Strong Island Fitness

Review is for their response turn around. I called and talked to Rick and he first wanted to know if it is a gym I’m looking for or a training service and explained the difference. Thanks for the mansplaining; I totally did not know! And yes, I was looking for a personal trainer. After spending time explaining my needs, he said someone would get back within 24 hrs. No one ever did. Bad taste and I didn’t feel like calling again.
Since their website is devoid of any pricing structure here’s what I learned during the phone call:
1) Free fitness assessment with your trainer (if they call you)
2) $ 90 for one one-​hour training session or $ 55 for a 30-​min training session. You have access to their fitness center as long as you have had one training session that week.

I have been going here for the last couple of weeks, and all the reviews here are spot on. The owner Rick is always very friendly, and explained the initial process to me very thoroughly when i stepped into the gym.
My assessment was scheduled with my personal trainer Craig, who was excellent in his evaluation. After determining my fitness level, all his following workouts were based on my current level. All of the classes were challenging and tough, but he was always encouraging and pushing myself harder. Craig was also very accommodating to my knee issues, and would change up the session if my knees started to hurt. What is also great about this place is that they also train you for events you want to attend.
I highly recommend this place, and Craig as well. The sessions may be tough, but the trainers will be there to encourage you

Everything the other reviewers wrote is true. I’ve been part of this gym from before the changeover to the great current owner, Rick, as I was trying to avoid surgery for a frozen shoulder. Yup. Cured by exercise.
Now I just can’t stop being there because it makes me happy. I’m a 65 yr old lady, who enjoyed a highly athletic youth, then became sedentary over the years. I may walk in with a poor attitude but 10 minutes in, I’m happy as can be.
When I look around, I see some clients who have radically improved in this past year while others are new. I’ve seen all kinds of clients here. From fit and getting a lot fitter to those like myself who started pretty run down and are ready for a change. All ages too. And there are women as well as men in both of those categories. Clients are welcomed as we walk in and are cheered on by positive reinforcement. Everyone is focused on their own upgrading, not competing.
Place is ALWAYS very clean. Machines are of high quality. The trainers are cherry picked, with specialities. I looked around a bit a while back and still KNOW this place is the best, because of it’s policies, it’s trainers, and the setup.
It is a terrific, working gym.

Ive been working out here for a long while now, I train with Kevin who is well rounded and always adds something new to the workout, he keeps a great pace and is comprehensive, with core, cardio, legs, lean muscle strategies and diet recommendations. the facilities are super, this is a berkeley neighborhood gym. always easy to park and everyone there is friendly, fit and focused. Not for the folks looking for lots of people and waiting for machines, bench pressers or locker room chatter. this place is where you go to get in shape and feel great!

This is a great place for personal training! They have a variety of equipment that is kept clean and well maintained. Rick the owner always introduces everyone so that you feel comfortable and welcome.
The trainers are encouraging and tailor each workout for you. My trainer Kevin pushes me harder than I ever would push myself and if I have any pain he modifies the workout and makes suggestions for stretching.
I have lost weight and feel fitter and stronger. I used to have pains in my neck and back but they are now gone and I now have more energy. It is the best money I ever spent to taking care of my body.

I just joined Strong Island a month ago and this is by far the best gym community I’ve ever been a part of. The owner, Rick, is extremely knowledgeable and personable and manages to create a family-​like, non-​competitive, and yet accountable, atmosphere in which people of all ages and fitness levels can work to become stronger and healthier. The trainers are top notch, the equipment is in excellent shape, the facility is clean and inviting. I highly recommend this place — you can start at any level and you get training + the use of the facility — reliable hours, Mon-​Sat. Get all the advantages of a «chain gym» with a personalized, friendly feel. Hidden Berkeley gem!

Started training here recently, really impressed with what they do with a small facility. They are mostly focused on individual training, but if you train there you get the gym usage for free.
They take you through a personal fitness assessment, talk with you about goals and figure out which trainer best fits with your situation. The workouts have been imaginative and challenging, the follow up very solid and the price reasonable. They care about your success. Good place!

If you are looking to get started on a workout routine, focus your current one or move to the next level, go to Strong Island.
The staff starts by giving you a free assessment that measures things like body alignment, posture, balance, strength, cardio recovery, etc. I found the scientific approach to be quite interesting as well as valuable. They also talk to you extensively about your goals. From there, a program is designed around their assessment and your aspirations.
My goal is to take it to the next level and they have shown me the way. Rick and Kevin currently train me and I have achieved great success over the past 6 months. Boasting for a minute, I have dropped a considerable amount of body fat (21.8% to 13.8%) and weight (222 to 208) and am stronger than ever! The results are truly remarkable. I should mention I feel fantastic as well.
I have NEVER had workouts as intense and enjoyable. While I at times cry «mommy», they keep me going with plenty of positive feedback. The positive reinforcement through all the workouts has been a great motivator.
Everyone in house is extremely knowledgeable in addition to being personable. It is truly a community at Strong Island and a very friendly environment.
One thing I like about the trainers is, in addition to their extensive knowledge around fitness training, they are all athletes and specialize in different sports. For example, Kevin trains the Squaw Extreme Skiing team and will get you ready for the ski season. Molly is a competitive weight lifter who will take you to the next level.
The equipment is top notch and they have machines and exercises that most gym goers have never experienced.
While I know I will get my butt kicked when I go, I start looking forward to the next session well in advance.

I’ve been training here for over 3 years. I hit 50, was out of shape, and hurting. I gave the gym a try and have never looked back. Lost weight and feel great. Rick took over the gym about a year ago. He creates a phenomenal atmosphere. It’s like walking into Cheers: everybody knows your name. You work hard, but all the trainers are incredibly positive and responsive. A lot of middle age and older clients staying in shape. I can’t say enough about it. Worth the price; worth the time.

I have been training with Rick for several months now and here is why his gym and services deserves 5 stars:
You pay for personal training and you get access to the gym on your own time, and not only is the place modern with great equipment, the trainers all make it a point to learn your name and to encourage you and help you out whenever you need it, even if you aren’t there for a session and you have a question, they are there for support. And the trainers are awesome. Just good energy and positivity in that place, as well as knowledge and experience working with a variety of clients to meet a wide variety of goals.
With Rick I found an amazing trainer supporter, if I am having a crappy day and I go in for training I come out feeling like gold, not just because of the endorphins but because he is just that kind of guy. When I was running my last half marathon, I had his voice in my ear «we practice how we play» and the training we had done as well as the mental perseverance he taught me helped me achieve a new PR by over five minutes! Plus, he’s helped me get stronger than ever, reduce low back pain and tone up. Just by virtue of training (I wasn’t trying to lose weight, mostly just improve my running) I lost fat, gained muscle, and can run faster than I ever have. That’s a pretty incredible feeling.
If you want a family-​like community, knowledgable trainers who know the body, how to help you get strong and healthy with fitness and nutrition, then Strong Island is the place to go. I used to live right down the street and now I drive 30+ minutes to train here because it is that good. See for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.