20 years in restaurants and kitchens has left my body pretty creaky and beat up. With the long hours and confined work space, I was starting to get a sense of urgency around my physical health. I knew that the only way to keep working on my feet was to get stronger -- but I had no idea where to start. Being an extreme introvert with limited executive function, just showing up to a gym or public fitness classes on my own volition didn't feel like an option. Thankfully my partner and I were introduced to Alison. With Alison's guidance we've been getting stronger and more confident in our work and daily activities. Consistent weekly appointments help me stay on track with my goals and give me a sense of accountability that I just can't impose on myself. She makes sure we never do the same workout twice which keeps things interesting and never boring. I've never felt stronger or more comfortable in my body. My joints feel lighter and my back is straighter. Working with Alison has been game-changing! read more

Cannot recommend Alison enough. As someone who spends long days on my feet and does a lot of repetitive movements and heavy lifting as part of my work, I was always in pain. I feared I'd make things worse by trying to work out with no knowledge of how to approach exercising correctly. And, the motivation to go to a random, not-always-welcoming gym on my own simply wasn't there. Seeing all the great reviews of Alison and Truve, I approached Alison with my concerns, thinking she'd direct my partner and I to a group class or different trainer, but amazingly she agreed to work with us. We are so grateful for how she's made time to train us from scratch, and barely 4 months in, we already feel a huge improvement in our daily lives. Alison not only makes working out approachable, she manages to make it fun and practical. read more

I've been seeing Alison for personal and/or group training for over two years. She's exceptional. First, her experience and knowledge of fitness and nutrition are unparalleled, and her approach is balanced and tailored to what I need on any given day. She always starts our sessions asking me how I'm feeling and how my body is feeling and, if needed, will adjust my workout to accommodate. Alison offers as much or as little nutritional support as I want or need. There have been periods where I've sent her what I ate each day so she could help me balance my carbs, fats and proteins. I no longer do this, but we still discuss healthy eating habits, smoothie recipes and how to eat in a balanced way very often, if not every time I train with her. She's incredibly supportive and knowledgeable without being pushy, which is awesome. The logistical flexibility Alison offers is a game changer for my hectic work schedule. I can see Alison at the gym or virtually using Zoom. At first, I was VERY hesitant to try a virtual workout. It just seemed like something that wouldn't translate well to virtual (from in person). One week, my work schedule was such that I had to either do my session virtually or cancel it, so I gave it a shot! It was great - almost exactly like being in person. I now workout virtually with Alison 100% of the time. I am not someone who loves working out, but my workouts with Alison are enjoyable and sometimes even fun, as Alison is super funny and great to talk to. Her company makes the workouts go by quickly, which is an added bonus for those of us who don't love working out. Before I found Alison, I had tried a couple different personal trainers. They were either inflexible (I got the impression they had a cookie cutter workout they used for every client, regardless of the needs), annoying or outrageously priced. Alison is amazing at what she does, and I'd recommend her to anyone, regardless of their workout needs! read more

Alison is hands-down an amazing trainer! As someone with gym anxiety, she immediately made me feel comfortable in Truve. Not only is she great as assessing needs and listening to fitness goals, she is also a great communicator when it comes to why she is having you do certain exercises and what is happening in the body at the same time. She chooses fun exercises that fill any gaps you may be missing in your regular fitness routine or daily habits to create a well-rounded program for long-term sustainable health. She does an amazing job of completely filling the session with activity. If muscle burn and results are what you are looking for, Alison needs to be your go-to trainer. On a side note, she is also just an all-around awesome person to be around. 10/10 recommend. read more

It's times like these that having an amazing personal trainer makes setting personal goals worth the effort! Alison is an amazing motivator and keeps the workouts fresh and exciting. The way she mixes up the training routine is simply awesome! For over 7 years Alison has made the decision to keep training a delight! The private and semi-private training sessions during the early days of Covid-19 were amazing and provided a great stabilizing influence on the mind-body connection. If you are looking for an amazing personal trainer don't hesitate to contact Alison. She is committed to helping her clients reach their individual goals! She is amazing!!! read more

Friendly. Straightforward. Helpful. Easy to connect with. gym that focuses on functional strength rather than tons of machines.

