I am so glad I joined up with Ross November 2025. For context I play a lot of soccer and high level amateur/semi-professional leagues, but suffered recurring hamstring issues from 2021-2025. Ross created a program that was designed to build strength and prevent injury during preseason. I am a disciplined person but I needed proper guidance on how to structure my workouts and lift like an athlete. He provided exactly that. I have gained muscle in all regions of my body especially my legs. My hamstring feel solid as ever and I feel the strength and power on the field. I highly recommend him if you are looking for guidance on your fitness journey. He is also a great guy and makes himself available to help if you have questions about your workouts/a specific lift. Worth every penny. I'll be revisiting him for my next preseason! read more

I've had such an amazing experience working with Ross! This is my second time training with him postpartum, and once again he's helped me rebuild my strength, confidence, and overall fitness. He's incredibly knowledgeable and highly qualified, with a data-driven approach that tracks progress and keeps you motivated every step of the way. I really appreciate how he tailors each session to my individual goals and makes sure I'm progressing safely and effectively. If you're looking for someone who truly understands postpartum recovery and knows how to help you get stronger both physically and mentally, I can't recommend him enough! read more

I started training with Ross because I was concerned about bone density loss as I got older and wanted to prevent injuries in the sports I love. While I've always been an active person, I had no experience with weightlifting and knew I needed 1:1 instruction to learn safely. Ross guided me through the process step by step, patiently answering all my questions until I truly understood the concepts. We were able to do sessions in his home gym, which was ideal for someone like me who doesn't want an audience while I learn something new. I really appreciate Ross's approach to fitness, which is all about injury prevention, knowledge sharing and diversified movements. No ego to be found. I feel grateful to have found a trainer who was aligned with my goals and made the learning process fun and welcoming! read more

As an athlete with a rigorous competition schedule, I was finding it really hard to make time for workouts that complemented my training while also helping me focus on injury prevention. Luckily, I found Ross. His program is tailored to my needs and schedule. He creates workouts that are challenging so I can't "slack off" and he is in constant communication about adjustments, benchmarks, nutrition and anything else you want to chat about on your fitness journey. You're not going to get anything cookie cutter with Steiner Strength. Highly recommend! read more

Ross is a one-of-a-kind, exceptional personal trainer in the Mission District. As a former competitive swimmer with several chronic injuries, I've worked with multiple trainers and physical therapists in my athletic career, and I was looking for someone in SF who was deeply invested in helping me reduce daily pain while being equally committed to helping me get stronger -- I'm very fortunate that Ross has exceeded those expectations. I've had so much fun learning detailed tips and tricks to improve my technique/form, and I look forward to many workouts to come under his guidance! read more

Ross is great! He's extremely knowledgeable on technique and an excellent teacher. I came to him to get ready for ski season, and he's designed a custom plan that works for me, which I can execute most of on my own, unlike other trainers I've worked with. The app he uses is clear and has useful videos showing me what to do when I'm working out on my own. It is very convenient for me to meet at his spot and he has access to a full gym in Potrero, as needed. read more

Was awesome working with Ross in his gym. He's a fantastic trainer, super communicative and dependable! Would recommend to anyone looking to build up strength. read more

Ross is an amazing teacher and stellar coach! The program is perfect for learning how to improve diet, gain muscle and achieve the health and physique you're looking for. Ross helpis with all of this in a thoughtful, attentive approach and guides you through the whole process. read more

Fantastic one on one training. Personalized and specific coaching. Ross will get you ripped and is also a great person.

Ross is an excellent trainer. He is very attentive to individual needs (goals, diet, form/technique) and is very accessible to answer questions. Highly recommended. read more

I trained under Ross for just over 2 months. I did learn things from Ross and found progress toward some of my goals but ultimately did not find this to be a satisfactory experience. Ross did not build a plan that incorporated my injuries into account. In some cases I felt his plans aggravated my injuries - After a few sessions on Ross's workout I walked with a limp for a few days. Workout sessions with Ross were always built around his schedule and not mine and I felt a lack of communication on workouts and nutrition. Updates to workouts did not take into account feedback I had given and nutrition goals were haphazard. After doing further research and speaking students of other trainers I felt I was receiving below satisfactory attention toward my goals considering the program cost. read more

