I've been training with Gwyn at Bay Strength for almost two years now and I can say that, at 36 (almost 37), I've gotten stronger than I ever thought I could be. Simple things like running to catch a bus or picking up and carrying my squirmy toddler around feel oh-so-much easier. I've had some stops and starts with my training in the last two years (a non-lifting injury, personal/medical issues, etc.) and Gwyn is always ready to meet me wherever I am physically, whether it be with a rehab-type program, or a slight decrease in load. She is meticulous about enforcing correct form and is able to turn complex movement concepts into understandable bite-sized chunks. She helps nip bad form in the bud before it turns to habit. The small group class format is great fun; everyone gets plenty of the coach's attention and loads of encouragement from their fellow trainees. I never regret showing up, but always regret skipping out. read more

I signed up for the "Learn to Lift" training sessions with Katherine after having tried every fitness fad out there; Zumba, Spin Class, Pilates, Lap Swimming: you name it, I tried it. I decided to commit to my health goals, create leaner muscle mass and find a format/program that I liked and could adhere to. Not 30 minutes into my first session with Katherine, I was begging her to start a small group training class. Needless to say, I'm hooked. Katherine encourages you when you could've been done two reps earlier. She supports your growth by reminding you when you fall out of form. It also helps that she is a rad human being, and truly knows her lifting stuff! If you're reading this, and are still on the fence about lifting-just do it. You will have a swagger about you knowing that you are stronger because of it. read more

I didn't think I would be able to lift, and I certainly didn't think I could stick with it. But thanks to Jeremy's motivation, patience and clear instructions, I have been making good and steady progress. He pushes me to improve my workout at every step but in ways that are clear and manageable to achieve. My lifting routine has made me feel stronger in every way and elevated my quality of life. My upper back pain is going away, and maintaining good posture has become lot easier. Training with Jeremy has changed my life, and I highly recommend that you take that step in the right direction as well. read more

Bay Strength - Trainers Near Me - Berkeley, California

Jeremy is a solid and knowledgeable strength training coach and personal trainer. He helped both me and my girlfriend with our workout programs, and couldn't recommend him enough. I'd been having serious hip and lower back pain from squatting, and it didn't take Jeremy more than two minutes to figure out what was happening and how to fix it. Brilliant. My girlfriend is a complete beginner to barbell training, and Jeremy was able to go over the basic barbell movements with her in a clear and effective manner. She's now able to perform the movements on her own and is really happy about getting coaching to start, rather than trying to figure it out on her own at first. Jeremy's facility is well-equipped, clean and safe. You really couldn't ask for more in a gym and/or strength training coach. read more

I have been lifting on my own for almost two years, but recently was struggling to make progress. Additionally, I began feeling some hip pain during my squats that I wasn't sure was due to my form. I was encouraged by the good reviews left for Jeremy on Yelp and decided to give it a shot despite the distance from where I lived. After just one session, I can easily say that it has easily been one of the best decisions I've ever made in my lifting career. Jeremy is a professional and experienced coach who helped me pinpoint where I could improve in each of my lifts. I learned a lot about the mechanics and theory behind each lift and left each session feeling more confident than I have in a long time. I already wish I had started my lifting journey with his instruction. The area he teaches in is also well equipped for one's lifting needs and is dog friendly! I highly recommend Jeremy to anyone looking into starting weight training as well as to those looking to have an encouraging coach to back their training. read more

Amazing trainers. Positive space friendly to all who want to lift. LGBTQ+ Totally worth the membership.

This review is long overdue! I lifted with Jeremy for 2 years and it was such an amazing journey! I was a new lifter and was unsure of how to even begin lifting, until I found Jeremy. I wanted to get stronger and to have a coach that would be there for me every step of the way. We trained with the starting strength program, which worked really well! I saw so much progress week after week. I couldn't believe how much stronger I was getting and how much more confident I was! Jeremy also adjusted the programming when needed and also gave great advice. Going to lift with the bay strength community was the best part of my day! I would look forward to getting off work and heading over for my 7pm lifting class and to see all of my favorite people. It was such a fun class to lift, get PRs, mingle with the class and to joke around with Jeremy. Everyone at bay strength got along as a family and it's never a dull moment with them. I definitely recommend everyone to come join the bay strength community! read more

