DON'T THINK - SIGN UP & SHOW UP!! Best free weight gym in the Bay Area…read more SPS offers the best Bay Area gym experience for olympic & powerlifting & mobility training, plus phenomenal coaching and an ego-free and welcoming environment fit for seasoned lifters and total newbies! And the space has every possible setup & accessory you could need for your free or bodyweight endeavors, without the crowds that you'd see at another gym like the Y. Big Mike - the owner and founder - is a wonderful human who makes everything run smoothly & has a wealth of lifting knowledge. Sean - MetCon class leader & lifting guru - is hilarious and will kick your butt with a smile on your face. Brandon - oly class leader & mobility guru - runs awesome twice-weekly oly sessions that work for folks who have never touched a barbell all the way up to competitive lifters. Every other coach I've interacted with has been similarly wise, generous with their time, and kind af. $250/mth is nothing for the incredible value I get out of my membership and sessions at SPS, and I hope the organization lives on forever!! None of the ego & attitude you'd see at places like Cal Strength, with all of the same resources.

The best weightlifting gym in Oakland for sure! I was a…read moremember of SPS for a few years before I moved states. During my time there I was able to improve my strength and technique but more importantly I was able to create some long lasting friendships with other members, coaches and especially the gym owner, Big Mike. I no longer live in CA, but every time I am in town I drop in to this gym and it feels like I never left. Join the gym. You won't regret it.

I second everything Giselle said below (we miss you Giselle!). The gym is now called Island Grit CF…read moreafter Charlene Miller (w/ Ryan) took over in 2024 as headcoach/s. The coaches, training, camraderie, encouragement from beginner to elite - you will find it here. I was a strong cyclist when I started in 2021 but found I could take it to a higher level of muscle development with the great vibes here.

Now called Shipyard CrossFit, this place is literally my second home. I've been going 4-5 times a…read moreweek for almost 2 years now and this community has become such an incredible support system. The comraderie is unmatched and the culture here is inclusive, light hearted and warm. The monthly membership fee is shockingly affordable compared to other boxes in the area, AND it includes full access to the rest of the gym that it's housed in. The head coach, Sharon, is a gem. She is always finding ways to enhance the experience of being a member and fosters an incredible environment to work out in. Friday nights are the best. The crew stays for awhile after the workout to enjoy each other, share a few beers and kick the weekend off right. Whatever your fitness goals are, this is the spot. All experience levels from beginners to elite long time athletes call this home. Come on in and join us!

This review is long overdue. I've been coming here since September 2025 -- first for pilates, and…read morenow also a gym member. Pilates: I love attending the reformer classes, particularly Alba's and Jessica's, but I've attended most if not all of the instructors' classes and they've all been great. The weekend classes do get kind of quick so it's better to book in advance. Gym: Clean, never packed (at least when I go). I always find space to stretch with no issue and have never had to wait for what I need. People put their weights back. There are spray bottles and cloths to wipe what you use after. The bathrooms are clean, and the red light sauna is a treat (honestly my deciding factor for adding the membership lol). I've yet to use the cold plunge or the showers. You get $10 off when you have more than 1 membership. I had a billing issue in the beginning and they were very responsive and helpful. All together I pay $164/mo for both. The lack of a parking lot is a mild inconvenience, but street parking is hardly an issue with all the residential streets with free parking around Park. Great gym!!

This gym is hands down one of the best I've been to. It's always clean, well-organized, and…read moreequipped with everything you need--plenty of machines, free weights, and space to work out comfortably. Even during busy hours, it never feels overcrowded. The staff is friendly, professional, and genuinely welcoming. You can tell they care about creating a positive environment for all fitness levels. The atmosphere is motivating without being intimidating, which makes it easy to stay consistent. I can't recommend my personal trainer (Katherine) and Rise highly enough! From day one, they've been professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in my progress. Every workout is well-structured, challenging, and tailored to my goals and fitness level. They push me just the right amount while always making sure my form is correct and that I'm training safely. If you're looking for a trainer who is reliable, encouraging, and results-driven, this is absolutely the one. Worth every penny!

