I started working with Mae about 6 weeks ago as someone who was pretty new to the gym, and she has…read morebeen great. She immediately made me feel comfortable and never intimidating, which made a huge difference for me starting out. She does a really good job of explaining what we're doing and why, so I actually feel like I'm learning instead of just going through the motions. Every workout feels challenging in a good way, and I've already noticed myself feeling more confident in the gym. If you're new or just want someone knowledgeable who makes the process feel approachable, I'd definitely recommend Mae.

Signed up for membership here since this location is a quick walk from home. It's nice, but the…read morespace is a little small, esp for the area. At times I had to wait a bit for a machine to free up, which was annoying. But the space is clean and everyone seems respectful, so I wont complain too much. I just need to figure out which times are less crowded. It would be great if the app displayed that info - like Planet Fitness. Will I return? Um yeah. I'm paying for a membership, and it's up the street. Another positive: based on the reviews I was nervous of passing out from lack of ventilation, and the temp was actually perfect. It wasn't stuffy/hot at all.

This is a very shady gym, and honestly I'm not surprised it's turning into a ghost town. My dad…read morepays over $170 a month for this place, and somehow they still can't consistently keep the hot water running in the showers or pool. The locker rooms are gross, a lot of the equipment is outdated, apparently there's a jacuzzi that's been out of order since covid and the only thing this gym really had going for it was the basketball court. I first came here back in 2022, then again in 2026, and the difference is night and day. In 2022 the place was packed. Fast forward to 2026 and it looks abandoned. Either people got priced out, or everyone found a better gym. The funniest part is how they handled their guest pass policy. When my dad signed up, he was told he could send guests even if he wasn't physically there. I had already used the guest pass once before while I was finishing college, and they took all my information down. Ever since then they've absolutely spammed me with texts and emails trying to sell me a membership, even after I told them I didn't live in the area. It was way harder than it should've been to stop the marketing, which honestly doesn't inspire much confidence if you ever wanted to cancel a membership. I recently moved back and figured I'd use my second guest visit. I walked over for a leg day because they have one machine I actually like. The woman at the front desk asked for my dad's information and then asked if I could call him to confirm I had permission to use the guest pass. I explained he was currently out of the country. She disappeared into the back for a few minutes, came back, and suddenly said, "Actually we've changed the guest policy, so even if your dad called, we still couldn't let you in." ...Wait, what? You literally just asked me to call him. So I asked when the policy changed, and she said, "Maybe about a week ago." The whole interaction was awkward and honestly didn't sit right with me. Maybe it really was a brand-new policy, maybe it wasn't. Either way, asking me to call my dad for approval and then immediately telling me his approval doesn't matter makes absolutely no sense. The irony is they spent months blowing up my phone trying to convince me to buy a membership, but the second I tried to legitimately use the guest benefit that came with the membership my dad already pays for, suddenly I couldn't get through the front door. If you're spending over $170 a month, there are far better options. The YMCA down the street has a better value, and if you're willing to spend a little more, Equinox offers amenities that this place isn't even close to matching. This gym feels like it's circling the drain. Poor management, inconsistent policies, dirty facilities, and prices that make absolutely no sense. Save yourself the headache and spend your money somewhere that actually values its members.

3 stars a 'solid' club, but management makes shortsighted decisions…read more The Club at City Center is one of those old Oakland institutions that still has good bones. It may be roughly 20 years old, but whoever designed it originally did a good job, so it feels legit rather than worn out. The gym is clean, the staff is consistently helpful, and the equipment selection is excellent, from free weights to machines. The full basketball court is a major bonus. The sauna and steam room are probably my favorite features: spacious, generally clean, and much better than what you find at most gyms. My only complaint there is the occasional member treating the sauna racks like a laundromat and hanging wet clothes everywhere to dry. It is also rarely crowded, which is either a luxury or a warning sign, depending on how you look at it. You can usually work out without waiting for equipment, but the place sometimes feels like a beautiful old Oakland theater playing to half an audience. My biggest disappointment is the decision to discontinue Wellhub. Many companies offer Wellhub as an employee benefit precisely because members travel and need access to gyms in different cities. Removing that option feels like closing the bridge while traffic is still trying to cross it. Wellhub members were not simply walking in for free we bought food, paid for parking, and contributed to the club's business. Parking is another issue. Validated parking is around six dollars, and parking elsewhere downtown can feel like rolling the dice with your car windows. That makes convenient access especially important. Without the Wellhub decision, I would rate this club closer to 4 stars. It has good facilities, strong equipment, a helpful staff, and one of the better sauna and steam-room setups in Oakland. But dropping Wellhub makes the club feel less like a modern fitness network and more like a well-preserved car, impressive, comfortable, and oddly determined not to evolve.

