Team Tufunga is the best gym I've ever been at! I'm so thankful to have found Pete, personal trainer and Simi, gym owner. I use to think I was working out until I actually started personal training with Pete. He has helped me build a solid foundation and taught me what training really means. My confidence has blossomed, and I love the community here that cheers and supports each other. This is really the third place I never knew I needed. Team Tufunga has hosted socials, Halloween parties, etc. This gym is truly like no other. If you were on the fence about signing up, this is your sign to become a member. Come in and ask for Pete. He's super helpful and will be able to answer any questions. But I'm telling you, you really won't regret it!! Team Tufunga is truly life changing. read more

See all

If you're looking for a Pro Gym for those who like a "serious workout" with great equipment, and world class trainers, then might I suggest checking this place out! It will remind you of that other pro gym but it's never crowded, open 24 hours and there's always parking! read more

The way I LOOOOOOVE MY GYM!!!!!! I feel so blessed to be apart of the Tufunga family!! Stop by and join us, we have incredible personal training, bootcamps on Saturdays and top notch workout equipment and machines!! read more

Team Tufunga Training - Lifting 90 lbs - Gyms Near Me - El Cerrito, California

See all

I've been a member of Tufunga for 3+ years, and it's been an amazing experience, journey in fitness and personal growth. There is a variety of equipment and no lines compared to other gyms in the area. The staff is friendly and helpful especially Peter who has been my personal trainer for most of the time I've been a member even helping me to get ready for several bodybuilding shows. His consistency, eye for fun programming and enthusiasm is unmatched and he has played an important role in my journey especially. The morning gym atmosphere is motivating and supportive and definitely people you need to get to know if you can get yourself up at that 5/6am time! read more

Team Tufunga Training - Gyms Near Me - El Cerrito, California

See all

Amazing Gym! Love the people & the atmosphere! Peter & Simi are amazing trainers and the best decision i made all year was to sign up here!! read more

Simi knows his stuff. Trained with him before I lived away. Great trainer, muscles we're always on point

I've been working out at with Team Tufunga for the past few months and it has honestky been amazing great. The trainers pushs you but do it in a way that you know they want me to succeed. They also encourages you which is important because they he let me know they are not giving up on me so don't give up on myself . I'd recommend Team Tufunga to anyone looking for a great trainers. They equipment is also easy to use for beginners. This gym is my new home!! read more

Peter asked me and my best friends to start coming to his gym at the beginning of May. Of course we were all nervous because it's been a while for us, but Peter has been the best thing for all of our health in a while. About 4 months in and with Peter's nutrition plan and training I'm down about 30 pounds and still going for more. He eases you into the workouts and you work your way up from there. I still live my life, go on vacations and enjoy my weekends and still am able to keep losing the weight. Also can't forget about Unc! Simi has made me and my friends feel more than comfortable at his gym. Straight from the start he always greets us and cheers us on when he comes in and sees us getting that good work in. I love this gym and I love showing up everyday to get better. read more

Team Tufunga was recommend to me by a friend and I am so happy I found it! It is a great local gym with a nice variety of machines, free weights and cardio equipment. I have been doing personal training with Pete for a while and with his support, have been reaching my goals - his is very knowledgeable! The community here is something I haven't found at other gyms. read more

My daughter recommended Team Tufunga training to me when I started looking for a good local gym and all of her positive comments were spot on. This place is full of equipment which is great but the best part is the people. Pete and Simi could not be more friendly and supportive in helping you reach your goals. I love the community feel and the good vibes and always look forward to my workouts. read more

Amazing Weightlifting gym. Please do me a favor and leave your 24 Hour fitness or your City Sports and come here. This is a real gym, with real weights, and supportive and nonjudgemental people. If you want bumper plates that you can throw down on a platform, dumbbels that go up to 175lbs, and all kinds of specialized machines, then this is your place. And please do me a favor and get training sessions with Simi. He will help you get in the shape of your life. He is so knowledgable, so caring, so accommodating. read more

One of the cheapest barbell-centric gyms in the Bay Area. Perfect for powerlifters, weightlifters, bodybuilders, and everything in between. There are five platforms with two dedicated power racks and a ton of different barbells (women's bar, trap bar, log press). The gym has a really nice, small feel and the owner (Simi Tufunga) fist bumps everyone in the gym when he comes in. The hours are pretty good and Maurice is always blasting the best 80 and 90s tunes. The only downside to this gym is that the barbell equipment is kind of falling apart - I've gotten splinters from stretching on the platforms and some of the 10lb bumpers are practically cracking in half. read more

