- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Team Tufunga Training
Categories: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Gyms Active Life Fitness & Instruction Trainers Gyms, Trainers [Edit]
1605 63rd St(between Hollis St & Overland Ave)
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 655-6796
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 am - 9 pm
Sat 7 am - 7 pm
Sun 7 am - 2 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
Jenny T. said: "One of the last badminton gyms in Northern California that actually employ people who not only possess extensive knowledge about the sport of badminton, but actually play the sport. Definitely must commend and respect them for that.…" read more »
16 reviews for Team Tufunga Training
16 reviews in English
-
Review from Sierra V.
Berkeley, CA
1/17/2012
I love coming here to work out. I joined this gym on a reccomendation from my friend, who sought this gym out specifically for the bumper plates and platforms.
If you're looking for a gym with a nice locker room, and spin class, sauna, all the bells and whistles and appearances, etc., this is not the place.
What I love about the gym is that it's chill, but also for serious athletes too. You get a mix of people: olympic lifters, body builders, people looking to lose weight, people rehabing injuries, young, old, fit, unfit (but working on it!), etc. I like to think of it as average joe's gym -- something for everyone (even a ping pong table).
I can get the full workout I need here, its never too crowded, and they have all the necessary equipment (tires and kettlebells too!). I get greeted with a smile by people who know my name, and I never have to deal with people working out to put on a show.
Their new building has a shower, which is nice too. Never used the trainers, but it seems like they have highly qualified trainers for whatever your goals might be (and they're all very friendly).
Like I said, not for everyone. But if you want a good workout with good people, and don't want to be bothered by posers, check it out. -
Review from Lauren H.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2011
It's fun just saying you belong to "Team Tufunga."
Better yet, it's really a fun place to work out. If I were to name it something else, it'd be the "People's Gym" because it's a gym for regular people.
This is no 24 Hour Fitness. Imagine a warehouse with the garage door rolled up and diesel women tossing truck tires in the parking lot. That's pretty much a typical Wednesday evening at Tufunga.
But it's not all crazy chiseled chicks and body builder types that come here, you'll also find older folks and lazy treadmillers like myself. I have, however, been training with Simi for a few months now, so he kicks my butt once a week, too!
Really pleased to have found this gym right around the corner from my office. Everyone (staff and members) are super friendly, low key and non intimidating. Best gym I've ever been a part of! -
Review from Mia S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 12/10/2011
I miss you guys! Rachel and Simi need to open an annex in the city. Seriously, you need to franchise. Maurice, I got props from strangers in my new gym on my form. Thanks to you!
Hula hoop abs. It's on.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/22/2010
Yep, no frills, get-your-workout-on kind of place. It's clean, with tons of gym equipment.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Yeesh K.
San Francisco, CA
7/25/2011
Nice gym, the gym is newly renovated (although for some odd reason there are no mirrors to monitor your form) BUT
this place is run very unprofessionally. A couple times I've worked out here, there have been these mangy dogs running around the gym. NO JOKE. Today, for instance, there were three mangy looking dogs running around loose, while I'm trying to work out. Now, I don't mind dogs, I have two myself (AT HOME), they do not work out with me, nor would I subject my dogs or others to such a situation. At one point I went to a bench press, and there was dog drool on the bench. DISGUSTING. I go over to do some crunches, and there is some slimy rawhide toy lying on the floor DOUBLE DISGUSTING. Seriously, I'm not sure who runs this place, but obviously they need some standards, or some professionalism. I've belonged to a lot of gyms in my life, Equinox, Crunch, 24-hr, Golds, Harbor Bay Club and NONE of them would have allowed this. Nice facilities, but unless they get their act together. Goodbye Team Tufunga!!! -
Review from R K.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 3/25/2011
In the time since I've posted, 4 "members" have come out and posted rebuttals filled with ad hominem attacks and strikingly verbatim responses. (one of which couldn't even make it past Yelp's fake review filter).
I appreciate that (strangely) 4 members "happened" to find this review shockingly within the same 2 day span, but next time you should at least try and make your reviews seem a little more authentic.
Also interesting, the other negative review (that sat on this page for months before I posted) has been taken down. I've also been contacted privately through this site by other reviewers who have had similar experiences and had their reviews taken down. I hope the same does not happen to this review.
