Exercise Studio CORE40 Moving Into Castro's Former Magnet Space

Exercise Studio CORE40 Moving Into Castro's Former Magnet SpaceCORE40 expects to open in mid-August. (Photo: Shane Downing/Hoodline)
Shane Downing
Published on July 25, 2016

Seven months since being vacated by 12-year resident Magnet, 4122 18th St. will soon be home to CORE40, a class-based fitness program. The Castro will be CORE40’s fifth location in the city; it's also in SoMa, Lower Pac Heights, Nob Hill, and Noe/the Mission. Madison Ford, CORE40’s San Francisco studio director, told us the contract was signed over a month ago, and her team is preparing to open its doors in the middle of August.

“What is CORE40?” we asked, biting into a doughnut. “The whole basis is less time, more intensity,” said Ford. “Because the workout is intense, we strive to connect your heart to your head. It requires that mental strength in order to reach those milestones.”

CORE40 offers 40-minute full-body group classes. The Castro location will include new technology that involves a ramp, which sets the CORE40 machines on an incline. “It’s strength training,” said Ford, “but on an incline, with no impact on your joints. You can hit the muscles at different angles.”

A look at the machines used by CORE40. Photo: Core40/Facebook

Those who are familiar with Magnet’s former space may not recognize CORE40’s interior. According to Ford, the ground level is one big open classroom, with lockers and a bathroom. There will only be “about 14 machines,” said Ford. “It’s a very intense class, but the beauty is that the classes are small. Our trainers can give hands-on adjustments to each person throughout the class.”

The studio will be open seven days a week and will offer classes from 6am to about 7pm, depending on the day. Given the small class sizes, Ford recommended making a reservation ahead of time.

People looking to give CORE40 a try will have a few options when it comes to purchasing classes, including a discounted 12-class-per-month auto-pay option. Session-based passes, which don’t expire, will also be available. “Our first class is typically $20,” said Ford, “but we’ll be offering that for $10 for when we first open.” The promotion code is: CASTROHOOD.

According to Ford, she and her team are looking forward to opening CORE40’s doors to the Castro in a few weeks. “We’re excited to have a new community to get to know. Each place we open is in a new neighborhood, in a new environment, and to new family.”