GymHappy Review:
"Adaptive Fitness for Injury Recovery"
178 verified member reviews
At EXHALE Fitness, members find a unique blend of personalized coaching and a vibrant community atmosphere.
AI summary based on recent reviews, updated weekly
Rebecca led an extensive warm up that gave us time to prepare for all the movements and plan for scaling options. She gives specific feedback during the WOD so I have an idea of what to work towards and I feel motivated when I hear specific positive praise.
Joanne has great energy, she’s calm and encouraging and commands attention.
Good! Clear instructions, positive vibes.
I love Lily! She’s a great mix of supportive and encouraging. She always checks in about how I’m feeling that day, especially if I’ve had an injury, and has so many great modifications when needed. She does a great job of circling the whole class as we do a workout to offer advice or a positive word to everyone. One of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with!
Lea is THE BEST. Great workout after a week away. Lea always meets me where I am; the right amount of push and grace.
Whipped me into shape, even though I was operating on very little sleep
I feel my return to EXHALE Fitness has been successful. Coach Joanne has been very thoughtful about checking in on how I’m doing during each session and suggesting various workouts tailored to my limitations from the back injury. She carefully observes my form, adjusts exercises to avoid strain, and recommends modifications that still challenge me without risking further injury. Because of her attention and guidance, I’ve been able to progress steadily without setbacks. I am so grateful for her support - it has been a big part of my recovery success in progress and makes me confident I’m on the right path.
I appreciate the things Lily did today to help make class go smoothly. She got there early to turn the heater on so the gym was very comfortable when we all got there. You can always tell that her warm up and class schedule is well thought out because she moves things along really well and intentionally. I love how she divided up/staggered the class when we were lifting so that she could watch everyone’s lifts and give individuals feedback. 5:45 is usually a huge class so it makes it hard to be on time, but Lily did a great job of moving things along (and keeping people on task) so we ended right on time today, which was really appreciated.
Lea is always so friendly and genuine. Her coaching tips are helpful and easy to apply. She brings good energy in how she leads the group and her encouragement helps me push myself and leave feeling great!
I happened to be the only one in class tonight. Joanne could have easily phoned it in, instead she gave the exact same energy and enthusiasm as if we were a class of 20. Not only that but she gave me excellent feedback to improve my push press and make sure my body is safe AND pushed me to go higher in weight that I thought I could. I felt perfectly supported and pushed!
It was amazing 🤩 and the energy in the gym was incredible. I loved it.. 😻 The coach lily, encouraging me to keep going without pushing too hard. I felt challenged but supported. After the session, I felt energized and proud of what I accomplished, and I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
coach perm is the best!!
Coach Nicole is patient and motivational. Class is always fun.
Coach Nichole is the best!
I come every day to see my friends, in the office and in the gym. That’s what gets me through the (sometimes grueling) workouts. Also love the way my body has changed over the years—stronger, more upright, and pain-free at age 67–not bad!
Coach Ron is amazing! He gives very clear instructions that break down each movement so it’s easy to follow, and his corrections are precise - he notices if your form is off and guides you gently to adjust, which really helps prevent injury and get the most out of every exercise. He keeps the class flowing smoothly with a good balance of energy and calm, so you never feel rushed but still stay engaged the whole time. His positivity is constant; he creates an encouraging atmosphere where everyone feels supported, no matter their fitness level. What stands out most is how he seems to always notice when someone is struggling - he’ll come over, offer a few words of motivation, or suggest a modification to keep you moving without feeling overwhelmed. That kind of attention makes pushing through tough moments feel doable. I highly recommend classes with Coach Ron at EXHALE Fitness because he makes every session feel productive and uplifting.
Coach Wendy is awesome! She pays close attention to each of us, carefully watching our form during movements and offering tips to help us improve. On top of that, I love the energy she brings to the class, there’s a lively, positive vibe that keeps everyone motivated and fully engaged from start to finish!
As someone without a lot of experience with yoga, I appreciated Leah making me feel welcome and giving me pointers on how to get some of the poses in a way that worked for me. It was a great experience and I look forward to continuing with the class. I felt refreshed and relaxed afterwards.
