Personal training in Oakland that actually sticks.

I’ve been going to Impact Fitness since 2018. What I like most is the community. The small group classes make it easy to get to know people, and it feels like everyone is working toward similar goals. The environment is positive and supportive without being intimidating. The trainers are knowledgeable and invested in helping members improve. Liam, the owner, takes a holistic approach to fitness that goes beyond workouts. He talks about sleep, nutrition, stress, and recovery, which is something I never got from a traditional gym. If you’re looking for a gym with knowledgeable coaches, a supportive community, and a more complete approach to health and fitness, I’d recommend checking out Impact Fitness.

I've been coming to Impact Fitness for several years and have thoroughly enjoyed my fitness journey here. From day one, the atmosphere has been welcoming, supportive, and beginner-friendly. The facility is always clean and well-maintained, and the coaching staff genuinely care about helping members succeed. One of the biggest reasons I've stayed so long is Liam's dedication to each individual's goals. Whether you're looking to lose weight, build muscle, improve athletic performance, or simply move better, he meets you where you are and provides the guidance and accountability needed to make progress. The programming is thoughtful and well-rounded, focusing on strength, mobility, stability, and overall movement quality. The classes have helped me develop a stronger mind-body connection, improve muscle activation, and build a solid foundation for training. Because of this, I've gained a much better understanding of how to approach my workouts both inside and outside the gym. The gym is equipped with everything you need, including free weights, power racks, kettlebells, bands, and plyometric equipment. Classes are organized by fitness level, equipment is readily available, and I've never had to spend time waiting around during a workout. Most importantly, the results speak for themselves. Since training at Impact Fitness, I've hit several personal records, including a 300 lb deadlift, and a 165 lb bench press. Those milestones wouldn't have been possible without the strong foundation, coaching, and consistency that Impact Fitness helped me build. If you're looking for a gym with high-quality coaching, effective programming, and a supportive community, I highly recommend Impact Fitness.

Liam is an exceptional personal trainer who’s been key to me and my partner’s mountaineering success. In 2021-2022, he trained me for Mt. Vinson and Denali, building my strength to haul a heavy backpack and sled—starting from scratch on fitness, diet, and recovery. With his guidance, I summited both mountains, stronger and smarter about my health. Fast forward to 2025, I trained with Liam again for an Everest summit attempt. This time, 5 days a week, he took my foundation to the next level—chin-ups went from a struggle to 2-3 full reps, and I’m deadlifting 1.5x my body weight, a huge win. Liam’s expertise on form and pacing keeps me injury-free while lifting heavier. He’s always aware of what I can handle, pushing me just right. Thanks to him, I’m heading to Everest confident in my strength. Highly recommend Liam to anyone serious about leveling up! 💯⬆️ 2025 edit: My partner and I successfully summited Everest on May 21, 2025!

I have been training with Liam and Impact Fitness Oakland for the past 3+ years, and I am so grateful to Liam for his outstanding, supportive, patient, and nuanced expertise. He is the best personal trainer I have ever worked with, bar none. Prior to working with Liam, I lifted weights on and off for about a decade, but struggled with consistency and to make any real progress. Thanks to Liam's focus on functional strength, injury prevention, and proper form, I am the strongest I have ever been. I think one way that Liam truly stands above the rest is his ability to easily pivot to another variation/option of exercise if something isn't working in your body (if something is causing pain or is activating the wrong muscle groups outside of the targets etc) - he has such a strong foundation of knowledge that he is able to seamlessly make adjustments or switch to an alternative. He truly does put the "personal" in personal training. Thanks to our hard work together, I have been able to deadlift and bb hip thrust nearly 1.5x my body weight, and continue forward on a progressive strength building program - all without a single injury. Both Liam and Ed are super nice and passionate about what they do. The facility is clean, well appointed, and lovingly maintained. I look forward to many more years of training here!