My favorite workout group. They get up early and charge hard! Nate is a great instructor, very…read morepatient and welcoming of all shapes and sizes.

I have been going to skyfit oakland with nates super enthusiastic and informative workouts for…read morearound 2 months now. Since them I have lost 12lbs and feel a lot stronger and healthier. Nate has an amazing gift of being able to pull out your full potential without hurting or pushing you too far. I've spent most of my time and money on gyms throughout the years to get in shape but nothing has helped me as much as these past two months with skyfit. Plus I am a mountain biker and golfer and have already seen strong improvements on both. Last time I hit Juaquin miller park I noticed half way up the hill I was in a harder gear in my mountain bike than I usually am and realized that my legs just got a lot stronger which has helped me get out of bed, get in and out of my car, walk up and down stairs and other kinds of everyday things.

My first reaction to FitBoot was "ARE YOU F'ING KIDDING ME WITH THIS SH*T?" I was thinking there…read morewas NOOO way, with as out of shape as I am, that I was going to be able to withstand this hardcore training program. And honestly, every morning when my alarm goes off, I am pissed off that I'm awake that early, and I wonder if my sore muscles will carry me through another day. But, Charla McMcillian is as good as it gets. She pushes you as far as you can go, much further than you actually think you can go. Charla also gives nutrition tips at the end of every class. So... it is really a fully inclusive program. In 45-60 minutes, five days a week, you will literally change your outlook on your body and the way you want to eat. It doesn't matter if you are in awesome shape or if you are a couch potato, Charla will make the program work for you. The squad is small enough that no one gets lost in the crowd. You can't hide in the back of the class, and you can NOT fake your way through a day. It's a no-nonsense program, and if you are expecting to be pampered, this isn't the program for you. But, if you are serious about changing your body and your nutrition, this IS the program for you. You will never sign up for any other training (gyms, personal trainers, etc.), they are nothing compared to what you get at FitBoot.

I wake up early and i say -- I wake up early and i say…read more"How's Charla gonna kick my ass today?" -- "How's Charla gonna kick my ass today?" Push ups Squad Thrusts Pull ups too -- Push ups Squad Thrusts Pull ups too 110% is all you gotta do -- 110% is all you gotta do Run 3 miles then play ball -- Run 3 miles then play ball Turn around and do it some more -- turn around and do it some more Feel good -- Feel good Look good -- Look good MMmm good -- MMmm good etc.

24HR gym, all the best equipment, and you can bring your dog!…read more I have been too about 6 different gyms in the bay and this is by far the best. For what they provide along with how cheap it is to go here it's awesome. They even have a system setup to keep it from being to crowded so you always get the equipment you want. I can't recommend this place enough! Definitely a life long member at this point

I attended a class here and genuinely enjoyed the workout itself -- the pace felt approachable and…read morethe in-class environment was positive. Unfortunately, my experience trying to sign up afterward was frustrating. Communication was slow and inconsistent; I often had to send multiple follow-up texts to get responses, and my questions about membership options and class access weren't answered clearly. I didn't receive straightforward answers until a phone call finally happened. During that conversation, I was told that certain classes were advanced and not appropriate for me, and that ongoing drop-ins weren't offered. I was also repeatedly steered toward personal training. Later, I received newsletters advertising beginner classes, which seemed inconsistent with what I had been told. While the workout itself was enjoyable, the lack of clear, timely communication and transparency around membership options made it hard to feel comfortable committing. If you value clear communication and flexibility, it's worth asking very detailed questions up front.