Tufunga is the best gym I have ever worked out at. Great equipment, good energy, and welcoming staff. Simi and his team are top notch. I did personal training with Maurice, and felt noticably stronger and more fit. Highly recommend Tufunga to anyone looking for a gym! read more

Team Tufunga is now open again with the same great equipment and outstanding trainers. Everyone is welcome, both for self-directed workouts or with the trainers. The new location is convenient at 10330 San Pablo Ave in El Cerrito, about 3 blocks north of Central Ave and has plenty of on-street parking. Simi Tufunga has 3 Olympic platforms, excellent cardio equipment, lots of free weights and kettle bells, and a wide range of weight machines that work all muscle groups. Simi, John, Arista, Max, and Ava can provide workout plans tailored to all skill and fitness levels. read more

This is hands down the best gym i've ever belonged to! It's a place to go to have an awesome work out...and to be around people who take their diets and exercise programs seriously. Oh yeah...and Simi & Rachel put me on a program and I've lost 50+ pounds! Sweet. You can find success here because everyone cares just as much or more about your fitness goals as you. People working out here are training for weightlifting competions, bodybuilding competitions, marathons, and athletics. When you're around people that are achieving great things you can't help but rise to that level of dedication. Other gyms I've belonged to have tv's and extra stuff..and zero customer service. Why go to another gym and just waste your time going from machine to machine without knowing how to get to where you want to go? If you want to get in shape and get focused...this is the place for you! read more

I love coming here to work out. I joined this gym on a reccomendation from my friend, who sought this gym out specifically for the bumper plates and platforms. If you're looking for a gym with a nice locker room, and spin class, sauna, all the bells and whistles and appearances, etc., this is not the place. What I love about the gym is that it's chill, but also for serious athletes too. You get a mix of people: olympic lifters, body builders, people looking to lose weight, people rehabing injuries, young, old, fit, unfit (but working on it!), etc. I like to think of it as average joe's gym -- something for everyone (even a ping pong table). I can get the full workout I need here, its never too crowded, and they have all the necessary equipment (tires and kettlebells too!). I get greeted with a smile by people who know my name, and I never have to deal with people working out to put on a show. Their new building has a shower, which is nice too. Never used the trainers, but it seems like they have highly qualified trainers for whatever your goals might be (and they're all very friendly). Like I said, not for everyone. But if you want a good workout with good people, and don't want to be bothered by posers, check it out. read more

I have patented a phrase when it comes to trainers: "Your body is your business card." Never let someone train you who is in worse shape than you are. WIth that said you're getting people who KNOW how to get results in reaching your health and fitness goals. When I stepped inside the gym I was TRYING to find machines it didn't have, and to my surprise it had everything I needed. The atmosphere is encouraging and is not in the leas bit judgmental or intimidating. Don't come here looking for social hour- come here to grind with two serious trainers who want to get you where you want to be. RATES ARE CRAZY LOW TOO!!! read more

Love this place. Wandered in here looking for an alternative to 24hr fitness, which I had gone to for years. Signed up on the spot. $40/month if you get electronic monthly debit, no sign up fee. Not bad at all for a local gym. I've gone all different times on different days, even at it's most crowded you won't wait more than a minute or two for whatever equipment or space you want to use. They have anything you could want- tires, sledghammers, ropes, bands, kettlebells, free weights, boxing stuff, squat racks, cardio machines....the roll up door is always open, giving you sunlight and fresh air. It wasn't long before I was talked into getting some personal training. It's probably one of the best personal training deals I've ever come across. I've been training with Sione for a month now and getting good results. read more

I love love this gym. Not only is there a wealth of knowledgeable trainers there, it's like a small family. Everyone one is invested in your being not only physical but mental too. I train with Sione, he is a breast on the outside but very quiet and knowledgeable about the body and what it takes to get the pounds off and keep them off. Simi is the owner of this wonderful special place. Not only is he a world body building champion, he is a champion at heart and of the community. He always has a smile on this face and joke or saying to make u smile ( while sweating of course ). There are a host of other great trainers with different specialities: Robert, Arestia, Delancy, and John to name a few. Team Tufunga, you can FIND STRENGTH HERE!! read more

Been working out with Rachel Tufunga for 9 years - she's awesome and positive and fantastic - especially with women 'of a certain age.' She's always helped me reach and maintain my fitness goals! read more

