God’s Gym

I have to confess — I’m OBSESSED with God’s Gym! Through a friend’s referral, I started working out with Anthony in advance of my July wedding. More than anything else, I’ve never felt better in my life. I have more energy, I’m happier and all around healthier and more balanced just from three workouts a week.
What I love about Anthony is that he’s there to truly coach me, through my work out and through diet challenges. He’s not going to put me down if I enjoy a cheeseburger and he’s ALWAYS SO POSITIVE — I can’t say that enough. I really appreciate his constant encouragement and enthusiasm.
I feel like there are so many gyms that focus on what you’re not, but God’s Gym focuses on what you are. Anthony is so kind and super body positive, so I always feel comfortable pushing myself through a challenge while I’m in the gym. I’m really going to miss it when I move to LA…

I recently started going to God’s Gym and training with Anthony. If you want to work out in a super-​focused, extremely positive, caring and friendly place, this is the place for you. From my humble beginnings as an accomplished couch potato and since I started with Anthony last April, I have shed 45 pounds and am building up enough strength to make Popeye look like a slacker. Anthony varies all the routines so it never gets uninteresting and is always challenging. I am so motivated in going here I practically skip my way from the 19^th St. BART Station. Here’s another thing, it is a local family owned business. So when you walk in the door, it’s really welcoming and you know that everyone is genuinely happy to see you. Not to mention the importance of supporting local businesses. In summary… if you are looking for a gym, do yourself a favor and check out God’s Gym. You won’t regret it. This place is the real deal!

God’s Gym is perfect not for what it offers but for what it doesn’t. There is no spinning class led by an elf in a leotard who screams at you, there is no Pilates machine waiting list, there is no towel service, there is no overweight salesman pushing you for a Platinum Membership. There are only Serious trainers, friendly smiles and old school weight training here. It warmly reminds me of the high school gym but less messing around.
I have seen excellent results in my first 4 weeks and plan on being part of the God’s Gym family for a long time to come.

I highly, highly recommend God’s gym! I was referred by my sister and trained with Anthony for about 6 months, only leaving because I moved from Oakland, and I absolutely loved it. Anthony is an upbeat, positive guy — training with him was an awesome way to start my day! Not only was the experience pleasant but I also lost weight and feel stronger. God’s gym cultivates a supportive, encouraging environment and the staff are experts in their field. I always felt comfortable in the gym partly because the clientele is mixed; I saw all ages and both men and women working on their goals. All this is to say God’s gym is very welcoming and totally worth it!

Gary transformed me from a flabby mess into a physically, mentally and spiritually fit person. I have moved to another city, and there is nothing like God’s Gym anywhere to be found.

I have worked out at God’s Gym, with owner/​trainer Gary Shields, for many years. His training is superb and you get personalized attention to reach your goals — from weight loss, to increasing muscle mass to just getting toned and in shape. He’s very knowledgeable about human anatomy and can also recommend a food regiment to complement the physical training.
I suffered several job related injuries that required surgery. His training improved my recuperation significantly.
Gary Shields, along with his staff of trainers, are top rate and it is probably one of the best personal training gyms in the bay area.

I thought I would post an update. When I last posted, it was March 2012. At that time, I had a weight loss of about 60 pounds. As of the Summer 2014, I reached a 108 pound loss which I have maintained. Gary Shields is also a certified nutritionist. He helped me to get a nutrition plan that fit my lifestyle and goals. Gary has helped me to make progress on strength training. And, to understand that proper nutrition and exercise go hand and hand for weight loss and maintenance. Going to God’s Gym was/​is one of the best deicisions I have made. June 2015, I had hip replacement surgery. Osteoarthritus was/​is my issue. I was slower, but I didn’t let it stop me. He has been so good at customizing my workout around my hip situation. Whatever questions you have about an exericse he has you doing, he has the answer. As I stated in my previous review, God’s Gym is a family business. They all have the traits you want in a personal trainer. One of the signs in the front window says «We Care» If you want people who are professional and knowledgeable… If you want to work out in a supportive, encouraging environment. God’s Gym is The Place!

I happened to be working at a startup (helping them raise some financing) which was about a block away from God’s Gym. Well, one day my curiosity got the best of me and I walked inside. Initially wasn’t super impressed, but I figured, what the heck, I’ll sign up for 6 weeks (on of their options) at 3x per week.
Well, that was 3 years ago now. I live in Walnut Creek and drive all the way to this gym. There are probably 30 – 40 gyms closer to home. So why do I do it? Bottom line is this place gets you results. Gary is a lifelong exercise guru. He is not someone who was a telemarketer yesterday and today he is a trainer like you get at some commercial gyms. This is his lifelong passion and it definitely comes through. His workouts are efficient and get you results!
Still not convinced? So my wife thought I was crazy going so far to Gary and his gym. She had a 24 hour fitness membership for the Walnut Creek location and she saw no point in my craziness. Then after having our first child she wanted to «tighten» up a little so I suggested she just go for 6 weeks to try it out and she finally agreed. Well, that was almost a year ago. She now goes 3x per week consistently and goes at 5:30AM before commuting in SF.
So bottom line is if you are serious about getting into shape, then there is no better place in the bay area to join. Just be careful, the results can be addicting.

