The Perfect Sidekick LGBT Gym

Joining TPS is definitely in my «top five greatest things i’ve done for myself in the last five years» which is saying a LOT.
I’m a queer trans person of color, a survivor of violence and an eating disorder, and who has struggled my entire life with finding a way to live in my body that didn’t feel like a punishment. Exercise has often been a really tricky thing for me. Balancing my recovery and my goals in an environment that’s affirming, challenging, healthy, and celebratory used to always feel just out of reach.
But that’s what it’s like *every class* at TPS. (insert «crying happy tears» emoji here)
I’ve been at TPS coming up on a year in spring. I’ve been asked to do things that I thought were literally impossible, was convinced I could never do. But with some positive encouragement, I saw myself walking away from the gym in shock that I was able to complete what I did. My entire mindframe has shifted. I feel capable. The structure of the classes and the attendance policy keeps me accountable. When I disappeared from the gym for a few weeks, I got a really rad email inviting me back, and asking if I needed anything to make that happen. When I had major surgery, I literally had trainers offering me stretching/​strength exercises for when I was in recovery and fellow members offering to drop me off meals. The trainers and other members have never once made me feel ashamed, embarrassed, or used anything other than excellent coaching and positive encouragement to keep me safe and challenge me in awesome ways.
Yeah, it’s pricey. I’m probably one of the lower income members at the gym, and I’ve had to really re-​arrange things financially for myself to be able to afford it (like literally got a different phone plan and budget my weeks different and drive less) but it’s a huge priority to me. The only thing I wish I could change about the gym was more options for lower income members, but I do really value that they do the adopt-​a-​broke-​queer program each winter AND there’s regularly specials on private sessions, etc. I love that the most basic membership still comes with a bi-​monthly assessment or private training session.
They have awesome healing practitioners (massage, acupuncture, chiro, and also nutrition programs) available for great prices (but again, they never push it on you to buy those sessions). Also, there’s no pushing of supplements/​etc like at other gyms. I trust that TPS wouldn’t ever endorse something unless it was truly good for *your* health and wellness on a fundamental level.
I really appreciate how real Nat is with members, transparent about what’s going on in the business side of the gym, and asks for input. There’s no façade she puts up and I value that! I feel like there’s this weird rule where business owners are supposed to be secretive and «professional» (??) AKA make all decisions and movements seamlessly behind the scenes. That’s not Nat. I like that after class she chats with us about changes, asks for our ideas, involves us.
All in all, where else can you have an icebreaker of, «Name, Preferred Gender Pronoun, and last time you wrote in a journal?» asked before you hit a new front squat PR cheered on by a hugely diverse group of people, while listening to Missy Elliot?
Yeah I didn’t think so.
Get your ass to TPS!

This gym is the best!
I suck at working out and have never been able to find the right fit. It can be scary going to the gym when you don’t feel super strong and you’re not sure how to use the machines and everybody can do more push-​ups than you and your workout clothes look funny because you bought them before you put on weight and…
Not at TPS! Everybody is super nice (trainers and trainees), the workouts kick your butt but in the good way, and I really look forward to coming. Since I’ve joined I’ve only missed a hand full of workouts and am well on my way to reaching my fitness goals. I’ve even started making healthier choices in the rest of my life because I want to kick more ass at the gym… who’d a thunk it?
Work out here!

I know, I know. Another 5-​star review outta me for this place. Here’s why:
I started here in April 2014 (on April Fools’ Day, of all things). Since then, I have consistently shown up at least twice, but generally 3 – 4 times each week (except for times that I’ve been out of town). To the gym. For going-​on 2 years. And while that’s something I’ve never managed before in my entire life, it’s felt like no big thing. There are no words for how huge this is.
When I go out of town, I ask my trainers for a workout I can do at home so I can keep it up while I’m away. They respond with excitement at this opportunity to create an interesting, nerdy homework assignment for me. If it’s a time of year that lots of gym members are out of town/​away from the gym (like now), they post out-​of-​town/​do-​it-​at-​home workouts to the gym Facebook group to help keep us on our game, and we respond by posting dorky pictures of ourselves doing burpees in living rooms and kitchens in other parts of the state/​country. This is the community I was looking for. This is the community that makes me show up.
These folks get the fact that weight is not the best indicator of a person’s health/​fitness. The weight-​centric nature of many gyms/​fitness places I’ve attempted before drives me batty, and I appreciate the data-​driven approach that TPS takes in helping its members monitor their fitness and set goals. Yes, they weigh me sometimes. And they also measure me, and have me complete physical tests to see what my body can do, and keep track of my weightlifting PRs so I can track my progress that way. And when it’s time to set some goals, it has nothing to do with what the scale says.
Over all, they are the complete opposite of every gym I’d been to before. And that is why I show up 3 – 4 times a week, every week. With a smile on my face. Even when I’m tired and have not yet consumed a full cup of coffee, or am still sore from the last time I was in.

