Core Sport came onto my fitness radar when instructor Cat Myklebust, whom I knew from when I worked at another gym, instant messaged me with an invitation to a pop-up hip-hop class at her Loreto Plaza studio. It was when I sent it to you. I had other plans that night, but decided I needed to check out Core Sport.
Step inside and see the 11 Reformer machines and you might think the former Glenda’s Party Cove space has simply been converted into a Pilates studio. But in a second studio behind the large Pilates space, Core Sports also offers a variety of other classes, including spin, barre, and circuit training.
When I first stepped into Pilates many years ago, I was blown away. Sure, the stretch was nice, but it just didn’t seem worth the premium price. I decided to wipe a clean slate and tried Core Sport, a (free) introductory class offered every Tuesday.
Instructor Jen Malkin had us put on our grip socks and showed us the different parts of the reformer, including the carriage, platform, footbar, and different colored springs that provide resistance. We started lying on our backs in the carriage and started by doing leg presses on the footbar with our legs spread apart to work the big muscle groups, then moved on to hip bridges. We kneel in a carriage for a lat press, then sit in a carriage with legs extended through the shoulder rests for an upper body workout, and Jen shows how to vary resistance by holding the rope with clips or short or long handles. demonstrated. Also by crossing the rope.
Reformer machine running on Core Sport | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom Pilates uses special grip socks. Photo: Amy Ramos Reformer Spring | Photo: Amy Ramos
“Pilates is 99.99 percent abs,” Jen tells us, reminding us to keep our abs tight. But the next day, and the day after I took a Classical Reformer class with studio owner Chanda Fetter, my glutes were sore. It was definitely a more difficult workout than the Pilates I tried years ago.
I also checked out TRX, a suspension training system I had never tried before. As I entered Core Sport’s second studio, I stared with some apprehension at the black and yellow TRX straps hanging from the beam, wondering if I had accidentally signed up for some kind of aerial class. did. There was no need to worry. The TRX was designed by a former Navy SEAL, but Fetter offers it because it replicates Pilates movements, where the user stands upright rather than lying on their stomach or supine, and uses straps instead of springs. is.
Hold on to the straps of your TRX and lean into a plank position while instructor Courtney Nigro leads you through a round of squats, bicep curls, low-rows, and a particularly devilish X-fly, with the option of a few more. It continued to stay firmly on the ground while making many jumps. The closest I ever got to being in the air in TRX class was when I hooked my ankles into the straps and did a plank. That doesn’t mean the classes were easy. I would sweat every time I took it, and my abs, chest, and glutes would hurt afterwards depending on the focus of the class.
What I love about TRX is that it supports my balance so I can focus on working my core. The class was also fun. The music ranges from a cover of Phil Collins’ “You Can’t Hurry Love” to Taylor Swift’s “…Ready for It?” to a medley of late Cold War classics like “99 Red Balloons” and “Take On Me.” Marie, Patty, and the other regulars made me feel welcome and kindly corrected me when I made elementary mistakes, like putting the wrong strap on.
Instructor Courtney Nigro | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
I thought I had made a mistake when I signed up for the circuit class at Fes del Campo on Friday afternoon. It’s been a long week, my day started early, and all I wanted to do was go home and lie on the couch. However, Del Campo paired us and I was happy when I found out that my training partner was a former colleague. Elizabeth and I reconnected while doing Russian twists and side flies. I appreciated Del Campo’s coaching. Even common exercises like mountain climbing can be more effective. By the end of the class, I felt energized and glad I had come.
Class using the TRX Suspension Training System | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
Studio owner Fetter, a Sacramento native who moved here to attend UCSB, discovered Pilates as a ballerina recovering from an injury. In her role as Group Fitness Director, she introduced both Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates to local Gold’s Gyms before opening her own studio. She moved Core Sport to its current location in 2020, but then had to quickly switch to offering private training for almost a year and a half due to the pandemic.
Fetter, who once aspired to be a physical therapist, said her vision “was always to provide a bridge between the medical model and fitness.” It’s kind of a one-stop shop for physical therapy, personal training, and general fitness classes. That vision became a reality with the opening of the Wellness Center, an annex just a short walk down the sidewalk from the core sports studio (though you’ll have to walk past the enticing sight of Renault pastries). The Wellness Center offers ample space and equipment for private training sessions and remains popular now that classes have resumed. It also serves as a venue for talks by Fetter’s hand-picked practitioners on topics such as weight loss and metabolism.
The morning I stopped by the Wellness Center, I was greeted by Devo, a large but friendly dog owned by Dr. Charlie Gilligan, a resident physical therapist who specializes in joint replacement rehabilitation and sports rehabilitation.
Fetter may be achieving her business goals, but her core sport is also a passion project for her. When she opened her current space in 2020, she decided to offer child care not because it was about making money (it’s not), but because it was about “making fitness a legitimate priority. Because I knew my parents needed it for me.” Fetter serves on the board of directors of State Street Ballet, which maintains its ties to the ballet by employing many dancers as a way to “support dancers out of season and in times of injury.”
Author Amy Ramos | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom Instructor John Clements | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom Core Sports Kids Clubhouse | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom
Although it has been suggested that Fetter should franchise her business, she does not believe there is a formula for recreating the studio and wellness center environment. “As a small business owner, you want to show that you are connected to your community,” she said.
I still always try to take that pop-up hip-hop class when Core Sports has Kat teaching hip-hop at their Friday Fun class, which they hold on the first Friday of every month. But in the meantime, I’m looking forward to next Friday’s fun. Adult ballet classes taught by State Street Ballet artists.
Location: 3319 State Street (Loreto Plaza), Santa Barbara; this studio offers multiple classes per day starting at 6 a.m. on weekdays. A childcare center (Kids Clubhouse) is available for some classes. Register for classes using the mobile app. Pilates towels and grip socks are available if you forget to bring your own. A small room for storing personal items. There are 2 showers available. Plenty of free parking. Physical therapy is available on-site (not included in membership). Visit coresportsb.com.