Ross is an incredible trainer. I was specifically focused on injury rehab and lifestyle improvements - my physical therapist referred me to Ross as a sports trainer who will accommodate a PT's guidance, be knowledgeable / sensitive to my injury, and get me back in the game. He has done all of that and way, way more. I'm back to wrestling with my kid without worrying about hurting myself, I'm surfing better than ever, and freshly addicted to weightlifting. I feel better than I have in years, and I'm 4 months into the program, have literally never had results like this from any program I've tried (and I've been an active climber / surfer for decades). If you want to change your life, Ross will help you do it! read more

5/5 no more like 10/10.... Lol I love training with Ross he is not just a great coach/trainer he helps with nutrition and calorie control. I learn so much from him including safety with weights and technical details that comes with weight training . He's a great trainer for everyone for. I always feel rejuvenated and healthier after each session. One of my favorite trainers by far. read more

I've been hesitant to see a personal trainer until I met Ross. His foundations program has allowed me to accelerate in the weight room via a dynamic program specifically designed around my needs. Ross is extremely accommodating, an excellent listener and teacher. Could not recommend more! read more

I have been working with Ross for nearly a year and it has genuinely been a life changing journey. I have very little experience with personal training, but from the onset he was patient and encouraging and specialized our program in a way that has resulted in me feeling confident at the gym, and most importantly, stronger than I've ever felt before. He's super easy to work with and I always look forward to our early morning sessions. He's also super flexible with scheduling and is very responsive if something comes up. It's extremely reassuring to have your physical health in the hands of someone as knowledgable and capable as Ross. I couldn't recommend working with him more! read more

Absolutely fantastic coach and trainer. Perfect for any level of training background. Looking for strength training? He's got you. Hypertrophy and physique building? He's got you. If you don't know what any of that means? Don't worry, Ross has got you. I've worked with Ross over the last two years on body recomposition. We've cut weight and clean bulked together and it's been a fantastic experience. Ross is also a fantastic teacher and always interested in learning and sharing knowledge along the way. Honestly I don't think you'll find a better coach in the Bay Area, though I'm sure there are greats out there. He's a good one. Highly recommended if you're looking for the best. read more

I had two main goals when I started working with Ross, build muscle and feel stronger. He has helped me achieve both goals and I will continue to work with Ross to create more achievable goals. With Ross's motivation, knowledge, weekly check-ins, and excellent communication, paired with his easy to use program, I continue to see results in the mirror and in my everyday life. Ross will create a fitness program that works for you and will help you to achieve your fitness and nutrition goals. For anyone who is serious about making a positive change, I highly recommend Ross! read more

After meeting with a few trainers at the start of the year, I decided to sign on with Ross for a few reasons: - he genuinely listened to my performance goals and gave me thoughtful notes on how he would tailor my program to achieve them - he made sessions fun and interesting - he encouraged me to give notes on each workout, and checked in with me throughout the week to see how I was feeling about my programming For the first time in years, I looked forward to working out, and he got me into the best shape of my life. You won't regret signing up with Ross. Don't hesitate, just do it! read more

Amazing trainer! Ross will work with you every step of the way in reaching your goals and you'll have a great time! He is patient, professional, communicates well, and is extremely knowledgeable so regardless of your level you're in great hands. I decided to train at Steiner Strength because I am a visual and read/write learner so if someone just tells me what to do, I'm not going to understand but Ross really takes the time to describe exercises and doesn't make me feel embarrassed when I'm lost. Training with Ross has influenced me to stay consistent and live a healthier lifestyle because he's super supportive and cares about his clients! read more

Found Ross on Yelp and been working with him for a little over 2 months now and wow has it made a world of difference. I have always been very active and consider myself a healthy eater but didn't feel this was reflected in my physical appearance. Ross not only educated me on both fitness and nutrition but created a program for me that was doable and scalable for the long term/normal life without having count calories for the rest of my life. Ross keeps in mind your exercise preferences while still helping you feel more confident with moves or lifts you don't like. I, for example, hate cardio and learned that I don't need to do much of it! Would highly recommend working with Ross to anyone. Yay for visible abs! read more