Lilly always provides really clear instruction on how to do different movements, breaking down each step so it’s easy to follow. I appreciate that she pays close attention to details, like watching my form carefully and correcting small mistakes to help me get the most out of each movement. She is able to always get our attention while our class is super rowdy and talkative, using a firm but caring tone that quickly brings everyone back on track. I appreciate her ability to take control of the class with confidence and calm, which keeps the energy high but focused. For me personally, I love that she knows exactly what cues to provide to correct me - whether it’s adjusting my posture or reminding me on body placement - and she knows the right things to say to push me and encourage me. I feel so cared for inside whenever she “yells” at me, because it’s clear she’s invested in my progress and wants me to succeed. Her combination of clear guidance, attention to detail, and motivating presence makes every class productive and supportive.
Coach Nicole was great! Her workout plan was super comprehensive and a good balance of strength training and cardio. She offered insightful ways to modify the work outs to target what we needed. For box jumps: jumps are for cardio vs step ups are for strength. Nicole was very attentive and helpful when form needed correcting and offered very helpful tips for success. Overall was an amazing experience! I am looking forward to my next workout with Coach Nicole!
She’s so encouraging and gives amazing feedback. So glad I got to take one of her classes. 💪❤️
The enthusiasm! Esp when I’m dying lol
Lea is always supportive- and great cheerleader and positive force! She also takes the time to help correct form and improve technique. Thank you!
The class was fun and engaging today. Wendy kept things moving and we got a great workout. People were supportive of each other.
Joanne was positive, supportive, and also gave relevant individualized coaching tips. I asked her a question about shoulders / lat position for snatch and she gave a helpful answer. Thanks!
Coach Lily was amazing today! She really motivated me and made the workout fun and enjoyable. I felt supported and pushed in a positive way. I always look forward to training with her! 💪😊
Coach Lily helped me improve my back squat form. Big class today but she always finds time to help. Really appreciate it!!
Ron’s enthusiasm is contagious and his guidance is informative. He’s attentive and genuinely invested in my safe and effective participation. He sets a tone that literally raises the bar for the entire class
Coach Ron is always super motivating! Loved the class!
Coach Lily is knowledgeable, professional, and so much fun! She loves coaching and it shows. She sees each of us, comments on individual strengths, and then helps each of us work on stuff that needs improvement. Best way to start my day.
Coach Lea Gray is amazing! She always has the biggest smile and such a positive attitude that instantly lifts the whole group’s energy. I really appreciate how she takes the time to go through every movement, making sure everyone understands and feels confident. You can tell she genuinely cares about helping each person improve, and she does it in such a fun and encouraging way.
Great! Joanne did a great job of explaining and demonstrating the movements. She made the class fun and challenging!
Fantastic as always!
great! good to be back after some time off. it was nice to see the class is more... serious this time around. seems like a really good group and i'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
This was my first class back to yoga after an ankle injury. Lea is very perceptive to the needs of the class and will naturally incorporate modifications/ adaptions into the movements, so it’s accessible to everyone. I love how at the beginning of every yoga session, she gives us permission to get back into child’s pose. When coming back from an injury, you are acutely aware of the limitations of your body and seemly basic movements are now difficult to hold. Having this permission allowed me to be kind and listen to my body without fear of judgement! I was hesitant to come back to yoga, but after this class, I am ready to show up consistently! Thank you Lea!
Coach Lea is easy to be around and
Great and supportive coaching, very good attention to details, good understanding of our needs and equipment!
I appreciated the pointers and help with form!
Simply the best 🩷!
Enjoyed the energy and appreciated the tips on my form throughout. I’m still. Relative newbie to a lot of the moves so it’s nice to get the feedback!
This was my first time taking a class at this gym—and my first experience with CrossFit—so I came in feeling a bit nervous. I’m naturally competitive with myself, but being out of shape, I worried I might push too hard and risk injury. I shared this with Coach Nicole before class, and she was incredibly supportive. She encouraged me to start with more foundational movements and build from there, which was exactly what I needed. I wouldn’t have given myself that permission on my own. Her guidance helped me pace myself and made the whole experience positive and empowering.