LOVE TPS.
I wasn’t just looking for a gym, I was looking for an environment. I could go to any gym, and pay any price but I was looking for a place I could go for instruction, community, and most importantly RESULTS. That is what I got here at TPS.
I don’t feel like I have worked harder in a group before. The group size is perfect, large enough to be pushed and root for each other, but small enough to get careful instruction maximizing my results. When I want even more instruction and specific help, I just schedule individual sessions. I mention results because at TPS results are just a byproduct of the environment and me getting exactly what I need. With the careful evaluation within your first couple of visits (weight, flexibility, body fat %, etc.) you are able to monitor your progress monthly and watch yourself getting in better shape.
I feel like I am getting more than I pay for at TPS. It’s not just a gym, it’s a family.

Once you experience the rainbow carpet treatment at TPS, you’ll go nowhere else for your workout! They will make sure you are comfortable and then kick your butt like it’s never been kicked. I even did a 14 day challenge here and invited my friends to join but they didn’t. SO now only I look hot as ever. Every workout combines different ways of moving like Crossfit, TRX, and kick boxing. Kick boxing is good to know in case you have meth heads in Oakland trying to steal your ex or to make you afraid but it doesn’t work ion me. I’m never afraid, i don’t lie and I work out! You will not be disappointed! I have never been disappointed! Im going to miss this place when I move away in a few days but when i come back to visit all the time I will try and score guest passes so that I can still come and meet all my workout buddies!

To layout some backstory, white gay guy here who was the chubby, clumsy gay kid who got the brunt of bullying in middle and high school PE, who lost the weight, but still had some anxiety about going to the gym. I decided I wanted to build some muscle and had heard good things from a friend about TPS and decided to buy the Groupon to just give it a shot. Little did I know i would get sucked into this awesome queer community for a year, but sadly had to quit due to moving across the Bay to The City (Damn you geography).
Why I fell in love with TPS at my first class: I was doing a back squat, with maybe 20lbs on the bar and the trainer (Heather B) said quietly to me, «You’re so strong.» Something no one has ever said to me. To be honest I get kinda choked up thinking about that class, and how so grateful to TPS for making a comfortable, encouraging environment for me and other LBGT/​Queer folks of all fitness levels, body shapes, sizes, and colors. Don’t get me wrong your ass will get kicked, but everyone is in it together, and wants everyone else to succeed. Even when we have our little team competitions, the winning team doesn’t stand around and gloat. They stand there and cheer the other team on.
Trainer retention hasn’t been the best, and working an 8 – 5 kind of job, getting to a class that fits your schedule can be difficult at times. In an ideal world, classes could run concurrently (say Yoga and Oakland Booty are both at 7pm and you choose accordingly), so your workout isn’t necessarily dictated by the schedule. But again, this is ideal world with lots of space, and time and money, etc. etc. But even with that said, TPS’s good far outweighs the not-​so-​good. It’s still a new business going through some growing pains, which is understandable.
All in all, it’s a great place to workout and meet awesome people, queer or otherwise. It’s a gym where you’ll get asked what your favorite board game was as a kid and you confess it was secretly Pretty Pretty Princess, and everyone laughs (with you, not at you) about it. It’s a gym where a dude will walk in and say, «I want to be as strong as her» when he sees a lesbian half his size back squatting a million pounds. It’s a gym where you can beat the shit out of each other (with protection of course) but center yourself with some awesome Yoga. But what I love most about TPS, is that it’s a gym where no matter how much weight you lift, you’ll always be strong.

