Core Collective - Plymouth Road — Local services in Ann Arbor

I’m sorry I’m not sorry that this is going to be a long review – the TL;DR version is that you should check Core Collective out. :)

Whether you’re brand new to reformer Pilates (like I was) or a seasoned pro considering joining an Ann Arbor studio, you found the one! Core Collective is an absolute gem! It is my happy place and my daily dose of sanity. I’ve been coming here for just over a month now, but I have taken… a lot of classes. In addition to feeling stronger and healthier, practicing Pilates with this phenomenal team has provided me other, unexpected benefits. For instance, I am feeling happier, more energetic, and more in tune with my breath and with what my body needs.

I did a good amount of research before joining Core Collective. I tried out a few studios around town to figure out which one seemed best matched to what I was looking for. Because I had never been on a reformer before, it was very important to me that the instructors would give me easy-to-follow cues and would check my form to make sure I was doing the movements correctly. It also was very important to me that they offered many class times from which to choose so that I could fit a workout in to my busy (and variable) schedule. Another big, big thing for me was that the studio had a sense of community – both between the instructors and the members and amongst the members. Check, check, check!

Over and above these “must haves”, Core Collective has many other wonderful features. Although the classic reformer sessions make up the bulk of the classes I attend, I have come to love their cardio classes that make use of equipment other than the reformer (although the reformer can be used for cardio, too, with the fun jump board!). They have rowing machines that you sometimes use in the “Core Cardio” classes and always use in the “Row + Reform” classes (obviously). I try to work one or two cardio-themed sessions into my routine each week and really enjoy working up a sweat in addition to spending time strengthening key muscle groups (admittedly, sometimes I enjoy the rower more AFTER I’ve completed the workout rather than DURING the hard pushes, ha!).

In addition to the cardio equipment, they have other accessories you sometimes use for additional support or challenge (e.g., weighted bars, support balls, etc.). I don’t think I’ve had a chance to play with all the various accessories yet, but I’ve liked what we’ve used so far in my classes.

If studio ambiance is important to you, that is another way in which Core Collective shines (literally). It is a clean studio and very aesthetically pleasing.

Really, though, my favorite aspect of Core Collective is how wonderful the people are. I have taken at least one class with every instructor on their roster, and have only positive things to say about every single one of them. Not only are they great instructors, but they are kind, fun, happy, and wonderful humans! An added perk is that the members also are great -- catching up with the ones I have come to know before or after class has been a real treat.

So, in case you can’t tell, I’m totally Team Core Collective. :) If you’re curious about trying it out, check out the free introductory session. After that, you can sign up for an affordable one-week “trial” package before committing to an unlimited or session-pack monthly membership. (The other studios I explored didn’t offer that).

Ps. Because I can’t help myself, one more thing: the app (and website) you use to sign up for, reschedule, or cancel classes is super easy to use, and you can have it add your classes directly to your calendar. This is important to me since Google Calendar is...

I have been going to this studio for exactly a year now! I initially picked it due to the glowing and consistent 5 star reviews. My doctor advised me to start pilates to build my muscle strength due to being injury prone due to Ehlers danlos syndrome. Let me tell you, drop everything and book a class here. Once I took my first class, i could NOT stop talking about this lovely studio and their brilliant instructors! So much so that I had gotten 7 people around me to sign up for a membership after their first class, including my now-fiancé! He loves doing pilates here as well and I feel that it has brought us closer together since we do it so often. Emily, the owner, clearly cares so much about the studio, her instructors and the members. It is an incredible, kind, non-judgmental and encouraging environment to be in. This was the first time I had ever done a workout class and I was so anxious to go, but after my first class I found myself to be so inspired to keep coming. I love the difference in the classes that they offer and how each instructor changes up the exercises so you don’t know what to expect that day! The price for membership is unbelievable compared to the rest of the studios in the area (please never change!) and it is worth EVERY penny. Last year I wanted to seriously invest into my health & wellness, and wow I felt like I have struck gold at this studio! The changes I have seen in myself, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, in a short time has been immensely rewarding and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, knowing what my body can do in a short time. These workouts can be tough but I walk out every class feeling really proud of myself and I feel so much gratitude to have the opportunity to come here, I seriously fell in love with pilates! I never thought I would personally feel this way about exercise at all because I always hated working out and never found it to be enjoyable. Now, I found myself squeezing into class a few hours before I hopped on a flight because I knew I was going to miss it on Vacation! Every instructor they have is truly amazing at what they do. I feel a sense of community every time I step into the studio, which feels fulfilling. Some of my friends who moved away from town said they can’t find a studio thats similar to Core Collective and they miss it greatly!! This studio changed my life entirely, and if you give Core Collective a shot, I am sure it will change your...

I'm pretty disappointed in the studio. I found the booking process to be extremely difficult because the website isn't user friendly at all and there isn't an app for booking classes. Furthermore, the classes are usually completely booked unless you can reserve more than a week in advance, which doesn't work for me because I can't always attend classes on a set schedule due to career and family demands (3 young kids!)

On top of it, the studio isn't client friendly. I had been going there for once a week for about 2 months when I got an email from a total stranger introducing themselves and saying that they noticed I haven't booked any classes and if they can assist me in booking classes. Whar? Have they even looked at my account to see that I've been showing up once a week? Any other previous studios I have been to, the owners/managers/instructors make a point of getting to know the members and I feel like I'm just a number in this studio.

I feel like the studio cares more about recruiting more clients instead of improving on quality of the experience they provide. First, a user friendly booking app would be really beneficial. Second, you don't have enough classes to offer all of the members you have. Booking is super difficult. Third, get to know your members! Make them feel valued! People don't mind spending money for quality products, but they also expect to get what they paid for. I feel like all Core Collective cares about is making money and not customer service.

It's been a very...