By Jill Nagy
“We made it over the six-month hump,”
said Victoria Nye Cordi, owner of Core Fitness
of Saratoga, which she describes as a
“boutique studio” offering small classes and
individual attention.
“I’m not generic,” she added. “Not generic
exercise and not generic attention.”
With classes limited to 15 people, and
many of them much smaller, Cordi gets to
know her students and can tailor programs
to meet their needs.
“Emphasis is totally on the core,” she explained. That is, on strengthening the middle part of the body–abdominal muscles and related areas. “That,” she explained, “is the center of your functional movement.” While the emphasis is on the core area, “we try to make sure that the whole body moves in every direction.”
“I love my job,” she said. “It’s very interesting. I’m learning a lot and I’m having fun.” One of the things Cordi likes best is “to see someone come in for the first time a little nervous and then walk out on cloud nine.”
The studio offers a variety of classes as well as personal training sessions. Among the most popular are the bicycles–not quite stationary because they can move from side to side, exercising the hips and back as well as the legs–and something she calls “will, power and grace,” a barefoot cardiovascular workout.
“We really deal a lot with your feet and then work up,” she explained. She calls the hips, knees and ankles the three hinges of the body and, like the hinges on a door, all of them have to work properly for the body to function. A version of that class, called Will Power for Girl Power, is aimed at teens and pre-teens.
The studio’s typical client has a very hectic schedule, “like a rollercoaster ride,” she said. Many of them deal with people in large groups all day long and, when they come to work out, “that’s not what they are looking for.” Small groups appeal to them.
The studio is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with an early afternoon break. Cordi teaches five classes a day and, in between, does personal training. Another instructor, Joni Nessineo, comes in on Thursdays to teach pilox, a combination of pilates and boxing.
Two additional instructors will join the staff in January. Yonka Beckem will teach a class for new mothers and their babies, and Bonnie Farrelly will teach mat fundamentals, a basic floor exercise class. Cordi describes mat fundamentals as “yoga as I need it taught,” for people who are a little stiff.
Classes are $15 each on a drop-in basis. Ticket packages are available at a lower per class price, 10 classes for $120 or 20 for $200. There are no sign-up or expiration dates. The tickets can be used any time.
Core Fitness of Saratoga is located at 68 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs. The telephone number is 583-3488. More information and videos can be found on the website, www.saratogacorefitness.com.