I’ve been training at God’s Gym for a year and a half now with Gary Jr and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever done. I’ve gone from benching the bar to benching 305lbs! Might not be much to some people but personally, I never thought I’d even come close to that weight in my life! My strength and health has improved immensely since the first day when I walked in fat, weak, and out of shape.
Training with Gary Jr is intense but fun as well. He challenges you to keep pushing even when you think you can’t anymore. (I think this runs in their family’s blood lol!) Gary Sr is always observing all the people training even while he has clients of his own to ensure we use proper form and technique (sometimes even asks you to squeeze in more reps when he knows you can still push through to get every ounce out of you while you train — like wait, you were counting my reps? I thought you were training someone else at the moment? Lol)
From the outside, the gym might look daunting or intimidating, but right when you enter those doors you get greeted with a friendly smile from Gary SR and the rest of the gym family and you’ll feel right at home. It’s just something different about coming in to a family owned and run gym that you won’t get at any other gym you go to. If you’re worried about it being a religious gym because of its name, don’t worry, Gary Sr is not walking around with a bible reciting verses while you work out. (Maybe if you asked him to? Lol Jk) It is a no frills gym with respectful people, friendly atmosphere and trainers that will help you with your fitness goals wether you are male, female, young or old.
Their 30 minute workout regimen might sound like a walk in the park, like really? Only 30 mins?! But that’s 30 mins of non stop training! If you still think 30 minute work outs are easy, come on in and train with us :) There’s a reason why God’s Gym has been here in Oakland 30 years strong!

I joined God’s gym in June 2010. I was referred by my cousin who is a member. I took a leave of absence for a year due to relocation reasons. When I joined the gym, I weighed 180lbs, within a months time I was down to 160. Gary provided me with a diet plan that worked. I train with Donna when I initially signed up it was for 2 days needed to know that I could make it!
I have been a member of several gyms in my life time and hands down this is the BEST! Donna, Gary, Gary Jr. and Anthony are very knowledgeable in what they do. They care about their clients and their clients care about them as well.
After my one year break, I signed back up in February of 2015. I commute over 2.5 hours to work and I very seldom miss my Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions. I love this place. I am holding down 146 and I give all credit to Donna and Gary Shields…

Gary at Gods Gym changed my life eleven years ago and I have been a loyal member since! I am in better physical and mental shape in my forties than I was in my thirties and am now about to face fifty and feeling good. Gods Gym serves people of all ages and spectrum of backgrounds. Everyone is sincerely friendly and supportive.

My husband and I have been going to God’s Gym for almost 2 years. We show up at 4:30 am and are done by 5;30am. And I mean done– I have never worked so hard in my life! Donna is the most amazing trainer and friend– she is an amazing and inspirational woman and she pushes me beyond my limits. I am amazed at the strength I’ve gained and the overall serenity I have since going to Gods and being part of Gary and Donna ‘s loving family. They are a true godsend for us– health wise we haven’t been this fit in years and spiritually they have opened our eyes in such a positive way. ! And they are always there for us.

If you like to stay in shape while working with a family of dedicated professionals, then this is where you should be. Donna makes you laugh even when you feel like crying. Great workout every time and the results are amazing! My husband and boys has been working out with Gary for years and they love it! Thank you God’s Gym for keeping my family mentally and physically fit!

I trained with Anthony at a gym in SF and the East Bay is beyond lucky to have him. From the first day, Anthony challenged and motivated me even though I only saw him once a week. I immediately noticed a significant improvement in my physical health and fitness level after only a few weeks. Anthony makes each session fun and I genuinely looked forward to our weekly sessions! As a person, Anthony is incredibly motivating and a joy to be around. He is extremely responsible and dependable, which can be hard to find in a trainer. I highly recommend Anthony — you won’t regret it!