I’ve been training at Impact Fitness Oakland for over 3 years and it’s been life-changing. The workouts are never boring—each session brings something new with different exercises and techniques that really challenge me while helping me grow stronger. The coaches are amazing, always supportive and focused on making sure you do things the right way. What really sets Impact apart is the atmosphere—it’s motivating, positive, and feels like family. Everyone encourages each other, and that makes a huge difference in staying consistent. If you’re looking for personal training that pushes you, teaches you, and makes you feel supported, this is definitely the place to be!

2019 was an extremely eventful year. One of the biggest surprises of the year was joining Coach Liam's Impact Oakland Fitness Program. I didn't expect to have any physical gains during the beginning of the year. However, it all started when my girlfriend at the time had a consultation with Liam to eat healthier as well as become more athletic and I tagged along with her. Liam was super friendly and quite cheerful and he encouraged me to workout with his group. Unfortunately, my girlfriend couldn't come to the workout sessions since she lived in San Francisco, but I gained all the benefits that she wanted :D. I had a lot of fun for my first week workout sessions. Liam gave us exercises to complete and he was keen on my form and gave instructive feedback. Namely, some of the exercises I struggled with was deadlifts and it was something that I wanted to improve upon. Seeing my form dramatically improving during the first week of my workouts convinced me to continue further more with Liam's program. Liam also provided nutrition coaching in his program. He introduced me to some clean healthy meals that I can cook by myself and encouraged me to meal prep. I tried following these recipes and I was quite surprise how easy it was to cook these meals. Within 2 hours of cooking, I was able to meal prep for 5 days! If you think about it, this can save you time and money relative to waiting in line and buying meals in downtown San Francisco. Every week, I would spend roughly $40 - $80 making my own food from Trader Joes. This could possibly be even cheaper if I decide to buy my groceries from local Chinese super markets in Oakland, Chinatown. Continuing on with Liam's exercise program, I felt stronger and faster with each passing week. After consistently working out with Liam for about 4 to 5 times, I noticed that I could easily benchpress my weight and run over 6 miles. It made me so happy seeing the progress I've made throughout my time working out with Liam. However, these were not the proudest accomplishments that I have achieve with Impact Fitness Oakland. On November, I've completed my first Spartan Race at AT&T Park. With Liam's training, I was able to to finish all the obstacles in the race. Additionally, throughout the time I was working out with Liam, I lost over 15 pounds and I've consistently kept that weight. Overall, Liam is a very attentive trainer. He definitely knows how to help you achieve your fitness goals. It's just a matter of implementing his advice and doing it consistently. What I like about him the most is that he gives constant feedback on achieving your goals and he encourages everyone to achieve try harder. With this and his positivity, I've got to say that the best parts of my days was working out with Liam. 2019 was full of positive surprises. Can't wait to see what 2020 has in store and I am pretty sure that working out with Liam will help achieve my next goals.

Discovering Impact Fitness Oakland has been nothing short of a transformational journey. From the get-go, the location was a major plus for me. Conveniently situated in the heart of Oakland, the gym is easily accessible, making my search for the perfect "gym near me" an effortless endeavor. I thought I was diligent to go the gym on my own volition, I’m not. Liam, has been a game-changer for me. His comprehensive and tailored approach to training is a testament to his expertise. If you've ever searched for a "gym with personal trainers," you'd be hard-pressed to find someone like Liam. Moreover, the gym is fully stocked with equipment. Squat racks, rowing machines, or dumbbells. Impeccably clean too! (Check my pics!) I 100% recommend Impact Fitness Oakland to anyone looking for the best gym in Oakland. Joining Impact Fitness is indeed an investment in your health that you won't regret.