I reviewed this gym in December with 5 stars, and since then my review has dropped to 1 star.
The good things are: it’s a gym that welcomes lgbt people, that is not fat shaming, and that has the potential to make exercise fun and within reach for folks who haven’t done it in a long time. Kristin is an excellent personal trainer, very knowledgeable, and teaches group classes. The chiropractor who has a practice upstairs in the same space (Angel) is wonderful.
The bad things are: extraordinarily overpriced (120 $ more a month than another great gym near where I live in Oakland that also has unlimited wonderful classes), feels a little bit like a weird country club in the sense that they market bringing people together (pay money to have friends? I think not), ENORMOUS staff turn over rate (unclear what is really happening but many staff have left even in the 6 months I have been there, some have reported being very unhappy working there and feeling poorly treated.)
The horrible things are: The owner, Nathalie, has behaved in extremely unprofessional ways with me and the membership. She wrote an email publically shaming and humiliating an employee who she recently fired. It was appalling. She literally said:
«No one knows better than me that I need to work on staff retention here. So for that reason, I reeeealllllly tried to make things work with Jon, but after two months of giving it my 1000% effort, I just cant continue to turn a blind eye and not get too irritated or pissed off when my efforts were unmet…»
And then when she found out I had connected with a couple members about speaking with her about labor practices to see if we could support her to treat employees better, she blocked me from the facebook group (even though I am paying an exorbitant amount of money this month to not go there because I feel uncomfortable there after her behavior) and started texting my personal cell phone a lot accusing me of «trying to destroy her business.»
In my opinion caring about treating workers well is a way to strengthen, not destroy a business. Nathalie has many strengths– she is an inspiring trainer, really fun to work out with, and clearly a powerhouse having built this business. Also she is not «The Man.» She is a POC woman in Oakland trying to make a living and building an alternative and healthy space for LGBT people to heal from internalized oppression and get healthy. At the same time I was extremely uncomfortable with her lack of professionalism and wish I hadn’t been treated this way for caring about how employees are treated.

Great place. Great ownership. Great motivation. If I ever have a change in my schedule, this would be my first choice in a gym. Thank you for getting me started.

I just love this GYM. What a great place to work out! Great classes, great trainers, and more importantly a great queer space where the community pushes you to workout even harder. I have been working out here for over a year and I love it!!! Thank you TPS for making me workout hard and for keeping me accountable!!!

Their customer service is amazing. They love their clients!
And, I’m even going to say that TPS is good for kids as it is becoming increasingly family-​friendly, although they don’t have kids classes (yet) or formal babysitting services (yet).

Lemme start by saying that I hate gyms, I’ve had so many bad experiences in the bigger gyms (24hour, Bally) and I didn’t want to look at the prices for smaller more private gyms. But one of my friends dragged me into TPS during one of their mixers where I met some of the members and trainers. Everyone was so nice and I liked how personal the gym is, no big scary machines that fill up other gyms. Natalie, the owner, talked me into scheduling a meeting with one of the trainers. When I met with Kristan, she walked me through everything that they offer and then asked what I wanted from them, needless to say I signed up that day for a decently priced membership.
Although they do offer open gym time where you can work out alone, they specialize in small group classes that make sure you can’t get forgotten. The trainers walk through the class making sure that the exercises are done correctly by everyone. I’m still amazed that they are able to walk the fine line between drill sargent and yoga instructor, they push but help you at the same time.
The classes start with introductions, preferred gender pronouns, and a random question as a great ice breaker. I love the class names; core whore, so knotty, Oakland booty, hard core homo, etc. There is no pressure to work harder then your comfortable, pushing your limits is the goal but listening to your body instead of hurting yourself is what they preach; most of the workouts can be modified to work around injuries or lack of skill. I’m pretty out of shape but there has only been one time when I couldn’t do a exercise and that was because of shoulder injury. The classes make me sore and sometimes make it very difficult to move the next day, but I always go back for more. They also have great privet training appointments for an extra fee with the trainer of your choice.
The other members are very welcoming and friendly. Even though this is a LGBT gym they encourage anyone to join. There is always something social going on either organized by the gym or by a member.
In all TPS has helped me see that I don’t hate gyms in general, the others aren’t for me but TPS is my kind of place. Being able to get into better shape while having a good time is something that I never thought I would find in a gym, but that is what I found here.