After years of passing up personal training because I couldn’t find anyone whose training style was worth the money, I did one session with Anthony and was hooked.
Not only is he incredibly FUN to train with — sometimes I forget I’m working out, even though I’m sweating, huffing and puffing — but he’s increased my strength and taught me how to get lean, sometimes with limited time on my side (pre-​vacation, etc.). The next day, it’s always very clear I’ve run through a tough workout because I’m sore.
Anthony is also one of the most positive people I’ve ever met, and has a gift for making his clients feel like royalty. I leave every session feeling like a total boss because Anthony encourages me and celebrates my successes.
I really can’t recommend Anthony’s depth of knowledge, amazing personality and training style enough. I rarely travel to the East Bay from SF, but I love training with Anthony so much that I’m signing up for sessions with him at God’s Gym in addition to my sessions at my SF gym (his old location). I would pay what I did at the old gym to continue training with Anthony, but due to the incredibly affordable nature of the sessions at God’s Gym, I don’t even have to.
Signing up with Anthony is a no brainer as far as I’m concerned!

I’ve been working with Anthony Navarro for over a year now, and the results I’ve experienced far exceeded even my most ambitious goals. When he moved from his old location in San Francisco to Oakland for God’s Gym, I followed him there! The commute is very well worth it: He’s an amazing trainer, very encouraging, extremely motivating, dedicated to his clients, and very knowledgable about his trade. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone, whether you’re just starting out on your fitness journey or looking for some fresh training.
As for the gym itself; it is one of the more positive and encouraging fitness atmospheres I’ve had the pleasure of training in. Gary has done an incredible job of creating a gym that I believe anyone (regardless of age, level of fitness, or experience) could very extremely comfortable and welcomed in. I’ve been very impressed with my experience thus far.
To echo another reviewer — to those of you who may be uncomfortable with the name, I have not perceived this gym to be an overtly or pushy religious environment in the slightest. Everyone is welcome here.

I’ve been training at God’s Gym for about 2 months now — 3 days/​week.
I’ve been training with Anthony Navarro for over a year now. I have worked with many trainers in the last 6 years, and I haven’t found one yet who is as professional, knowledgeable and positive as Anthony.
I strongly recommend both the gym and Anthony to anyone looking to get in shape, and here is why:
It should speak volumes that I left my previous gym to keep working with him as a trainer. His customer service and knowledge of fitness are both amazing, and he is eager to help teach clients to be successful in their goals. He has a very positive attitude and provides the right kind of motivations when the going gets tough during the 30 minute work out.
Yes — it’s 30 minutes — but it is never *only* 30 minutes. Be prepared to work hard, sweat a lot and then get a cardio assignment for the day. It’s nice to have the flexibility of hoping on a treadmill right when you’re done to knock it out, or go on with your day after 30 minutes and make time for cardio later.
A note on the gym itself: despite the name, I have never experienced it to be a religious place. I consider myself non-​religious and I have observed people of all creeds, backgrounds and ages that train here. The common thread is hard work. The owner Gary has done a great job at making everyone feel welcome and motivated to obtain their goals. Everyone is friendly and trainers and clients alike work together to keep each other getting the most out of the time spent. It’s a no frills gym with respect and kindness towards others as rules — values that aren’t often shared or vocalized in corporate gyms.
It should also be said that the cost of the training is a fraction of what it would cost for 3 times a week at any other gym. Depending on what time you train, you workout with others in a small group on a circuit of exercises, but the trainers never take on so many that people are waiting on machines or lacking personal attention to your form on each exercise.

Anthony Navaro
Is a very professional well trained trainer, who is excellent with his knowledge. He is amazing with ppl who have injuries. I have major back issues and he made sure that with workout programs he hair I didn’t have any setbacks. Always updated with health and fitness news. He has amazing understanding about each persons body and challenges. We had set goals about loosing few pounds !!! It’s easy to loose major weight if u follow your diet and exercise but it’s very hard to lose few last extra pounds. I had my goal set for 4 Pounds and I was trying hard for few months on my own but weight kept going up and down. When I met Anthony he helped me with diet plan, calorie intakes Body fat. He gave me some imp info how to workout and eat to u can achieve goals. Well very happy to say that we achieved the set goals in 2 months. He is equally invested in your well being. Must workout with him

Anthony at God’s Gym is an excellent trainer, a true professional, and just an all around great guy. I started training with him about a month before my wedding last summer and can say I saw results in just that short amount of time and still do today. I am not someone who would lift weights on my own or do some of the tough circuits he puts me through, so training has helped me get stronger and leaner. On top of the health benefits he has helped me achieve, Anthony is truly a dose of fresh air during a hectic week with his positive and kind spirit. He really has the ideal demeanor for a trainer. If you want to get in shape and have fun, go see Anthony!

Gary, the main trainer at God’s Gym is an awesome guy, as positive and inspiration as it gets. He understands people have their up and downs but at the same time doesn’t just let people give up. I started working with him after I lost a significant amount of weight and he helped out a lot with nutrition advice as well. Been working with him for over three years.