Strength Academy River Falls

Gavin takes the time during workouts to give clear, helpful feedback and offers modifications tailored to how you’re feeling or progressing. He notices when your form needs adjustment and suggests changes that make the exercises more manageable without ever making you feel uncomfortable or intimidated. His calm and encouraging approach creates an atmosphere where you feel supported to push yourself at your own pace. It’s refreshing to have a coach who balances attentiveness with respect for your limits. Keep up the good work!

Emily, AJ, and Gavin have been my coaches this week, and they’ve all been great. Emily works with me on alternative exercises to mitigate a back injury, AJ is SO motivational, and Gavin makes everyone feel welcome.

Both AJ and Riley were great today. AJ does an excellent job making sure the members are using proper form before pushing more weight. Riley does a great job encouraging the members and making them feel comfortable.

The weekday 6:00 a.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m. coaches are amazing! They are encouraging and just the right amount of tough! I really enjoy coming to the gym to workout! It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but worth it! Also, my Body Comp coach Matracas is wonderful and has really been encouraging and kept me on track. Thank you! I only wish I would have started at this gym years ago.

Loved the music today! And of course Emily is always great. Great instructions on the different exercises and very encouraging and supportive throughout the work out!

Today’s workout, well this new program has been a challenging change of pace. Today was a perfect example of why I continue to show up. Nick and the entire coaching team are so knowledgable and encouraging. I was nervous about getting into weight training, but am so grateful for Strength Academy and the programs they offer. Since starting at Strength Academy my love for working out has been reignited.

Gavin did a great job today!! Very helpful and attentive to everyone. He has a great attitude and a great ability to keep everyone’s attention. Nice work man!!

Gavin did great! Very pleasant and good natured. He seems comfortable in front of people and doesn’t have to scream. I know this may vary from person to person, but I never mind when you correct my form if you see me do anything wrong. I can’t see me so I need your eyes. If I’m not doing it wrong, great! Just don’t be afraid to tell me otherwise:)

I always enjoy my time at strength academy! You get out what you put in. One trait that sticks out of Nick’s coaching is his ability to catch me every time I’m about to give up and push my last few lifts hard. “Come on you got this!!” His encouraging words are filled with energy in a way I tell myself, “I got this!!!”. Thanks for being so in tuned Nick.

Matraca is my favorite - she always gives me great corrections to get the most out of my workout and she does an amazing job of connecting on a personal level which makes me feel a part of the gym community and keeps me coming back.

I’ve never been as committed to my health as I’ve been since starting at Strength Academy. The coaching is phenomenal and the community is welcoming and supportive. I lift heavy without fear of getting injured as the coaches are there correcting form and looking out for members every step of the way.

Today’s gym class was a good one. The coaching was clear, supportive, and genuinely knowledgeable, with each movement explained in a way that made the purpose and technique easy to understand. Overall, it was a great class, and I’m really loving this Alpha program.

Ever since I’ve joined, I have loved going to this gym! I used to do CrossFit and loved it for the group workout aspect and the community feel, but have gotten hurt too many times doing it as form was never a top priority. I like strength academy because it still has that CrossFit feel of community in a group workout setting, but the coaches are way more focused on your form and correcting you and it’s not as intense. I like how there are modifications for every exercise so people can do the exercise no matter what level they are at, and I love how there are various different people at different levels in their fitness all working out in the same class. I have met so many people from the gym and feel a sense of community coming here. I am so glad I joined strength academy! I love it!!

High energy and super encouraging environment. Loved every second!

Emily explains the workouts very well and thoroughly! I normally always ask questions and she always goes into more details!

Coach Matraca has always been my favorite. She truly cares about each person and is so personable and genuine. She is not afraid to correct form and does a great job of pumping you up. I always enjoy a class where Matraca is coach!

Nick is awesome with instructions on body positioning and what is needed to maximize lift gains. Gym is amazing because of the community and support

Emily is a great coach! I really enjoy class when she is coaching. She is knowledgeable, upbeat, and is fun to be around.

Nick always does a great job of coaching, he not only explains how to do the exercise/lift/movement but why we do it and how it impacts or improves our body!

For Matraca - Always professional, energetic and helpful. I learn something each time she coaches us. So glad she is a coach at SA!

AJ was very encouraging and gave great feedback. Great attitude!

Today was a great workout! I loved the support I received from Nick when I was struggling and how quickly they corrected my form. The atmosphere of Strength Academy is phenomenal! Gyms used to scare me, but I look forward to my workouts here!

I like the live coaching and the coaches correcting as soon as they see an issue. It’s very helpful to know what I am doing wrong at the time. I love how every fitness level can be in any class and they help with modifications when needed. Most all people that go to this gym are encouraging and helpful and you feel welcome and supported and not judged for things you can’t do. The coaches are knowledgable and ready to help in any way they can.

I like the coaching leadership: there's always a plan, all I have to do is show up! Good energy that feels authentic and encouraging. I recently joined and am still learning everything. The atmosphere is friendly and focused, people are there to work and help each other out amd have fun too. I was intimidated at first, and was so sore after my first session, but proud to have pushed through and am excited to keep this program in my routine. Quality staff set the tone and atmosphere: and clearly they are knowledgeable, walk the talk, and enjoy their work!

