"I've been training with James for the past 18 months, and can't believe the change that I have gone through over that time. When I started out, I was scared to even think of lifting a barbell. Today. I've dropped over 70 pounds, I'm in the best shape of my life and have significantly more confidence both inside and outside the gym than ever before. Thanks Coach James!"

− Jeff Sinclair

"James is without a doubt one of the best Coaches I have had the honor and privilege of training over the past 4 years. On top of being a phenomenal athlete that I aspire to be like, James is an incredibly patient, observant and a genuinely kind man. James' programming and eyes were able to help me take a look at my percentage outputs during workouts to help me understand whether I was applying the appropriate level of effort to maximize my training and results. He caught me 85 precenting my performance in class and enabled me to see what my performance could look like if I was willing to press harder on the gas. I don't think I've seen another man on this planet who fills out Chubbies as nicely as he does either."

− Jason Luk

"I had the privilege of having James as a coach for several years. I played sports my entire life and he was without a doubt one of the best coaches I've had. His knowledge and passion both for what he does and for his athletes is unmatched. Truly an amazing coach!"

− Hayley Beauchamp

"CrossFit can be intimidating to a newcomer...it was for me. So I was lucky to have James as my on-ramp coach. As a coach he gives great cues and breaks down every movement into manageable parts to build competence and confidence. James also knows when to push and how to motivate - even when I don't think I have anything left. Having James as a coach has helped turned me into an athlete I never thought I could be.

When I was pregnant I thought I was going to have to give up CrossFit, but with thoughtful coaching and programing I was able to safely workout literally until the day I gave birth to my healthy baby boy. James has changed my life, body and attitude toward health and fitness. Not only is he a talented and intense athlete himself, but a patient and motivational coach, which is a rare balance to achieve."

− Lisa Reither

"I was James Kusama’s first personal training client! We trained together for over 3 years until my family and I relocated from SOMA to the Peninsula. The three years we spent training together went by quickly. Training sessions with James were never boring, always challenging, but not to the point that I could not complete the workout, or too easy that I did not feel challenged. Since I had previous medical constraints (no cartilage in one knee, and very little cartilage in the other!) James was challenged to modify and “scale” each workout or “WOD” so I could participate and perform a similar movement in place of one that I could not due to my physical limitations. James was always “present” in our sessions and never became complacent, which was very important to me. I continue to train in Crossfit, actually with a former student of James on the Peninsula, and look forward to occasionally working with James at his new Oakland site! I want to give you the reader the most enthusiastic recommendation to seek out James Kusama…A Master Trainer."

− Elena Herting

"I am truly grateful to call James and Miranda Kusama my dear friends. Both have contributed greatly to my success as a crossfitter thus far. I had the pleasure of being coached by James during the 2015 Crossfit season. James not only went above and beyond to get me to my second Regionals but also to a first place finish worldwide in the last Crossfit Open workout of 2015. James and Miranda’s support throughout both the Open and Regionals was second to none and I believe their gym and community will be the same. It is James’ dedication, work ethic, caring personality, and love for helping others achieve their goals, no matter how big or small, that makes him an incredible person and coach. "

− Colleen Fotsch

"I have been an athlete all my life and worked with dozens of coaches. I have not met many that are as invested and care as much about their clients as James. Can't recommend him high enough."

− Sean Falconer

"Decades ago we were athletes. Today, thanks to James Kusama, we still are.
Over the last year and a half, Mr. Cool Cat James Kusama has helped us tap back into our inner athlete and push ourselves physically despite the constant realities of aging and competing priorities. He held us accountable, paid super close attention to our form, and introduced new exercises we can now do ourselves and feel knowledgeable and accomplished while doing it. On those days when we didn’t want to get out of bed, we got our butts up because knew we had James welcoming smile, an intense but fun workout with tons of variety, and a hype workout music mix of Kanye, 80s rock and everything in between.
We don’t know how you could ever repay James for helping us jump start a new season in life. He's pretty dope."

− J & LT