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Physical fitness programAbout the Club
Looking for a CrossFit gym near Richmond, Albany, or El Cerrito? EXHALE Fitness offers inclusive, habit-based fitness coaching rooted in functional movement, strength training, and scalable CrossFit workouts. Whether you're a beginner or experienced athlete, our expert coaches will help you build consistency, get stronger, and stay accountable. We offer group classes, personal training, and nutrition coaching—all in a supportive, LGBTQIA+ inclusive space. Come train with purpose. Book your free intro today!
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Reviews
byungki kim
★ 5
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.
Source: Google
Julia Vasquez-Davis
★ 5
Had an amazing workwith at Exhale Fitness! 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!
Source: Google
Don Miguel
★ 5
I’ve been absolutely thrilled with the Exhale family, who all coaxed me into the gym at age 65! I was afraid of hurting myself; that did not happen thanks to all the coaches’ scaling advice. My goal has been fulfilled: to be a nimble traveler. My personal outcomes have been remarkable. (I was called “hot” by an older gentleman at the recent Palm Springs Pride parade.) My finest outcome, however, has been from Coach Wendy’s nutrition program. She helped me reframe my eating habits: keep bad things out of the house + half a plate of veggies. I’m thrilled to now experience not only weight loss but to essentially come off my (9 years of) diabetes medication. (Though Metformin is being studied as a Fountain of Youth drug. Gah!) Talk about the gym as health insurance—and your true Fountain of Youth!
Source: Google
jennifer hayward
★ 5
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.
Source: Google
Ekaterina Guseva
★ 5
Great and supportive coaching, very good attention to details, good understanding of my needs and gym's equipment!
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Natasha Riley
★ 5
Great instructors. I appreciated all the pointers and help with form.
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Cox Family
★ 5
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.
Source: Google
Beulah Mathew
★ 5
Exhale is a great place where people of all fitness levels and ages can feel comfortable and get into the best possible fitness routine coupled with good nutrition and increased quality of life.
Been with them for 2+ years - they have always paid attention to our overall physical capabilities & provide modifications and tips to get stronger and deal with any situation.
Coaches are like family and they grow into you.
Love Exhale all round ❤️
Source: Google
Danielle Widemann
★ 5
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Ryan West
★ 5
Day-in, day-out, it doesn’t get better than Lily. Showing up every morning can be a challenge at times, but knowing I’m going to learn something new makes it that much easier to show up. Whether it be working on the mechanics of my snatch, to convincing me to actually go lighter (to master my fundamentals), I know she’s always there.
I’m newer to CrossFit, but have remained consistent for the last year. Since joining the 5:45 class, I can easily say I’m easily in the best share of my life: physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Source: Google
Esti Feller
★ 5
After being away for a while, it felt amazing to get back into working out—especially with such a supportive group. The lead coach had great energy, was attentive and well-supported by a team of fellow coaches. Having a class filled with coaches created a motivating and encouraging atmosphere. I Loved It.
Source: Google
Jill Peeler
★ 5
Best coaching ever!
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CoCo LoCo
★ 5
EXHALE has been my gym for half a year and the entire crew just made me feel at home. One of the reasons I extended my job contract in east bay. From the owners, coaches down to each member (shout-out to 430p crew!) everyone was awesome. It's a community who show up every day to better themselves and also to cheer on others too. The coaches are helpful and give you cues tailored to your skill level. They are all about helping you improve. I can say this is one of my top fave gyms.
Source: Google
Alaina Castro
★ 5
Ron is the best! Energetic and encouraging but focused on form and breathing. Love going to his classes.
Source: Google
Nga Ho
★ 5
I can’t say enough good things about Coach Wendy's nutrition program. From the moment I started, I felt like I was finally being guided by something that truly understands balance, sustainability, and real-life needs. The structure is clear, easy to follow, and tailored—not a one-size-fits-all approach.
What I appreciated most was the focus on whole, nourishing foods without cutting out entire food groups or promoting extreme dieting. The program encouraged a healthy relationship with food, helping me build habits that feel natural and enjoyable.
I’ve noticed real results—not just in how I look, but in how I feel. I have more energy, better digestion, and I’m sleeping better.
Whether you’re looking to lose fat, gain muscle, or just feel more energized and in control of your nutrition, I highly recommend this program. It’s not just a quick fix—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.
