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!

I cannot recommend enough. I began working with Branden in August/September and had goals of…read morereturning to my previous athletic build and body and overall good health. I chose the personal training option with Branden but there are other options and his wife and business partner, Remi, is available too. It's now December and I'm down just under 20lbs. I'm feeling good and strong and confident again! 2 days a week and 45 mins per session has me like this. A personalized meal plan is included. 7 days a week, 3 meals a day and sometimes a snack because I work long hours. The meal plan includes all nutrition information so I know what I'm putting in my body and even includes a shopping list! Branden is available when I have questions about anything from scheduling to where I can purchase an item on the meal plan and he makes recommendations if I need it. I have never once felt judged or guilted by Branden. He is totally reasonable with expectations. My husband and I do date night dinner and drinks once a week and Branden has been super supportive of it. The gym itself is very clean and the other gym goers are nice and welcoming. I feel like it's important to mention there are times when it's just me (a woman) and Branden (a man) alone in the gym. I have never once felt creeped or weirded out. Overall, I'm very happy with my decision to reach out to Elite Fitness.

Meh, place just OK. Kind of snooty workers, strict rules, very small inside, too expensive, nowhere…read moreto park. Not feeling it.

If you're looking for a gym where the trainers will lovingly torture you while you question every…read morelife choice you've made, BodyMechanix - Laurel is your spot. I've been coming here since I turned 34 (I'm 37 now, so let's just say my attendance record here is more consistent than my dating life), and it's become my second home. My happy place? Boxing with Nico on Thursday nights and Andy on Saturday mornings. They work us hard--from the bags to the mitts--and you can tell they genuinely love what they do, which makes you want to work harder too. The vibe here is energetic, supportive, and community-driven, even if you're like me--assertive, rebellious, and just a little defiant. I've made it my mission to talk back during workouts, roast the trainers mid-burpee, and encourage others to listen to their hearts when Nico, Andy, or any of the other amazing trainers push us like soulless robots. (They're not soulless, I promise--just slightly sadistic, in the best way.) If you think lifting weights and working out is drab, you haven't done it here. The community is what makes every drop of sweat and near-tear worth it. The trainers truly care about your transformation, not just physically but in how you see yourself and your own strength. They've created a space where you feel seen, pushed, and celebrated, even when you're lying on the mat wondering why you thought a 6pm class after work was a good idea. Shoutout to the trainers Ming, Angelo, Warren, and Tori, who keep the energy high, the encouragement real, and the workouts spicy. And to owner Terrell, who's built a place that feels like home (if home had kettlebells, a power rack and trainers encouraging you on while you question your life choices). If you're looking for a place to get strong, laugh while suffering, and meet some of the best humans in Oakland, come here. And if you see someone talking back to the trainers while smiling and refusing to quit, that's probably me. Come say hi, and let's complain about landmines together.

Monica is one of - if not THE- most compassionate and intuitive people I've ever met. Not only does…read moreshe care about her craft, but she centers the individual and their overall wellbeing. I have multiple disabilities and illnesses, which have resulted in a difficult relationship with my body. It was important to me to find someone knowledgeable about the body and a comfortable, private space where I could learn. I initially reached out to Monica to focus on getting stronger, and I am! The unexpected results have more to do with my confidence, and she's helped me recognize that I'm capable of so much more than I thought. Ok so I could go on forever about how amazing she is, but in addition to all of the above she: - provides customized weekly workouts - Is extremely flexible when it comes to scheduling conflicts - Has a safe, clean, calming space in which to work out and learn - Can tactfully Target specific areas of strength training to meet specific goals - Can advise on supplementary actions to further progress - Offers frequent check ins throughout the week for accountability and progress She's also got a wonderful memory and an expert understanding of anatomy. If not for her, I wouldn't have pursued figuring out underlying health issues that have impacted my energy, mobility, and overall wellbeing.

I absolutely love Monica.. except for 2 days after I train with her.... Then I'm muttering under my…read morebreath about all the horrible aches and pains I have from the workout. On a serious note though-- I LOVE the workouts I get from Monica. They are thoughtful and personalized and she keeps great note about what have been doing. It's so exciting to see my progress, to feel stronger and leaner each week and I would recommend her to any woman looking for someone who really understands the needs and challenges and differences of a woman's body. It's not ever a cookie cutter workout and she really listens to my individual needs each week. Heck she's a great trainer period. Man or woman, old or young she will tailor a workout to your fitness goals.

Max is a very professional, reliable, and knowledgeable personal trainer! He is super approachable…read moreand motivating. Not only do I look forward to our workouts, but I have also been amazed at my results- I lost 20 lbs without sacrificing muscle mass. I 100% recommend Max if you are looking for an efficient, dedicated, and talented personal trainer!

Started with Coach Max a year and a half ago and saw very positive results. After some health…read moreissues, I returned to pick up where we left off Coach Max knows what he is doing. He motivates you and keeps you moving and growing with different exercises so things never get stale. He also gives advice regarding nutrition that has been very helpful. With Max's continued guidance and encouragement I can challenge myself to lift heavier, get fitter, and am surprised at what I can do! I push past my limits, and you will too. He is also a great guy to spend an hour with and I always look forward to my workouts.

