Core Collective

Personal training · Group classes · Recovery

Train smarter, feel stronger -- in a gym that
actually knows your name

Small-group and 1:1 training for people who are done grinding alone and want a community that holds them to it.

Expert coaches, capped class sizes

Programmes built around your goals

No joining fee · cancel anytime

Rated 5.0 stars across 27+ Google reviews
Book a free taster session07826 531 234

5.0 rating from Google reviews

Jamie Robertson

“Best gym decision I ever made. The coaches know every member by name and genuinely track your progress between sessions.”

Google review

Priya Mehta

“I'd tried three different gyms before this one. Within a month I actually looked forward to training again.”

Google review

Chris Hadley

“The small group classes are no joke -- challenging every time, but always at a pace that suits where you are.”

Google review

Sara Novak

“After my knee surgery I was nervous to get back into training. The team adapted every session around my recovery and never rushed me.”

Google review

Tom Ellison

“I've been a member for two years and I've seen real, measurable results. The programming is smart and it keeps evolving.”

Google review

The approach

Strength, conditioning and recovery -- built around you, not a generic plan.

Programming that actually fits your life

Your schedule, your injury history, your goals. We build the plan around you -- not the other way around.

Small classes, high attention

Capped class sizes mean coaches can correct your form, push you at the right time, and know when to hold back.

Recovery as part of the work

Mobility, breathwork and structured rest built into every week -- because progress happens in recovery, not just under load.

Community that keeps you accountable

Members who show up for each other. Group chats, shared challenges, celebrating results that took real graft.

Book intro offer: 3 classes for £50

How it works

From first session to long-term results

Not sure what to expect? Here's how training with us actually works -- no jargon, no pressure.

  • We start with a free taster session

    No commitment, no hard sell. You train with a coach, ask every question, and decide if it's the right fit.

  • We build your programme

    After the taster we set goals and put together a 4-week block -- the right mix of strength, conditioning and recovery for where you are now.

  • You train with consistency

    Most members train 3-4x per week. Coaches track your lifts, log your progress and adjust the programme as you improve.

  • Results compound over time

    Three months in, you're lifting heavier, moving better and recovering faster. Six months in, you can see and feel the difference.

Boutique gym vs a big-box chain -- what's the actual difference?

A commercial gym gives you access to equipment and leaves you to figure out the rest. Here, you get coached sessions, a structured programme, and people who notice if you've been away a week. If you've ever joined a gym, gone twice and cancelled -- this is the alternative.

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What we offer

Classes and programmes for every goal

From high-intensity conditioning to mobility and recovery -- there's a session for where you are today.

Strength & Conditioning

The core of the programme.

Barbell and kettlebell work, functional movements and progressive overload -- coached in small groups of up to 8.

HIIT & Metabolic

Work hard, recover smart.

Short, intense circuits designed to build aerobic capacity and burn fat without sacrificing muscle.

Mobility & Recovery

The session most people skip.

Guided mobility, fascia release and breathwork -- the work that keeps you training consistently over the long term.

1:1 Personal Training

Fully personalised.

One-to-one sessions with a dedicated coach, built entirely around your goals, history and schedule.

Online Coaching

Train anywhere.

Custom programming and weekly check-ins delivered remotely -- the same approach, wherever you are.

Book a free taster session

The studio

A beautiful space designed for movement

Natural light, exposed beams, and thoughtfully-arranged equipment. Five reformers, Pilates chairs, and everything you need for expert coaching.

Around the gym

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Training Zones

Reformer studio

Reformer studio

Five Balanced Body reformers arranged so every client gets equal attention. Stunning exposed-beam ceiling with skylights flooding the space with natural light.

Pilates equipment suite

Pilates equipment suite

In addition to reformers, we have Pilates chairs (EXO chairs), mats, resistance bands, and small props for varied, full-body programming.

Treatment room

Treatment room

Private massage therapy room for sports massage, deep tissue work, and manual therapy. Emily offers integrated bodywork alongside movement coaching.

Member facilities

Changing room

Private changing space with secure storage for your belongings during classes.

Natural light & ventilation

Skylights and high ceilings create a calm, airy environment that makes training feel genuinely restorative.

Street parking

On-street parking available along Kingsland Road. The studio is a short walk from the city centre.

Location

Core Collective York

60-64 Kingsland Road
York, YO10 3RP

Get directions
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Pick your path

What's your goal?

Core Collectivesupports everyone's goals — from kit on the floor, to how we train.