Brand new gym in Emeryville. I've been a member for a week and I already love this place. It's more like an old school gym, with focus on fitness, athletics, and general health, rather than your health club with saunas, TVs, and hard selling trainers. The trainers here are people I respect, which I can't say for many, being athletes themselves and personable people. It is still in the process of finalizing touches. The unique part that drew me in were the lifting platforms and bumper plates, which are really necessary for power lifting and Olympic lifting. They also have a large, sturdy squat cage, which you can't find at many "health clubs", a glute-ham developer, kettle bells, and more is still coming in addition to your more traditional equipment and machines. The owners also have a couple of dogs that visit on occasion. :) read more

Awesome Awesome Awesome. I've been going here for a few months now and it's unbeatable for the price. I was going to 24hr in downtown Berkeley before this and it was $34/month but super crowded, smelly, and never head weights open. I mostly do freeweights, and it's great. I go after work at "peak" time and still get whatever equipment I want when I want. Simi is friendly and the crowd there is nice and focused but friendly. Honestly I am scared leaving yet another 5 star review for this gym because I don't want it to get crowded, but I have to give a good word for these guys. read more

Great place no nonsense very accepting and caring staff. A full range of free weights and machines plus floor equipment. There is a lot in the space. It generally isn't too crowded and the rates are very reasonable. Also there are several trainers available so you can find someone you are compatible with to work out. I work with Sione he's really good. Also Simi (the owner) is a great guy very friendly and positive. read more

It's fun just saying you belong to "Team Tufunga." Better yet, it's really a fun place to work out. If I were to name it something else, it'd be the "People's Gym" because it's a gym for regular people. This is no 24 Hour Fitness. Imagine a warehouse with the garage door rolled up and diesel women tossing truck tires in the parking lot. That's pretty much a typical Wednesday evening at Tufunga. But it's not all crazy chiseled chicks and body builder types that come here, you'll also find older folks and lazy treadmillers like myself. I have, however, been training with Simi for a few months now, so he kicks my butt once a week, too! Really pleased to have found this gym right around the corner from my office. Everyone (staff and members) are super friendly, low key and non intimidating. Best gym I've ever been a part of! read more

I haven't exercised in close to ten years. When I decided that it was imperative to get back to the gym for my sanity, I immediately thought of Rachel and Simi and tracked them down. I started the first week they moved into their new location and have been consistently impressed with the quality of training. I bought sessions with Rachel because she's a stickler for correct form and injury prevention and because she knows her stuff. This gym rocks. There are people of all ages, shapes, and sizes - it's not a pretty person gym. I thought I'd be petrified to work out in front of other people but I was so focused on Rachel's excellent instruction that all self consciousness melted away. I also train with Julia Hughes at Team Tufunga and she's excellent - I have a hip injury and after she works on me I am pain free for hours. She's also extremely knowledgeable about correct form on the weights and that's important for injury prevention. Bonuses: Rachel and Simi's four adorable dogs! It's so nice to have a dog lay down next to you while you're doing floor work with Rachel - I'm an animal lover so it delights me. The dogs are polite and well trained (they are devoted to Rachel and follow her everywhere) and somehow manage to stay out of everyone's way. There's also the ping pong table if you get bored - Simi will gladly play with you if you ask. Warning: he's really, really good at ping pong. Overall this place is excellent. You can even have a fresh coconut after your workout! read more

What a great Gym! It has everything you need and you never have to wait for available machine. All the trainers are very professional and they really care for each client. read more

two of the best trainers in the bay opened up their own gym !!! a real gym geared for real fitness and training , you can join and just work out as you like or have the privilege of being trained by Rachel and Simi Tufunga (I highly recommend ). these two are the true pinnacle of fitness with a great attitude. I always feel welcome there and feel like these folks go out of their way to make you welcome whatever shape your in .go check them out you won't be disappointed ! read more

It's everything you want in a gym. It's clean, it's got 4 squat racks [only one Bench Press]. All the squat racks are usually full after work gets out, but I can do my huge weights there. It seems like every guy there does over 300 on deadlifts and 225 on squats. read more