Jeremy is knowledgeable in lifting and has a great attitude. He provides customized feedback that is immensely beneficial for any beginner lifter wanting to create a solid foundation for their technique. Jeremy clearly points out areas of improvement on your form and works with you during your session until he sees progress, which is so valuable since he is catching potential bad habits before they develop. I definitely recommend Jeremy if you want a comprehensive, approachable, and fun introduction to lifting! read more

I started at Bay Strength by taking their learn to lift class with Coach Gwen. I had never tried weight lifting before. She instructed me on the 4 basic lifts: deadlifts, squats, bench press and the overhead press. After two sessions, I felt confident enough to want to continue lifting at Bay Strength and subsequently enrolled in one of their MWF evening classes with Coach Katherine. She is a great coach with a watchful eye and is very motivating and friendly. Honestly, in general I'm not a "gym" person and I cannot believe that I'm making progress lifting. Some people have told me, you can learn all these things yourself. That might be true for a small percentage of people, but there is no substitute for having a watchful eye of a coach looking over you and watching your form and motivating you. There is also no substitute for having a good lifting community around you. I think that's most important thing about Bay Strength, you are competing against yourself to get better. There's absolutely no pressure to compare yourself to someone else and all the lifters are encouraging. I've also interacted with Coach Kelly and Jeremy their also great. You can't go wrong with any of the coaches. They recently moved into a new gym in Berkeley, so it's been nice to see their business growing and doing well. read more

Jeremy took great care to make learning to lift accessible for me--a middle-aged first-timer. His positivity and extreme knowledgeability were so helpful. The gym was full of people who were simply there to try their best, and the atmosphere was supportive and genial, yet focused. I truly look forward to going back. read more

I have been reasonably fit and active for most of my life. In addition to running and cycling, I have exercised in gyms on and off, mostly using machines for resistance work. I have paid for personal training sessions a handful of times in an effort to improve the efficiency of my workouts, with little to no better results than I achieved on my own just making it up. I'm sure there are knowledgeable personal trainers out there working at the big gyms, but the ones I happened to find either didn't know that much, or were terrible at teaching. Either way, it ended up being at best a waste of time, and at worst resulting in an injury from poor technique. I'm sure I benefited from some of the exercises I was doing in the gym, since I felt better and it definitely toned me up more than when I was not doing any resistance exercise. However as I have aged, especially after turning 40, I've had longer and longer periods of back pain that never seemed to go away despite focusing on various kinds of "core" exercises, and despite being quite active cycling and running. If anything it seemed to get worse. After doing a lot of reading and research on ways to improve chronic back pain for a 40 year old, it became clear to me that I needed to learn how to perform barbell squats at a minimum, and probably while I was at it just learn the basic barbell exercises to round it out. I knew from reading that I didn't want to try to do it on my own, since technique is crucial to being able to perform the exercises safely. The last thing I wanted to do was injure myself through trial and error with heavy things. While doing research it became clear that I needed someone who was well versed in the starting strength program or one of it's variations, so I started searching for trainers with that experience and focus. It didn't take me long to find Bay Strength, and I reached out to them to get started. I took the two session "learn to lift" package with Kelly at the Alameda location. It was without a doubt the best training experience I have ever had. There was no doubt in my mind that she is an expert in her craft. I learned more about body mechanics and weight lifting in those two sessions than I've ever learned in my life. While I felt intellectually prepared for barbell work after the two sessions, I knew it was going to be very difficult to both progress in weight and perform the exercises safely without someone watching and coaching me for some time during my workouts. For that reason I decided to sign up for Kelly's group class to keep me on track and help me form good technique habits. This is probably the single best thing I have done for my overall fitness in my life. I've been in Kelly's class for a bit over a month now, and I am astonished at how much my chronic lower back pain has improved, and how much better I feel in general. In particular I was very surprised to find out that a properly executed deadlift actually makes my back feel fantastic the next day! Especially since I had a bad experience trying to deadlift once upon a time, from one of the trainers who either didn't know or couldn't explain proper technique. When looking at the pricing of the training sessions and classes, some people might think all of this costs too much, especially compared to gym memberships or other classes. I think this is a poor comparison to make. While my experience has only been with Kelly, from reading the rest of the yelp reviews, it's clear to me that she and all the other trainers at Bay Strength are highly educated and experienced professionals. It is not cheap or easy to acquire this type of expertise, so it's not cheap for their time to teach you. The group class is really an incredible value the more I think about it, considering what I get out of it. It has been and continues to be worth every penny for me. While "lifting heavy things" (as Kelly puts it) is hard work, having Kelly as a coach along with a group of really wonderful, supportive people training together makes me look forward to my workouts in a way I never did before. I actually enjoy barbell training far more than I would have suspected before I started. I think almost anyone would benefit greatly from this type of training, and I highly recommend Bay Strength as your starting point, whether you are a novice or have some experience. read more

