Bay Strength is exactly what I was looking for. They provide personal weight-lifting instruction…read moreand programming in a small-group setting. Their fantastic trainers are knowledgeable, excellent communicators, and they will design a weight-lifting program just for you and support you every step of the way. At every other gym that I have experienced, you are forced either into a cardio/strength routine (e.g., boot camps or cross-fit) that is not solely focused on building strength and muscle or a personal training regimen that will soon drain your bank account, or you are otherwise left to your own devices. Not at Bay Strength! They are focused on teaching and using power-lifting to help you build strength and muscle, and their knowledgeable trainers will assist you in gaining confidence with barbell lifts and in making sure you are using the correct form. And because their programs involve small group sessions of 5-6 clients for every one coach, you get personalized attention without breaking the bank to hire a personal trainer multiple times each week. And, on top of all that, Bay Strength is truly welcoming to everyone! Whether you are a novice lifter, have years of experience, or fall somewhere in between -- no matter who you are -- Bay Strength provides a supporting and welcoming atmosphere to learn, lift, and get stronger in body and mind! Special shout out to Eli who did my "Learn to Lift" program, and Kelly who has designed my current plan -- I really look forward to continuing to work with all the great people at Bay Strength!

Bay Strength is not a gym. It is not a bunch of trainers. It is not a set of equipment. Bay…read moreStrength is a source of inspiration and perspiration. It is a reason for people to bond while they bend. It is a place where people come to lift their spirits as much as lifting weights. I highly recommend Bay Strength to anyone looking for a way to get started on strength training without being intimidated by it! The trainers are great at providing the right mix of support, guidance and independence to let each person navigate their own journey. They go above and beyond to provide an open, accepting, and fun environment which makes the whole experience so much better! I've only been training here for a few months and I can already feel myself getting stronger every week. Big shoutout to Kelly and Katherine for being amazing trainers and for helping me get started on my strength training journey!

Amazing gym. Really clean, staff is friendly and most importantly PRIVACY! It is small but every…read moretime I go there is 5 people max (even for rush hour).

Practically every year I have come to Berkeley to visit my daughter and grandchildren. In Brazil I…read morehave regularly attended a bodybuilding gym. So when we arrived here we looked for a gym near our temporary home in North Berkeley. We did some research and found Strong Island. Where we were received with great attention and promptness by Rick. Accepted, for two months we practiced our individual training that we brought from Brazil. In a pleasant and well-equipped space we spent quality time with friendly people. Next year, we will be back.

Amazing gym in the neighborhood. I got enrolled this month, and I'm so happy I did. The machines…read moreare all top quality, with new ones and new equipment always coming in. The atmosphere and the outdoor space are my favorites, also clean bathrooms and great location. Cody the owner is such a nice person. I highly recommend it.

I trained at Berkeley Barbell Club for about six months and really loved it. The monthly price is…read moreso good, definitely the lowest in East Bay, especially for 24-hour access. You even get a free guest pass once a week. The space is clean and has an air conditioner for hot days. Plenty of racks, and when it's busy, working in with others is easy. The owners are genuinely nice and welcoming. They host a bunch of optional WhatsApp groups for things like hiking and running. If you're shy, they'll go out of their way to make sure you know about these groups, but not in a pushy way. I would have kept my membership if I hadn't moved!

I've been training with Bita at Anabody for three months now and she has been incredible. Bita…read morehas a PhD in Sport Physiology and it shows! I pulled my back a few weeks in (not related to my workout) and Bita helped me find ways to continue training while stretching and healing my muscles. Her workouts are thoughtful, she takes the time to understand your needs and capabilities, and she injects fun along the way. I've gained 6 lbs of muscle in just 3 months. I've also had a hard time staying consistent in my workouts in the past, but I so enjoy my sessions with Bita that I don't want to miss a single class. High recommend.

Was really happy to see a locally owned gym opening in the neighborhood and eager to try it out. I…read morejoined recently and I've taken a few small group classes now with both Ana and Juan. The classes have challenged me in a very good way and I appreciate the attention, enthusiasm and energy the trainers bring. I'm looking forward to more classes and building up my strength. Highly recommend trying this new local gym out!

Excellent hands-on professional who brings an authentic sports medicine approach to healing the…read morebody. Rob is so knowledgeable and helpful!

