Personal Trainer for Women Postpartum

Parent Q&A

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  • Hello,

    I am looking for personal trainer recommendations in Oakland/Alameda/San Leandro to help me build muscle and lose fat in the context of perimenopausal weight gain.

    I have never worked with a personal trainer and have only done YouTube videos with dumbbells and kettlebells but I am struggling with motivation and accountability.

    Thank you for your recommendations!

    Hi there,

    I have not seen either of the trainers below, but both were enthusiastically recommended by the pelvic PT I see (Emily Kistner at Bayo Vista). I didn't end up contacting them because I followed another recommendation to see someone who is more convenient to where I live (Albany), but both of these trainers are in Oakland, and I really trust the PT I got the recommendation from:

    Pam Davidson 

    Laura Stronach

    Good luck!

    Hi, there - I'm dealing with the same right now and, ugh, it's hard, you're not alone! This isn't a personal trainer and may not be the right fit for you given what you've said, but I work out with Betina Gozo, whose weight/strength training workouts are available either for free on the Nike Training Club (NTC) app, or through Betina's own Betina Gozo TV mobile app. I go to the gym first thing in the morning (5.30am is what works for me with my parenting and work schedule - it might sound crazy, but this way nothing can get in the way of me going to the gym), 2x or 3x a week and just do Betina's workouts, so that I don't have to think and I have a schedule that I stick to. 

    Also, if this is of interest to you, I wanted to mention that I've recently learned that how we eat is key in perimenopause (and, later, menopause) and I've learned that I have to really shift my diet. I have been strength training regularly for more than a year (before that I was doing a lot of long-distance running) and wasn't seeing any significant improvement in anything. You may already know all this and have it down, but if you don't, I've been working with Brenna Geehan (https://www.brennageehan.com/consultations) on nutrition for hormone balance and perimenopause over the past 3 months, this is her specialty. I highly recommend it!

    I personally have worked with @darlajoyfitness since Nov 2023 (yes I started before thanksgiving) because I had several friends with great success working with her. What sold me to actually sign up though was a post darla wrote that said you don’t need a personal trainer you need accountability. That was what I was lacking, along with a doable plan around nutrition, strength training and movement. Also important from this  program is education, weekly mindset meetings and a community behind it to keep you remembering why you’re doing it. Darla’s program joy fit academy meets you where you are  I had about 10 pounds to lose which I did but have continued on for the accountability and the reminder for myself that this doesn’t end or is a temporary fix.  (My friends have lost 30-50 pounds over a longer period of time)

    We love Ken Miller (https://www.trainingstation.org/) in Alameda. His studio is easy to get to (just off the Park Street bridge) and well ventilated. Ken is an amazing fitness coach and genuinely one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Our son worked with him for sports conditioning and I have been toying with the idea of heading in myself for the same reasons as yours, but my budget doesn't quite allow it yet. Not to say he is any more $$ than other trainers! His rates were super reasonable. Like I said, if I were to go to anyone it would be Ken - I'm sure he can help you and make it fun at the same time. Good luck!

  • 5 Months postpartum and looking for personal trainer recommendations based in El Cerrito, Berkeley, Richmond, San Pablo or Kensington. Looking to train 2-3 times a week at least. Appreciate any input. 

    I’ve heard of the Lotus Method in Piedmont but not used them myself beyond an initial consult. Also interested in this

    I go to Mary McQueen who runs Momleta (classes) and also does personal training, specializing in postpartum. I've been seeing her since 2021 when I had my first baby.

    Hi, I was looking for the same around 4months pp and my birth doula happened to be a certified pilates instructor as well and she taught private, physical therapy approved postpartum classes in my home and sometimes virtually over zoom. Loved it! Highly recommend. She's Brijett, with Mama Bear Birth Services. 

  • I am looking for a personal trainer who will come to my home in San Leandro 2-3x per week. I’m 3 months postpartum and hoping to find someone with experience with women post baby! Any recommendations would be super helpful!