Gym:
All the coaches are super friendly and make this place feel like home. Highly recommend if you are looking for a clean, fully equipped crossfit type gym that is not overcrowded. The coaches always try to make sure you have the correct form during the workout to ensure highest performance while avoiding injury. Coach Rebecca would go over your goals when you first join and give training plan suggestions to ensure you reach your goals. They also have a nutrition program that you can sign up for to achieve maximum results during your fitness journey. Like coach Wendy always says "Abs are made in the kitchen."
Source: Google
April De Verney
★ 5
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Azin Kamali
★ 5
Great coach, great facility! Loved the workouts and the format. Coach Nichole explained every workout clearly and corrected our forms when necessary. I felt motivated to do my best throughout the workout. The gym itself is spacious, full of natural light, and has a great vibe with its big wall of windows.
Source: Google
SHaskamp1
★ 5
Coaches do a great job leading group classes through a warm up at the beginning to get ready for the workout. Classes are challenging, but manageable and nearly always finish on time. Great start to the day!
Source: Google
Reina Lam
★ 5
Exhale is an extremely clean, organized, and welcoming space. I am very anxious about moving my body (especially in front of other people), but this place has a community that reminds me that everyone is on their own journey and all members and coaches support each other wherever they happen to be. No mirrors on the walls helps me focus on the task at hand and not my insecurities :)
Nichole is an awesome coach! She gave us clear instructions on each step of each exercise, helpful feedback to individuals, and allowed for adjustments based on our varying degrees of abilities/mobilities. I felt supported and encouraged, while also given space to focus on my workout without distraction.
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Joao Almeida
★ 5
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.
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L&S Kariuki's
★ 5
Coach Lily is a bright light in the morning. Great warm up to get us ready. Good feedback. Today, great help getting a scaling that pushed me but allowed me to enjoy the workout.
Classmates are amazing and supportive
Source: Google
Chenoa Rogerson
★ 5
Attending this gentle yoga class has been an absolute gift to both my body and mind. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was calming and welcoming. Lea has a soothing presence and guides each session with such compassion and clarity. Every movement is thoughtfully paced, making the class perfect for beginners, those recovering from injury, or anyone simply seeking a peaceful, restorative practice.
I especially appreciate the emphasis on breath, mindfulness, and listening to your body. I leave each class feeling centered, deeply relaxed, and surprisingly re-energized. It’s not just exercise—it’s a healing experience. Highly recommend to anyone in need of a little calm and self-care in their life.
Source: Google
Wilson Tsai
★ 5
As I think the others have covered how great the gym is, my review is going to be about Exhale's Nutrition program. Coach Wendy works with you from day 1 to develop achievable goals and build a solid foundation of habits that go beyond nutrition- because everything we do is intertwined with one another! I love that we do routine check-ins each week to discuss how progress is going which allows Coach Wendy to fine tune my macros to ensure I'm seeing the most benefit.
It's only been two months and I'm already seeing real physical results which is also translating to my workouts and lifts! The great thing is knowing that I can trust Coach Wendy to help me reach my health and fitness goals.
Before I joined Exhale, I used to be the type of person that never wanted to be in photos out of embarrassment. Now, I definitely don't shy away from the camera (for better or worse).
I encourage anyone and everyone to reach out to Coach Wendy if you want a real serious kick in the butt to your health and fitness journey!
Source: Google
Kassandra Barron
★ 5
Coach Joanne, Coach Ron, Coach Lea and Coach Nichole are amazing ! They run their classes with a great attitude and a lot of energy. The music playlist never fails, the classes are always rocking with great music. I recommended to check Exhale out! 💯 Great programming too, I've felt and seen improvement in my fitness in the gym and outside the gym. Picking up my grocery bags and moving boxes at home has never felt easier!!!!!!!!
Source: Google
Liliana Medina
★ 5
I’ve been working with Coach Wendy at Exhale Fitness since December, and the transformation I’ve experienced has been incredible. With her support, I’ve lost 7 pounds and brought my A1C down from 6.4 to 5.3 — a huge step forward in my health journey.
More importantly, my relationship with food has completely shifted. I no longer struggle with emotional eating or binge cycles. Coach Wendy has helped me focus on adding nourishing foods to my plate rather than restricting — especially prioritizing greens and veggies — and letting go of guilt around eating the foods I enjoy.