I love taking fitness classes with Alison! She has a variety of expertise and offerings, and most importantly motivates you to push yourself in all the right ways and takes the time and energy to connect with you on a personal level. I've never enjoyed doing burpees more :) read more

Want to take your fitness to the next level? Need someone to motivate the heck outta you? Don't know how to plan your meals and calories intake? Alison is the trainer for you. She is very knowledgeable, responsive, and fun to talk to. The only downside: You will be challenged, and get your ass kicked I've been taking her Body Sculpting, and 30-20-10 classes for 2 years. I feel sore every single time; I dread going to her sessions. That said, I do feel stronger, and more energetic but tired too . Good Lord, she loves doing squats, and those insane burpees. You've been warned If you're not sure, I'd recommend you to check out her free community classes at Truve. If fitness is on your list in 2021, reach out to Alison. She is also willing to work with your budget Take action now, procrastination only leads to regrets. read more

Alison is an awesome and fantastic trainer. She listens to your needs and always designs the workouts to best fit you. I would highly recommend her as a trainer. read more

Alison is the best! She's the first trainer I worked with and have not looked back. She pushes you but also listens to where you are in your wellness journey. I started as a complete novice - not knowing what any exercise terms meant - but Allison patiently and consistently worked with me every step of the way. And she did it with a sense of humor discussing culture, music, travel and much more! read more

Alison is, without a doubt, one of the most effective, educated, experienced health and fitness professionals. My wife and I saw incredible results with less effort and faster than we could have imagined. I have had trainers before - but Alison is gifted in a way that is difficult to describe. She is observant, and has a deep knowledge of exercises such that she can effortlessly switch things up to increase effectiveness, improve form, and guard against pain and injury. She is also smart enough to help you out-maneuver any psychological barriers. We have been working with Alison for a year and a half now, and would not consider a different trainer. Really, though, we were kicking ourselves for not calling her sooner. If you are looking for a trainer, your search has ended. Call Alison, you won't regret it. read more

I attend Alisons group fitness classes at Truve and never leave disappointed. She knows how to construct the perfect workout. She pushes you outside your comfort zone. She cares for you and your loved ones. 100% recommend! read more

Alison is a pro, plain and simple. She has an incredible amount of vast experience and I swear she can adapt her workouts to anyone who walks in, no matter what physical limitations or experience in fitness he or she may have. The time spent with Alison always flies by. For someone like me who can make just about any excuse not to work out, her way of holding me accountable is invaluable, and believe me she does that to everyone. She helped me get into my best shape before our wedding this past summer, and I am so appreciative. Believe me, she's the best of the best and will get you results beyond what you think is possible. read more

I've been attending Alison's workout classes for almost one year and she is by far one of the best instructors I've ever gone to! She is extremely dedicated to her practice and always makes the workouts enjoyable, very challenging, and leaves you feeling accomplished. I never thought I would actually enjoy going to a spin or HIIT class but Alison makes me want to get off of the couch and into the gym. If you haven't already, you need to train with Alison or try out one of her classes at Truve! You will not be disappointed! read more

I've known Alison for years as I've been a long time member at her gym, Truve. Not only is she an excellent trainer and fitness coach, she genuinely cares about her clients and the community. I love that she is direct, creates challenging workouts, and doesn't take excuses! She is also inclusive and encourages positive mental and physical health over all else. Can't recommend her enough! read more

Incredibly motivating, challenging, knowledgeable, and adaptable personal trainer and community leader. Alison will push you to becoming a healthier, more confident self. Her workouts are always tough and never boring - every session is different and she always offers modifications if your body needs them. She also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to diet, sleep, mindfulness, accountability, and healthy lifestyles in general. I couldn't recommend Alison more! read more

Oddly enough, I hired Alison for some business coaching. I'm in personal finance and worked with her to receive great insights on how to improve my business. I've already implemented some of the changes we discussed and am seeing immediate results. Turns out she makes people healthier and wealthier. read more

My wife and I started working out with Alison before we got married. Knowing my usual workout MO, I figured it would last six months, maybe a year at best. I thought I would get bored but... here we are, seven years later, and I feel healthy, motivated, and never, ever bored. I couldn't and wouldn't feel like myself without our sessions. Don't hesitate, reach out to Alison and feel mentally and physically better every day! read more

I've been going to Truve and taking Alison's classes for the past 5-6 years. Ever since I took her Saturday morning bootcamp class I was hooked! Alison's classes will challenge you in various ways - the workouts are always different and you will never get bored. Plus, Alison makes her classes fun, participatory, and social. By working with Alison, I've learned so much about strength building and have definitely gotten stronger. Alison consistently provides helpful corrections and pays careful attention to form. She is also incredibly motivating and a joy to work out with. She also teaches a variety of classes for any level of fitness - from body sculpting, HIIT, cardio, and more! read more