When I was looking for a new gym about six months ago, I almost joined a women’s-only gym here in Alameda. Rows and rows of treadmills and stair-​steppers; some rarely-​used Nautilus machines and pink-​coated hand weights, some Zumba classes… you know the type. But I got downright angry when they sent me repeated marketing emails telling me about the health risks of obesity. Way to assume that I’m fat! Way to use scare tactics to get me to sign up! Way to assume what my goals are! No thanks.
Then I found TPS. People of all gender expressions and identities (assumed queer unless stated otherwise), all body types (really!), wide variety of ethnic diversity and ages… all lifting heavy stuff together, sweating together, laughing together. No drama or pick-​up scene. Trainers who give a damn, and know their anatomy, AND actually care if you show up.
Things I love about this place:
— The trainers. It’s been a bit of a challenge to find and keep the right people, but it’s true that the fitness industry is a revolving door, and the ones who have stuck around are obviously the right fit. I love the staff, and Nathalie does an amazing job of hiring people with different approaches and backgrounds.
— The community. It’s what keeps me coming back several times a week. I love seeing the same friendly faces. I love it when fellow members cheer me on as I’m lifting heavier and heavier, or perfecting my punches in kickboxing class. And while I haven’t been to any of the community events outside the gym yet, I love that we have a dedicated person to set these up and get people to come!
— The nonjudgemental but informative monthly assessments. You get measured in many different ways — inches, weight, body fat, flexibility, endurance — and never ONCE have I felt like I should be anywhere other than where I am today. Or you can use your monthly assessment as a personal training session. Speaking of…
— The personal training sessions are AMAZING. I’ve used them to work on my lifting form; to rehab from a knee injury sustained from an over-​enthusiastic burpee; to increase my core strength; and right now I’ve developing strength for pull-​ups. I was scared to meet one on one with a personal trainer before coming here, and now it’s my favorite time of the week.
— The business’s support for the external community. We’ve got some folks who can’t normally afford to join a gym like this coming thanks to the Adopt-​a-​Queer program, and TPS donates funds to great organizations in the community like Somos Familia.
— The cheeky attitude. I love that their classes are named things like Hard Core Homo and Oakland Booty. So unpretentious and fun.
Things I don’t love:
— Nothing. Even when I have concerns, the staff always listen. I always feel heard. This is an amazing place.

It has taken me a long time to be able to write this review. When I first started TPS, I was new to the workout scene. I had never successfully joined and attended a gym before! It was an amazing place to be. A place where I was assumed queer unless I specified otherwise (which for a femme that’s HUGE!) I quickly fell in love with the community and the structure. The queers are fabulous of course!
But the high and love lasted only for a year. It became really disruptive that Nathalie was unable to keep a consistent workforce. Having run a business in the past, I know something is seriously wrong when all of your staff members quit within 2 days, and that is what happened here; to make matters worse, it wasnt the first loss of awesome staff that TPS saw in my year there. It seemed like there was constant turn around of amazing trainers and that was hard to witness but even harder to deal with as a client. Things got really shady when people who expressed their concerns on their personal Facebook pages then had their contracts terminated and were asked to no longer be a part of the TPS community. This was harsh! So harsh! As a business isn’t it part of your job to keep your clients happy? It was with this act that it became apparent to me why all the reviews were mainly 5 stars, anyone with complaints or concerns would be asked to leave. I remained there even after that whole fiasco because I loved the queers and I loved the high of the workout– no really Jenn was the baddest trainer there, with Misia being the most inspirational yoga instructor I have ever had in my life! Once they all jumped ship, I could not stay! TPS went from having 5 badass trainers (Jeff, Jenn, Chae, Lindsey & Cheyanne) and a phenomenal yoga guru (Misia) to just Nathalie (who honestly has a style of training that does not work for everyone!) This was not cool on so many levels, so I left. At the time I thought I would be able to find another gym– but it took me an entire year to find a gym with the same kind of committed trainers and small community.
I credit TPS with instilling in my a love for lifting heavy sh*t and for finding my inner badass! I credit the TPS queers and community with helping me grow my self esteem and for making working out an addictive thing for me. I will always have a soft spot for TPS (like you have a soft spot for your first love) but I have kept tabs on the progress of this business and in the year that I have been gone, there continues to be a lack of retention of good trainers (when I left in Jan of 2014 the trainer, Heather– was new to training and once we finished an hour class program in 28 minutes, I hope she got better, I didnt stick around long enough to find out) I keep watching for consistency and keep seeing new faces. The friends I retain from my time there– have rolled with the changes and attend for the small queer community– which is understandable but not something I can personally commit to.
If you want a small community or are intimidated by huge gyms– come here. If you are looking for consistency and ethical treatment of employees and experienced trainers– this may not be the best place for you