Her holistic, HSN-certified approach has helped me stay consistent without burning out or feeling anxious about food. I’ve also seen major improvements in the gym: I’m stronger, and for the first time in years, I don’t feel intimidated by running or high-cardio workouts.
We’ve been working on managing PCOS symptoms through nutrition, and in February, I had my first regular cycle in years. My clothes fit better, I feel more energized, and I can see the changes in how I look and feel. This is truly the best I’ve felt since 2017.
Coach Wendy has not only helped me improve physically, but has also supported a complete mindset shift — around food, movement, and what it means to take care of myself. I’m so excited to see where the next six months take me. I can’t recommend her enough!
Source: Google
William Reichen
★ 5
Coaches are nice, ready to help and the atmosphere is great. I really like hanging out there and working out there. Everything is maintained well and really clean. Everyone is very supportive and nobody judges you for doing anything wrong, good and helpful tips. I am happy to be part of the Exhale fitness community.
Thanks a lot❤️
Source: Google
William Lord
★ 5
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!!!!
Source: Google
Joseph Lee
★ 5
This is my first gym experience, and it’s been awesome. The onboarding program with Coach Lea and Coach Rebecca made it easy to get started and helped me feel confident jumping into classes. The community is super welcoming, with people at all different levels. The vibe is cool, easygoing, and supportive — you can really make it what you want it to be.
Huge shoutout to Coach Joanne — she’s incredibly positive, energetic, and always brings great energy and music to class. She creates an environment that feels both fun and focused, and she has a great way of giving feedback that helps you improve without ever feeling overwhelmed. Her coaching has helped me build both confidence and consistency.
Another huge shoutout to Coach Ron. He’s great at breaking down movements and making sure you’re doing things the right way. One time I was the only person in class and he did the entire workout with me — I thought that was awesome. He clearly knows his stuff and always brings a great attitude. His attention to detail and encouragement during workouts have made a big difference in how I show up and improve each week.
If you’re thinking about checking this place out, do it. It’s a great place to get stronger, learn, and meet some awesome people.
Source: Google
Laura Tennant
★ 5
I am the strongest I have ever been because of the dedicated, caring, and skilled coaches at Exhale Fitness. It has a wonderful community of supportive people and the gym itself is bright, open, clean, organized and has all the best equipment. The owners and staff put their all into Exhale Fitness and it shows. The classes are well-run, challenging (in a good way) and can be scaled to any level. It is a very special place and I feel fortunate to have these exceptional coaches to help me improve my skills and thrive in my fitness journey!
Source: Google
Andrea Javorkova
★ 5
Coach Joanne was great today, she was very welcoming to newcomers, checked in with everyone about how they were doing, provided nice warm up and stretches based on the needs she saw in the class (sore shoulders). I love how she broke down all the movements into smaller steps and walked us through proper posture and movements. She offered scaling options and made sure everyone was doing the movements correctly. She was very encouraging through the whole workout. I loved her class today!
Source: Google
julia marino
★ 5
Only been to one class so far for bring a friend week - seems like a really great environment with an encouraging and welcoming environment.
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Marie Mallannao
★ 5
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.
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Samantha Piell
★ 5
First time here and it was great! There was a good balance of showing us how to do stuff and then just getting in and doing it! Thank you!
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Sarah Lundy Cecile
★ 5
Coach Lily knows how to motivate the morning crew. She isn’t pushy but understands just the right moment to challenge you on certain movements/weights. I have seen improvement in my form and strength in the last few months. If you are an early riser, I recommend joining Coach Lily’s class.
Source: Google
Berta mallely Gonzalez Guardado
★ 5
The experience of being part of the Exhale has been amazing everyone is so nice and welcoming. It's my happy place, EXHALE IS THE BEST PLACE TO WORK OUT.
Source: Google
Cat McBride
★ 5
Exhale is a truly fantastic CrossFit gym. I’ve been doing CrossFit on-and-off for seven years at multiple gyms, and this is the best one in terms of the quality of the coaching, community spirit, logistics including class sign-ups, and more. I typically attend the 7am class with Coach Lily, who is warm, fun, and extremely knowledgeable. Since starting here, she has offered several really good tweaks to my lifting technique that no coach has caught previously.