I reached out to Bay Strength after getting a recommendation from a couple that works out at the same gym as myself. I have been skimming strength training guides for the past couple years after my partner got me into it. I had been doing all the basic barbell lifts, aside from shoulder press, on my own without a trainer or often even another workout partner. I knew my squat was messed up and I wanted help with it in order to make progress. After the recommendation, I reached out and filled out their online form to indicate my goals and interest in receiving coaching. I got an extremely quick follow-up email from one of the Oakland location coaches, Gwyn. She recommended that I begin with the "Learning to Lift" starter sessions, which include two 90-minute training sessions one-on-one. At first I felt as though this wasn't exactly what I wanted or needed, and that I just wanted a one-time session to correct my squat. I went ahead with the starter sessions and put my trust in that this was what I needed. And I am glad I did! Gwyn is a fantastic coach who is extremely good at explaining each lift. She uses direct, repetitive cues when coaching that helped me so much in feeling confident and at ease with each lift. I left both sessions feeling astronomically more confident that I ever had in any of my time lifting on my own. I also realized how much more potential that I have in me. Lifting feels both empowering and immensely rewarding. I am grateful to have worked with such an awesome coach who is so clearly focused on perfect form. I felt safe, strong and confident. I am so pleased that I have gone ahead and enrolled in one of the strength classes. I want to definitely continue getting consistent and useful feedback on my lifts in order to reach my goals safely and efficiently. read more

Gywn was amazing. She came to our home gym to get my girlfriend and I started on learning how to lift correctly. I've never done anything like this before, and I went into it honestly pretty dubious about the whole enterprise. I have some serious health issues, and I wasn't sure if weightlifting was going to be possible for me, but Gywn helped me figure out how to work around my needs and made it work for me. She kindly and patiently taught us everything we needed to know and, impressively, left me feeling like this is something I can do! Also, her follow-up was incredible. It's been a month now and while it hasn't subjectively gotten much easier, the bar keeps getting heavier and I keep somehow picking it up! I know that's what's supposed to happen, but it still feels like magic. Thanks Gwyn! read more

Jeremy is great to work with as a trainer and I highly recommend working with him to help you to quickly advance your fitness goals. I worked with him recently to push myself from my plateau regarding my deadlift and my squats and he provided helpful advice, pushed just enough and was very encouraging. Also, when we had our session, he allowed me to play my own music in the studio which was a big plus! Since working with Jeremy recently my squats increased by 40 lbs, I have a much better form on deadlifts and much better form on my bench press. Highly recommend Jeremy and I'll work with him again myself soon! read more

Kelly really helped me out after a couple of pretty serious back injuries. She helped me to gradually get my strength back and eventually get even stronger than I was pre-injuries. I recently moved out of state so I can't train with her anymore and I really miss it! She's also an exceptionally nice person; I highly recommend working out with her! read more

Kelly is far and above the finest Starting Strength coach or anything coach, I have ever had and I have had many. With good form I'm lifting, bench 130X5X3, dead 155X5X3, squat 125X5X3, press 70X5X3 all with pre-warm-ups in one hour. I'm 74 years old and getting strong. Thank You Kelly for setting me off in a new direction. read more

I've been considering getting into serious weightlifting all year, but I was a little apprehensive about how gym culture can be. The Bay Strength ad I saw said all the right things, and the experience backed it up. I had two beginner sessions with Jeremy, and I've come out of them able to lift on my own, feeling like I'll be able to make gains without risking hurting myself. (I have a janky back and have concerns.) We talked form and programming, nutrition (strap in and get to enjoy those protein shakes, friends), and how I can expect the future to go. Having a week in between the sessions is great, because you have time to go to your own gym, experience unexpected confusion, and get all of your questions answered on your second session. High marks. Jeremy's enthusiastic, lots of fun to talk to, and very specific and careful while still keeping the whole thing fun. I'll be recommending working with him to anyone who even hints that they might want to pick up something heavier than a toaster now and then. read more