I have known and trained with Alison since 2008. She's not only THE best trainer, but she's also the kindest and the most encouraging trainer I've ever met. Her personal experience as an ex- competing athlete and her back injury, her holistic approach to wellbeing from a fitness/healthy nutrition/ positive mindset perspectives, and her experience & expertise about the human body and the specific challenges at every stage of life provide her with a very unique talent to support her clients through a personalized health journey. For anyone looking for a true, sustainable, fun, and fulfilling experience in becoming healthier, you can't find a better trainer than Alison! In addition to her incredible personal talents, her gym Truve provides an array of different services, fitness classes, and a great choice of trainers, all in one place. The most amazing class at Truve is the Pilates Reformer class with the extraordinary Pilates trainer Liz! For both beginners and advanced pilates-lovers, this is by far the BEST class and instructor in Oakland. I am beyond grateful to be part of the Truve community for so many years and have in the process met some of the most amazing people who have become really close friends. When you join Truve, you're not only joining a gym, you're joining an incredible community of such diverse & interesting people who become your true friends & companions on your health journey. read more

In short, Alison helped me get my life back after what was an incredibly bleak period following an injury. She is an incredibly skilled personal trainer. 2 years ago, I was injured on an unfortunate boat ride in the Dominican Republic - for 3.5 hours I was trapped on a row boat with 6 foot waves and I got pounded in my glute/hip/pubic area - resulting in a limp and 24/7 pain for 1.5 years. I tried 3 different physical therapists, 4 doctors, 2 acupuncturists, a chiropractor, massage therapists, a personal trainer, an African healer, and read books on healing your body through your mind and did the exercises. I also took a class in meditation and started to practice it for the first time. Lets just say I'm an over-achiever, I believe i can do anything given enough time - however the injury was starting to feel like the one thing I could not move beyond. Prior to this injury I was a salsa dancer, hiker, biker, walker - very active and very fit. A few months before i met Alison I was using a cane that the Orthopod I saw wanted me to use for a year. The night before my appointment with Alison I danced freestyle for 20 minutes and my leg nearly collapsed under me, I had to drag it underneath me. Within one month of seeing Alison, via a combination of hands-on neuro-kinetic therapy and via the personal training exercises she gave me - which I faithfully did daily, even when I was on biz travel - I was able to resume normal activity and my pain significantly decreased. Normal activity for me meant up to 3 hours of exercise in a day. Within 3 months I was back salsa dancing weekly and with only a little pain. Now at 7 months I am back to hiking, biking, salsa-ing 3 or 4 nights per week and I have very little pain - 1 or 2 - and it doesn't impact my mobility. I'm not yet hiking 10 miles up a mountain with 3000 feet elevation but I will be by year-end. Now I am focusing on getting in the best shape of my life at age 51. Alison has me doing things I never even thought about before. I do walking lunges with 10 pd weights in each hand. I do Hell climbers (don't ask). I have increased strength and stability in my core that has helped me come back as a better dancer. I've always been active but not an athlete - doesn't matter - Alison trains me like one. She clapped when I finally got the cross-body row with 8 pd weights after 8 weeks of trying. She videotapes me - at my request - doing my new exercises so I can better execute them later. I thought I knew everything about nutrition and weight loss having been a weight watcher's graduate - once again Alison has helped there. And she's a very nice person. Like me she founded and heads a nonprofit, except I do it as my full-time job and she does it in addition to her full-time job. So what can I say, Alison is an amazing young woman, I'm glad she's younger than me because I see her being my personal trainer well into my 80's. Heck my dad works full-time at 83, so I'm hoping she'll keep me salsa-ing until at least then. I think she will:-) Need I say more? read more

Alison is great! Friendly, funny and most of all, effective. Working with Alison, over the course of 6 months, I lost 27 lbs of fat and gained 17 lbs of muscle. Incredible results! I highly recommend her as a personal trainer. read more

Alison is amazing! I've only been training with her for about a year, but know her from Truve and have taken some of her classes. When training with her, there have been plenty of times that I thought, "WTF did I get myself into?" She's always challenging you and pushes you to perform at your best. Her sessions are ALWAYS different so you'll never get bored and she's very knowledgable in what she does. And she did get Best Personal Trainer in Oakland by Oakland Magazine. So I think that says something :) read more

