I've been going to MissionHQ for nearly a year and it's been incredible working with the trainers…read moreand with the other people going. The classes are challenging but modifiable for all fitness levels. The have a variety of classes around choose from and option for open gym use. Wilson and Amy are so encouraging and motivating. You also can't miss the meal prep/food sales Monday nights post workout (try the tri-tip and chicken soup if you have a chance!)

Finally made it to the gym. Once there, i am able to focus on my own timeline. Coach are available…read moreif you need to be guided.

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.

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!

Overall, I think this is a great gym! I only had the chance to take one class before breaking my…read morewrist (outside of the gym), so unfortunately I couldn't dive in too much. As someone new to CrossFit, I found James to be a great coach -- patient, attentive, and focused on proper form. He gave helpful adjustments and kept the class moving at a good pace. I'd definitely consider coming back once my wrist heals. I did have a small billing issue that took a little time to sort out, but James ultimately took care of it. It's clear they're a small business doing their best, and I appreciate that. I'm glad to support a local gym that offers solid coaching and a welcoming community.

Pacific Strength is truly something special…read more I am not a lifter and walked in feeling genuinely intimidated by a functional fitness gym environment. That fear disappeared almost immediately. The instructors (Jessica, Zach, Makenna, James, and others!) are kind, attentive, and incredibly good at meeting you exactly where you are -- no ego, no pressure, just thoughtful coaching and encouragement. James, the owner, is a wonderful human. He sets the tone for the entire space: supportive, inclusive, and deeply invested in people's progress and well-being. The community reflects that -- the patrons are welcoming and encouraging, and there's absolutely no judgment. I'm more of a yoga and Pilates person, but I knew I needed to incorporate strength training for long-term health. Since coming here, I've gotten noticeably stronger, improved my range of motion, developed better form, and -- most importantly -- gained confidence with weightlifting. No one cares that I lift a fraction of the weight others do. Everyone is focused on their own progress, and there's always a way to scale or modify. This is an ideal gym even if you're not looking to become an Olympic weightlifter but are looking to maintain muscle, protect bone density, move better, and feel strong -- especially for women who want functional strength without intimidation. Pacific Strength proves that strength training can be empowering, accessible, and genuinely enjoyable. I can't recommend it enough.

Best gym in the Bay? Try best gym anywhere. Period. Marcus, Michael and the whole FTC team go the…read moreextra mile to welcome everyone into the community. The environment is supportive for beginners to seasoned athletes. For as long as I live in Oakland, you will find me at Fitnesse.

Fitnesse Training Club is not just a gym it's a family. Mike and Marcus are the co-owners of the…read moregym and they have built a studio to include strength training, culture and community. I have done my fix of fitness gyms from 24 hr fitness, f45, barry's and even orange theory but nothing compares to Fitnesse! From the music, to the community, to the lifts this gym is one of a kind. You will get proper instruction on how to properly execute each lift and all the coaches are professional and easily approachable.

13 years later, and while life and my fitness goals have evolved, my appreciation for the EGA…read morecommunity hasn't changed. CrossFit is no longer my main focus, but I still make it a point to drop in and stay connected to this gym. Steve Paul has been coaching here for 5+ years, and under his guidance I've seen a noticeable improvement in my strength and power lifts. What I've always valued most is that you can truly go at your own pace while still making consistent progress. The community remains welcoming and supportive, and it's still a great place for all fitness levels. Grateful to still be part of this space after all these years. Tip: While there's no longer a dedicated play area for kids, they are still welcome.

Amazing gym, amazing people. Arnie's programming is phenomenal and the gym's level of fitness is…read moreelevated as a product of the program. EGA is perfect for all levels of fitness. Each coach takes their time with each individual member during a class to ensure proper technique and to answer any questions. The vibe is always fun and down to earth and I feel honored to be able to workout in such a great environment. Stop by anytime! Drop ins are always welcome and everyone is always very inviting.

After almost two years of crossfit, I had hit a wall with the level of coaching I was able to…read morereceive to improve my Olympic weightlifting. I came to Max's gym looking for better programming and a higher level of understanding of the technical elements of the lifts, and was not disappointed on either account. I had watched scores of YouTube videos and recorded myself trying to figure out why I wasn't improving my lifts and after a couple months I had a note on my phone with 3 things that I thought were the problem. I asked Max to watch one lift of mine and he immediately listed those exact three things and gave me cues to make the appropriate corrections. Before I came to Max's I had done only a handful of snatches over 100kg and all of them were ugly and unstable. Now less than six months later, I've hit PRs over 120kg for snatch, and every week have several sessions snatching between 90-115kg, and the reps are consistent and slowly improving each session. My front squat has jumped from ~180kg to 200kg and I'm regularly hitting 170kg for sets of 3-4. If you want to take your Olympic lifting to the next level, it's hard to describe the difference between lifting in a crossfit or other environment and having a team who shows up every time and pushes their limits and yours at every training session. Folks 50-70% of my weight are hitting numbers close to mine (or more) consistently and with better form, and it's motivating to show up and work hard. Max, Jo, and the other coaches are all extremely high level athletes and coaches, and the wall is decorated with trophies, medals, and other awards or paraphernalia from the top athletes in the world. There are 5 platforms and a powerlifting area, and it's nice to be able to choose supertotal training, powerlifting, or Olympic lifting depending on your goals. It's important to advocate for yourself and speak up when you need special help because nobody is going to hold your hand the way a personal trainer might, but even in the bustling environment, someone is almost always watching from across the room and ready to give feedback when necessary. The atmosphere alternates between goofy banter / camaraderie and intense encouragement when someone is pushing for a maximal attempt. No matter what you're looking to improve, you'll be able to make the next step at Max's gym. Even if you come for a few months to get shocked out of a slump or plateau in your training, it will be a worthwhile investment into your athletic career.

I did my level one here. Jo was a great teacher, and the facility is well maintained. Fun and…read moreexciting energy.

This place is just the best. I've been in the group fitness classes for a month now and it's been…read moreso much fun. The people in the class have been going for YEARS and they are all so fun and energetic. Lisa (who runs the classes) is such a chill yet motivating coach. She's funny with jokes, plays good music and helps with your form too. The classes realllly get a tough workout in in the best way possible. Response times were a little lag at first, but the IG DM never fails and I got a response right away, email took just a few extra days! If I wasn't moving away, I would keep going here for years - and I am absolutely looking for a similar workout in my next city - can't say better things about this place!

I emailed them with a question as well as expressing interest in setting up a consultation, and…read morenever got a response. It's been over a month. Very strange. Maybe they missed my email by accident but it's disappointing all the same, given all the good reviews. As a prospective member, I was highly discouraged by the lack of response, and decided to look elsewhere.