Awesome!
Class structure was good. Went over all the movements prior to the work out.
This review is a little late - but I need to write this. ! This. workout day was Sept 11 2025 - A day that means diff things to diff people. But one that brings us together - COACH Lily had a full class - 7 am - Long strenuous workout to honor those from that day 🙏🏽. She was just amazing in every way. Gave us options to difficult movements - told us techniques to balance the volume- above all gave us all a purpose of each rep !! For me personally , it was an important workout to remember that day - Coach Lily made it extra special and encouraged us throughout - As always she was engaged and had full control of a full class of members and so many equipments and movements. A day to remember !!! 🙏🏻❤️. Coach Lily. 🙏🏽. Thank you.
It went great! Loved the set up of the class with first showing everything and different levels of each workout depending on experience. Also really appreciate how Lily constantly checked in and gave feedback on my form and what I can do to build stamina. And of course I appreciate the positive call outs which kept me motivated!
Ash is a superhero. (1) she can get me to totally relax and "lean in" to the yoga practice and hold poses I had absolutely no idea I was capable of. (2) She has a sidekick named Ashley who gives me joy and confidence. Today's meditation was revealing and special.
SO EXCITED TO REVIEW COACH NICOLE!!! I’m so happy I get the chance to do this!!! To be honest, when I first started at Exhale, I used to skip Thursdays because it didn’t fit my schedule, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from Nicole since I hadn’t really known her back at the old gym. But now, when I get the chance to take her Thursday class, I look forward to it because of her. Coach Nicole is different from the coaches I usually go to, and that’s exactly what I’ve grown to appreciate. She genuinely cares about helping you move better and takes the time to correct you—in her own “Nicole” way. It’s something I’ve really come to love. She may not be as outwardly bubbly as some of the other coaches, but her cues and corrections always hit. Her subtle cheers make it worth it. When she calls me out, I know it’s because she sees that I can do better, and that means a lot. I really appreciate how she follows up, makes sure that I stick it with the corrections. For this class (Oct 10) was a great example, maybe we were a bit rushed since we’re a chatty group (and a little distracted by her amazing hair and Rebecca talking to athletes!), but even with limited time, Nicole made sure we got solid feedback and focus. I had a blast with Coach Nicole and the athletes. She’s such a valuable part of the coaching team, and I’m really grateful for how she pushes me to improve.
I really appreciate the pep talk from Coach Lily. It helps me stay grounded and know that it is okay to be the last one in the class as long as I build the muscle to show up consistently. Thank you!
Fantastic class today! Lily brought such great energy and attention to detail — I left feeling challenged and motivated. Thanks for pushing us while keeping it fun!
I really like Lily's coaching style ! She is energetic, positive and fun. Her warm up is very complete . She clearly explains all the movements and her feedback and observations are always on point. She dedicates time to everyone in the class.
The best. Always.
Lily supports everyone with a positive attitude. She pushes me and listens well. I’m so grateful for Coach Lily and everyone at Exhale.
I appreciate that he knows I’m limited in what I can do and was able to work me into the flow of class today when I showed up late.
She was very attentive at modifying my workout, and kept me going although it was still tough. I can see a lot of benefit of doing this regularly, but for someone in their 70s, I think a slightly more gradual ramp-up would be best.
Coach Lily never miss! Double u sees have been kicking my ass (literally) for a while. With her emphasis on pointing my toes and breathing, I’ve stayed encouraged to keep trying. Additionally, with her focus on technique in the Olympic lifts, I’ve been able to smash my PR’s across the board. Looking forward to every early morning - best hour of the day. Thanks coach!
Superb coaching. Always meets me where I’m at. Constantly correcting my form and pushing the class towards excellence.
Excellent as usual, helped me find the perfect scaling for part 2 of the workout.
Push us hard but guided us very well through the workout.