This review is long overdue... Before major budget cuts in my life I worked out with Alison 3x week. I needed a serious butt kicking in my life and she was the one I chose to do that. I e-mailed her late one night and received a call within a day. She chatted with me for over 30 minutes about my goals & workout style. We both decided we were a good fit for each other and I started as soon as I could. The workouts were always challenging and fun at the same time. Each time we did something different and I could feel results almost immediately. *Points to glimmer of a tricep* Alison herself is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, professional and intelligent. It never ceases to amaze me how dedicated she is to her business. There would never be more than a five minute lapse in time when I would send texts with questions. In addition to strength training she asks you to shoot a picture over every time you eat or drink something and laughs when you thought you were being healthy-ish. She is the total package and your personal cheerleader. Love her! Do yourself a favor and get in touch. She has a fabulous staff and gym (Truve Fitness) that can help you achieve your fitness goals. read more

Alison is no joke. If you want to work hard, have an infinite number of different workouts that are all challenging, which are designed by a knowledgeable provider, this is your Personal Trainer. Alison has helped me work through a number of different nagging minor problems, all successfully. It's great to not to have to continue the search! read more

I've worked with Alison for several years now and cannot recommend her highly enough. She's amazing with all levels of fitness. Alison has an amazing balance of being able to push you to get the most out of your training without screaming at you or feeling like you accidentally joined the marines. My weekly sessions are something I look forward to every week, and am still sore after every session. Alison truly cares about getting you healthy and has knowledge about diet and overall health that is a valuable pairing with the physical workouts she provides. She also has an amazing network of trainers and practitioners and is opening her own space, Truve, at the end of this summer. Can't wait!! read more

Make no mistake, Alison is the real deal. She is incredibly knowledgeable, she has a wonderful personality, and will push you beyond your mental and physical limits. There's no question that Alison knows exactly how to train you to get the most out of your body, mind and soul. Add to that that she can teach you exactly how to get your nutrition under control, and you have yourself an all-in-one solution that is worth her weight in gold. The best part about working with Alison is that she is hilarious and always insightful. She keeps me laughing always, and adds a fun element to every workout to keep me motivated and working at my peak. 5 stars. A+. Don't even think twice. Hire her if you want the BEST body and mind you've ever had. Period. read more

Alison is amazing - she is highly motivating, funny, and badass. Every workout is intense but every workout is also different. She hold you to account to push yourself, and you WILL see results. Can not recommend her enough! Truve is an awesome gym, and she is running the show! read more

Allison is amazing! During COVID, her classes at Truve have been a lifesaver and kept me sane and reasonably fit! I also did a weight loss challenge with Allison last year. I not only lost close to 15 pounds, but felt more energetic than I have in years. Her nutrition advice was easy to follow and practical - I find most diets hard to stick to because they are so restrictive, but her philosophy is all about making sure your body gets the nutrients it needs and moderation. read more

I never thought that these words would actually come out from my mouth, but .... I actually look forward to working out now! *pigs flying* I've started training with Alison a couple of months ago, and I have finally been able to fit into my clothes better!! How many tears I have shed thinking that I would never fit into my skinny jeans again. I work out with Alison's boot camp and it's a great group of folks. Alison keeps the workouts different each time and that really keeps it fun and interesting and she really motivates the group. I also need to add that she is VERY PATIENT!!! She has also been wonderful at recommending alternative foods I can eat, because i'm allergic to so many things. Who knew healthy can actually be tasty! I highly recommend Alison if you're looking for a trainer that sincerely cares about your well-being. read more

I've worked out with a lot of trainers in my life and I have to say Alison is the best of the best. She's pushed me to focus on my strength, to show up even on the hardest days, and continually congratulates all her clients for doing the work. If you want someone who will meet you where you're at, but not let you slack off in any way, and who will make you feel like a rockstar every time you leave the gym, call Alison ASAP. read more

What I want from a trainer? Variety and Results! Push me hard but if you yell at me, I want to punch you. Alison is like that tough coach that pushes you hard, but is still fun and respectful. I came to her looking for renewed motivation to work out: Mission Accomplished! In fact, she did me one better, she is helping me develop a healthier attitude towards my body and my motivations to exercise. Self disclaimer: I tend to guilt and push myself really hard to get things done in a short amount of time. Then I chiiilll (gain weight) when I don't have a "dead line." Impending visits from friends or Vegas pool parties are what keep me hitting the gym/ dieting hard and inconsistently. Subsequently, the fear of looking unfortunate in a bikini has made me really hard on myself. But in the months I've worked with Alison, she has built a relationship with me that allowed her to call me out on all the negative self talk. Remaining professional and non judgmental, while encouraging me to explore my motivations, takes her status as trainer to a new level of effective. Its been very empowering the compassionate and frank discussions she has had with me about my body image. Besides the moral support, Alison is knowledgeable about physiology, nutrition, offers variety in each work out, and has been very flexible with scheduling. I always look forward to our workouts! In terms of my fitness level walking in the door: I played soccer for 12 years and was active most of my life. Not playing team sports in my 20's resulted in a 30lb weight gain that I lost 2 years ago. Alison has helped me keep it off and keep my workouts fresh! I highly recommend Alison as a trainer to both men and women! Happy Hunting! p.s. Hiring a trainer isn't just a luxury for the sake of vanity, its an investment in your physical and mental health. Plus its great to have someone knowledgable to shake up old workout routines! read more