As I state in my original review, and this is actually validated by these recent rebuttals, IF you are a client or a long time friend of the owners, you will have no issue at this gym. Outside of that, you may or may not have issues depending on how deferential you chose to be towards her and with her behavior.
Lastly, some of these reviews contain knowledge of my account status that only an employee would be privy too. That leads to one of two conclusions: my account information was shared with members (illegal and unprofessional) or that these posts are sourced from employees (violation of Yelp's standards)
Either way, prospective customers considering TT should take this drama as indicative of the way this gym does business.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/19/2011
I want to be upfront about this review and the reason for the low rating.
Simi Tufunga and the… Read more »
-
-
Review from ryan y.
Emeryville, CA
5/6/2009
I have patented a phrase when it comes to trainers: "Your body is your business card." Never let someone train you who is in worse shape than you are. WIth that said you're getting people who KNOW how to get results in reaching your health and fitness goals.
When I stepped inside the gym I was TRYING to find machines it didn't have, and to my surprise it had everything I needed.
The atmosphere is encouraging and is not in the leas bit judgmental or intimidating. Don't come here looking for social hour- come here to grind with two serious trainers who want to get you where you want to be.
RATES ARE CRAZY LOW TOO!!! -
Review from Kristin N.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 3/2/2009
Brand new gym in Emeryville. I've been a member for a week and I already love this place. It's more like an old school gym, with focus on fitness, athletics, and general health, rather than your health club with saunas, TVs, and hard selling trainers. The trainers here are people I respect, which I can't say for many, being athletes themselves and personable people.
It is still in the process of finalizing touches. The unique part that drew me in were the lifting platforms and bumper plates, which are really necessary for power lifting and Olympic lifting. They also have a large, sturdy squat cage, which you can't find at many "health clubs", a glute-ham developer, kettle bells, and more is still coming in addition to your more traditional equipment and machines.
The owners also have a couple of dogs that visit on occasion. :)1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/23/2009 First to Review
Brand new gym in Emeryville. I've been a member for a week and I already love this place. It's more… Read more »
-
-
Review from joel b.
Albany, CA
3/1/2009 4 photos
I had to update my review. It was two years old (from when they first opened).
I'm still very pleased with the gym and the staff but, honestly, I have to say that they've now overcome the only shortcoming that began to develop in the recent past.
Basically, they became victims of their own success and the space became a bit "tight" at peak hours.
Now, having moved next door into the vastly larger and better equipped new location, I can give them an unqualified 5 start rating again. -
Review from Sarah F.
Berkeley, CA
4/4/2011
Team Tufunga is is the best Gym ever. Simi and Rachel have created an environment that is hard to describe because it is so rare - and precious. People have said it feels like "family" and that is close, but imagine a family where everyone encourages each other, is generous, and supportive of one another across all possible lines of difference.
This gym is about physical training and it matters not who you are or how you are shaped or whether you are a world class body builder or weight lifter or a little old lady trying to strengthen you bones, or a teenage girl rugby player trying to drop a few pounds.
The trainers are awesome. It is fun to watch when the gym is busy how everyone works together to make sure everyone can use the machines they need. This value, of sharing and positive attitude prevails amongst the clientele as well. People encourage each other and it is fun to be there.
I am so grateful to have found this gym and to be able to train with Simi. If I told you how great he really is you would think I was a nut case - so come and find out for yourself. I am also a big fan of Rachel's - her class is awesome!!! And John, Antonio, and ALL the others, you can see how focused on each of their clients they are.
Posted over the entrance are the words: "Find Strength Here" and people do. You will too.
Thanks.
PS Since this gym has no steam room and provides WAY above average services, I think Adaikalavan K. must be talking about somewhere else?
PPS - the plan is to expand the gym, and I think this will be great - more space is better and I have no doubt the values and philosophy will be the same. -
Review from Karna R.
Oakland, CA
6/19/2009
This is hands down the best gym i've ever belonged to! It's a place to go to have an awesome work out...and to be around people who take their diets and exercise programs seriously.
Oh yeah...and Simi & Rachel put me on a program and I've lost 50+ pounds! Sweet.
You can find success here because everyone cares just as much or more about your fitness goals as you. People working out here are training for weightlifting competions, bodybuilding competitions, marathons, and athletics. When you're around people that are achieving great things you can't help but rise to that level of dedication.
Other gyms I've belonged to have tv's and extra stuff..and zero customer service. Why go to another gym and just waste your time going from machine to machine without knowing how to get to where you want to go?
