Flex Circuit Gym

I moved to the bay area last June and have been looking for a gym ever since. I was beginning to lose hope until I found Flex. I love the open/​sunny atmosphere and tons of free workout space, as if that weren’t enough– the month-​to-​month membership is the best value in oakland (trust me I’ve looked). People are chill, respectively & inviting.
Flex has genuinely been a game changer for me and I’m looking forward to more 6am workouts there far into the future.

My husband and I have been members for a year and a half now, and we both love Flex for a number of reasons: it’s in our neighborhood, it’s affordable, it’s always a friendly environment, it has all the basics and is always clean, but you don’t have to pay for frills that aren’t necessary, the equipment you want to use is almost always available, and for a neighborhood gym, it stays open pretty late. Also, as someone who has the membership that doesn’t include classes, I love the free weekend boot camp that’s open to all members! The staff are always friendly and the new towel service is great. The circuit is a great option (and never too crowded), especially when I’m not feeling very creative or motivated about what specific workout I want to do, but they have lots of other equipment and workout options as well. Finally, having been a 24hr fitness member prior to joining Flex, I really appreciate the lack of a corporate «feel”– it really does feel like your neighborhood gym. You don’t get a ridiculous number of emails, there’s always a person to talk to if you call, and it seems like they really take suggestions to heart. I’ve belonged to gyms before, but I’ve never gone as regularly as I do now as a Flex member, and I think a lot of that has to do with the positive atmosphere there. Thanks Flex!

I’ve only taken 1 class here and am willing to give it another shot, but my first impression wasn’t spectacular. When I arrived at the front desk, the gentleman sitting there didn’t greet me, ask me why I was there, or anything. I guess people must just walk in and do their thing, but being new, I had no idea. When I explained it was my first time and I was there for a class, he simply pointed to a hallway and said «it’s down there.» No tour, no welcome, nothing. The class itself (zumba) was fun, but the instructor wasn’t very lively. She simply went through the moves like she was just getting it over with. There was no fun or playfulness infused into the class. Also, the door is left open for people come in and out of the room to grab supplies whenever they need, interrupting the class.
That being said, it was still a good workout offered at a good time and maybe it was just an «off» day, so I’m willing to try again.

I have been a member of Flex for a while now. It’s really affordable for general gym use and the quality and cleanliness of the gym is above average. It’s smaller than most gyms but in actuality there are rarely (if ever) waits for machines. The staff is overall friendly and engaged and it makes for a pleasant atmosphere.
Overall, I just wanted to give a five star shoutout to Flex for being so consistent. THANX :) :)

I like that it’s a small, no frills, friendly gym. I especially like the low monthly fees

Flex is a friendly, clean gym that has all I need to get a good workout at any time that suits me. The price is great and I highly recommend Flex as a place to enjoy your workout!

I’ve now been at FLEX 6 months and am stunned at the changes in my body. I’ve always been intimidated about trying other gyms because I’m over 60 and was overweight. But, now I go 5 days a week because the staff and the other clients/​customers are so welcoming, yet respectful of your space and needs. No one is too old or to fat, or handicapped. And on the other hand, there are some stunningly buff people there who are not intimidating, but inspiring! This is the place for you if you ever felt you might not fit in but wanted to heal your body and get a hit of endorphins the right way!

BEST VALUE in fitness center/​gym. Clean, comfortable, never too crowded. Owners involved, accessible, open to suggestion. Friendly, competent staff with a variety of health and fitness qualifications. Seven day free trial. Try it and see.

You are close to my home, friendly, clean and not crowded. I also like the circuit approach to fitness which fits my busy schedule. And what a great assortment of cardio machines.

Previous reviews are spot-​on, and I add my plus vote to a great place.
There’s something for everyone, clean & inviting space, good location (and approve people-​watching shoot, right onto Piedmont Avenue), nice staff, varied schedule of classes.
After a week here I’m quite happy.

Love the low cost to use the equipment, and the circuit style training!