    I have used Jonathan Ingersol, with Ingersol Fitness. I started using him during Pandemic via zoom and then transitioned to in person.. He is great and I am now in better shape and stronger. He is also super knowledgeable about the body!  https://ingersollfitness.com/

    Jessica diBiase is an excellent personal trainer with tons of experience training women who have recently given birth.
    She was a trainer at the gym I previously attended and I can say without hesitation she is positive, encouraging, kind, and knowledgeable. 

    Hello! If you are open to other options, there are some great online fitness programming tailored to pregnant and postpartum folks. Three I’d recommend are: Stronger by Day, Street Parking, and expecting and empowered. 

    I apologize if this isn’t helpful, because it’s not what you asked for, but if you have a hard time finding a personal trainer, I’ve found a few digital offerings to be really helpful for PP workouts. The first is Every Mother, which is probably most helpful for early PP. The other is Tonal, which is pricey but I LOVE it. They have quick (20-25) strength workouts and a decent PP collection. I love that it’s like a full gym in a single piece of equipment, with a personal trainer to boot. I also use the Peloton app for PP workouts. Hope you find something that works for you!

    Hi there! Hope you're surviving the lack of sleep and all the other fun postpartum things :). If you're open to virtual, The Lotus Method does 1:1 personal training for pre/post natal women. My trainer was Mallory and I loved my experience! Best of luck with it all!

    https://thelotusmethod.com/virtual/

    I really like the online program momma strong It is focused on health, and recovery, as opposed to appearance or size. There are so many resources including lots of postpartum training and fitness videos. It's a different 15min workout every day, there are varying levels of intensity, also you have access to most of the archived previous daily workouts. Also it's affordable!

  • I am having a baby in a few weeks and would like to work with a personal trainer after that to help me get back in shape before I have to go back to work. Ideally this person would be willing to meet me in a public park near my house. I was in reasonable shape before the pregnancy but haven't been physically capable of much exercise during the pregnancy. It would be great to find someone who could help me slowly build up an exercise routine in a way that's sensitive to the need to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. Know anyone who fits the bill? Recommendations will be much appreciated.

    Jessica Bitting, of Truly Madly Fit, is a fun, supportive, knowledgeable, patient, and very warm person. She meets her clients wherever they're comfortable, so I don't think there would be any problem at all with meeting at the park. She's a mom herself, so she understands what you're going through! If you want to exercise in a way that will help you reach your goals, and have a good time doing it, Jessica is the woman for you. Her number is 510-501-4393. You can tell her I posted this, if you like, but she'll be amazing either way. :)

    Kathleen Hunt, Esq. kathleenhunt [at] uniquelaw.com (kathleenhunt[at]uniquelaw[dot]com)

    This isn't exactly what you were asking for, but you might want to look into the MuTu System. It's all online and targets postpartum women. You pay for the program and can use it for as long as you want (I'm still occasionally doing the workouts, a year after I bought it). It allows you to work out at home in a short amount of time, which is perfect when you have a newborn in the house. Kudos to you for planning in advance to take things slow, by the way. I tried to jump right back in after delivery and think I did way too much, too soon. Probably set myself back for months. Good luck! 

    I had a baby in May 2016 and Mary McQueen and Baby Boot Camp has been an integral part of getting back into shape while on leave.  I started with the Core9 Birth Recovery Program and have been attending Baby Boot Camp in Lake Temescal since my doctor cleared me for exercise. Mary knows a TON about postnatal fitness and offers targeted exercises and modifications based on your body post baby (for example, time since birth, c-section, ab separation).  https://babybootcamp-alamedaoakland.frontdeskhq.com/offerings

    I'm in the exact same situation. If you would like a partner to train and workout with (to motivate and make a trainer more affordable) I'd love to join you in this. 