I was recommended to DIAKADI gym by a friend and was paired up with Ross after filling out the questionnaire. What I was looking for was someone to be a "coach" and help me get ready for my first Tough Mudder. Ross delivered exactly on my goals. In fact, he went above and beyond. Ross researched the obstacles I'd be facing with Tough Mudder and built a program around that just for me! He pushed me to finish that last set, that last pull-up, that last 5secs in planks. Things that I would have skipped had I trained on my own. I also learned to climb a rope! I've never climbed a rope in my life and now I run up that thing like a boss. (Everybody else training was secretly jealous and started incorporating the rope in their program too.) For three months, I trained with Ross three times a week for about an hour. I saw a 4% drop in my overall body fat percentage & was noticeably stronger. I Ieaned out and got toned. Fit is the new skinny and I couldn't be happier about my body!! :D I finished Tough Mudder in 4hrs without skipping any obstacles (WOOTl)!! I would work with Ross again in a heartbeat. Great dude with a good heart and wants to see you achieve your goals. I'd encourage you to reach out and give him a try. - Kelly W. read more

Steiner Strength - #likeaboss - Trainers Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Ross has worked with me for about 3 months now and it has been an absolutely incredible experience - if I could give 6 stars I would! I've made more progress towards my goals in the last 3 months compared to the 2 years before. I play basketball & came to Ross with a few goals: become stronger & more explosive (add muscle), stave off injuries & dunk. We started off by assessing my movement quality and mobility, and Ross set up me up with specific stretches and exercises to fix them. He then worked with me to master kettlebells & barbells. Now we are spending time focusing on heavier barbell work, as well as olympic lifts. I really appreciate how he has focused on measurement (progress pictures, calorie tracking, vertical jump, PRs.) to show me how my body is changing over time. He also has a critical eye for form & movement quality when I was doing each exercise, which helped make every set & rep more impactful. I've gained ~6 pounds of muscle (and lost weight!), hit a few big PRs and can really feel the difference when I am playing ball. Top this all off with the fact that Ross is a great guy to hang out with and you can't go wrong with him! read more

Ross has been my trainer for over two years. I've been doing a combination of in person sessions and program design with him. I can honestly say he's been one of the best. He's comprehensive and takes account your schedule and creates workout plans that fit your needs. We've been focusing on making healthy changes that are now routine in my life. He is very realistic and doesn't expect you to be perfect all the time- life happens! Lastly, he's been super supportive and even checks in with you during the week. I'm really glad I found Ross and I can't seem myself changing trainers anytime soon. read more

Ross is an awesome coach! I went to him seeking a "tune-up" - someone who would could help me with losing weight and getting stronger. I like to do this periodically when my routine gets stale, boring or I just need a kick in the rear. I've been to several really great trainers in the past, so my expectations were pretty high. Ross helped me set up my diet/nutrition plan walking me through goals for calories, macros and a roadmap for managing this in the next few months. He then developed a workout plan focused on building my strength while incorporating mobility/flexibility/endurance with a very watchful eye on form. After 3 months, I lost 12lbs and had grown increasingly stronger overall. Here's what makes him awesome - he is uber-focused on form, verbally making adjustments/tweaks and reminders throughout your entire workout as he's pushing you to go beyond what you think you can do. He keeps track on your progress along the way adjusting when necessary to help you make the most gains during your time together. He's also very personable, energetic and engaging so you also have fun being around him. Highly recommend! read more

I started working with Ross March of 2019. I wanted to give myself until my 40th birthday to really get back in shape. In less than 6 months, I started feeling and seeing changes for the better! Not only did I find a knowledgeable and committed trainer, I also found a friend. I am always super excited for our sessions, I feel like I'm working out with a buddy who actually cares about me and my life. I can't believe how much leaner, stronger, and informed I've become since working with him! ***Extra bonus... even 15 lbs or so ago my husband always found me beautiful, but he seriously can NOT keep his hands off me now at all! HAHA Thanks Ross! : ) read more

Ross is a fantastic trainer! I've worked out with him for several months now doing strength, conditioning and flexibility performance. I was formally a high-school varsity and college-club athlete with an established workout regimen. However, I was getting bored at the gym and wanted to improve my performance generall and especially with an important tri-race coming up. Ross worked with me to set a baseline and design a program that worked for me and my schedule. I'm feeling stronger and more flexible than I have in a long time and finished top 5 in my recent tri. Highly recommend Ross for anyone looking for up their game on their own terms! He really cares about his trainees and will provide all the additional information you need based on your goals. read more

Ross is the real deal. He's a super laid-back and personable guy and has a no-fuss approach to working out. That said, his knowledge base and experience are truly outstanding and it is clear that he is a true fitness expert. He will work closely with you to identify your goals, keep you accountable and celebrate your victories. I couldn't recommend him more. read more

Ross has been my trainer for about 2 years now. This guy is a beast on all levels. He continually pushes me to be better. He knows exactly how to help me reach my goals and can train anyone from beginner to expert. All and all I highly recommend him for personal training. read more

Ross and his team of trainers are among the best in the city. If you are looking for a personal trainer this is a great choice.