I’ve had a variety of experiences with TPS now and I really enjoy this place. The highlights:
Diversity of bodies and abilities.
Variety of training options. I particularly like «Hella Arms and Abs.»
People are just generally happy to be here. They linger after class, in between classes. They take multiple classes. They say hi to you! And it’s not weird!
Be embodied and strong. Be with others that are doing the same. It’s powerful!
If you «aren’t a gym person», you can totally go here.
If you ARE a gym person, you can totally go here.
If you’re a person, you can go here.
Go here.

My wife and I started working out here as part of the Adopt-​a-​Queer program. The fact that this gym has a program for disadvantaged queers is amazing.
I’m not a newbie to gyms or working out. I trained for 4 years with Cal’s weightlifting coach, have been a consistent gym goer since high school, have ran half marathons, and so on. However, ever since joining TPS 6 weeks ago, I have seen some amazing results. I was skeptical at first since TPS has no cardio equipment or weight room, but I’m definitely a believer now. My skinny jeans are a little looser. I have semblance of abs. Most importantly, I feel more athletic. Everyday things are a little easier and I can keep up with my day with more breathing room.
Favorite Classes
Yoga — I have the world’s tightest hamstrings, so I’ve had a strained relationship with Yoga. HOWEVER, yoga here is amazing.
Oakland Booty — Because booty
Pain and Champagne — Because you get to work out and then brunch out

TPS is the best. I could go on and on but I will try to only gush about three things.
#1: Community
Let’s face it: most gyms suck. They’re judgmental, hostile places. As much as I like to work out, I dreaded going to my old gym. It’s an isolating experience to go to a weight room and have to navigate around the glaring musclebros who have claimed a bench or a barbell as their territory. It’s no fun! It’s too easy to just skip a day, or hurry through a workout just to get the heck out of there.
TPS could not be more different! It’s a respectful, friendly, body positive, welcoming and diverse community of members and trainers. I look forward to every time I come in for a class, private training, or to work out on my own. It’s non-​competitive and supportive, and I’m just so happy to go there. I don’t skip days anymore! Having buddies in the gym to work out with makes such a huge difference.
And most importantly, TPS is the first LGBT gym in the nation. If you’re queer, you can have a safe place to be your best with others who are doing the same. If you’re not queer, you have the opportunity at TPS to be an ally and get to know the LGBT community. TPS really cares about equality and diversity, and I’m so happy it does.
#2: Staff
Nathalie (the owner!) and Kristan, our trainers, are awesome. They are very knowledgeable, have great attitudes, are supportive while still challenging you, and are super respectful of everyone who comes in the door. They can work with you effectively no matter what your goals or current fitness level, and will make you look forward to coming in next time.
TPS has a community event organizer, Shannon! TPS is not just a place to work out, but to make friends, learn about cool local events, and build community.
And if you bust your butt too hard there’s a great chiropractor (Dr. Angel!) who runs his practice in the upstairs loft at the gym.
Also Kristan’s dog Rocky is there sometimes, and he always makes my day better. :)
#3: Equipment
TPS has a great setup. It’s not full of a bunch of machines and treadmills. There’s floorspace and a cage (with optional rings and bands) that can be used for cardio and bodyweight exercises, barbells, kettlebells and dumbbells for strength training, an extra rogue rack with a bench, a rowing machine, some boxes and rope. That’s it! Everything you need to get your ass kicked and want to come back for more!
Wait… cage, boxes, rope… is this a Crossfit thing? Well, no. You’re going to see some similarities here and there. Workouts will involve circuits, tabatas, AMRAPs (as many rounds as possible for a certain amount of time) and other things that look a little Crossfit-​y, but this isn’t a competitive WOD thing that’s going to make you feel like you’re lesser than the «elite» athletes. It’s not a competition, it’s a great workout.
#4: (okay 4 things) It’s in Oakland!
Oakland is the best, and TPS is the best… of course it’s in Oakland!