Archived Q&A and Reviews


Personal trainer who specializes in postpartum fitness

Dec 2011

I am looking for a personal trainer that can fit sort of specific parameters. Primarily, I am looking for someone who specializes in postpartum fitness (diastasis recti)who can design a fitness program for me that will help me lose about 20 pounds and address my stomach (I am 39 with a 1 and 3 yo and planning on a third). Motivation is not my primary issue, as I already go to the gym one hour per day, six days per week so I don't need someone to show up at my house and drag me out of bed or anything, I just (clearly) don't know what to do once at the gym because the weight has plateaued and my belly is still big. I am a member of 24hour fitness in Oakland and I can continue to devote one hour per day (mornings), 6 days per week (M-Sat) but it must be a program I can do there because they provide childcare. Any recommendations for trainers who could help me? I imagine a number of meetings early on, with assessment and one-on-one 'training' (perhaps AT the gym?) and then maybe phone support and occasional in-person follow-up? Never done this before...thanks. CSH


Rachel Tufunga at Team Tufunga is amazing! She is the best personal trainer I've ever tried. She is encouraging & inventive & super knowledgeable! Over 20 years in the business. She was written up a few years ago in the Chronicle. She also has a class at the gym on Mon & Wed at 12 you can try to check her out. I've worked with her on & off for over 10 years and still use a workout on my own she gave me back when I started.She trains some of the younger/newer trainers around town. Here's the info I have (510)655-6796 info [at] teamtufunga.com
lily


I just 'graduated' today from a great six-week program run by Cheryl Bjornson. It's an intensive program designed to rehabilitate and repair a diastasis recti. I have two kids and I'm certainly less fit than my pre-child days, but even with consistent exercise my core was still a long way from being strong and supported. Lots of the exercise programs I had participated in locally had actually made my separation worse. It's six-week commitment but you'll be so happy you did it! Good luck! http://www.abseparationrehab.com/ Tighter Tummy in Oakland


 

Sept 2009

I'm looking for a personal trainer to come to my house and help me get back in shape post pregnancy. We have a treadmill, weights, etc., and so I just want some help with a plan and getting started. Ideally, I'd love a student in training or someone new to personal training to keep the cost down, but they don't need to be dirt cheap. Someone good and affordable is what I'm after. Wanting to Lose the Baby Weight


A year ago I began working with a personal trainer named Sandy Endo at the Albany YMCA. She has been training a little over three years and is in the process of completing a Pilates instructor certification. I was lacking in motivation and feeling frustrated with the weight Iblinda [at] fluidpiano.comd gained after having two kids and needed someone not only to push and motivate me, but to also be understanding of the position I was in. Sandy was all of thatb definitely able to push when necessary, capable of putting together a program that matched my needs, including cardio, strength and flexibility. Because of her Pilates and dance background she focuses on integrated/whole body movement which leads to better posture and alignment. I was so happy with my results, I got into the habit of exercising on a regular basis, Iblinda [at] fluidpiano.comm looking and more importantly feeling better than ever! And by the way, Sandy is also a mom so understands what its like after having kids. I might also say she has a great sense of humor and makes the workout fun! Please give her a call at 510.590.6057 or email: shendo77 [at] sbcglobal.net. Her website is www.sandyendo.com. I hope you can connect with her! fit and happy


Hi, We've worked out with a WONDERFUL personal trainer. Her name is Shira and she changed our lives. Really! She trains our whole family, myself and my partner (I'm 46 and my partner is 53-neither of us is what you would call ''athletic'') as well as our two daughters, who are both 10. Shira is very affordable ($80 an hour, and she has all kinds of deals for small groups that can make it even more affordable.) She is sweet, energetic, and very wonderful with both kids and adults. She just opened her own gym (The Athletic Playground), but I think that she'll come to you, if you want her to. Her workouts are short (15-30 min.) and take EVERYTHING out of me. Thanks to her I got in shape, for the first time in my life. She uses every day objects (chairs, doorways, park benches) to do the workout. It's fun, quick, effective and affordable. Try her! Shira's #: (510)289-1733. Happy sweating! Na'ama


I know of a personal trainer who lives in the East Bay and works within people's budget. He is very experienced and gives free phone consultations for an honest, professional opinion of what type of program will best fit your goals. He has a wide range of health knowledge including nutrition. He has great references from several gyms. He has a great sense of humor and is very easy to work with. His name is Robert Alexander. Please e-mail me if you want his contact info. Kirsten