Santa Cruz CORE Fitness + Rehab

I’d been struggling with a chronic, progressively worsening injury /​issue for almost a full year that locked up my hips and everything connected to it. I tried two chiropractors, two acupuncturists, an orthopedic doc, a «witch doctor» and a medical intuitive in my desperate attempt to recover my mobility and eliminate the chronic ache and pain whenever I walked, stood or slept.
I tried supplements, needles, massage, spinal adjustments, blood tests, etc. and spent thousands of dollars in the process, to no avail.
Then I discovered RHODES, the chiropractor at this facility.
He immediately, ACCURATELY (finally!) assessed what the problem was and diligently set to work to resolve it. There are no words to describe the relief I felt as I found my hips, joints, ligaments, etc. loosen up, and my ability to walk, without pain (rather than waddle in small steps) return… and my mobility restored. This took a series of 9 sessions, and it was worth every cent and minute.
If you’ve tried everything and you’re still in pain, you MUST see this man. He’s designed an effective, unique protocol for addressing soft-​tissue trauma. He’s a pioneer in his field.
What’s also great about this unique resource is they reprogram you so you exercise correctly and don’t inadvertently undermine your physiology. As someone who has done group exercise classes for decades (spin, step, kettle ball, strength, boot camp, etc.) it’s really impossible to do the workouts with perfect form unless someone is supervising you. These folks will put you on the right path.
Rhodes is THE man. If you’re in pain, Call Rhodes pronto. He’s a true healer– and a gifted one. I’m soooo grateful to him for restoring my mobility– and my life.

I have always resented the impersonal atmospheres of many fitness centers, and as a result, chose to avoid them entirely. Santa Cruz Core Fitness + Rehab has proven that there are still wellness professionals out there who care about their clients. I enjoy my time there and every service offered is absolutely phenomenal! 5 stars!!!

I am so so tired of this place. Groupons that are for new customers only. Gift certificates that hold no dollar value only for a specific service. Upgrade fee for everything. Annoying. Annoying to get appointments. Annoying waiting for your appointment. Annoying that they try to put an expiration on gift certificates and say it is legal when it is not.
Constant practitioner turn over. Hmm wonder why… not.

Update on my last post. Due to a misunderstanding at the reception desk my Groupon was initially not honored but Jaimi personally called me back and corrected the mistake. I love supporting local businesses I’m pretty sure a big corp. woulda never extended that courtesy.
Thanks sc core

As an Olympic athlete I highly recommend everyone to try Santa Cruz Core Fitness and Rehab. After training hard I need help with recovery and I can always count on Core Fitness. I get the best massages that leave me feeling refreshed and ready for another day of practice. Not only do they offer wonderful massages but a lot of other services, such as personal training and nutritional counseling. The gym is clean and with top of the line training technology, such as the Vasper Machine. Everyone has a positive attitude, and all the employees are very helpful. Core Fitness is a great place for everyone, from someone just wants to improve their health and wellness, to someone who is an elite athlete like me.

This place is awesome. It’s one of the only places in California that has the Vasper machine open to the public. Everyone gets three free sessions to try the machine out and see what it’s like, which is pretty amazing seeing how it’s only been available to pro athletic teams and the military before but now there’s a machine in Santa Cruz! The one thing is they have a form that has a list of conditions that you need make sure you get a doctors approval before using the machine so if you have any major issues you should call and ask beforehand so you save yourself a trip. They have a lot of other services and I haven’t tried all of them but the Vasper machine will definitely keep me coming back to this place.

Got a deep tissue massage from George and it was one of the best massages I’ve ever had. I’ve had dozens of massages and it was so nice to find someone with a firm grasp of anatomy and body mechanics. Cannot recommend him highly enough!

I came in for personal training and was enrolled by the President, Jaimi. I was initially hesitant to purchase a month of packages, and Jaimi reassured me that if it didn’t work out, she would cancel and refund me. I had one session with Lyndsay; she was sweet, enthusiastic and very personable. Due to my own reasons I could not continue with training — I emailed Jaimi to cancel and not only received a rapid response, asking if I could tell her what they could do better, but she also offered to train me herself; When I told her I was unable to continue, she made sure my money was refunded promptly. Jaimi was polite, timely, and gracious
GREAT people!

First, I would like to say that Serena ROCKS. She’s a spunky gal who has great energy and obviously enjoys her job.
However, usually when you buy a 60 minute massage, you get a 60 minute massage. This has never ever been my experience with SC CORE Fitness. Ever.
For my first visit, I had bought a 60 minute Groupon and when I was on the table, the masseuse (Trevor) told me the massage would only be 50 minutes. It lasted closer to 45 minutes. This surprised me, and I had to go back and double check that my Groupon actually said 60 minutes, which it did.
Isn’t that considered false advertising?
I thought maybe the first visit was a fluke, as I understand that usually businesses lose money on Groupons. They suckered me into signing up for a once a month subscription to their 60 minute, low key, Sunday massage program. They were REALLY aggressive with the sales pitches on my first visit. I wasn’t really looking to spend anymore money but they were incredibly eager and it seemed like an ok deal so i bit.
Every month since then, my experience has been the same: each «60 minute» massage only lasts 50 minutes! 10 minutes might not seem like that big of a deal but why even advertise the massages as 60 minutes when they aren’t? It seems very deceptive. If they would schedule about 15 minutes extra between each massage to allow for the setting up and taking down of the massage tables, then the customer wouldn’t get scammed out of the full 60 minute massage they are advertising for.
Or they could start being honest and advertising their massages as only being 50 minutes instead of 60.
I am cancelling my subscription and will be taking my business elsewhere.