Wendy is amazing athlete and also a great fitness and nutrition coach. She provides easy to follow instructions and her classes always fun to attend! Today was an excellent presentation and introduction to the 28 days nutrition challenge. It felt that Wendy’s nutrition instructions will be as easy to follow as her fitness guidance! Thank you and looking forward to the great results together 💪🏻😊
Lily Rock❣️
Lily is a great coach. She instructs clearly and patiently, she engages with all the clients. I always feel taken care of and unafraid to ask questions that I know will be answered well. I appreciate her volume because my hearing is not that great and it hypes us up. I notice her paying attention to everybody and watching for good body mechanics and making great corrections that are simple and clear and easy to follow. She makes time for those of us who need it and keeps things rolling. Lily is a great coach period.
Coach Wendy was great today, helping me figure out options for the single KB front rack carry (and adjusting the med ball position on my chest when it was making me wheeze). We didn’t have much technical stuff like gymnastics or lifting that day, but I’m looking forward to more of her coaching when we do have those movements! I appreciated her suggestions and her positivity 👍🏼
Great hour spent restoring movement range, relaxing and allowed for a meditative focus. Didn’t know how much I needed this class. Lea is a great instructor, easy to follow queues for positions.
Lea made onboarding a great experience. She met me where I was at and was encouraging and challenging at the same time. Her prompts were great.
She’s comfortable AND confident (you can trust her). She consistently manages the time, zero rushing and ends in time (bonus points). Positive feedback with corrections and i like her music. 10/10
Lily is great at warming us up and is very clear in her directions for the workouts. She is always a great coach, very motivating and gives good corrections. I enjoy taking her class, even the spicy ones!
On time and on point
Good feedback on my lifts. She’s encouraging!
Great warmup for intense but worth it workout.
Coach Joanne really helped me to dial in my form on the cleans today. I was also reminded to breathe during my toes to bar! Thanks Coach!
I always appreciate your coaching. We are doing more technical things so it’s good to slow down and talk about each step. Spacing out each group to give you time to watch each of us was a good idea. We got off that a little since some needed your attention more than others, which is natural.
I love the energy you bring to class. The warm up was great. Both the long squat hold and Sally squats helped get us ready. I appreciated feedback during squats
Best ever! I appreciate that you work with me at my pace. Thank you so much
It was a good workout! I feel really sluggish with cardio.
Coach Ron is awesome! I have been attending his evening classes and he makes the workouts fun, challenging and suitable for all levels. He motivates me to get keep going and creates a positive and supportive atmosphere for all!
Amazing, calm space!
Great class Coach Lea! She adequately challenges you, makes working out enjoyable, and overall motivates you to exercise. Looking forward to future workouts! Thank you!
I’ve had such a great experience training with Coach Ron. He is incredibly knowledgeable and bring years of experience to every session. What I appreciate most is the way he gives clear and timely cues during workouts—it helps me stay focused on proper form, prevents injury, and pushes me to get the most out of each exercise. His coaching style is encouraging yet challenging, which keeps me motivated and progressing. I feel stronger, more confident, and well-supported on my fitness journey. If you’re looking for a coach who truly knows their craft and cares about your success, I highly recommend
Good energy, got the class pumped up and everyone was pushing heavy weights. Beside the timing issues, on a personal level, didn't receive any actual individual coaching on any of my movements. Not sure if others received any specific cues either beyond encouragement. With that said, enjoyed the class, got a good workout and pushed myself hard.
Coach Lily was fantastic today - she was clear with her directions and gave pearls as well as individualized feedback! 🤩 Way to start the week! Thanks, Coach Lily!
Coach Lily is always great. Today I tweaked my finger doing a clean and she assessed my injury and helped me quickly modify the movements for the workout. I had to adjust mid-workout again and she was right there to offer an alternative movement. I appreciate her care and leadership!
Lily has been doing an amazing job with our small group classes! She tailors and adapts everything to our individual needs - whether it’s the mobility we do in the warmup or the workout itself!
Coach Lily was on point per usual! Love her attention to detail. Her ability to manage a large class and personalize our training is unmatched.