I am not sure what I was waiting for– looked at this place for over 2 years before I went in for a FREE pain & champagne workout one Sunday (I like to try before I buy, thank you very much). It was awesome, everyone there was friendly, encouraging, and I really pushed myself during the workout because of it.
I have been going as much as possible now, and if you’ve been thinking about joining or checking it out– just come on in, even if you can’t make it for Pain & Champagne first. You can still talk to someone and get a tour. Time for kicking some New Year’s Resolution ass!

I have been a member for 3 years, seeing it grow through the years! I absolutely love this gym! Here are a few reasons why:
1. The trainers are amazing and they guarantee a great workout each time! Regardless of your fitness level, you will always be challenged and walk out feeling good.
2. The personal training really allows you to focus on your needs, and even if you can’t do the PT, the classes are small and hence give you that individualized attention the «big gyms» don’t.
3. If it wasn’t for TPS, I would have never learned that I absolutely love weightlifting. In «big gyms» it was always dominated by men and it was simply not a welcoming space for a queer femme. But at TPS I get to weight lift with my fellow queers and allies.
4. Speaking of queer and allies, TPS is so much more than a gym, it’s a community space, where friendships are made, love matches are made (keeping it real!) and we support one another. Whether it’s encouraging you on finishing that workout, lifting a new personal record, while you recuperate from surgery, or collecting hoodies for the homeless. We truly are a family and I encourage you to check TPS out… cause you know you’re curious!

UPDATE: I’m so glad that I decided to step foot into this gym almost 6 months ago! The classes, trainers and entire TPS community have been great. Pretty much each class gives a good mix of sweat-​dripping, butt kicking cardio, strength and endurance training. I was intimated by weightlifting when I first started, mostly because I had never done it before. WIth the help of Nat and Kristen, I now love lifting! It feels so AWESOME when I find myself lifting more than I had the previous week. So I’m up for any class that includes weight training. Also, I’m a Kick Ass addict. This class focuses on boxing skills and techniques and has become my biggest stress reliever. It’s so satisfying to hear the sound of my boxing glove hitting a pad :)
Exercising regularly is definitely not easy but coming to TPS has made a huge difference for me. At times, I’ve even found myself thinking «oh those burpees/​pushups/​box jumps/​etc. weren’t as hard as they were when I did them last week.» Seeing myself improve has become one of the greatest rewards for going to the gym and the best motivation to keep me coming back. Thanks TPS!

This gym rocks… Never thought I’d actually find a gym who cares about your health, goals and well-​being. It’s actually quite the opposite effect of what the average person would get out of a «gym».
This this no 24 hour fitness or Planet Fitness, this is a real gym with a owner who actually cares. The owner Natalie, is not just sitting behind a desk collecting checks and some faraway land of who knows where. She is there daily making sure sure that her trainers and clients are getting everything that they need. You can feel and see the dedication and care she has for your success. There were many times she would even stop what she’s doing, to motivate me throughout my workout right when she sees I was about to give up; which always helped me to get through one more set that I didn’t think I had within me to complete .
The trainers are so filled with motivation, skill, dedication their job.
My personal favorite trainer is Heather, not only is she a trainer, but she has great information on nutrition and is one of of the best motivators you could ever ask for. When you leave one of her sessions you’re probably going to be sore that same day you leave the gym. She gets things done.
At THE PERFECT SIDEKICK, You’re never stuck in the middle of machines not knowing what to do or where to start. Its not only the staff that makes this place so great it’s the clients. Everyone works together in a group encouraging and motivating eachother to meet that goal.
I have a super fit niece who is a health fanatic and straight. At first she was a little skeptical because I did let her know that it was a gym more so marketed you the LGBT community. When she began to notice me getting back to my normal size and always talking about how great my workout was, she decided to check it out. My niece who is 22 only nine years younger than I, always eats right and works out daily. Sometimes she even works out more than once a day. I took her to THE PPREFECT SIDEKICK as a guess and they wore her out in the workout that was given. For a whole week she was cussing me out; she said, «I was sore in places I didn’t even know existed!!!»…lol.
I should have made a bet with her that day because I surely would have won .
Not everyone at the Gym is LGBT… so don’t let that discourage you from checking it out. This is the place to be if you want to get what your money is worth hands down.