CrossFit can be super intimidating if you aren’t naturally athletic (like I was when I started years ago), but it’s actually surprisingly beginner friendly. For one, virtually every movement can be scaled to your level and the coaches are always helpful at finding ways to adapt workouts for injuries or an easier pace. Second, the community is just unmatched. Instead of being a competitive environment, the Exhale members are extremely encouraging and supportive. I always look forward to starting my day in such a positive way!
Source: Google
Erik Jekabson
★ 5
A life-changing gym and community. The coaches have a ton of knowledge and are so helpful. Great facilities.
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Sabina Gajurel
★ 5
She was nice .i really like it
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Hugo Ortiz
★ 5
Great! I'm worked. Coach Leah made sure I got a great workout while still being mindful that I'm new to this and I have a slight injury.
Source: Google
Eighty-Four Lakeshore
★ 5
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!
Source: Google
Jason Wu
★ 5
As someone who hasn’t worked out consistently in 20 years, EXHALE has been an amazing place to restart my fitness journey. The community is amazing and the coaches and staff are caring. The gym is also very clean and bright. Special shout out to Coach Ron for keeping me motivated and coming back for more!
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Michelle
★ 5
Great warm up and time management. Appreciated the intention of the WOD and scaling options given
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Kai Sun
★ 5
Patient and professional coach, plus a nice and dynamic community🥳🏋️
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Lisa Chan Yu
★ 5
I’ve been a member at Exhale since it opened and it’s been a great experience. The space is very clean with a ton of natural light. There’s ample room for big group workouts and the equipment is plentiful and maintained. The coaching is exceptional. Exhale coaches are well trained and knowledgeable and provide helpful tips and cues during workouts to everyone. They break down movements and drill down on proper form and technique. They work with you to scale workouts (up or down per skill level) and modify based on individual needs or injuries. These coaches have a great attitude and a genuine interest in helping clients achieve their goals.
It can be intimidating to join a new gym/community but the owners & staff have worked hard to create an encouraging and respectful environment that’s inclusive and fun.
Source: Google
Gitanjali
★ 5
Loved Lily’s energy and clear instructions. Also, the gym is so beautiful, clean, and well maintained!
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alexandra
★ 5
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Mallika Chawla
★ 5
I just love how patient, kind and understanding Coach Lily is. She also knows when to push us and when to let us step back. Sometimes I feel that I come to the gym to simply see her and workout with her. A great coach can make such a big difference!
Source: Google
Ana Gutierrez
★ 5
Love this gym! Great community for all skill levels. They do a great job scaffolding the exercises to meet you where you are at in your fitness level and guide you step by step towards doing incredible things. The coaches are top notch and the community is very friendly, motivating and encouraging. I saw results pretty consistently after joining. I went from struggling to run a mile to completing my first marathon this year. Check them out!
Source: Google
JPT
★ 5
Outstanding classes and gym! Thorough warm-up. Excellent tips on technique. Great no-nonsense facility that is well stocked with cared-for equipment. Coaches are careful and attentive.
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Andrew Johnson
★ 5
Best gym I’ve ever gone to. Perfect for any skill level
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Natalia Zarzhevsky
★ 5
Nichole had everyone engaged in lovely question of the day conversation. She followed and rotated around to make sure everyone has great form during the work out. She provided tips and encouragement. She followed the clock, tailored rest of the work according and made announcements. Great coaching Nichole, thank you!!
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eija ramos
★ 5
Exhale is THE BEST! The programming is well balanced between strength and conditioning, the coaching is always on point, and the community is a really special group of humans who all just want to better themselves and do it collectively in a genuinely positive and supportive environment. ❤️
Source: Google
Sean Morris
★ 5
Over the top good. I am so happy to be working out here again. Pacing, warmup, technique. Throw in some espresso — all is good.
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Darcy Stanley
★ 5
Exhale is a place for community, fun, hard work, growth, and is a true breath of fresh air compared to other gyms. All bodies can fit in and all goals and accomplishments are supported. It’s truly the best!
Source: Google
Pamela Mack
★ 5
I always learn how to do better with Coach Rebecca. Today's lesson, lift my rear just a bit more, concentrate on engaging shoulders, make sure core is engaged, then deadlift. Added benefit is the workout was fun!
Source: Google