TLDR: Impact fitness is a hidden gem in Oakland and it is the perfect place to start/continue your fitness journey. To preface, this was me at baseline in case others can relate: - I worked out on and off since my 20s, some weights but mostly a cardio bunny. As a result my weight has fluctuated over the years. - Thought personal trainers were a waste of money since I've been "lifting" here and there for over 10 years. Also tried one from a major gym and got the ick. What Impact fitness and coach Liam did for me: The gym: - For the ladies who might feel intimidated, there are no gym bro vibes here. The group classes have people of all body types, fitness level, age, background, etc. To put into perspective, I'm a 5'2" woman and met regular group class attendees who are smaller or older but can lift 20-30lbs more than I do. There are also men and women in these classes that look super experienced but seeing them struggle with everyone is motivating. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, experienced or not, the group classes feel super welcoming. - Working with a professional trainer made me realize how wrongly I was training before, leading to constant aches and pains. Liam consistently checks in and makes sure you are doing proper techniques and not experiencing pain at any point. It feels reassuring to have him help gauge how far I can safely push myself without worrying about injuries and still enjoying the workout. - The gym facility itself is very clean and well-kept. No nasty, sweat-filled equipments and all the people are trained to be mindful about using the space. - No salesman pitches, both Ed and Liam want to push you to independently train in a safe manner. But if you're the type of person that needs the extra push, these guys can adjust their training styles with the type of coaching you like. They're transparent about what's possible for you and provide constructive feedback. My personal gains : - I have gained and lost weight in all the right places. I'm "skinny fat," mostly due to my weight fluctuations. But check out the progress pic below. I wish I took a before pic but it's nice to see changes in my body that I thought was not possible. - I am still trying to see how far I can transform my body in my 30s. I am not consistent with my workout, no excuses because I'm just not there yet. This is a journey to getting stronger and Impact fitness is definitely the right place to start.

Over the year I try to gain weight, but my effort was in vein. Thanks to coach Liam and his exercise program I transformed my body from thin to muscular in only two months. in addition to, I know coach Liam since 2017 and I’ve being training with him in his program since then, he has help me achieve every goal I have set for myself. thank you for your support and patient. you’re the best coach. I trust him very much, not only for his knowledge on fitness, also in nutrition because i can say that his technique of train really works, highly recommended for the new student, clients, friends and any person who want to actually change habits.

Ed is the best! He helped me get stronger while dealing with a neck and nerve injury. Really flexible and very understanding!

I had a great experience with Coach Ed! He’s super caring and supportive. Every workout is well designed and tailored to my goals. He pays close attention to form and always makes sure I feel comfortable while still pushing me to improve Highly recommend!

Personal training with Liam at Impact Fitness was exactly what I needed after taking time off to heal from a back injury. As an educator, I really appreciate how Liam applies strong teaching and coaching principles to make adjustments on the spot and share the research based reasoning to inform the why behind his recommendations. Liam knows his stuff, keeps things interesting, and actually cares about your progress. Ed’s group classes are just as good; great programming, brilliant energy, and he makes everyone feel included regardless of their level. The community here is what keeps me coming back though. Diverse, welcoming, and full of people who actually support each other. Highly recommend!

As a 39-year-old woman, I’ve struggled to find male coaches who are supportive, actually listen, and don’t come across as arrogant or intimidating. Working with Coach Liam has been a completely different experience. He took the time to understand my lifestyle, goals, limitations, and created a training program that felt personalized to me. He keeps the workouts fun, changes things up so they never get boring, and genuinely cares about my progress. I’ve gotten stronger, more confident, and actually enjoy working out again. If you’re looking for a personal trainer in Oakland who is knowledgeable, respectful, and invested in your success, I highly recommend Coach Liam & Impact Fitness!

Excited to be getting back to it! Life intervened and Mr Liam stay locked in with me. The atmosphere at impact is amazing and it’s definitely worth shitting the world off for an hour. I can’t wait!!!! Time to get back to it . Let’s go!