I am currently being coached by Gwyn and she really knows her stuff. The coaches at Bay Strength are super knowledgable and are meticulous about form. I had been lifting for a while before joining but had never really been properly trained. The gym is also super queer and trans friendly. I am looking forward to getting those gainzzzz! read more

I emailed Coach Jeremy Tully looking for some help with my training. We were quickly able to schedule a training session and from the moment I walked into the gym I knew I was in for a good time. Jeremy is knowledgeable and knows what to say and when to say it. My time was well spent and I highly recommend baystrength and the coaches that work there. If you haven't found a solid place to train or coaches to train you, Bay strength is where you should be. read more

I love this gym. The coaches, the friendly atmosphere, and the focus on strength (imagine that!) are all excellent. I workout with Kelly and she gives really great feedback and corrects my form -- although all the trainers seem great (it's a small gym so you can observe others all around you). The space is clean and there's good ventilation. The vibe here is super friendly. People introduce themselves. Everyone is there to get strong for their own personal goals. Humans of all ages, shapes and sizes workout here. The feeling in the gym is very empowering. I'm sad when my workout ends and it's time to leave! read more

Jeremy is a friendly and supportive trainer. I was initially intimidated to lift, but his detailed instructions and positive feedback make lifting fun and challenging. What I like best is that he pushes me to add more weights even when I think I can't. It's also refreshing to be around someone who keeps it real--he understands the additional challenges that I may encounter as a woman (e.g. unsolicited advice from other males). Training with Jeremy has made me feel accomplished, stronger, and eager to reach my strength goals. read more

Jeremy is AWESOME!!! I set foot for the first time in the weight room about 2 years ago. Without proper form I struggled to make significant progress. A few months ago I decided I wanted to take my lifting to the next level. I bought Starting Strength and read the session on squats. I made A LOT of changes and I felt as though I improved plenty, but my form still didn't seem to be quite right. If only I had known that 2 hours with Jeremy would have saved me the 2 year random walk! Jeremy was was thorough, knowledgeable and patient. He gave me specific advice tailored to my body's dimensions and made invaluable corrections to my form. I truly appreciate Jeremy's guidance and now consider him a mentor in my weightlifting journey. read more

Jeremy clearly loves what he does and it comes through in his coaching. He has in-depth knowledge of lifting as well as all elements of getting strong - programming, nutrition, recovery. This is not your standard personal training as Jeremy tailors his recommendations to your individual needs. My only regret is that I didn't start working with him sooner. read more

Jeremy is an awesome trainer! I came to him back in December after looking for a trainer nearby for quite some time. I was a bit apprehensive at the start because I had previously injured my hamstring when attempting squats. I was also suffering from a very painful hip issue which doctors were unable to diagnose. Nevertheless I was equally excited to begin. After three months of training my hip pain has seemed to rectify itself, I no longer have the hamstring issue and I am beginning to add weight to the bar! SO exciting!!! It has been a long road coming for me with working through the pain but Jeremy has offered excellent and very detail oriented training. He's also awesome btw! read more

For years I've tried to develop and stick to a lifting regimen on my own, with mixed results (at best.) That's why I was so excited when I discovered there was a Starting Strength inspired barbell class in the Bay Area. Jeremy is a professional, experienced and encouraging coach. His instruction has improved my form and gainz for the major compound lifts tremendously and he always has time to educate and answer questions regarding nutrition and training theory. The tri-weekly beginner progression classes are fun and efficient, focusing on three lifts per day with attentive coaching from Jeremy for each set. Two months in (and psyched for the third!), I think the classes offer unbelievable value for the instruction I receive and the progress I've made. The compliments from my girlfriend don't hurt either. If you are interested in weight training - even as an absolute beginner - reach out to Jeremy!! read more

Training with Jeremy is awesome. The Starting a Strength program is as good as it gets and Jeremy is great at imparting the knowledge/philosophy along with teaching the lifts. I couldn't recommend him more. read more