Pre/Postnatal Support at Core Collective

Emily and Julie both have extensive pre/postnatal training. Movement coaching that supports safe pregnancy, birth recovery, and returning to strength postpartum. Modifications every session, never generic instructions.

Prenatal reformer Pilates

Pregnancy-Safe Reformer Classes

Gentle Flow and modified All Levels classes adapted for each trimester, building pelvic floor awareness and supporting changing posture.

Postnatal reformer class

Postnatal Recovery

Return to movement safely with coaching that understands diastasis recti, pelvic floor healing, and progressive loading for new mums.

Meet the founders

The people behind
Core Collective

Emily McDonald, founder and clinical Pilates instructor
Founder & Clinical Pilates Instructor

Emily McDonald

Breathe Education qualified · Sports massage therapist

Emily founded Core Collective after years of working in clinical Pilates and massage therapy. Her Breathe Education clinical training means she understands injury, chronic pain, and how bodies actually move, not just how they should move in theory.

Emily teaches with clarity and warmth. She believes movement coaching should be solutions-focused: what's not working, and how do we fix it. Her background in sports massage informs every session, bringing a whole-body, integrated approach to strength and mobility.

“I wanted to create a space where people feel genuinely supported, not just instructed. Small classes mean I can see what your body needs and help you get there safely.”

Julie Roberts, co-founder and specialist Pilates instructor
Co-Founder & Specialist Pilates Instructor

Julie Roberts

Women's life-stage specialist · 15+ years teaching experience

Julie brings deep expertise in coaching women through pre/postnatal phases, menopause, and active ageing. Her teaching is calm, steady, and informed by real understanding of how bodies change across a lifetime.

Julie's passion is creating lasting relationships with clients and growing with them over time. She's known for her ability to make even the most nervous beginner feel capable and welcome from day one.

“Movement should support you wherever you are right now. I coach women through every phase of life, not just the 'peak performance' years.”

Book intro offer: 3 classes for £50

A member's story

Two years in, still showing up

Jamie had joined and quit four gyms in three years. Not for lack of trying -- every time he started, he hit a wall after six weeks and lost momentum.

He joined here on a whim after a mate dragged him along to a taster session. Two years later he's still a member, 18 kg stronger on his deadlift and training four days a week without thinking about it.

“Best gym decision I ever made. The coaches know every member by name and genuinely track your progress between sessions.”

— Jamie Robertson · member for 2 years
Book a free taster session
Jamie Robertson · member for 2 years
Gym coach supporting a member

Your first session is free -- no strings

Every new member starts with a free taster session so you can try the training, meet the coaches and decide if it's the right fit before you commit to anything. No hard sell, no joining fee, no obligation.

  • Coached strength & conditioning classes (max 8 per session)
  • 1:1 personal training available 7 days a week
  • Online coaching for members who travel
  • Flexible membership -- no contract required

Start with a free taster session -- book online in under a minute.

Book a free taster session

Our story

Built by two coaches who
genuinely care

Emily and Julie founded Core Collective in York because they wanted to create a movement studio where people feel genuinely supported, not just instructed. Where small class sizes mean real attention. Where coaching understands injury, life stages, and the messiness of real bodies, not just textbook form.

We love creating lasting relationships with our clients and growing with them over time. You're not a face in a crowd here. You're someone we know, coach, and support through every phase of your movement journey.

Membership

Straightforward pricing, no hidden fees.

One monthly membership covers unlimited group classes, access to the strength floor and recovery room. Personal training is available as an add-on. No joining fee, no minimum term.

  • No joining fee
  • No minimum contract
  • Cancel with 30 days notice

ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP

FROM

From £XXper month

Everything you need to train consistently -- classes, floor access and recovery, all included:

  • Unlimited group classes (strength, HIIT, mobility)
  • Full access to the strength floor and conditioning area
  • Recovery room access
  • Member app with your programme and progress tracking
  • Community group chat and monthly member challenges
Book a free taster sessionAsk about pricing

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers -- and you can ask us anything else on your free taster session.

Free taster session

Try it once, no commitment

Come in, train with a coach and see if it's the right fit -- before you spend a penny.

  • We'll start with a quick movement assessment so the session makes sense for your body.
  • You train a full coached session alongside members.
  • We answer your questions and talk through membership options -- no pressure.

Book a free class

Choose a class type, then pick a session that works for you.

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Upcoming HIIT sessions

Prefer to email first? Email hello@yourgym.com