I’ve been training with Impact Fitness for over 5 years, even before they opened the Oakland studio. What keeps me coming back is that it’s more than a gym. It’s a lifestyle built around intentional weight training, consistency, and becoming the best version of yourself.Over the years, I’ve participated in both personal training and group classes, and each has been excellent. Personal training provided individualized support and accountability, while group classes offered a strong sense of community, motivation, and energy. Liam and Ed genuinely care about your progress and take the time to help you reach your goals. The workouts are purposeful, the coaching is excellent, and the environment is welcoming and supportive regardless of where you are in your fitness journey. Impact Fitness has helped me build strength, confidence, discipline, and healthy habits that extend into everyday life. The community feels like family, and being surrounded by people who encourage one another to grow makes all the difference.If you’re looking for a place that will help you transform both physically and mentally, I highly recommend Impact Fitness.Five years later, I’m still showing up. I think that says it all.

I highly recommend Impact Fitness for anyone looking for personal training. I’ve been working with Liam for about 9 months and have seen a real improvement in my strength and overall health. He is supportive, attentive, very knowledgeable and always pays close attention to form so workouts are safe and effective. What I appreciate most is how engaged he is during sessions and how genuinely invested he is in helping me reach my goals. I’m very grateful to be working with him on my health journey.

This probably has to be the best place in Oakland and the Bay Area. Liam is a great fitness instructor. He holistically knows everything about fitness very well, from workout exercises, nutrition as well treating injuries. Some of the best moments of my 20s were working out in his gym. You will feel so good working out with him.

I’ve been attending group sessions with Impact Fitness for two years now and it’s been great for my mental and physical health. I enjoy the pace of the classes and that the level of difficulty can be tailored to individual needs. Liam and Ed are super welcoming, encouraging, and knowledgable coaches. The facility is clean and well organized - there are showers, lockers, changing rooms, and towels. I appreciate that they keep the gym refreshed with updated and new equipment. I've seen improvement on my form and noticeable changes in my physique. The group sessions keep me motivated and disciplined to reach my fitness goals. It has been a worthwhile addition to my routine.

I’ve always been active - years as a tour guide meant plenty of time outdoors hiking, running, and kayaking - but I was never really a “gym guy.” Now at 48, I know how important it is to stay strong and maintain a balanced,healthy lifestyle as I get older. That’s why I decided it was time to finally learn strength training the right way. After a couple of underwhelming experiences with trainers who seemed to just go through the motions, I did my research to find someone with real experience, credentials, and great reviews and that’s how I landed on Liam at Impact Fitness. Liam has been awesome to work with! He’s clear, encouraging, and always focused on what works best for me. I feel stronger, more confident, and for the first time ever, I actually look forward to the gym.

I’ve had an absolutely fantastic experience at Impact fitness! My trainer, Liam, created a workout plan tailored specifically to my needs. Under his coaching, I’ve gotten stronger and more aware of my body. Training sessions are oriented towards motivating for steady improvement without the pushy and often dangerous “gym bro” culture of many places. I switched to this personalized approach as an alternative to cookie cutter programs like the orange theory workouts which were causing me more harm than good for my needs. I’m so glad I did! I especially appreciate how he observes my form, making sure that I never hurt myself. Beyond strength training, Liam has also provided input on diet and supplements to support my goals. Highly recommended!

Impact Fitness in Oakland has been such a valuable addition to my routine. I first joined through a friend’s referral, which gave me the perfect way to try it out without feeling pressured to commit right away. From the start, the personal trainers [Liam & Ed] impressed me with how knowledgeable and supportive they are. They really take the time to tailor the experience to your goals. I chose the group training classes, and they’ve been both motivating and uplifting. Since joining, I’ve made progress I never thought I could achieve on my own, and my understanding of proper technique has improved more than I expected. I’d definitely recommend Impact Fitness to anyone looking for a gym.

Liam has been an excellent personal trainer. It had been quite a few years since I had really lifted weights, so having his professional help gave me some peace of mind that I wouldn't injure myself. He has been giving me great programs and motivation, and I'm looking forward to more gainz under his expert tutelage.