Rachel Eslick knows all about the challenges of a woman’s body changing, both as a result of motherhood and simply from getting older.
Once a cheerleader at Fresno State then later a TV news reporter, Eslick was always comfortable in front of the spotlight.
But years of feeling critiqued and judged by others also made Eslick a little self-conscious as she aged.
So she turned to fitness and nutrition to help her maintain a healthy body and mindset — especially during pregnancy and postpartum.
In the process, she re-established an unshakable confidence.
Rachel Eslick, the owner and instructor at Reach Fitness Studio, flexes while sitting among dozens of kettlebells of different weights at her new gym in Clovis on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. Reach Fitness Studio specializes in kettlebell training, mainly for women. Classes are taught by Elsick, a former Fresno State cheerleader who’s since become a fitness guru. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Now Eslick is hoping to help others find their own confidence, opening a fitness studio in Clovis geared toward women dealing with body changes.
That said, men are invited to work out at the facility, too. And people of all skill and fitness levels are welcome, including beginners.
“It’s just an amazing feeling to help people feel strong, feel better about themselves, and have more confidence,” Eslick said. “I want to help as many people as I can.”
Reach Fitness Studio, located just east of the Clovis and Gettysburg avenues intersection at 2921 Larkin Ave., officially opened Monday.
Though many female-centric workouts are associated with pack gym floors and cardio sessions, Eslick offers small-group workouts that emphasize kettlebell training.
“This gym is actually more about building strength with slow, controlled movement, and less about just getting sweaty,” Eslick said.
Rachel Eslick, the owner and instructor at Reach Fitness Studio, shows the proper technique when performing kettlebell swings at her new gym in Clovis on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. Reach Fitness Studio specializes in kettlebell training, mainly for women. Classes are taught by Elsick, a former Fresno State cheerleader who’s since become a fitness guru. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
As a certified trainer for 11 years, Eslick preaches that fitness and health isn’t just about losing weight or looking fit.
It’s more about establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the long haul — through proper nutrition and workouts.
And since the best workout routine for most people is simply one that they won’t quit, Eslick decided to focus on kettlebell training because of its fun aspect that could motivate people to keep working out.
“When I first found out about a kettlebell gym, it just changed the trajectory of how much I loved fitness,” Eslick said. “It’s a more athletic way of training. You’re jumping, moving the kettlebell ballistically. It taps into that athletic side of you and helps bring back a lot of that hand-eye coordination.
“And while you’re having fun, you’re also building muscle. As we get older and reach a certain phase of life — for women especially — we need to preserve muscle and build strength.”
Dozens of kettlebells of different weights line the wall at Reach Fitness Studio, a new gym opening in a Clovis commercial business space. The gym specializing in kettlebell training, mainly for women, and taught by a former Fresno State cheerleader who’s since become a fitness guru. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
Eslick spent the past six years training clients privately and leading group workouts online through zoom. Many of her clients lived outside of the Fresno area.
Eslick, however, knew that to have a stronger impact, she’d need to open her own studio locally — to establish a community of people seeking a healthy lifestyle, and build strong accountability and communication beyond the gym setting.
But Eslick wanted to also make sure the studio maintained a private session feel, so clients could still receive “individual attention from personal training, with a small, supportive community.”
Reach Fitness Studio classes are capped around 20 people (sessions are scheduled throughout the day). And members are encouraged to reserve their spot in a class online.
“It’s proven,” Eslick said, “when people are working together, you get better results.”
Eslick said she was humbled to receive support back from the community, with 35 people signed up to become a founding member before her studio ever opened up.
The Clovis native takes additional comfort and pride in helping people from her community.
She recalls cheering and rooting for others as a cheerleader at Clovis High, then as a young adult at Fresno State. Eslick then went on to tell stories about the local community as a news reporter for the CBS affiliate in Fresno.
“You don’t need 10,000 clients to be an influence,” Eslick said. “If you can positively impact people’s lives around you, especially those in your neighborhood, that’s more than enough.”
Reach Fitness Studio is a new gym opening in a Clovis commercial business space and specializing in kettlebell training, mainly for women, and taught by a former Fresno State cheerleader who’s since become a fitness guru. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com
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Bryant-Jon Anteola is a multimedia reporter for The Fresno Bee, writing stories and producing videos about sports, news and random topics relatable to those in the Fresno area. He’s won a McClatchy President’s Award and received honorable mention by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He enjoys sports because of the competition, camaraderie and energy, and views sports as a microcosm of society.