In the time since I've posted, 4 "members" have come out and posted rebuttals filled with ad hominem attacks and strikingly verbatim responses. (one of which couldn't even make it past Yelp's fake review filter). I appreciate that (strangely) 4 members "happened" to find this review shockingly within the same 2 day span, but next time you should at least try and make your reviews seem a little more authentic. Also interesting, the other negative review (that sat on this page for months before I posted) has been taken down. I've also been contacted privately through this site by other reviewers who have had similar experiences and had their reviews taken down. I hope the same does not happen to this review. As I state in my original review, and this is actually validated by these recent rebuttals, IF you are a client or a long time friend of the owners, you will have no issue at this gym. Outside of that, you may or may not have issues depending on how deferential you chose to be towards her and with her behavior. Lastly, some of these reviews contain knowledge of my account status that only an employee would be privy too. That leads to one of two conclusions: my account information was shared with members (illegal and unprofessional) or that these posts are sourced from employees (violation of Yelp's standards) Either way, prospective customers considering TT should take this drama as indicative of the way this gym does business. read more

Nice gym, the gym is newly renovated (although for some odd reason there are no mirrors to monitor your form) BUT this place is run very unprofessionally. A couple times I've worked out here, there have been these mangy dogs running around the gym. NO JOKE. Today, for instance, there were three mangy looking dogs running around loose, while I'm trying to work out. Now, I don't mind dogs, I have two myself (AT HOME), they do not work out with me, nor would I subject my dogs or others to such a situation. At one point I went to a bench press, and there was dog drool on the bench. DISGUSTING. I go over to do some crunches, and there is some slimy rawhide toy lying on the floor DOUBLE DISGUSTING. Seriously, I'm not sure who runs this place, but obviously they need some standards, or some professionalism. I've belonged to a lot of gyms in my life, Equinox, Crunch, 24-hr, Golds, Harbor Bay Club and NONE of them would have allowed this. Nice facilities, but unless they get their act together. Goodbye Team Tufunga!!! read more

This will be my third gym in the immediate area in four years. It has grown on me fast! It is just the right size so that if you are the only one there it feels like your own private gym and if others are there it feels intimate but not crowded. The owners have four smallish dogs that visit so when they are there it feels like you're working out at somebody's home gym. I live six blocks away so am thrilled with this situation. Everything one would need is there for a full workout. You can't beat the rates!!!! read more

I've worked out at 15-20 gyms around the world in the past 20 years, and Team Tufunga is the best. The place is so clean you could eat off the floor. The gym is in a large converted warehouse with open walls, so there's air circulation from outside: no musty smell like at other gyms. The weight machines are of higher quality than at other gyms. I haven't used the cardio machines, but they look good and never seem very busy. Owner Simi Tufunga and his staff (including some Tongan former rugby players) are professional, warm, and upbeat. The clientele runs the gamut: hard-core Olympic-style weightlifters, fitness buffs seeking personal training, morning treadmill users, older folks, and those just starting to get in shape. Good ethnic and racial diversity. Gender ratio is about 50-50. My only regret is that I've been going to 24 Hour Fitness for years, just discovered Team Tufunga a couple of months ago, and am moving to Baltimore soon. Wish I could take this gym with me. read more

This gym is the absolute best. I bought a day pass to check the place out, and never stepped foot in my old gyms again. There were several factors that all seemed to fit just together just right. The biggest draw for me was the energy, the vibe of the place, and the warm welcome. Let's all admit, sometimes hauling our butt to the gym is the last thing we want to do. This gym has so much positive vivacity that I have seriously increased my workouts by at least 20-30 minutes each visit! First, this place is more like a family - one big diverse and friendly family. They have zero of the pretentious attitude so many gyms seem to have. It doesn't matter who you are, how you're dressed, what you look like, how much you lift, what you do for a living, where you're from, what you drive.....you get the idea. Just go and be yourself and get one of the most amazing workouts in! Second, the equipment is fantastic. There aren't rows of cardio and gobs of unused pieces of equipment. There are machines that I've not seen in many gyms, and I am thrilled to have found them so close to home! Too much to list them all, just go find out for yourself. I literally went to at least nine gyms in the area trying to find basic pieces of equipment for a well rounded workout, even 24 hour, YMCA, InShape - places you would think have sufficient equipment since they seem to have hundreds of machines, don't even come close to the diversity that Tufunga has. Now, I'm not a heavy weight lifter, nor am I a pro, I just like to get my workout on. Without frills, bells, and whistles. I've not worked with one of their trainers yet, but I have met several of them (wow do they have a lot to chose from if you are in the market for one), and they're all amazingly cool. I cannot say enough good things about this place. THANK YOU GUYS FOR PROVIDING ONE OF THE BEST GYMS I'VE EVER FOUND!!! read more

