With summer approaching and many of us trying to feel our best after a long year of quarantine, a new fitness routine is always a fun way to get back into it. Introducing Corefire – a highly personalized, form-focused, sweat-inducing, strength training workout in the heart of Upper Montclair at 211 Bellevue Avenue #201. Launched in 2014 by local Founders, Angela McCaffrey and Caitlin DiRuggiero, this Essex County favorite has locations in both Upper Montclair and Ridgewood. Read on to learn all about the Corefire’s owners, the studio, the unique workout, and what makes a go-to gym in Montclair.
About Corefire
The Corefire workout centers around the Megaformer, a machine made up of a gliding platform, straps, and springs. The carriage is spring-loaded with resistance to give you a total body, strength training workout. These fun, 45-minute sessions on the Megaformer introduce form-focused strength, energy, and balance by guiding your natural ability to resist and counter-resist movements in various positions.
Read More: A Guide to Workout Studios in Montclair
Every movement begins in the nucleus of your body—your core—which their highly trained coaches help you strengthen and stabilize from the inside out. Corefire is a low-impact workout making it perfect for all ages and fitness levels. You are guaranteed to leave each session sweaty and with your core on fuego {and for days after!}.
How Corefire Started
Founders Angela McCaffrey and Caitlin DiRuggierio grew up in Montclair and have been best friends since middle school. The duo has always been active and enjoyed playing sports at Montclair Kimberley Academy {lacrosse and field hockey which they also coach currently} but still struggled with weight and body fluctuations throughout the years.
After college, they relocated out West to San Diego with some childhood friends and while there, discovered that one of their girlfriends fell seriously ill and was diagnosed with cancer. In an effort to show their love and support for her, the two decided to take on a challenge and do something they really dislike – which meant running – and not just a 5k, they signed up for a 26.2-mile marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
In the beginning, McCaffrey and DiRuggierio struggled to complete 5 miles and knew they had a lot of training ahead of them. They decided to try out a workout studio within walking distance to their San Diego home, similar to Corefire in methodology, and it completely transformed their bodies in just three months.
Their strength, balance, core, and endurance quickly improved and the two were able to complete the marathon seamlessly. Spoiler alert: their friend has regained her health and they were able to raise a ton of money for the cause. After their marathon training, they got to thinking about how this studio could have been more inclusive and focused on health rather than appearance. This is where their idea was born. Soon after, the two moved back to Montclair and decided to create the space they both wished existed.
Atmosphere + Services
This welcoming and sun-drenched fitness studio overlooks Bellevue Avenue in Upper Montclair and offers small group and private workout sessions for men and women of all ages and fitness levels.
See More: Where to Get a Massage in Montclair
The semi-private small group training sessions currently max out at seven per session to ensure social distancing and proper COVID-19 cleaning protocols. The studio offers classes from 6AM-11AM, and 5PM-7PM {depending on the day} seven days a week.
Don’t forget to bring a water bottle and gripper socks {they help you from slipping on the machine} – they are also sold at the studio. Keep up with the studio on Instagram at @corefirenj.