I cannot recommend Branden Henderson enough! From the…read moremoment I started training with him, I knew I was in excellent hands. Branden has been instrumental in helping me achieve my fitness goals, and the results have been great! What sets Branden apart is his personalized approach to training. He took the time to understand my goals, limitations, and preferences, and tailored each session to maximize my progress. His expertise in fitness and nutrition was evident in every workout plan and dietary advice provided. Not only did Branden push me to new limits, but he also ensured that each exercise was performed with proper form and technique, minimizing the risk of injury. His motivation and positive attitude was contagious, making every session enjoyable and something I looked forward to. Thanks to Branden, I achieved my goals of loosing weight, building muscle, improving endurance and have never felt better. I am stronger and feel confident. I was training for the Spartan race since February and can say I killed it with his preparation and help. If you are looking for a dedicated, knowledgeable, and inspiring personal trainer, look no further than Branden. He will undoubtedly help you reach your fitness goals and beyond!

Elite fitness has top of the line trainers such as Remi and Branden Henderson. I trained for over 6…read moremonths with Branden and he has been an exceptional coach. He is not in this field for the money. He truly cares about his clients. He approaches coaching in a holistic manner, focusing on mental, spiritual and physical health. He provided meal plans, strength training plans and weekly coaching check ins. In our checks in he would share his wisdom, strategies to do better, encouragement and accountability. He is truly an amazing coach and trainer. Book him if you are ready to change your mind and body.

Ive been a gym go'r all my life. But as you change so does ur habits. I spent some time looking…read morefor a reason why I should go beyond 'Looking Great Naked'. But first I had to signup. I spent NYE 2022 in Hong Kong & did a great deal of walking alone & thinking to myself. I decided to signup there and when I got back Id attend. Ive always been reluctant to do crossfit simply bc it didnt look like me (body, community, etc). But when I walked thru the door (insert meme "How yall doing!") I found what I really wanted which was encouragement w/i a Community. Now I was most impressed driving by daily or riding the 14 bus frm East Oakland to Downtown for the office...seeing their smart use of outdoor space. This brightened the community & demonstrated you can throve anywhere in Oakland w/ positive intentions & smiling people. Now its only been a few sessions yet Ive done 2x a day but when you experience anything it has to be inside first! Glad I went to see what its all about...and I can use any weight Id like! Special S/O to Jason(trainer extraordinaire) who is POC...Ive never seen many POC so FYI visibility matters..& they are always on time & point! (Prayer Hands) Fyi no pics just imagine me naked hahah

I needed a place to do CrossFit WODs with knowledgeable instructors and I didn't want to get lost…read morein a big gym with no one to talk to. Some of these places have so many members that you can feel lost in a crowd. CLASS SIZE: Enter Sequoia CrossFit, where the biggest thing is the actual gym building! The classes are a perfect handful of 10-15 people and the instructors keep a keen eye on your form and make helpful suggestions. DOGS: But the best thing about it is that it is dog-friendly!!! Matt, the owner, has welcomed my dog, Stella, with open arms and even lets her run around with his own pups before and after class when everyone has left. It's the thing she looks forward to the most, more than the actual dog park! LOCATION: One thing I should say, though, is that there are no big signs so I had a hard time finding the gym next to a mechanic shop and buffet. I was nervous to go in and I tried researching it on Google Maps but even there you can't tell where the building is, especially when the hangar doors are shut. Just know that it is a dark grey building. I'll try to post more pics of the outside and post them here. FRIENDLINESS: As a travel nurse, I move often from city to city. This gym has felt like a diamond in the rough, not because of the huge space, free parking, large bathrooms, new equipment, and other amenities, but because of cool people like Coach Matt and Coach Chris and the rest of the members here. I'm currently doing the Open right now, and they have been so accommodating even when I have to retry to get a better score. And now I'm looking forward to their in-house competitions where they have silly trophies and the goal is just to have fun and get to know other members! I could write more about this wonderful space, but I recommend that you come and check out their free introductory class and packages before committing to a membership if it feels right. I promise that you will feel so vibrant and accomplished because of all the support you'll receive that you will easily rise to the challenge.