frequently asked questions
Q: What is Core Fusion®?
Core Fusion® is a one hour class that combines the disciplines of core conditioning, Pilates, yoga and orthopedic stretching that will produce long, lean muscles, washboard abs and a high lifted butt. NOTE: Socks are required for all Core Fusion® classes.
Q: Who should do Core Fusion®?
Core Fusion® is for almost anybody. The results of the class shape and tone the body, prepare you for sports and help you to rehabilitate minor injuries. You need to be at least 13 years old to participate in a Core Fusion® class.
Q: What do you do in a Core Fusion® class?
The 60-minute class begins with a warm up and 10 minutes of upper body, followed by 25 minutes of leg and butt exercises, 20 minutes of core conditioning and ending with a 5 minute savasana and stretch. The pace is very athletic weaving from strengthening to stretching exercises nonstop like interval training.
Q: Will Core Fusion® help me lose weight?
Most people ask how many calories do you burn in the one hour class? The answer is that no one really knows because calorie expenditure is directly dependent on the percentage of lean muscle mass that you have in your body. We profess that to lose weight, the amount of calories that you are burning the other 23 hours a day are the key to weight loss.
In a Core Fusion® class, the strengthening exercises are more effective in developing lean muscle mass than weight lifting because you are using your own body weight as resistance. When you increase your lean muscle mass, your metabolic rate increases allowing you to produce more energy and burn more calories. The stretching that immediately follows the strengthening will prevent muscle bulk and enable you to increase your flexibility and range of motion which are the key components in keeping your body youthful.
Q: How do I know what level or class to take?
It would be ideal to start at the basic level, but if you have class room experience and a mind body connection, feel free to join our open level classes. You should have prior Core Fusion® experience before you join the intermediate level. We offer Core Fusion® Personal Training which can be one-on-one or one-on-two, if you have any special needs to address.
Q: What is the fastest way to see results from Core Fusion®?
After you have tried a class, assuming that you like it and want to get involved, we offer a variety of membership or class pack options. We recommend a minimum of three classes per week to see results within 4 to 6 weeks. We also recommend making a personal consultation appointment with our in house nutrition and wellness coach to help you with your calorie intake and dietary choices.
Q: How much yoga and Pilates are in a Core Fusion® class?
We take various postures from yoga and we practice with a yogic mentality. Our class is non-competitive and non-comparative. You work in a focused way, from the inside out and you need to be present and in the moment with a strong emphasis on breathing. We use a neutral spine in most of our standing positions and we incorporate the principles of Pilates in our work: centering, flow, breathing, control, concentration, and precision. Our class has been called more intense than a Pilates mat class.
Q: How does Core Fusion® differ from a Lotte Berk-style class?
Core Fusion® focuses on positioning and alignment and balancing strengthening work with stretching and flexibility. Lotte Berk-style classes focus on speed, repetitions and a majority of the time spent on strengthening exercises with a minimal amount of stretching.
Q: If I take three Core Fusion® classes per week, do I still need to do aerobics?
Maybe. It depends on why you do aerobics. A lot of regular Core Fusion® students combine Yoga as their alternative activity.
Q: Will my muscles get bigger from doing Core Fusion®?
No. But inches will redistribute. Muscles that were sagging before will begin to lift, especially your butt and your thighs. This could give you the illusion that your muscles are getting bigger but in fact your muscles are just toning!
Q: How can I become a Core Fusion® teacher?
Teachers trained in Core Fusion® teach exclusively for exhale and the training is by invitation only. Our class is not available in gyms or other private facilities. For more information on how you can become a teacher, please contact: dfrank@exhalespa.com.
Q: Can I purchase a Core Fusion® book or DVD?
Both are in the works! The debut of our first DVD will be in September 2008. At this time, you can purchase our mat and stretch belt in our retail boutiques.