Just joined for a month and I'm about a week in. Love this place. Doesn't have the cosmetic, utlra new "allure" of those wack SF Fitness and Bally's type gyms that are full of members that join in January, get sore, and dissapear for the rest of the year. This place has some serious members and great staff. The woman that greeted me at the front desk and signed me up is super-friendly and professional. The machines are hardcore. Real deal. Tried and true. I especially like the punching bags. Great stress relief. Great gym! read more

Awesome gym. As others have noted, there are some impressive athletes working out here but the vibe is friendly, supportive and inspiring no matter what level you're at. In addition to the serious-business regulars (benching! punching bags! power lifting!) there's a diverse group of regular East Bay folks being trained or just making use of the facilities. The music is always great without being too loud and the setup is spacious and rarely overcrowded. There is zero attitude and it's a pretty chill environment, comfortable but not frou-frou. Friendly dogs laze by the door. Some people joke and laugh, while others focus intensely on their workouts. Through its simplicity, lack of pretension and wide range of gear this place just feels like the real deal. I'm no athlete by any means but this environment puts me in an athletic frame of mind. A bonus: it's a local business with its own personality and the owners and staff are helpful and accessible. It has an island flavor (plants, Polynesian wall designs) that are relaxing and kind of make me feel like I'm on vacation. A fitness vacation. read more

I cancelled my contract exactly like they asked with written notice etc, even talked to the guy at front desk to make sure it's cancelled at the end of June. July and August was fine, no charges. But in September these scammers started to charge me $40! I already moved across the country! So I login into their system and it says my contract started in August 28th, what a scam, never give them your credit card! read more

This gym has power racks / platforms and bumper plates. The crowd is friendly and serious, and the owner and staff are very hospitable. I am glad to have found this gym, and if you share the belief that work = force x distance, and would rather deadlift and squat than work on the pec deck (though such machines are also available to you here), this is the place. If you're feeling sporty you can flip tires in the parking lot outside, hang some chains on your squat bar, or use the farmer's walk bars to test your mettle. It's exactly what I was looking for in a gym, and it inspires progress. read more

You know, most gym memberships are like a marriage that you can't get out of. This place is the complete opposite. You can do a monthly membership and leave at any time, and the price is still great. Simi is a great person with great energy, and the staff is all on the same page. It's one of the only gyms I've been to where it's not a meat market. Everyone here is getting a good workout in, and not trying to flirt, stare or disturb anyone. The environment is a little tight, so you have to walk with a little care or you might run into something. That is a minor issue but I still think this place deserves 5 stars. read more

Dropped in for a day pass ($10) when visiting home. Great for lifting. Four Olympic platforms, variety of barbells and dumbbells, your usual assortment of machines, and plentiful free street parking just outside. (The limited square footage and barebones safety bars did make me realize how luxe my Chicago gym (Quads) is for powerlifting, but it's legendary for a reason - I don't ever expect to find its like again.) This place has everything you need to get the job done - plus, folks were super friendly. If I lived nearby, I'd join in a heartbeat - $40 is a total steal for what's on offer here. read more

Team Tufunga is is the best Gym ever. Simi and Rachel have created an environment that is hard to describe because it is so rare - and precious. People have said it feels like "family" and that is close, but imagine a family where everyone encourages each other, is generous, and supportive of one another across all possible lines of difference. This gym is about physical training and it matters not who you are or how you are shaped or whether you are a world class body builder or weight lifter or a little old lady trying to strengthen you bones, or a teenage girl rugby player trying to drop a few pounds. The trainers are awesome. It is fun to watch when the gym is busy how everyone works together to make sure everyone can use the machines they need. This value, of sharing and positive attitude prevails amongst the clientele as well. People encourage each other and it is fun to be there. I am so grateful to have found this gym and to be able to train with Simi. If I told you how great he really is you would think I was a nut case - so come and find out for yourself. I am also a big fan of Rachel's - her class is awesome!!! And John, Antonio, and ALL the others, you can see how focused on each of their clients they are. Posted over the entrance are the words: "Find Strength Here" and people do. You will too. Thanks. PS Since this gym has no steam room and provides WAY above average services, I think Adaikalavan K. must be talking about somewhere else? PPS - the plan is to expand the gym, and I think this will be great - more space is better and I have no doubt the values and philosophy will be the same. read more