Rob Lin is an exceptional physical therapist. Rob and his entire team are patient and welcoming,…read moreand his 1-on-1 work is phenomenal. If you have the option, I cannot recommend The Technique enough. I knew when I signed up that working with him would be an investment, and it is one I am so glad I made. I came in with an injury that I have been struggling with for 4 months. I had been seeing another PT but I had repeated setbacks during my recovery. I was in consistent pain and I wasn't improving. In 3 weeks or so, Rob has gotten me to a place where I can function again and even push my physical limits. He is kind, reassuring, and his hands-on work has consistently made an obvious impact. Immediately after getting off the table, I feel less pain and improved stability that last. His work on me has allowed me to push further during session and during at-home exercises, which he's tailored based on my feedback. TLDR: I've already recommended Rob and The Technique PT to friends struggling with injuries and would urge anyone to book a free in-person consultation. Rob is amazing and I look forward to every session. I can't thank him and his team enough. -Raya (she/they)

I've gone to BOLD for over a year now and it is the best fitness class experience I've ever had…read more The owners are so accommodating, they run their business ethically, and lead with compassion. I needed to freeze my membership due to a surgery and the owner did not hesitate, even wishing me well on my recovery. At any other studio, I would be charged for such a last minute change. This workout has changed my body more than bodyrok, hot pilates, or any other reformer class has. I even went to a different lagree studio regularly when I moved for a summer and my body changed for the worse only after 3 months-- it really shows you how effective and unique BOLD is. I guess I can never move haha.

Classes are hard, I always come away from classes sore for like a week. But I like that they target…read moremuscles not normally targeted in my gym routine. The class male instructor as it was a lot of upper body and I noticed many of us struggled more to keep it.

Javier is a beast! Can a workout also be cathartic soul cleansing? It can here, seriously though…read morehe's very good, nice calisthenics group class.

Over 10 years now! Still training at HHF x 5 classes each week ranging from Core, Bosu to Spin…read more I used to be at a self-training studio that had timed circuits with a repetitive bell to move you to the next machine, or person waiting at your machine - that studio was not be a good fit for me. The high energy intense workouts that challenge me physically and mentally are at HHF. Over the past decade, we know each other's names, support one another in/out of class, and encourage one another to be at the next class. No class is the same!

Great self service gym in nice area of Berkeley. Open 24 hours. Looks like they have a few group…read moreclasses and nice staff here. Clean and nice crowd that works out here .

Nice people and knowledgeable trainers. Caters to older clients. Recently increased space and…read moreequipment makes for a very friendly environment.

I highly recommend Anne. Full disclosure, I have not worked with her as a personal trainer, but was…read morea regular at her HIIT fitness classes at the YMCA in downtown Berkeley. I looked forward to her classes every week because of her excitement for helping everyone, not matter their starting fitness level, find a way to be active, engage with the class with a variety of modifications to choose from, her sense of fun, playfulness, and creativity, and the thoughtfulness she put into planning each class. She thought of fun themes for exercises-- like creating a set of exercises that involves going to the beach, surfing, and doing burpees and starfish jumps. I don't know if the story made sense-- but it did make the exercises more fun. Anne has a spark for creativity and making activity and exercise fun. I looked forward to Anne's class every week and can only imagine that her training work is even better!

I'm been working with Anne for a few months and she is absolutely incredible. I was a complete…read morebeginner and very nervous to start working out at first and she made me feel super comfortable and excited for my work out journey. I have seen progress and it's only been about three months. She is always on time and very professional. She's also very flexible on finding a schedule that works for you. I would highly recommend Anne and I'm excited to keep working with her! I wake up every morning that I work out with her excited compared to in the past I would dread having to work out. This has definitely helped my confidence and mental health in addition to getting stronger and more fit physically.

Lift and Sprint has changed my life. Literally…read more No matter your fitness level (seriously!!!), Amy and Nic will make you feel comfortable with working out. When I started, I don't think I could run a half mile without dying. Now, I have several 5k races under my belt, and I'm hoping to do a 10k before the year is up. I still remember my first workout - my arms were so dead that I could barely turn the steering wheel while driving home. It was hard to imagine continuing to do it, but everyone was incredibly nice and welcoming. I was tired of feeling weak and tired, so I made myself go back. And back again and again, and now it's not so hard to make myself go. Once, I forgot to bring my workout clothes to work with me, so I went in what I was wearing (knee high rain boots, leggings, and a short-sleeved shirt). This is the kind of person Lift & Sprint turns you into, even if you thought it would never happen. The workouts won't be easy. But they are only 45 minutes. If Amy has had too much coffee on a Monday, you may find yourself thinking "omg, what have I done? Make it stop." But it's only 45 minutes, and trust me, you can survive 45 minutes.

I have been training with Amy and Nic at Lift and Sprint for about 4 years now and so far it's the…read moreonly group workout that I've LOVED enough to stick with. And I've tried a lot of different types of workouts.... Things I love about Lift and Sprint: - you get to workout outdoors (watching the sunrise from the track is way better than a dark smelly gym) - every workout is different, which keeps things fun and interesting - they accommodate all ages, levels, and abilities (they trained me through two pregnancies) - great community vibe (no egos or BS) - close attention to form and technique (almost feels like personal training but in a group setting) Lift and Sprint has given me more than just a place to workout, but has helped me to develop healthy habits at home in a way that has permeated my life and overall well-being!