Coach Ross is a fabulous trainer! After coming back from vacation I really wanted to lose weight and learn how to lift weights, as all I would do before was cardio. Ross is extremely personable and really cares about getting the results his clients want, while also being realistic. I learned so much about weight training and feel completely comfortable now when at the gym and using heavy weights. He also helped me with the nutrition side of training. After our ten week program I lost 10 pounds, and have continued to lose weight since. Each session you can guarantee to get your money's worth, he will work you out hard! I absolutely loved working with Ross, he is such a fun and personable guy that will really push you further than you think you can go. If you are looking for a trainer, he is your guy! read more

I met Ross at Crunch on Van Ness. He introduced himself and I immediately felt comfortable around him. I could tell he was a trainer a mile away due to his muscular stature and vibrant personality. I got to know him at the gym and he provided couple of free training sessions. From there, I hired him as my boot-camp personal trainer. That means we did a lot of functional exercises that focused on overall body strength and core training. My fitness goals included gaining more upper body strength and toning up the butt. I told him that my ultimate goal was to kick-ass in snowboarding and he fine-tuned exercises so that I felt like I was paying for what I asked. I hired Ross to be my personal trainer because of his positive attitude and authoritative style. He pushed me to meet fitness my goals by informing me how each workout set would help me snowboard. Working out with Ross was fun because we talked about working out and our personal lives that made the time go by. I always felt like he had my best interest at heart and he challenged me by encouraging me to go a few more reps than I thought I could. I definitely couldn't complain my way out of a workout set and I was able to get through them because of his no-nonsense attitude. I recommend Ross for your personal trainer because he is dependable. He is straightforward and will tell you what you need in terms of working out, time, and money. He can assess your fitness potential whether you're a beginner-gym-goer or a seasoned athlete. He's been doing this for years and I trust him with my body and my fitness goals. You'll end up having fun while getting a fit by going with Ross. read more

I have been training with Ross twice a week for the past 3 months. Ross knows what he is doing. He is always on time. He is a friendly, and a real guy. After working with him for 3 months, I have lost 10 pounds, lost approx 3% bodyfat, and lost two inches around the waist. My jeans prove it. This is a great accomplishment for me as I am a 45 year guy with a terrible metabolism. He has also helped point me to all links where I learned how to manage my diet better. I was shocked on how much I was doing wrong. Ross is right -- workouts are good for building stronger core, and right diets are good for getting rid of your fat in your body. Ross has been very attentive to me and very patient with me. Since I am Deaf, he has managed to communicate with me using gestures and showing me different poses. He never got annoyed. He was very pleasant to work with, and I feel I am getting a right start in my "getting fit" program with him. I wish I found him much earlier so I can build my body better. I know it takes time to get to goals that I have, and I am pleased with my results so far. If you are looking for a fitness coach that will motivate you, help you get to your goals, and motivate you, he is the guy. read more

I've trained with Ross (2-3x a week) for the last several months; the results exceeded my expectations. Ross has a broad range of exercises that build strength, tighten muscles and increase your metabolism. His workouts hit muscle groups from different angles and he structures the program in a way that the workouts are incredibly productive, focused and well, the time flies. He's intense, demanding (if he thinks you respond well to that motivation...because I do) and never loses sight of the importance of a good sense of humor. Signing up to train with Ross was of the best fitness decisions I've made in a long time. If you're serious about getting in shape, Ross Steiner should be your next call. read more

I love working out with Ross. Met this clever charachter at Northstar snowboarding one day, I recognized him from my gym. I was thinking about getting a trainer but hadn't the slightest idea about how to go about finding one I liked, so we agreed to do some trial training back in the city. That was two years ago and I'm still training with Ross, these days at Diakadi Body. 10 Reasons why everyone should train with Ross: 1. He's handsome as can be - who wants an ugly trainer? 2. In addition to fitness, he helps me with my diet. 3. Works at a fantastic facility - Diakadi Body 4. Flexible with his schedule and payments 5. Super smart about fitness and knows 100s of excercises to keep my workouts interesting. He might get them all from Men's Fitness but I don't mind. 6. Listens and understands my needs - reguardless of what he thinks I should do, he still takes my wishes into consideration and understands the sports I participate in and how fitness can help me. 7. I've lost 15 pounds, can lift more and look better than I ever have. 8. He can juggle! (like train me and two friends at the same time) 9. Always dependable, on time and in a consistent good mood. 10. All around good guy, he keeps my workouts fun and that's what keeps me motivated about fitness which is worth every penny. Ross has been a very positive influence in my life over the past few years and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. read more