Alison. Is. A. Titan. Not only is she the most knowledgeable about what will get you the results you want. She takes the time to explain to you what muscles you should be engaging and really makes sure you understand the motivation behind the movement. She pushes you to get the most out of every second!!! I live for her classes and coaching!! read more

Alison has been my trainer since September 2017, and this review is long overdue. Personally, I have been a big skeptic about personal trainers for the longest time, for a few different reasons: 1) They are expensive 2) Do not always customize the program based on where you are mentally at in the process 3) Boring routine workout Alison is none of those things. Since my initial orientation with her, she heard my needs; why I needed a personal trainer and what were my goals. I have accountability issues when it comes to exercise, hence I realized I needed a trainer that just doesn't let me off the hook easily and doesn't make me do routine workouts ( threadmills etc). I have yet to repeat any of my workouts with Alison. They never are boring. I am not going to lie, she makes you workout hardcore, but somehow Alison manages to keep my mind busy and 60 Minutes fly by. She also gives her clients her undivided attention - she catches me when I try to cheat on my workout. I work out at Alison's very own gym called "Truve", based in Oakland and I love her place. It doesn't even smell like a gym. If you are looking for a personal trainer that actual cares about health/wellness/fitness and her clients. Look no further. I am very lucky to have found her. A hidden gem for sure and I will hope to continue my personal training adventure with her. read more

You are doing yourself a disservice by not training with Alison. Alison will make you work hard; there are never shortcuts. She is extremely knowledgeable with new workouts every session! You will push yourself further than ever before. You will be challenged beyond belief. But in the end, you will feel better than you've ever felt! Alison makes you see and believe in your power, and she helps you achieve it! Also this review would not be complete if it did not also recognize the brilliant, compassionate, strong businesswoman that Alison is. Alison views health and well-being holistically, providing training along with nutrition, acupuncture, massages, and other services at Truve. She even provides health education opportunities. Additionally, Alison listens to the needs of the community and takes action. Don't waste another day and get to work with Alison! read more

I can't recommend Alison enough! Working out with her is always challenging and so rewarding. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things health and wellness and I love taking her classes. I am always so impressed with her ability to accommodate people of all fitness levels in her classes while ensuring everyone is both safe and challenged. I look forward to working out with Alison and always walk away having gotten a great workout. Thank you, Alison! read more

As a Physical Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist I completely trust Alison with my clients. She has extensive experience helping people who currently have an injury be able to work around it while simultaneously allowing them to continue to reach their goals. Alison is extremely knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to her clients' success. I can 100% recommend her to anyone looking to improve their confidence in their body, lose weight, and feel great in their body again! read more

Tough, caring and knowledgeable. Alison, is not your run of the mill trainer. Her workouts get results, plane and simple.

I've worked with Alison for many years and she is great! She is knowledgeable about the body and choosing the correct exercises. She also sets you up with a very sound nutritional plan. She's always on time and very reliable. If you're looking to change your body give her a call. read more

Alison is GREAT for all ages. You are NEVER too young or too old! January 2010, I interviewed a number of trainers to help get me in shape--I wanted to lose 30-50 pounds. Alison was the one I chose because I realized that she was a true expert in body mechanics as well as fitness and nutrition. A couple of months later, my 88-year old father-in-law moved in with us so I asked Alison if she would work with him. He was using a wheelchair to get around and was easily winded. He wasn't very strong. He wasn't very flexible. Alison worked out with him once a week: balance, breathing, eye coordination, flexibility and strength training (light weights). By the time he celebrated his 90th birthday, he was walking with the aid of just a cane, only when needed. Regaining his mobility was a huge factor in making these the HAPPIEST years of his life! (And yes, I shed my 45 pounds.) Thanks, Alison from the whole extended family! read more