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.

see my old reviews? back in 2012and 2014??? well since then there's been lots of life: kids and…read moreaging parents and working and and and... AND now I'm back, 10 years later. still flipping tires, still pushing sleds and lifting heavy. Vibe is as friendly as ever. Coaching continues to be excellent quality. Still no posturing or ego to be found. Just a great a$$ kicking workout no matter your age or fitness level.

I have been coming to this gym for years and it is my favorite part of the day, especially after a…read morestressful workday. With the coaches help, I've lost over 40 pounds of fat in the span of a year and gained muscle mass. Urban Fitness emphasizes using free weights, focusing on form and technique before lifting heavy. You'll find that while you're able to squat heavy on machines, poor posture and bad habits from not bracing your core does little in the real world. The style of training can be transferred to every day chores from carrying bags of groceries up the stairs in one trip, to lifting your fridge while remodeling your kitchen. I never realized how little I could lift on my own without machines involved. The workouts are class based and has a coach demonstrating each set and correcting form. As intimidating as a class workout sounds, the community and friendship bond you will find in class are unmatched. It's really easy to make friends, especially if you're someone working from home and need a change of pace, this is a good place to go. The people I've met here became my family. We go on snowboarding trips and run spartan races together. It's not CrossFit and all levels are welcomed. The highly trained staff can provide all different levels of workouts whether you're new, looking for a challenge, or injured. There's something for everyone.

Touchstone gym located in downtown Oakland…read more This is a more small and intimate gym in comparison to Pacific Pipe. There is a small Boulder section, top roping, work area, weights, and workout area. The staff here is super friendly. My friends took the intro to climbing class here and they really enjoyed it. The staff was really helpful in teaching them the ins and outs

I love the structure. Super fun, climbing competition. Great stuff. Super fun…read more I came for the 2024 climbing competition. I had such a great time so glad I came. This building is gorgeous and so fun so aesthetic. The staff was super friendly. When I made a joke about my chalk, they were receptive and fun. Their store was pretty well stocked. Grab myself an adorable, red crop sweatshirt. They're set up was very organized. Literally zero drama. Highly recommend, and I'll be back.

Coolest gym in Oakland, great classes, better community. I've had the pleasure of hosting some…read morephysical therapy workshops here. Fitnesse clearly cares about their member's health and well being.

Best gym in the bay! My husband and I have been unlimited members at FTC for almost 2 years. As…read moresomeone who has tried many studios in the SF Bay Area - I can confidently say this is the best out there. The programming / phase structure helps you build and get stronger over time. The classes aren't packed so you get attention/corrections from the coaches. There are modifications and ways to level up - whether you're a beginner or advanced, the workouts feel inclusive! FTC also offers Hyrox specific training and group cohorts. If you're interested in competing in a Hyrox or looking for a gym with the right workouts and equipment to prepare, this gym can help. But the best part is the community. If you're looking for a welcoming, inspiring, motivating environment - FTC is the place. Go take your first class - you'll have a great workout and meet some friendly faces!

Every time I stay in the East Bay I make a point of going to this gym - I was a member here years…read moreago when I lived in Oakland and even though I'm a member of 24 hour fitness now (I sadly live in LA - BOOOOO), when I back home to the Bay I always make a point of going here. Amazing staff, amazing club - always clean, tons of space, rarely crowded. Couldn't recommend going to this place enough.

