Max's Gym

Fantastic experience: Solid equipment, cool space, friendly people. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: This place is a gem! I was in town so I decided to drop in to get my workouts in. I find it impossible to find a dedicated weightlifting/powerlifting that isn't mixed with CrossFit so this place was an amazing discovery. I had a chance to interact with some of the members of Team Aita and I couldn't have asked for more welcoming environment.

Fantastic experience: Good for weightlifting class and strength training.

Fantastic experience: I dropped in for a weightlifting technique class with Duy. I really appreciated the no pressure, autonomous, format of the class, and Duy's very attentive nature - being very thorough about my technique. Everyone was very welcoming and the gym nice amenties. I can't wait to go back.

Fantastic experience: I moved to Berkeley last fall and Max's gym really created a community of enthusiastic lifters for me. Everyone including coaches and athletes are so supported and encouraging. The coaches are really great with helping me improving my lifting technique. 1000/10 rating

Fantastic experience: Weightlifting Technique class is great! Lots of tips for improving form, coaches are very attentive, and it’s a fun environment.

Fantastic experience: I went for an Olympic lifting class. Duy was an enthusiastic teacher, paid attention to his students, and provided effective tips for learning lifting technique. Overall a really nice experience

Fantastic experience: I started coming to Max’s Gym end of last year to get better at weightlifting and it’s happening! Reached my clean and jerk goal for this year within 5 months and I’m looking forward to what comes next. All the coaches - Max, Duy and Jo - are amazing and very helpful and I’m so happy I joined this gym. Highly recommend to anyone looking to do Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting or general strength and conditioning!

Fantastic experience: I was powerlifting at Maxs from 2020-2022 before I left for school, but have continued using their app while away. Max and Jo have been incredibly helpful for creating a fun community, and improve my lifting dramatically. Their impressive pedigree needs no introduction. Duy has been such a wonderfully patient coach, and standup guy, and he really makes lifting fun and accessible to beginners and intermediates, it’s a real pleasure to work with him! Their gym is a big reason I would like to move back to the Bay after school is done, and I can’t recommend them enough to anyone who is interested in weightlifting and powerlifting!

Fantastic experience: Brilliant gym, able to accommodate both weightlifters and powerlifters. Maybe even the off cardio-dodging crossfitter! Everyone is super friendly and the equipment is all well maintained.

Fantastic experience: Excellent gym! Duy is a fabulous, encouraging, and experienced coach. I really enjoyed learning from him. Newcomers do not be scared, this is a great environment to learn and to get stronger!

Fantastic experience: Great, welcoming atmosphere. Dropped in and was immediately welcomed and felt like home.

Fantastic experience: A very welcoming gym environment that has excellent coaching and atmosphere.

Fantastic experience: Loved my drop in! I even signed up for the wrong class and I was still able to join no problem. Duy was great communicating and I took some new coaching tips to take home with me. Excited to visit another time.

Fantastic experience: Max's Gym in Oakland, CA is the best gym I have been to. Staff are very knowledgeable. You have access to world champion powerlifters and coaches who have had students who are national level champions in Olympic weightlifting. This is the gym for serious weightlifters. Prithviraj Mukherji (age 77, ranked #1 in 2021 for 73 kg weight class)

Fantastic experience: Max's Gym is an incredible place for anyone who is interested in weightlifting or powerlifting, or just general strength training. The coaches and equipment are truly world-class, and the camaraderie of the team/group training sessions makes for a really nice environment to train. I've been getting coached by Max and Jo Ann for over 12 years now, and they've coached me through several weightlifting and powerlifting meets for this reason. The whole coaching staff is great for both beginners and highly advanced lifters. Now they have a fantastic new gym location with drop-in hours added outside of class or team training!

Fantastic experience: Was invited to lift here by one of Jo Ann Aita's athletes. It was an incredibly warm, supportive and welcoming environment. The knowledge, skill, and expertise of the Aita's is unquestionable, but what makes the experience here at the gym so amazing, is the kind-hearted, down to earth environment they foster here <3

Fantastic experience: I’ve been a member at Max’s gym for almost 2 years. The coaching and the community is extremely helpful and supportive. I have been really pleased with the improvement to my technique and my numbers. Also happy to say I’ve made some amazing friends here, and I always look forward to coming to workout!

Fantastic experience: I started off with remote coaching with Jo during the pandemic. Eventually I was able to make it to the Women's Strong School sessions at Max's Gym. From WSS to Team Training, I've always had nothing but positive experiences there. The coaches are all knowledgeable & have so much experience. Teammates are top notch & the environment is empowering. Highly recommend visiting Max's if you haven't done so! Great for weightlifters, powerlifters, and hobbyists & everyone in between (:

Fantastic experience: Great community! Olympic level coaching! Awesome place for beginners and advanced level athletes to up their game.

Fantastic experience: Both the atmosphere and coaching here are great! Highly recommend if you are looking for a place to get better at Olympic weightlifting or powerlifting

Fantastic experience: Great gym, excellent coaches. I <3 Max’s Gym!

Fantastic experience: I have been a member of Max's Gym for over a year and have loved every moment. Great programming, knowledgeable coaches, and friendly members. Regardless of what level you are at, the coaches are supportive and can help you learn or improve your olympic weightlifting and powerlifting technique properly and effectively. I would recommend stopping by and seeing for yourself.

Fantastic experience: If you want tree trunk legs like Toshiki Yamamoto go here!

Fantastic experience: Rad gym for Olympic weightlifting or powerlifting. Everyone was really nice and welcoming. It’s on the small-side, but every foot is well thought-out. Drop-in is 30 bucks, and their monthly fees are really well-priced. This is my new Oakland gym, for sure.

Fantastic experience: The coaches and members are absolutely great here!