From HIIT circuits to ballet, contemporary dance and cardio combined, Core Collective cover a full range of classes to get you the results that you want. Core Collective opened a year ago and since its launch has experienced a cult following of gym bunnies and newbies to the fitness scene alike, and not just due to the effectiveness of the classes. The lighting, music, cafe and changing rooms have been thought through with such precision to achieve the most enjoyable of workout experiences. Whats more they have managed to achieve a club like feel but the classes are booked on a pay-as-you-go basis so no commitment - they just know that you’ll be coming back for more!
For you Velocity lovers out there, Core Collective offer 45 minutes of high intensity, athletic interval training, with fitness, function and flexibility at its core. Expect to find HIIT/circuit training, power yoga and weighted yoga. We are big yoga lovers at The Interview (London) so no doubt we will see you there!
For Resistance you'll find TRX training, sculpt ballet class with weights, a pop sound track and mat pilates. And Accelerate is straight up spinning again with a playlist designed to keep you motivated.
The Interview (London) catch up with founder, Jason de Savary on his change in career from trading to the wellbeing world, building Core Collective, his go to class and words of wisdom to all of you looking to build your own business.
Hi Jason! Please can you introduce yourself and your company?
Jason de Savary - I founded Core Collective a year ago.
What were you doing prior to opening Core Collective?
I was a trader in both a futures brokerage and a hedge fund for a number of years since leaving school.
When did you have the idea for Core Collective and what were your next steps?
I got stale in my finance career and during that time was doing a lot of exercise and pondering life! Whilst finding it hard to book in to classes because the half decent ones were full, and not being impressed with most places I thought there was a gap for somewhere that could bring what a lot of places partially did well together under one roof.
Have you always had an entrepreneurial streak?
I would say I've always been impatient and had an open attitude towards risk.
What differentiates Core Collective to the other gyms popping up in London?
I think what's exciting is that all gyms popping up in London are offering different things. We just concentrate on what we do and doing it as well as we can. Firstly I love all our trainers. They're excellent and we are really lucky. Beyond that - we just try to make the experience from checking in with the lovely reception team to showering afterwards as positive as we can. I want people to look forward to coming to CC and not dread it, even if the instructors can make you feel like you should have stayed at home sometimes. I want where possible to retain a small club feel, where clients know receptionists and trainers and feel totally comfortable coming to see us whether alone or with friends
Can you tell us about some of the classes held there?
We have 4 different studios so we try to offer a range of classes to suit all different ages and tastes. Above all we want our classes to be effective. If you're looking to build fitness for an event or lose weight or just have fun, we have something for you.
Have you always been an avid gym user?
No, I used to run and play a lot of sport at school but found the gym boring. Classes were where I reconnected with my competitive streak and could push myself further than just strolling around the gym aimlessly.
Whats your favourite class?
Velocity with head trainers James or Paddy. Or resistance with Ania. Both are different classes and both leave me stiff in the morning no matter how fit I think I am.
Whats your favourite song to workout to?
Anything as long as it masks my wheezing.
The right atmosphere is essential to staying motivated during exercise. Can you tell us about the atmosphere you have created at Core Collective?
The detail that went into creating the atmosphere in all of the studios at CC meant look carefully at lighting, sound and style. We have also learned that the trainer and the clients working hard brings the atmosphere also and we just make a stage for this to be possible.
What new equipment can we expect to find at Core Collective?
We just bought some assault bikes for our Velocity class which I'm told are hated so I'm thrilled with that. We always look for some new things to add in but also we trust in simple movements done well and at intensity. Body weight is the basis for many of our classes and I don't see that changing. I'd challenge you to find a piece of equipment that can do what one of trainer’s Dom can make you do with your own body weight!
What are your future plans for Core Collective?
Plans are always changing. It's a competitive market now and people want more for less. We're just trying to do what we do well and see where the growth lies in this studio before we race to expand. We've looked at a few sites but are very particular in what we look for.
What are the best pieces of advice you can offer to others whilst setting up a business?
Make a worst case scenario. Imagine everything that could go wrong and then add 30% to that. If it still looks like it might work then go for it.