I joined Oakland's Most Powerful a year and a half ago. With just two 1-hour classes each week, I…read morehave made tremendous gains. Mel and Luis lead efficient classes, allowing time for mobility exercises, warm-ups, strength exercises and cool-down in just an hour. Both coaches emphasize proper technique, and in every class I benefit from the specific observations and pointers they give me. What's more, Mel and Luis are awesome people, bringing a positive stoke to every class, and building a diverse, fun, and welcoming community. If you are looking for one thing you can do to benefit your health, get fit, or support your athletic performance, look no further than Oakland's Most Powerful.

I've been working out with the coaches at Oaklands Most Powerful Gym through Strong Start and it's…read morebeen amazing. The coaches are knowledgeable, encouraging, and build a great sense of community. I ENJOY going to class, have built strength and tools that are helping me feel great. Highly recommend Coach Mel and Coach Luis! (And don't be intimidated if you're just starting out - the program takes you step by step)

I have worked with Frank since February 2022. His approach to training is personal and tailored fit…read moreto each person's needs. I've appreciated this immensely, as I've sustained multiple injuries over the last couple of years. He has always met me where my body is physically--finding the best ways to support my recovery while continuously increasing strength and mobility. His care for me outside of the gym (mental, emotional, social) is also incredible. He always inquires after my family and work worlds, always encouraging me to take care of my health and wellness. All I can say is sign up with Frank today!

From the owner: Hello! I'm Frank Panares, your dedicated personal trainer committed to guiding you on your fitness…read morejourney. Whether you're looking to enhance your functional mobility, manage chronic pain, or simply get in better shape, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Join me at Polos Gym, located in the vibrant Laurel district of Oakland, or let me bring the workout to your doorstep for added convenience. My philosophy is straightforward: "I can't promise it will be easy, but I can guarantee impactful results." Let's embark on this transformative journey together and unlock your full physical potential!

I love this gym! It is so well equipped, the other patrons are very respectful and it doesn't get…read moreoverwhelmingly crowded. Polo, the owner, is wonderful. I have been training with Rio for the last few months and achieving my fitness goals. I highly recommend coming here!

This is such an awesome gym! All the equipment you need for strength training--including barbells,…read moreracks, dumb bells, kettlebells, machines, and plenty of cardio options, too. Never a wait. Free parking. Great hours. Very clean and well maintained. The patrons and trainers are friendly and Polo, the owner, is a super nice guy. This is a real community asset and far better than the big box gyms. I highly recommend this place.

I like this gym. I wish they would keep it cleaner, enforce the rule of putting equipment back…read morewhere it belongs after use, and use disinfectant in the spray bottles to clean equipment other than water. Water isn't cleaning it.

self explanatory. this location is the most drastic downgrade compared to my previous home…read morelocation. owner sucks. staff doesn't care. can't complete my workout here without waiting for the 1-2 working stair machines to be free. all my efforts have been ignored (even tho yall were real quick to email me over a payment issue...) so 1 star it is. get an owner that actually understands what it means to work.

If you're like me, you're here to find out -- what results can I expect? I'm all about that "before…read morevs after" story. Before: - Postpartum mommy bod with NO pelvic floor, NO core strength, and NO upper body strength. I couldn't even jog for more than 5 minutes. After: - Body confident mama who wore a SILK hip hugging dress to her friend's wedding with no Spanx! Ha! My arms are the most toned since high school 20 years ago (truly! I looked up my old photos!). I feel confident in shorts again. I can easily lift my baby, pull my body weight up, and even... RUN! My neck that used to get tweaked every other week hasn't flared with pain in months. Ezekiel helped me fundamentally change how my body carries itself. How does he do it? He studies and analyzes how each exercise is helping your body specifically. For example, we were doing chest presses and I wasn't moving up in weight - he researched and tested out different adjustments to my technique until we saw results! This is the difference between exercising by yourself or exercising with any other trainer -- Ezekiel uses his deep knowledge of how the body works to tailor a plan for you.

I used to be incredibly active but when the pandemic hit, I went from overactive to couch potato…read more From prior experience, when I've went from a period of very little activity to back to what I used to do, I very frequently end up injuring myself. Ezekiel was very patient with me and allowed me to build the confidence in my own ability. Not all trainers do this in my experience. My previous trainer do a general assessment and then push you at your max to obtain results faster. This was not my goal, I wanted something sustainable and Ezekiel took this to heart. When I was ready to push myself, he definitely provided. He always kept each exercise fresh. I noticed that I started to do more weight-lifting (something I dread and get bored with) on my own. Please consider him if you want something who really listens to your needs.

My quick review: I was one of those kids who hated PE and I LOVE this gym…read more They have great classes and an amazing community. I have spent months and sometimes years between going to the gym, but here I'm showing up twice a week. It's honestly something I never thought would happen.

As a transgender person who loves to workout, this is my home gym I go to feel safe and seen. I…read morecan always count on everyone knowing and using my pronouns and never misgendering me. Y'ALL, THAT IS A MIRACLE IN ITSELF. I CAN'T SAY THAT ABOUT ANY OTHER PLACE... LIKE EVER. In literally any other fitness space, I'm always bracing myself for some sort of gender dysphoria or body dysmorphia trigger. This is the place I go where I don't have to worry about negative self-talk, diet talk, or any body shaming. Have you ever said that about a gym??? Radically fit is super warm, friendly, and welcoming. The trainers and members equally make it a great time every time. Lately I've been attending Emmet's barbell class and their attention to detail and fine tuning technique keep me coming back for more. This gym truly lives up to its name, radically changing the fitness industry one barbell lift at a time!