and a skate park. The center itself offers a variety of activities (cultural, educational and recreational) to teens and youths. They also have African-American dance programs and day camp during the summer. Although there was another event in Oakland's Dimond District (Oaktoberfest) occurring at the same time, my husband and I could not be at two different venues at the same time. Since I don't drink beers, ales, brews, etc., we decided to head over to Defremery for a cultural festival. Purpose of my visit: The Oakland Black Cowboys Association held its 42nd annual parade and festival. We arrived late and missed the parade. However, we lucked out and found street parking next to the park. There was no driving around the blocks to find parking. I later found out somewhere in the park there was a parking lot. The park was filled with a few food and clothing vendors, information booths from different organizations and my favorite - the American Black Beauty Doll Artists. The organizer of the Festival of Black Dolls Show and Sale gave me the 411 as to when to look forward to the event. Stage was also set up for music and live entertainment. Eats: Oxtail with red beans & rice, greens and cornbread. For $12, the portion was generous and quite filling. The meal was enough to feed two people. Purchase: two cowboy hats and two T-shirts from the Oakland Black Cowboys Association. Fun time for families with children. I know one thing, my husband and I will mark the calendar on the first Saturday of October for a visit to DeFremery Park.

Park has parking around the whole perimeter and a small parking lot next to the main blue Victorian…read morehouse. There is plenty of space to set up a picnic, throw an outdoor gathering (BBQ, Birthday, etc). Some shaded areas within the park. There is an open basketball court as well.

This gym is the best gym I have ever been to in my life so far! I was a complete noob and beginner…read moreto combat sports, specifically Muay Thai, and was shy at first trying to get myself just to walk through the door and ask a question! When I finally did, I was greeted with one of the most welcoming and friendly gym environments! Alex and Kyle have been very kind and helpful with answering my questions since the first day I walked in. The intro class was great and I didn't feel embarrassed at all for being a complete beginner- they teach the basics, have gear to borrow, and make the whole process trying it out very smooth and chill. Since then I have been going to the Muay Thai classes as much as I can. PRS has some of the best coaches, who are legends- so you absolutely get the bang for your buck! Coach Rob and Coach Six have been great coaches, and patient with me as a beginner. I asked for any and all tips, advice, and coaching during class and if they ever see me practicing outside of class, and they've helped me out a ton! I am very bad at hand eye coordination, but with patience and practice I get better every day. Coach Michael and Coach Shallon have been extremely helpful with learning sparring techniques on Wednesdays and more about the gym as well! All the coaches for Muay Thai are great and friendly! I recently been getting into some of the Boxing and jujitsu classes as well and had the same experience- passionate, motivating, and great coaches. Coach Mark teaches the Boxing class and has awesome boxing and strength and conditioning workouts, its very motivating and make me determined to get better. Coach Alex teaches Jujitsu, and has taught me a lot about the sport- its very technical, but he is a patient and motivating coach as well, and has given me great advice and made the sport more digestible to understand as a beginner! As I get more fit, Im hoping to add in more of these classes as well:)! Not only do the coaches help me improve as an athlete, but many of the fellow athletes are kind and welcoming to beginners as well- I usually ask for any tips or comment on my tech and get good helpful feedback. They have gloves, pads, shin guards and head gear available to borrow and use, and keep all their equipment sanitized and clean- including the training floor after each class. There are plenty of bags to train on, including some by the mirrors to watch your tech. They got everything you need in a gym, including an erg, assault bike, plenty of stationary bikes, and treadmills, dumbbells, kettle bells, benches, plates and bars, jump ropes, medicine balls, and rollers for recovery. Theres plenty of space to store your things and its safe to as well, as the locker area is in the back of the gym. They have clean mens and womens bathrooms and shower for after training. They got a really awesome ring and punching bags- basically combat sport heaven is PRS. The gym community is very friendly, welcoming, diverse, and accepting of all backgrounds. Ive met so many great friends so far :)! As a LGBTQ+ individual and woman, I feel safe and accepted at this gym :) 10/10 sanitation/cleanness 10/10 equipment 10/10 Coaching and trainers 10/10 environment, safety, and community 10/10 classes

Coach Markshawn is the best. His classes are fun, professional, and a great experience.read more