Live Oak Strength — Attraction in Emeryville

If you are looking for an evidence-based approach to fitness resulting in real, measurable changes, look no further! Not only does Live Oak’s workout produce results, they do so in ONLY 20 MINUTES once or twice a week. Their instruction is to rest your muscles otherwise and only engage in activity that you enjoy as being pain free and able to move and function well in your life. All this and the best results I’ve ever seen (with myself and others) with much harder, longer workouts. Owen Dockham and staff are well-informed and professional. Trainers take the time and thought to help you define your fitness goals and then work safely and efficiently to help you move towards them. Owen takes detailed notes during your private training sessions and attends to the most minute detail of your alignment to make sure your workout is not only safe, but offering you the best, body-changing results. Personally, working out with Owen reduced my level of body pain significantly. In just a couple of months, I progressed from being in quite a bit of muscle and joint pain just from walking around the block, to gardening for three hours on the weekend, taking my dogs for two walks a day, swimming, and doing yoga I enjoy. (Not that any of this extra exercise is needed with this workout; I just became so energized and pain-free, that engaging in these activities makes me happy and enjoy life more!) I also sleep soundly and my energy level feels balanced (instead of a burst and then crash) throughout the day. In fact, I feel better, more energetic and stronger in my body now, in my 40’s, than I did years ago in younger decades. Professionally, as a Health Psychologist, I have referred some of my patients and colleagues to Live Oak. I take great care with my clients and those close to me, so making repeated referrals to Live Oak is a testament to how much I trust and respect their work. Unequivocally, the feedback I have received is that trainers are respectful, caring, encouraging, effective, and people see the results they want – more freedom to feel good in their bodies. I cannot recommend Owen and his staff at...

I have been going to Live Oak for a couple of months and I am very happy with it. Live Oak focuses on one thing, strength training. I belong to the Y. The Y has a swimming pool, basketball courts, and more fun stuff. I like the Y. The Y lacks the singular focus that I appreciate about Live Oak. Live Oak is great at strength training because that is the only thing they do. Here is what makes Live Oak great at strength training. First is safety. To spur growth of muscle, I need to get close to failure. With the outstanding trainers at Live Oak and the excellent equipment, I am safe getting right up to failure. My trainer is always watching my form, keeping me safe. I grew up with the ethic that it was always better to workout harder and longer. That led me to doing more risky things. Live Oak uses research to keep my workouts rational. Second is efficiency. Live Oak training is efficient in several ways. The training is intense enough so that each session is only 20 minutes. I wondered about such short sessions, but I’ve found their sessions work my body very well. It is efficient for me since they always have my program laid out. They keep track of my progress. They know how much I should be lifting. I don’t sit around between lifts wondering what to do next. They have the program set. If my left shoulder is bothering me, they are flexible. But, I don't have to figure out if today is my back-n-bicep day. Live Oak has me covered. Third is the professional partnership. The trainers are unfailingly encouraging and friendly. Since all sessions are just me and my trainer, the relationship is critical. I am always their focus. When I’m by myself, I’m always thinking I’ve reached my limit. At Live Oak, I’ve been able to work past what I’d thought was my limit. It isn’t from someone yelling at me. The trainers are genuinely kind people. They are helping draw the best performance from me. They offer positive ques...

I have been training at Live Oak Strength for 8 months and never felt like I needed to write a review because they already had so many great reviews. But after my latest experience with lower back pain this past weekend, I am totally convinced that my strength training with Live Oak Strength is paying off and want to give them a shoutout for the great care and training they have provided me.

This past Saturday, I volunteered to work at the Berkeley Lions Club’s Crab Feed and was on my feet for almost 7 hours continuously. I helped set the tables, prep food, washed dishes, cleaned and lifted really large pots and pans… My feet and back were killing me at the end of the day. In the past, the type of pain I was feeling in my lower back would always result in extreme if not excruciating pain the following day. Miraculously, I was in no pain when I got out of bed on Sunday! I am writing this on Wednesday and still no pain. I can only attribute that to the strength training I have been receiving at Live Oak Strength. I am so thankful to have found them.

Owen has been wonderful to train with. He is so patient and is meticulous about my form to be sure that I exercise safely. He knows everything about which machines will benefit me the most; He knows when to push me for more effort, and when I have no more to give. I am not looking for the fountain of youth, but I do hope to maintain or improve my good health long into my retirement years. (I am a 65-year-old woman.) To be able to achieve my goals in less than 30 minutes once a week is amazing and right up my alley. My next goal is to improve my bone density through strength training so that I can avoid osteoporosis...