Six locally owned gyms. Six different vibes. One powerful reason to keep it local.
Benicia has something rare: a town where you can still feel the heartbeat of local business. The kind of place where your barista knows your order, your neighbor runs the shop on First Street, and your fitness instructor notices when you’ve been gone for a week.
And when it comes to fitness, we are spoiled—in the best way.
To see it for myself, I set out on a one-week challenge: visit gyms and studios across Benicia, take classes, and experience what makes each space special. (Yes, it was a lot of sweating.) What I found wasn’t just variety—it was community, built by owners who are deeply invested in the people who walk through their doors.
This is what supporting local looks like: real stories, real relationships, and real places that make Benicia feel like home.
Meet the owners behind Benicia’s fitness community
The Elevate Company
Dr. Laura Mary Linsley
Dr. Laura Mary Linsley is the Founder and CEO of The Elevate Company—and her background blends science, education, and movement. Elevate opened in August 2022, after years of building the concept and deepening her expertise in biomechanics and anatomy.
Her “why” is clear and personal: “To empower and inspire you to realize your potential to elevate the world.” And Elevate reflects that mission in its wide range of offerings—classes from kids yoga to gentle yoga, plus strength-based options like yoga with weights, and programs that support growth beyond the mat.
“Our community here is our favorite part…you feel the support of everyone as soon as you walk in.”
Benicia Community Health & Fitness Club
Michael Boyle
Michael Boyle is the Owner and General Manager of Benicia Community Health & Fitness Club, and his story reads like a love letter to Benicia. After years in sports and fitness leadership, he stepped into ownership on June 1, 2024—and renamed the gym to reflect what he’s building: a true community hub.
BCHFC serves a broad mix of residents—from young teens to seniors—and offers over 30,000 square feet of equipment and space, plus 50+ weekly classes for all ages and abilities. Michael describes it as more than a gym: a gathering place where the positive vibe hits you the moment you walk in.
“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.”
Benicia Fitness
Héctor Zavala
Héctor Zavala is the owner and operator of Benicia Fitness, and his personal story is grounded in resilience. He grew up in a migrant farmworker family, moving constantly, adapting early, and learning discipline the hard way. He took ownership of Benicia Fitness in August 2025, with a goal of transforming it into a community-driven hub for Benicia.
His leadership style is simple and direct: consistency over perfection, and a culture that feels personal—not corporate.
“It’s not corporate — it’s community.”
Jazzercise Benicia
Leslie Rowley
Leslie Rowley is the franchise owner and a FitPro at Jazzercise Benicia, and her roots in this town run deep. She began teaching Jazzercise in Benicia in 1988, opened a studio space in 1994, and launched the current studio in May 2000.
Her mission is more than fitness: it’s empowerment—especially creating a supportive environment for women at every stage of their wellness journey. And she makes an important point that reflects the best of Benicia: local fitness isn’t about competing; it’s about collectively creating space for more people to get healthier.
“Supportive, inclusive, joyful.”
The Training Loft
Denise Brazeal
Denise Brazeal is the owner, trainer, coach, and instructor at The Training Loft, which opened in April 2014. She believes the small-gym environment is “far superior” to large corporate fitness centers because connection matters—knowing the people who walk through your doors matters.
The Training Loft’s identity is built around qualified, certified trainers who see their work as meaningful and life-changing. The goal is simple: make people feel welcome, supported, and equipped with the right tools for success.
“We want everyone to feel welcome and know that they matter when they step through our doors.”
Copas Crew Fitness
Kelsey Katarina Copas
Kelsey Katarina Copas, a Benicia native, opened Copas Crew Fitness on March 1, 2023, with a very specific vision: a place where people could move without feeling watched or judged—just supported.
The studio offers barre, yoga, cycle, and sculpt, designed to create a balanced cross-training routine of strength and cardio. But what she speaks about most is community—the way members become friends and chosen family.
“Magical, inclusive, supportive.”
Magazine Staff’s Choice:
Griffin Fitness — Lisa McVeigh
Griffin Fitness is a private training studio where personal trainers create custom programs tailored specifically to you. Memberships are built around 15-minute training segments, called “fit blocks,” allowing for a highly personalized and flexible experience. Griffin Fitness aims to transform your relationship with movement, leading to sustainable, long-lasting results.
A realtor’s real-world review
What it felt like to take the classes
I’m a local realtor, but I’m also a local participant. I wanted to experience what residents feel when they walk into these spaces, so I went all in—classes, sweat, and all. Here’s my honest take:
The Training Loft
High intensity with great energy—and I loved that you can still access the weight room even during class times. If you want a class that “kicks you in the butt,” this is the gym for you.
Copas Crew Fitness
Small studio, strong energy. You schedule ahead, but there’s usually room. The variety (yoga, spin, barre, sculpt) keeps it fun—and what really keeps you coming back is the people and how it starts to feel like family.
The Elevate Company
I’ll admit it—I used to think yoga was mostly “zen” and not a real workout. Elevate changed that fast. I sweated more here than in many other classes, and the sculpt yoga with weights builds serious strength and core. Scheduling ahead is needed, and it’s worth it.
Jazzercise Benicia
So fun it doesn’t even feel like “the gym.” You show up, you dance, you sweat, and the community is unbeatable. Plus, some classes offer childcare.
Benicia Fitness (First Street)
It’s a smaller, older gym—but the location is unbeatable, and it has the flexibility of an open gym you can use throughout the day. The class schedule is minimal, but the classes I took were fantastic and unique (including belly dancing). I’m excited to see the revamp unfold.
Benicia Community Health & Fitness Club
Big space, packed classes, knowledgeable instructors—and one of my favorite dance classes of the week. Add childcare, plus sauna and steam room amenities, and you can see why it’s a local staple. Best part: you can just show up—no advance sign-up needed.
Why supporting local gyms matters
It’s easy to think a workout is a workout—just a membership, a class, a treadmill. But locally owned gyms aren’t just selling access to equipment. They’re building spaces where people feel seen, encouraged, and connected.
Supporting local businesses keeps Benicia’s character intact. It strengthens the relationships that make a town feel like a community. And it ensures that the places we rely on—our gyms, studios, coffee shops, and boutiques—are run by people who live here, raise families here, and pour their hearts into making Benicia better.
In a world that’s increasingly corporate, Benicia’s local fitness options are proof we can still choose community.
So whether you’re into strength training, dance cardio, yoga, barre, cycling, sculpt, or an open-gym routine—there’s a locally owned place here ready to welcome you.
And that’s something worth showing up for.