As a trainer and fitness coach myself, I hired Ross to help me gain more of an athlete's perspective in my own strength training. His experience working with the Stanford Athletic program and running Mission High School's strength program, have given him a unique perspective on how to safely and successfully make an athlete stronger, faster, and more powerful. He has a sharp eye for proper assessment and form, making sure that clients are performing each exercise correctly at all times. Even with my issues surrounding a previous shoulder injury and knee surgeries, Ross was able to not only keep these joints safe and pain free, but also greatly help in strengthening them for my current sports. Ross is constantly looking to improve his programming knowledge and education as a trainer. He consistently looks for a better method for athletes to try in reaching their goals. He has a wide range of mentors and teachers for himself, so the learning process is an infinite one for him. On top of all of this, he is a damn good guy. He always comes to the session with a pre-planned program, a big smile, a positive outlook and a focused drive for successfully coaching you to your next goal. In other words, you look forward to the ass kicking workout with him. read more

I've been training with Ross 2x per week for the past 8 months. Ross is a great trainer with a diverse background in training that can match most peoples goals. Ross takes the time to understand what your goals are and customizes your workout to help you reach your goals. He also is great at helping to keep you accountable to your goals. Each workout session includes a post-workout summary that is emailed to you with a 1-5 score of how you did. I find this to be a motivator and there are times that when leaving I will tell him "that was a 5 start workout." I find this to be a motivator during the workout because I always want the top score. Ross worked with Stanford football so you can get a full body training type of workout if that's what you're looking for or you can get a more traditional "put on muscle" type of workout. During my time with Ross he's always very attentive to form- but not annoying correcting a million times through the lift. In the past I've had neck issues and he's aware of this as he develops my workouts and constantly monitors my motion. He extremely professional, on time, and attentive during the sessions. read more

I worked with Ross for 4 months and it was well worth every penny! :-) The reason that I chose him over all the other trainers I interviewed was that he was very thorough with our first consultation. He took all these measurements, weight/body fat, and outlined exactly what his program was about. Ross is very straightforward and very motivating. Each workout was very challenging and he just made you want to work harder! I've gained 10 lbs lean muscle mass by the end of our time together. With his coaching, I've been able to continue the core workout pointers that we worked throughout the 4 months we worked together. Overall, you can't go wrong with Ross! He's a great trainer, wonderful no-attitude guy that can help you reach a level of fitness that you've never reached before! :-) read more

I just finished my first 10 sessions with Ross. As a once upon a time athlete (and someone that for years scoffed at personal trainers), Ross has helped to intervene in my last decade of excess smoking and bourbon. He is on time, not a douche, positive, non-judgmental (that first workout opens your eyes) and will make you work. And as someone who was looking at 50 with dread, I now think I may be able to balance a career without turning into a complete fat f$&k. You ever see a trainer on his phone or laying on the ground as you work? That ain't Ross. My highest recommendation. Do it. read more

Ross is AMAZING! Since working with Ross, I've lost over 20lbs (first time in 10 yrs of trying) and built lean muscle. More importantly, I love working out and know my way around a gym now! We've worked together for 6months now and he's taught me how to use weights, follow a nutrition plan (no nonsense diets), and find consistency in my regime. Each session Ross pushes me to get better and stronger. He's a stickler for good form, and you will appreciate all his reminders when you're working out on your own and trying to lift heavy. He is not just a great trainer, but also a great coach - we revisit my goals every few weeks to make sure I'm tracking against them, and every time I plateau - he has a new game plan. It's great to work with someone who always has your back - I cannot recommend him enough! read more

This is the best trainer in the world. It was my first time to hire a personal trainer. I had a wonderful experience with him learned a lot about fitness. Ross the is very patience and willing to working with you no matter what capacities you have. I had a great time working with him. I definitely recommend him as a personal trainer. You will never regret it. read more