I've had a couple of sessions with Jeremy at Bay Strength, and they were really helpful. Jeremy (and his colleagues) are certified Starting Strength coaches, which if you don't know, is not an easy certification to get. I'm familiar with the method, but nothing beats in person instruction and Jeremy delivered. I was struggling with form on all my barbell lifts and Jeremy's keen eye had the major issues corrected quickly. If you are serious about getting STRONG, Bay Strength is the place to do it. read more

Bay Strength is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I had had a bad relationship with exercise since my early teens, but Gwyn and Bay Strength completely changed that. Everyone is incredibly supportive and friendly, and I have never felt healthier. I especially recommend Bay Strength for any women who are intrigued by lifting by feel intimidated by the idea of going to the gym and doing it. So good! read more

We were in town a few weeks ago and I had a 1x1 session with Kelly. I have been power lifting for a little over a year, but don't regularly meet with a coach, so I was a little nervous. She was very encouraging and gave me great specific feedback that I've been putting to use now that I'm back home. I wish we lived in the area, I would want to come in regularly for one of the classes! read more

My wife and I were in from out of town and booked 90 minute training sessions here with Jeremy and Kelly. We both had a great experience. Both coaches were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. We'd definitely recommend this place to others looking to get strong! read more

I have been training with Jeremy for five months and couldn't be happier with the results. I read up on barbell training before working with him and recognized that it was the best way to get truly strong--but I was nervous about doing it wrong and injuring myself. Jeremy is *great* at teaching the technique, and his persistent encouragement and suggestions for improvement have allowed me to get stronger than I'd ever imagined was possible. And he's so all-around smart and fun that I always look forward to training. Great nutrition advice too, and really good encouragement as to how to keep improving now that I'm past the novice stage. I'm so grateful to have found him. read more

As a total lifting novice, I went to Jeremy for the two-class Learn to Lift Series. What a great experience! He's super personable and knowledgeable and really takes the time to explain the hows and whys of the basic lifts. I also really appreciated how he listened to and took into account my personal goals and motivations. I can't recommend Jeremey highly enough for someone who wants to learn the basics of strength training but doesn't know quite where to start. He'll give you all the tools and support to get you on your way to getting strong! read more

I'd been putting off trying lifting for awhile after reading a bit of Starting Strength at one point. By chance I saw one of Jeremy's poster's around Oakland and his Learn to Lift program sounded like a perfect way to start. I'm really glad I happened upon it because Jeremy turned out to be a knowledgeable, helpful, utterly un-bro-ey coach and just an all around delightful guy. After two sessions with him watching and helping, I felt well prepared to start lifting on my own. I'll definitely be checking back with Jeremy periodically for form checks and as I progress to other lifts. read more

I drove all the way from Santa Rosa to meet with Jeremy and get an experienced set of eyes on my barbell lift technique, and honestly, I will be doing it again regularly. He was friendly, knowledgeable, an excellent teacher, and was in general, an easy guy to do business with. As someone who owns a small business, I feel like my little free time is valuable, and Jeremy really seems to honor that. He was punctual and very quick to respond to any email I sent. It doesn't end with the weights either. Jeremy was extremely thorough in touching on all the relevant topics, such as diet and rest. All in all it was a tremendous experience. My only wish is that I lived closer so I could train with him more often. read more

Background - age 72, never athletic, didn't improve with and hated gym and machines. One of my sons has done 3 years of weight-lifting using Ripptoe's Starting Strength book, and had been pushing me to start weight-lifting and found some SS coaches. Honestly, I signed up with Gwyn Brookes only to please my son, and was totally apprehensive about it. In only 6 months, improvement in strength, and its effect on daily life, has been amazing. Gwyn is an awesome coach. She is kind and supportive, but also rigorous about correct form. She is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She has a plan in mind for both coaching sessions and the ones on my own. I look forward to going to the gym - cannot believe I'm saying that. read more

I've been through five 1:1 weekly training sessions at the time of writing and came here with about 1 month of training, feeling very uncertain about my technique, particularly my squat. Starting Strength coach Gwyn Brookes has helped me improve my squat technique and my technique in three other lifts. Her patience is exemplary, and I never felt rushed through my sessions. She gives helpful cues and frank answers to my sometimes nebulous questions and concerns. She also provided helpful advice on handling my pain and/or injury during training. I highly recommend her specifically and the Starting Strength program in general. read more