Rob is outstanding in every respect. I've been training with him since February 2026, focusing on strength and mobility, and I honestly look forward to every session. He has an endless variety of exercises and never lets the workouts get stale — every week feels fresh. My back does not get sore like it used to, and my squats have gotten good enough that my son is impressed. Beyond the training, Rob is a kind person who clearly cares about his clients as people, not just as appointments on a calendar. If you're looking for a trainer who is knowledgeable, creative, and truly invested in your progress, I can't recommend Rob highly enough.
Built by RJ
- 10 hires
- Based in Oakland, CA
- 16 years in business
- 1 employee
- Background checked
About Built by RJ
I’ve been a personal trainer since 2010 — this isn’t a job, it’s my purpose. Fitness saved my life, and now I’m paying it forward by helping others transform theirs. I’ve trained clients from every walk of life, ranging from competitive athletes to complete beginners. My specialties are muscle growth, weight loss, flexibility/mobility, and nutrition. I don’t just train bodies — I help rebuild confidence, mindset, and momentum. If you’re ready for real change, I’m here for it. 👇 Don’t just take my word for it — take a moment to read my clients’ reviews. Their experiences speak for themselves.
Reviews
Look no further. Rob is your trainer. Rob pushed me hard when necessary and held me back when I needed it. I have a tendency to always go "all out" even when it would be too much for my fitness at that moment. Rob exercised the wisdom to encourage me to moderate when appropriate. This is one of many reasons he is a very special person and trainer. After one session, he said to me. "That's what your body needed, wasn't it?" IT WAS! I'm 72 years old and needed exactly what he brought to get me back on track to fitness. If you need more reasons: Rob is knowledgeable, professional, personable, and inspirational.
I had such a great experience working with Rob! From the very beginning, he made me feel comfortable and welcomed—like I was training with family. He has an amazing personality—super nice, funny, and easy to talk to—which made every session something I actually looked forward to. What really stood out to me is how knowledgeable and supportive he is. He didn’t just have me go through the motions—he made sure I understood why I was doing each movement, which helped me feel more confident and intentional with my workouts. Even when things got tough (and they definitely did!), he always knew how to push me in a way that felt encouraging, not overwhelming. Because of him, staying consistent felt so much easier, and I truly learned a lot throughout the process. I’m really grateful for the experience and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer who’s not only effective but also genuinely cares about his clients.
I had an amazing experience working with Rob as my personal trainer. From the very beginning, what stood out most was his personality—he’s incredibly down to earth, approachable, and easy to talk to, which made training feel comfortable and encouraging rather than intimidating. Beyond that, he truly knows his stuff. Every exercise he had me do came with a clear explanation of why we were doing it, and he was very attentive to my form. He took the time to explain why proper form matters, which helped me better understand how to get the most out of each movement while avoiding injury. That level of detail made a huge difference in how confident I felt during my workouts. He’s also excellent at tailoring workouts to how I was feeling on any given day. If I was tired, he adjusted the session so I could still move my body and get a productive workout without overdoing it. If I had any injuries or discomfort, he knew exactly how to work around them and incorporated specific stretches and exercises to target those areas safely. I worked with him for about three months, and during that time I lost around 17 pounds and felt significantly better overall. As long as I followed the workout and nutrition plan he provided, I saw real, sustainable results—and I was genuinely happy with my progress. Overall, Rob is an awesome coach who is knowledgeable, supportive, and truly invested in his clients’ success. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a personal trainer who combines expertise with a great, motivating presence.
Rob is outstanding on all levels. I found him here on Thumbtack last year and gave him a try based on the reviews. Rob is not just a good trainer, it's how he trains. I've been working out for years and had a trainer before, but Rob finds muscles I didn't know I had! He knows the body so well that every exercise movement is unique and targets specific muscles to maximize the workout. Beyond his knowledge, he clearly loves what he does - it's his passion. This is what helps fire me up and motivates me. At 62, I didn't think I could get my 35-year old body back, but that's what's happeningl Thank you, Rob!
Rob is absolutely amazing! My daughter had been sick in bed recovering for months and Rob got her moving and gave her back great confidence. He truly cares about his clients and goes above and beyond to help. My daughter is now greatly improved and is back at college - still training with Rob online. He is a very knowledgeable trainer and also an extraordinary and kind person. We feel so lucky to have him get us into shape and restore confidence and health to my daughter. Thank you, Rob!!
I don’t usually write reviews, and I’ve never really been one to use online services, but after moving from Sacramento I needed to find a new personal trainer to keep me on track with my fitness journey. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but after meeting Rob I can honestly say my experience has been better than I imagined. What stood out to me right away is how genuine his approach is. Rob doesn’t just throw a workout at you—he takes the time to understand your goals, your limits, and what really motivates you. He’s patient but also pushes me in the right ways. I’ve had personal trainers in the past, but in just a few sessions with Rob I felt like I learned more and made more progress than I did in a full month of training 5 days a week with my last trainer. Another thing I really appreciate is how much he focuses on the “why” behind the exercises. Instead of just counting reps, he explains how movements connect to my goals, how to do them correctly, and how they’ll help me long term. That kind of teaching has kept me consistent and made me more confident even when I’m working out on my own. Most importantly, with Rob I don’t feel like just another client—I feel like a person he genuinely cares about helping. He checks in, pays attention, and makes adjustments that actually fit me, which shows he’s invested in my success. That level of care and attention is rare, and it makes a huge difference. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly cares, knows his stuff, and will actually help you see results instead of just running you through a generic workout, I can’t recommend Rob enough. He’s the kind of trainer that makes you want to show up and put in the work, and I’m glad I found him here.
Rob is an excellent trainer! He is very personable, motivating and friendly. I was a college athlete with some knowledge of lifting and training. He helped me organize and clean up all my lifts and routines. He has experience with all levels of clients. Rob created a customized program for me that he adjusted as he learned more about what worked for me personally. It is obvious he takes a lot of time and effort into making the training plan for each client. He is creative and varies the workouts. I can truly feel a difference lifting since we started working together. I would highly recommend him.
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