The WOD on Saturday consisted of several technical movements and Coach Nichole was tasked with going over them in a very limited amount of time. I think Nichole did an excellent job choosing where to spend more time which movements to scale. I love seeing Nichole's growth as a coach!
Loved the class! Informative, engaging and super fun! Nicole explained every step clearly and corrected our forms before getting in to it!
Coach Ron combines deep knowledge with a genuine passion for CrossFit. He excels at teaching fundamentals—like proper breathing technique—while also knowing how to push you just enough to continously grow. Whether you're brand new or highly experienced, Ron meets you where you are and helps you level up.
Nichole was awesome! She gave us clear instructions on each step of each exercise, helpful feedback to individuals, and allowed for adjustments based on everyone’s abilities. I felt supported and encouraged while also given space to focus on my own.
Coach Ron always does a fantastic job of reviewing the technical aspects of each movement for the workout and then monitors you during the workout to make sure you're doing ok. This is the key to not getting injured! Thanks, Ron!
He gave me suggestions/ advice for each move. That helped a lot.
Coach Lilly is killer!!!
Coach Lea led a great class for beginners trying out the gym. She facilitated the class really well and kept us motivated, adjusting to each of our capabilities. The vibe of the gym was very friendly too.
I appreciated her advice for scaling, very helpful. She was very supportive and encouraging.
Ahh, I was fighting with the app to see how to add this! I was listening in to Rebecca afterwards, nothing to add that she didn't cover. Class moved well and everyone knew what they were doing! It was a success!
Fantastic! Very accommodating for someone who's trying to step back into working out. She’s amazing!
Great workout! Coach Lily and everyone in today’s session were very welcoming and supportive.
She intuitively knows what we need physically & emotionally and leads us with movements & sequences our bodies need. Her voice and demeanor is very soothing, perfect for a yoga instructor. I’m definitely motivated to be more consistent in my yoga practice. Love her!
Always pushes me to do the best reps possible and a great coach overall!
You're my favorite afternoon couch! Good, no nonsensed session. Glad to see you go over standards for pushups and hope you got a chance to harass those who didn't adhere.
High energy and inviting which was helpful for me as this was my first day! She was very helpful to my girlfriend and I as she helped with our form and made sure we felt comfortable
I have not been to the gym in a hot minute and this workout looked like it was gonna suck! Coach Lea was able to help me keep motivated and moving for the entire workout! No small accomplishment on her part because I am grumpy, stubborn, and old. Thanks Coach!!!!
Coach
It was great, always fun. Great support
I love how she do our warm up and post stretch workout very relaxing...she's awesome!
Coach Ron was very encouraging, and the strength portion went well. The cardio portion was hard and I lost track of the rounds, it would have been helpful to get more timing notes from him.
Coach was attentive and motivating. She made sure I was paying attention to keeping my form during the deadlifts and was quick to identify the adjustments I needed to make for the bent over rows.
Lea was encouraging and explained all the movements in a clear and engaging way. I would be excited to take her class again!
Great! Joanne managed a large class well and enthusiastically
Lilly is and always has been my favorite coach, it was a pleasure taking class with her. 🥰 and Gooood to see her in her element. 🏋🏾️💪🏾
So much support and one on one attention. And enthusiasm for a killer workout.
First time ever! He did a good warmup helped me feel comfortable with the motions and then a good level of encouragement. I'm absolutely dead now but I think that's a good thing? Thanks Coach Ron!
Awesome! Larger class with lots of logistics. Class went smoothly, directions were clear, and the analogy of the fish bowl for the med ball cleans was a good one! Great community and supportive environment. My only observation was I wish the workout was longer. (But I get that the WOD was probably intentional because of bring a friend week.)
Great balance of encouragement and sass. Excellent job working the room and giving actionable feedback. Also spent her birthday coaching!
First time and I really love it! Complete workout for all level fitness; I’ll be back
She helped me alot on how to do the exercises correctly.
I enjoyed the partner workout. Coach Lily was very welcoming and I liked that she paid attention to how I was doing all the exercises and gave corrections.