If you are looking to simplify your workout and stop battling other people for machines, this is definitely the place to do it. After trying out the Berkeley Y for a year, we were super fed up and in need of a smaller gym that was close by. The staff at Flex were kind enough to let us give it a free 7-​day trial before purchasing a membership, and we were totally sold after the first day. The layout includes a circuit room, which includes about 25 – 30 different exercises (either on a machine, mat or with weights) that you move through every minute. They promote the idea of a shorter, high-​intensity workout rather than just becoming an elliptical zombie for an hour (although you can totally do that if you prefer). They also have rooms for ellipticals, treadmills and spin bikes, as well as a rowing machine. A bonus is the class room in the back that can be used for anything else when class isn’t in session. Also, no join fee! You can choose to pay annually or on a month-​to-​month basis.
The owners and staff do a great job of keeping the place friendly and easygoing-​no gym bro personalities here, only people who want to quietly and effectively get their fitness on. We love it here!

It’s a nice, small neighborhood gym. I came here a couple of times through Fitmob, mostly to use the treadmill. There are just 4 treadmills and they were occupied when I arrived, but one freed up within a few minutes. The treadmills are a bit older and I wish there was a bit more ventilation — there’s a fan — but it’s convenient if you live nearby. I’ve not taken a class here yet, but they seem to have a nice variety.

I like how close it is to where I work and live.
Very clean and there’s a good energy there, with a mix of people. The owners and the workers seem to truly care about the facilities and are very friendly.
The dance classes and dance space is a great plus! (I go to sooooo much Zumba.)

FLEX has been great so far. I mostly take the classes and really enjoy going here. Awesome location as well.

I have had nothing but fantastic experiences here! Their rates are reasonable, the staff are cheerful, the group exercise classes are hella fun, and the expanded facilities are awesome (ps, in addition to womens and mens locker rooms, there are single-​stall all-​gender toilets/​changing rooms).

Excellent customer service. People at the front desk are always smiling and friendly. When I first signed up for classes, I didn’t realize they expired. Management was flexible and helpful in making me feel like I still got my money’s worth. I’ll be sad when I no longer live so close to this gym!

Great circuit training gym that now has just about everything. Spin room, free weight room, circuit room, cardio/​warm up room, and a class room (with yoga, zumba, spin, boxing, boot camp and others I can’t think of) all nestled in an antique building on Piedmont Ave (near a juice bar I might add). Parking usually isn’t too bad in the area. The owners are the nicest guys and two of the staff have been working there for years. I’ve been going in for workouts here since they opened about 5 years ago and I love the place. Oh and what you get for the price of membership (40 bucks a month base membership) is unheard of in this area.
I can’t say enough good things about this gym. The only drawback in my mind is no stair climbing machine.

Still an awesome gym.
Although, would absolutely LOVE it if you guys extended your hours to 10 – 10:30… maybe 11, maybe.

I really really like this gym! I’m doing a 1 month trial with them, and so far, I’ve loved it! The people in the front desk are always friendly. I love that they are always willing to answer your questions.
Thank goodness they expanded their cardio machines. 3 ellipticals were definitely not enough.
I like the whole idea of circuit training — DING! YOUR MINUTE IS UP — no one hogs the machines, you also can’t just sit there and rest until you feel like doing your next set of reps. It forces me to push myself for a whole minute. Only thing is, I wish it was 1.5 minutes instead of 1 minute per machine because it takes me a few seconds to hop onto the next, and i feel like I’m missing out on a few reps… =[ so i really just have 40 seconds of workout vs the whole minute.
I love seeing the same people there every day. That really shows how well it works! I also love that the people there come in all different shapes and sizes. It doesn’t feel intimidating like it does in other gyms, where everyone is super buff and lifting 1000 lbs. Here everyone is just normal people, getting fit. =]
A couple things I hope would change in the future is:
1) Extended hours — I’m not saying until 12am, but i think 10PM would be nice, and longer hours on the weekends. Sometimes I want to go workout, but the gym is closed. =[
2) More machines — I want to work out my forearms, glutes, calves lower back — but there aren’t enough.
3) More weights, there’s only a set of weights outside, so if i have to use the 5lbs and someone grabbed it first, i have to stand around and wait, but I don’t want to seem like I’m rushing the person using it.
I should go try one of the classes they’re offering… Maybe yoga!
I will definitely be continuing my membership — and hopefully more improvements will come.