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June 2025 by John Cholewa
I came to the gym after a 3 year layoff and 61years old. I started with 12 personal training sessions with Coach Vince….that was a great way to start back! Classes have been tough but the excellent coaches have helped scale some of the movements to make me feel comfortable while not slowing up the class for the other athletes. My wife and I have had a great experience with the Merle Hay gym, and the friendly and knowledgeable coaches! Highly recommended.
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June 2025 by Becky Weyer
I was a member for 2016-2020. I left during Covid with the knowledge that I gained. I came back in 2025 and I realized how much I meant it. While it is mostly new coaches, it still the same high quality coaching that is staple of this gym. No matter where you are at on your fitness journey this is the place for you.
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May 2025 by Jake Kriegel
I recently joined CrossFit Merle Hay, and I'm really enjoying my experience! I wanted to get back into a structured workout environment, and this place has been amazing. The coaches are supportive and knowledgeable, and the community is welcoming and friendly. I'm already more motivated. If you're thinking about starting CrossFit, I highly recommend CFMH!
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May 2025 by Eric Galinsky
I've been training at CrossFit Merle Hay for two years and I couldn't be happier with the experience. The coaches are knowledgeable, supportive, and always focused on proper form and safety. Whether you're a beginner or experienced athlete, they meet you where you're at and push you to improve every session.
The programming is well-structured, varied, and challenging. Each workout feels purposeful, and I've seen real progress in my strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
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May 2025 by em E
I’ve been personally training with Caileen for quite a while now, i started coming here because we researched the place to go for experienced, thoughtful and dedicated personal training and we discovered Caileen here. My ultimate goal was to move my body and have a good time doing it and Caileen was the perfect coach for me. She pays extreme attention to details and makes sure that you’re both feeling good and having fun while you’re working out, both me and my mom train with her and it has been nothing but love and hard work with Caileen. Even if you are not sure what you’re looking for or are even nervous about classes, Merle Hay Crossfit is 100% the right way to go, as they can cater to all ability levels, all types of workouts and in general it is such a fun community and environment.
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May 2025 by Leon K
I've been apart of Crossfit Merele Haye since 2017. Great coaching, non judgemental, fun atmosphere . There's many gyms in the Des Moines area, however not all gyms design their fitness formula for every one. Nate and his staff do very well in this area. What ever my goals are theres no judgement about it. They treat their members as the do their friends and family. I'm grateful I've made both them.
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April 2025 by Kristen Bockenstedt
I've trained at CrossFit Merle Hay for a little over a year and have had a very positive experience. CFMH has knowledgeable, supportive and friendly coaches who provide movement modifications as needed or requested. They truly seem to care about your wellness and fitness goals.
The coaches also program a good mixture of strength, cardio and gymnastics. They are respectful of your time and other responsibilities by making sure to get classes started on time and ending them on time.
I have found a great group of friends at the 5:30AM class who keep me accountable and I look forward to my time with them.
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April 2025 by Austin Hunter
First off, let me start by saying WOW!!!
From the moment I stepped foot into this facility I felt welcomed and treated like family. I’ve tested out multiple CrossFit Gyms in the metro and nowhere compares to the community @ CrossFit Merle Hay. Their dedicated owners Nate and Caileen, along with their determined coaches like Vince, Daniela, Jessica and many more, are all extremely knowledgeable and hardworking. Everyone practices what they preach and will allow you to scale down if necessary until you learn any particular movement or exercise. There workouts are safe, enjoyable, and intense enough to get you REAL RESULTS. They offer 1 on 1 Training, Group Classes, and even nutrition programs to help you really dial in on your own personal goals. The only thing I regret is not starting here sooner and I’m excited to see where this CrossFit journey takes me.
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March 2025 by Mikey Tross
I moved to Des Moines just under a year ago and decided to try some free crossfit classes for the first time. I’ve been going back to CrossFit Merle Hay ever since! Coach Vincent is truly an awesome and knowledgeable guy! Crossfit Merle Hay has a very welcoming environment. The coaches meet you at whatever level you’re at! Great place to connect with good people
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February 2025 by Rachel Nassiff
I just joined CFMH a few weeks ago after coming to a free trial month and have been loving it so far! I feel very welcomed and wanted here! Having very minimal CrossFit experience before, I have been so impressed with the coaches expertise and thoroughly teaching me techniques to ensure my form is correct. The smaller class sizes help with more focused attention as well as I’m just starting out.
I’m also 6 months pregnant so that has added a unique dimension of starting out with different lifts and workouts, but the coaches have been so patient and conscientious with my modifications and making sure baby and I stay safe. I have loved the atmosphere and the diversity of the workouts and especially the competitive nature.
The little room for kids is a nice added bonus too making class times more feasible for me when I can bring my kiddos along with me.
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February 2025 by Carl Rogers
They say the right gym can create a family. CrossFit Merle Hay is this gym. The gym is definitely the cream of the crop. The coaches are all engaging, friendly, and push you to work at your own limit. The members are all encouraging as each of us grinds and suffers during a workout. All of it is FANTASTIC. I love the instruction from every coach, the atmosphere motivates me to work harder, and we always have an opportunity to suggest the music of the day. I recommend the gym to anyone who wants to sweat, work, and have fun. CrossFit Merle Hay is family.
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February 2025 by Joe P
I participated in the CrossFit level 2 Certification at CrossFit Merle Hay. Jess (a coach at CFMH) was an instructor for the two days. As a coach with a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience, what a great asset to have at a gym as a member. This gym was very clean, organized with all the necessary equipment needed to learn functional exercise. I would highly recommend CrossFit Merle Hay!
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February 2025 by Jennifer
Awesome gym with a great community! The coaches are knowledgeable, encouraging, and really help you push your limits safely. The workouts are challenging but scalable for all levels. If you're looking for a supportive and high-energy environment to get stronger and fitter, this is the place to be!
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February 2025 by Amber Combs
Some friends recommended I do the free trial that they offered in January. I really enjoyed it. It tapped into a side of working out I haven’t seen in myself since college days. The coaches, staff, owners are all very personable. You walk in day one thinking what am I doing here? Right away they say hello, they ask your name, any health issues, etc. The coaches are great at remembering and checking up on you after a workout. They could tell right away I like competition and really leaned into that to help push me /further my goals. There are all different levels of fit at this gym. I really appreciate seeing that and the coaches are versatile and offer modifications for each movement. They really focus on form and making sure you have it down before adding heavier weight.
They do have a child’s room in the back for kids to hangout in and play while you focus on yourself for an hour. I haven’t seen other crossfits have this. That’s a nice perk.
Overall I would recommend CrossFit Merle hay and their coaches. I was very impressed by it all. I will be joining.
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February 2025 by John Davies
Great place to challenge yourself physically. Trainers are very helpful and provide guidance on mechanics to everyone in class, from beginners to experienced athletes.