I had a great time! The demonstrations were clear, I felt attended to throughout, and also challenged. No complaints!
Great! Sorry I had to leave right when class ended! I had a meeting right after class.
Lea is a great coach who wants her clients to succeed in the gym while having a good time. She takes what can be an uncomfortable experience in a new environment and turns it into a warm and welcoming place. She takes great care to review and correct your form. This seems to be a dying art with many of coaches and gyms in the Bay Area. Overall I’m totally loving Lea and the gym!
Lily crushed it, per usual. She kept class on schedule, welcomed me back after being gone last week, and gave me a tip on my deadlift form that helped. 💪
Great as always, well prepared for every class. Excellent commitment to communicate the movements and the expectations to get the best performance from the athletes. Great attitude and a contagious smile!
Coach Lily’s classes are always great. She leads the class in mobility exercises that are relevant and effective for the strength & WOD portions of the class. My body often feels prepared and ready for the movements. I appreciate her coaching cues. She’s constantly circling the room, watching our movements and seems to remember each athlete’s challenge. She’s encouraging and realistic — knowing when to push or pull back. She makes an effort to keep the class on track and end on time, and is usually successful.
I LOVE her! She is a GREAT coach! She has helped me so much in my struggles gives me tips to improve and specially lifts me up when I’m not feeling good. Thank you so much coach Lily keep up the great work
Coach Lily is Amazing!
Coach Lily is incredibly knowledgeable and has an abundance of support for all members at EXHALE. She ROCKS!
Thanks for welcoming me back!
I recently had the pleasure of attending a CrossFit class led by Coach Ron, and I can confidently say it was one of the best fitness experiences I've ever had! From the moment I stepped into the gym, I felt an electrifying energy that set the tone for an incredible workout. Coach Ron's instruction was top-notch. He has an uncanny ability to break down complex movements into manageable steps, ensuring that everyone, regardless of skill level, could participate and feel confident. His attention to detail meant that I not only learned proper techniques but also felt a sense of safety throughout the class. What truly stood out was Coach Ron's motivation. He has a unique way of pushing you to your limits while maintaining a supportive atmosphere. His encouraging words during challenging moments kept me going, and I found myself pushing harder than I thought possible. It was like having a personal cheerleader who genuinely cared about my progress. Class management was another highlight. Coach Ron seamlessly organized the flow of the workout, ensuring that we maximized our time without feeling rushed. He kept everyone engaged and focused, moving us through the different stations with clear instructions and a positive attitude. Overall, this class was a fantastic experience that left me feeling empowered and accomplished. If you're looking for a CrossFit class that combines great instruction, motivation, and exceptional management, I highly recommend trying one of Coach Ron's sessions. You won’t regret it!
Helpful, kind, I felt her watching to make sure I was lifting safely
Loved Lily’s energy and clear instructions.
She coached so friendly and comfortably
Coach Kelly was great!
Coach Lea did a wonderful job and was very helpful tonight. I appreciate all of her insight and her assistance in making sure our forms were correct as well. I felt well informed and properly guided through each exercise.
Outstanding! Thorough warm-up. Excellent tips on rowing and dead lift. Very attentive to all members of the class. I left feeling that I got an excellent workout, and essentially no risk of injury.
Lea is a great addition to the team. Quality
It was great :) I missed the positivity.
Great class. - clear embodied instructions on how to do a strict press. - well-paced - appropriately challenging weights - encouraging coach - opportunity for two PRs!
Coach Rebecca was easily able to adjust my workout due to an unrelated injury. I was exhaling a lot today and still put my work in!
Working out at Exhale is the highlight of my day. The space the people make it my place to breathe and get in a good workout.
EXHALE Fitness currently has 178 verified member reviews with an average rating of 4.99 out of 5 stars. All reviews come from real members who have experienced the gym firsthand.
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EXHALE Fitness is located in Richmond, California at 5327 Jacuzzi St #3L-1, Richmond, CA 94804, USA. Click the address above to get directions.