Most all of the reviews are accurate. To summarize/add in my experiences:…read more Pros: Clean facilities. You see the janitorial staff constantly cleaning. Plenty of parking (at least after work). Free validated 2 hour parking Clientele are fairly considerate (they'll tell you they're only using one of the 2 cable towers. Ask you if you're using X attachment) Price (4th? cheapest option in the Bay Area behind 24 hour, planet fitness, and crunch) Transparent pricing (you pay first and last month dues and initiation fee, and then annual fee 2 Weeks later) Con The gym itself has a fairly small footprint. It gets pretty crowded during peak hours (e.g. post work rush) The after work crowd dies down around 9. Not a lot of TVS in the gym if you want to watch X sport during your work out. I think the only one is in the bathroom? Guest passes are a ruse. You sign up for one, and they'll you that they're not available for 2 months. But if you sign up on the spot, then suddenly you can get access to the gym. Sauna is perpetually broken Closes pretty early on weekends (8PM) and holidays (usually 4PM) Parking garage ramp is narrow, so might be tricky if you drive a larger vehicle

I have been a member since ~2018. I love this club because it is gigantic and it is almost…read moreliterally across the street from my warehouse loft. If you go to the Crunch Gym in Alameda and then the Bladium -- you'll have a new appreciation for space and room to breathe. The remodeled men's locker room is cool -- most importantly -- it is clean and does not stink. I only use the facility for cardio and free weights. The machines and free weights are probably 30+ years old (seriously), but they work and I like the old school steel plates. The entire facility has been under construction and it looks like they're going to make the facility like something on par with the NFL Combine's fitness facilities. I learned during the pandemic that new weights and weight machines cost a fortune, but I'm hopeful they will update the equipment. Most importantly, I hope they extend the hours of operation on the weekends. Indeed, their hours of operation should be 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (minimum) every day. Oh, there is always free/available parking and the gym manager is extremely responsive/professional. Bottom line: this gym has the space and location to become the best fitness facility on the East Bay -- but they must extend their hours and spend a small fortune on new weights/weight machines. The images I have included with this review are dated, but they give you a good idea of the size of this place and show the degree to which they are re-doing the place!

I grew up playing at The Bladium since I was 4 years old with lil kickers. I played with the Bay…read moreOaks and SJND for indoor footie and played with my AAU basketball team in this facility. So many memories, like winning a state championship and rock climbing with my friends. The Bladium was an experience: to drink, to play sports, to work out, to have fun. I recently came back after finishing college, just to find the main football field and a majority of the weight room gone to pickleball. At first, I did not mind, however, it feels like the only people who come in are pickleball players. Its sad to see my friend's old family business being made into a pickleball center. Even the new company's logo shows where their priority is at. Heartbreaking to see. I will always remember the sounds the floorboards made.

The GYM, and its morning classes, led by owner Chris, is an incredibly welcoming, kind, and fun…read morecommunity. After a negative experience with a personal trainer a few years ago somewhere else, I finally found a place that offers encouragement and a dedicated community that welcomes new folks. Despite being new to CrossFit, I feel supported and valued here. Chris's extensive knowledge and friendly demeanor make the experience enjoyable for individuals of all skill levels. He ensures that I can navigate workouts without aggravating any injuries. The entire workout crew / gym members are consistently friendly and encouraging, making each session something to look forward to so I can keep moving toward my goals.

Been coming here for years and have nothing but gratitude for Chris and his coaching staff…read more Learning how to lift properly and safely has been a major benefit to my life and overall health. Each class has a strength portion and a conditioning portion (with lighter weight) that have you feeling amazing post-class and for the rest of the day. The community is supportive and I've made plenty of friends along the way as well.

I was invited to God's Gym for leg day and immediately upon my arrival I meet Gary. Gary's whole…read moreenergy field was bright and uplifting and I knew that I was in great hands. Picture this- a gym where it feels like the 1980's in the best way. No pretense , no " lifestyle branding" just you, your gymmates , and Gary pumping iron. I felt like I was back in the gym with my dad when I was a kiddo. I loved being part of the camaraderie- everyone cheering you on to see you succeed and Gary counting your reps and motivating you to crush it. Although it was only a half hour session I began to question what I was actually accomplishing at my home gym. At God's gym people weren't scrolling their phones- they were present and they were putting in the work.

I love this gym and the people that work there. Gary is the perfect blend of professional and…read morepersonable. I was able to see real results and gained a lot of strength. Do yourself a favor and check out this gym!