If you want to get in shape and get focused...this is the place for you! -
Review from John P.
Oakland, CA
8/29/2009
This will be my third gym in the immediate area in four years. It has grown on me fast! It is just the right size so that if you are the only one there it feels like your own private gym and if others are there it feels intimate but not crowded. The owners have four smallish dogs that visit so when they are there it feels like you're working out at somebody's home gym. I live six blocks away so am thrilled with this situation. Everything one would need is there for a full workout. You can't beat the rates!!!!
-
Review from Summer K.
Richmond, CA
3/23/2011
Wow! R.K. is way off. You must of been really rude about the whole situation towards the owner. There are two places you can squat buddy! There is a full rack and an half rack. I oly lift at Team Tufunga every now and then. I never had a problem. Very few places carry plateforms and eleiko weights around here. Try being nice next time!
-
Review from Felix I.
San Leandro, CA
9/29/2009
One of the very few gyms in the area to offer Olympic lifting with a full set of bumper plates and platforms. The gym is no nonsense without being spartan. A friendly, easy going vibe can be found there along with people who are serious about their training but not in an antisocial meathead kind of way.
The trainers are top notch with world class experience and knowledge. I've dropped 30lbs since working out with Butch and have had significant increases in strength and vastly improved technique. -
Review from stephanie m.
Oakland, CA
3/21/2011
I've been a member of Tufunga since they opened, and worked with Simi and Rachel at Mavericks for several years prior to that, and they have never been anything but extremely generous, positive, motivating, helpful, and just fun. Tufunga is a great gym; they've got everything you can imagine, albeit within a not huge space. The place feels like family and I completely disagree with R.K.'s assessment that it's only a good place if you're training with a PT - not so. Many members, myself included, are not currently using a trainer there (I have in the past; Tufunga has some of the best in the Bay Area bar none) and we are all warmly welcomed by name on every visit. The place has proven results with many people coming in morbidly obese and losing 100+ lbs. From very fit and athletes to very unfit, the place is motivating, welcoming, and always fun. A great group of members and trainers, all of whom spur one another on and the trainers are generous with tips and advice whether you're a PT client or not. I've been a member of Golds, Mavericks, Bladium, 24 Hour, Club One and Equinox (not to mention Spectrum and Frog's in SoCal), and Tufunga is the best of the bunch for pure, serious, inspirational, motivating, kick ass fitness. The rates are crazy low, the people are crazy nice, and the results we're all getting tell the truest story. I was there the day R.K. had his fallout and that's not how it went at all. He was the rude one and those of us who witnessed his drama were scratching our heads and wondering WTF.
-
Review from Beth N.
Oakland, CA
1/8/2010
team tufunga is an awesome place for a workout: whether you are a serious athlete looking to improve your power and strength, or whether you are looking for a friendly environment to drop a few pounds. it is rare that you find a gym that has both, but team tufunga does.
the gym itself may appear small, but you will find everything you need. there is a great space for olympic lifting, open floor space for plyometric workouts, or great free weights and kettle bells. there are adequate machines there as well. and not the slew of machines that you'd find at a 24-hr fitness, with half of them being crap machines that offer no real benefit. there was a lot of thought put in by the founders of the gym as to what to include.
the atmosphere is very friendly. there are many excellent personal trainers working with people. there are also people who float around solo.
i work with carlos, who is an excellent trainer: great demeanor, motivating, and great at pinpointing muscle imbalances and correcting them. i have seen my power increase in my cycling since i started working with him.
this is a great affordable gym and i am happy to support the owners. if you are close to the area and looking for either a good place to work out or personal training, this is the place to go. -
Review from Jeremy S.
Berkeley, CA
4/27/2009
Got me back into exercise and here's why. I had belonged to Maverick up the street and it was just too much. Lot's of equipment but there was a kind of diffused vibe there and I never really got into it. I found out the very famous skilled talented and charming couple that used to train folks at Mavericks had started their own gym offering memberships at 19 per month. The gym is comparatively smaller but efficiently so. It enables me to focus. Though I haven't gone in for personal trainer, Simi Tufunga, the world class body builder is happy to make helpful suggestions. They place has a home-like vibe. Their pups are even part of the scene. I love it. Top ratings. Check it out. Where else are you going to find a chance to use the gym of some of the world's top trainers along side them for such a bargain rate?