Nick Brock did a great job this morning! I attended the 8am class at Strength Academy River Falls and really appreciated how he took the time to give clear, detailed demos on how to properly perform each exercise before we started each segment of the workout. His demonstrations made it easy to understand the correct form and helped me feel confident moving through the routine. When the weights got heavy for me today, especially during the bench press, Nick was especially motivating - he encouraged me to push myself and attempt a personal record using 88 lb. kettlebells. Although I didn’t hit the PR, he stayed right there with me, continuing to encourage me and explaining why getting a few good reps at your highest weight in the last set is more effective than completing all reps at a lower weight. That mindset really helped me focus, and I ended up maxing out consistently throughout the workout. I truly appreciate all the great coaches at Strength Academy River Falls. They are all very well trained and extremely knowledgeable, always watching closely to correct form, adjust weights, and offer tips that help you push your limits safely. They create an environment where you feel challenged to improve with every rep and set, but also supported every step of the way. Because of that atmosphere, I look forward to coming to every class. Strength Academy River Falls has built a wonderful space where motivation and skill come together, making every session both rewarding and enjoyable.

This gym feels like home. The coaches and members are supportive, the energy is real, and everyone wants to see each other win. It’s more than a place to workout- it’s a community that pushes you, welcomes you and makes you want to show up. I love this place!

AJ is doing a good job just make sure he’s watching everyone’s form but otherwise I think he’ll be great. Nick talks too much haha but enjoy having him because I want to make sure I’m doing everything correctly so I gain the muscles I’m trying to get.

AJ for today was second to Gavin so AJ stayed in the background. However over the last few weeks of classes where AJ has been the main or only coach he has been great. AJ is always smiling, always positive and he commands the room. He remembers that Sam and I both like the class hot(aka less fans). He helps with any modifications we might need. AJ knows the exercises and gives a good explanation for each. He is encouraging and let's you know if there is anything that could be changed aka better form. I love that he comes over to say hi to Sam and I before class and then after class is done he makes a point to say bye. Over time all I would say to AJ and all the coaches is to keep coaching me and everyone there. We all want to lift with proper form and technique to avoid injuries, so you will not hurt my feelings.

AJ provided specific coaching tips regarding my lifting form today, carefully observing each movement and pointing out small adjustments like wrist positioning and hip alignment to improve my technique and prevent strain. i.e. gorilla row — chest up. And flex glutes at the top of RDL to prevent back strain. AJ is always upbeat and encouraging, bringing a positive atmosphere that keeps me motivated even when the sets get tough. His energy lifts the whole workout room, and I leave each session feeling more confident in my lifts and mentally ready to push harder next time.

I enjoy coming to AJ’s classes! He has helped me learn some techniques and spent a little time coaching my mechanics as I am a newcomer to weight training. Especially with kettle bells. The new coach in Training Gavin is good as well and has done the same things suggesting little tweaks in my form. I feel like both of them are attentive to the class participants and not just running the circuit and counting down time. Happy to have joined Strength Academy!

AJ coached today and did great like they all do! Thank you!

Matraca is an amazing coach! She’s always upbeat and brings so much positive energy that it instantly lifts the whole room. From the moment you start the workout at Strength Academy River Falls, she makes you feel like part of the gym family, creating a welcoming and motivating atmosphere. During the session, she offers clear, effective cues for every movement, carefully watching your form and helping you adjust to get the most out of each exercise. Her encouragement never lets up - she knows exactly when to push you harder and when to cheer you on, which keeps you motivated throughout even the toughest parts of the workout. Training with Matraca turns a regular gym session into something energizing and rewarding every time.

This gym has been very impactful on my life. 1. Restarting weight training. Learning better technique and more movements. Building muscle. Improving physical health that can last a lifetime. 2. Improving me

A great part of my day as usual! My only wish is that some of the 'fun extras ' for the gym were on Sundays instead of Saturdays. Or at least sat afternoon instead of morning. I always miss out on them since I work. I understand you have to work around staff availability though. Having Sunday yoga again might be nice too.

This review is for Matraca, only comment is I don't think she talks enough. It is usually rather quiet when she is working, and we usually leave on time or early. Ha! Na I have no complaints, it's been awesome there. Nothing comes to mind on what to improve, maybe getting out on time, but I just got done working out with Nick and it was way late.

What I appreciate about Nick is along with the motivating, positive attitude he brings- he also is there to help correct form and allow us to get the most out of each exercise. He provides a detailed explanation to any form correction and makes you understand “the why” to the change in form. Whether you have been lifting for years or are just beginning, he welcomes you into the gym with no judgement and expertise in coaching!

Matraca is truly an exceptional strength coach. She is motivating, encouraging and full of positive energy. Her shining personality makes every workout enjoyable, and she has a real gift for bringing out the best in people. She believes in you and creates a confidence that carries over far beyond the gym.