Speed Power Strength Gym — Attraction in Oakland

Tl;dr - SPS gym is THE best gym in the country with the best equipment, coaching staff, atmosphere, and most importantly, the most welcoming for anyone at any level to train.

Long Story I have been doing Weight training for a couple of years now, and I got to know about SPS with my daughter, who is doing Olympic weightlifting and got introduced to the gym. Since then, I have had all the good things about this gym.

Atmosphere You can see veteran Weightlifters to just started to learn about weightlifting newcomers, youth weightlifters, powerlifters, cross-training members, national record holders, Olympic medallions, and best-in-the-class coaches in this facility. I have been to many gyms in my life, and I have never gone to a more welcoming gym, both in terms of the coaching staff and the members, than SPS. This gym will make you comfortable anywhere you are on the journey, and you can be yourself.

Coaching Staff The head coach Mike Jenkins (a.k.a. Big Mike) is one of the most humble and caring individuals I’ve ever met. He will go to amazing lengths to make sure you get what you want and even more. Coach Sean, Coach Bianca, Coach Jay, Coach Ray and Coach Brandon are also one of the best you can find. They will make sure to help you with anything you want and make you comfortable. Coach Brandon taught me the fundamentals of Weightlifting and to this date those concepts have been really helpful for me.

Equipment SPS is an Eleiko certified training facility. Everything you see there across 12(?) platforms are all world-class barbells, plates, platforms, squat stands, jerk blocks, etc. SPS also has one of the best competition Weightlifting platforms in the country. For cross training, SPS has all Rogue and top of the line equipment.

Lift Us Big Mike also started the movement to help youth get into Olympic weightlifting through the Lift Us program and had created many national champions in both girls and boys groups between the ages of 10 and 17. This program has enabled so many young kids to channel their energy and build a long-lasting life passion. My daughter has been training with Lift Us for a couple of years now, and this was a fantastic experience. Coach Bianca is amazing with the youth athletes and has helped these young kids, both girls, and boys, to qualify for the nationals and create champions. All the coaches, coach Jay, coach Sean, and coach Brandon are amazing at coaching the kids.

Competitions No one, I mean no one, will do local meets better than SPS. SPS started “Right of Passage” to help first-time weightlifters showcase their skills. Right of passage introduced and built confidence for many weightlifters over the years. SPS also organizes other local meets (like the PWA championships); no one is so organized, well equipped, or well-run as how SPS does it.

Overall, SPS is a fantastic facility also located in an amazing place. But, most importantly, what matters is the people and the community I interact with. And, SPS made me and my kids feel welcomed. If you are considering doing weight-training, cross-training, or even have young kids wanting to get into Weightlifting, try out SPS. Big Mike and the coaching staff will be there...

Do you want to get stronger, faster, and more powerful? Train using premium equipment? Coached by experienced and certified staff? Learn the basics of fitness and movement? Interested in powerlifting? Interested in Olympic weightlifting? Push sleds? Row? Bike? Do all the things to get jacked and tan? SPS got your back.

After a handful of drop in sessions, I became a full fledged member in 2019. As a competitive powerlifter, I had three competitions to focus on that year. First, The A7 Raw Challenge at the Arnold in Columbus, Ohio. Next, The World Classic Championship at the IPF in Helsingborg, Sweden. Finally, Raw Nationals at USAPL in Lombard, IL. I knew I needed to train many days and long hours throughout the year. SPS exceeded my expectations. They provided everything I needed to prepare and excel at my sport. I stood on the podium at every single meet that year. My very last meet, I finished in first place, standing at the top of the podium, winning my division at Raw Nationals and qualifying for the 2020 IPF World Classic Championship in Sun City, South Africa.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, IPF cancelled the Championship. I was devastated. The gym also had to temporarily close following mandatory COVID restrictions. Missing the competition was a loss. But what I missed even more was SPS. I missed training. I missed walking in and people calling out your name. I missed the camaraderie. The witty banter. People cheering for each other. Friendly competition. The diverse music choices. The BBQs, potlucks, food truck, and parties. The days where you open the huge roll up door, let the sun in, get your work out AND your tan on. You don’t know what you had until it’s gone.

Lucky the gym has since reopened and SPS is still the best place to be. And guess what? You CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Go to SPS and find out. I’m living proof! After 6 Nationals, 3 Arnolds, 4 IPF World Championships, and countless local meets…I decided to retire from competitive powerlifting and learn Olympic Weightlifting. Guess what? SPS got you!

I’ve been attending the Adult Weightlifting Class with Brandon Chien since the gym reopened. Coach Brandon has been instrumental in helping me transition from years of powerlifting (muscle memory! ) to Olympic weightlifting barbell basics. I was finally able to meet my first goal of snatching 46 kg (101 lbs) with good form and technique. I know that may not seem like much weight for some, but for me, it was an important milestone. Baby steps…it’s just the beginning. Next goal…snatch body weight!

So if you’re curious, come give SPS a visit. Stop by and meet the people. Take a tour. Do a drop in. Come check out the upcoming Rite of Passage Weightlifting competition on March 25th; the only competition designed for first time lifters! You can see for yourself, SPS...

So first off , I gotta say I may be a bit biased since I’ve been a member here since 2017 when I wanted to get serious into power lifting. What set them apart for me? The sense of community, the world class coaches, the location, the equipment and their sense of pride. Tucked away in Oakland’s Jingletown in the other half of the old cotton mill building, SPS has power racks, plenty of platforms for Olympic weight lifting, turf for all your sled, run, and met con needs. SPS is an Eleiko certified gym so all the weights, bumpers, dumbbells, barbells and racks are Eleiko ( there is some Rogue gear as well). The space is pretty big so it takes a lot for it to get busy. You can show up and do your own thing, you can join Sean’s met con class, Brandon’s Olympic weight lifting class, bring your own program or have one of the coaches tailor one to help you reach your goals. With these guys you’re not just throwing weights around, you understanding how your body works, it’s mechanics, and how to really enjoy the sport. You can ease into it or get your a** kicked….it’s up to you. What in my opinion sets these guys apart is their Youth Program. Mentoring kids from the Town and around to become athletes, scholars and entrepreneurs. This Gym gives back to the community that houses it. I’ve been here for awhile and had the privilege to see a lot of kids grow and thrive from the opportunity they get here. last but not least, you got the owner Big Mike. He’s there every day, invested in the community he’s built, invested in the kids he and his team mentor, invested in the athletes ( hard core and beginner) and always makes a point to make the new person feel welcome. It’s hard to feel out of place here because everyone is pretty cool. So yea, come by, do a drop in and see what...