I also bought the groupon package of 3 massages. Ive never been charged an upgrade fee for deep tissue at any other place but here. My 60 minute massage only lasted 45 minutes that last time I was here. Also the massage room is right next to the work out studio so when there is a class it’s pretty noisy. I would say that for the price it’s not worth it. Go somewhere else where it has a more spa like feel.

I bought a package for 4 deep tissue massages, hoping for therapeutic massage. I’ve scheduled with a few massage therapists, and while they’ve been skilled it hasn’t been what I’m looking for.
Part of it is how Core schedules appointments. Each massage is supposed to be 60 minutes, but despite arriving on time or early to each appointment my massage always starts 5 – 10 minutes late making it a 50 minute massage. After 4 appointments, that’s almost another massage I’m missing out on because Core schedules appointments to close together.
George was the most skilled masseuse and really focused on my shoulders (I do aerial so that was great) but wanted to chat the whole time. It was really hard to relax into some of the tough, tight areas. I scheduled my next two appointments with two other masseuses, but neither massage was really deep tissue (the second time Core failed to schedule me for a deep tissue and even though the masseuse said he did ‘deep tissue work’ I felt like I paid extra to not actually get deep tissue).
I won’t be purchasing another package – the high prices, the shortened massages, and the lack of deep muscle work have been disappointing.

The customer is always wrong here. Bad service, uninformed and often nasty reception, lots of rules and red tape. They have a ridiculous liability waiver that you have to sign to get any services here that basically says that if they injure you it’s not their fault (for a massage!!! Don’t they have insurance!!!), as well as a sales pitch oriented «intake» that takes up part of your massage time, even after you’ve done the initial painstaking paper work. I came to this place a few years ago for a «fitness consultation» (read: sales pitch for a diet food program) and later for a massage that was mediocre at best. I really hated the vibe of the place and the owner seemed to have an anger management problem, but I returned recently with a Groupon gift certificate I received, hoping they had grown up a little. Nope. Same old b.s. The receptionist even gave me an argument about making change for a $ 20 so that I could tip the massage therapist. I was told, «There is a bank with an ATM down the street.» Well yeah, so why don’t you, the business, go there are get some change for your customers? I don’t care to patronize businesses that act like they are doing me a favor by allowing me to spend money there.
There’s not even a restroom on the premises; really disgusting for a business that deals with human bodies and their effluvia.
CORE is unaccommodating, unfriendly to the point of coldness, and as unprofessional as it gets. The business model is all about parting you from your money, nothing more, and the people working there seem unhappy. That tells me they are not being treated well. There are a gazillion massage therapists and personal trainers in Santa Cruz who will do better by you, cheerfully, and not require you to sign your life away for the privilege of paying them for their services.

This is for the massage, not the workout portion of the business.
Leon is very good, kind and made me feel comfortable. The gym was loud for me but once I was back in the room I could relax. Not much more needed. I recommend his work to my friends:)

I’ve been coming to SC CORE for almost a year. My triathlon club, Santa Cruz Triathlon Association, does a weekly boot camp class here. I come regularly to get my cardio on. We’d had Nicole as our trainer forever, and she was tough! I felt like I got the best quality workouts when she taught. Occasionally we were taught by Jillian, who is also a great instructor. We’ve currently been working with James, and his military background shines through in his workouts.
I had won a free functional movement screening earlier in the year, which I did with Beau. He was helpful and attentive. He explained my scores and was very thorough.
The owner, Jaimi, is always around and keeping the whole place in check. She is very involved with all of her trainers, classes, and the clientele.

Core fitness is an integrated fitness and rehab facility with outstanding professionals that deliver results! I have had the opportunity to have personal training that is cutting edge, the owner, Jaimi takes the time to explain why the exercises work and how they work. Core fitness is continually reaching for a higher standard in health and exercise routines far above the basics of just wight lifting. I broke my leg 10 years ago and Jaimi helped strengthen it so i could ultimately become a trail runner, running 6 miles a day! (sometimes twice) Thank you!
Jay Negrone is the lead massage therapist and has incredible understanding of the muscular system. I have a job where repetitive stress wreaks havoc on my upper body and Jay worked it out for me very quickly.
I highly reccommed Core Fitness for all the modalities they offer to help you achieve optimal health and fitness!
Do your body a favor, don’t look any further, Core is the Best!

I’ve been coming to the Semi Private Training classes at SC Core since spring 2013. I purchased a groupon for the Semi Private Training and I loved it so much I had to keep coming. Nicole is the best fitness teacher I’ve ever had. The classes are a great mix of cardio and weights. There is never more than 4 or 5 people in your class so you get really individualized attention. There is a good variety of clean equipment to use for the classes. I’ve never had a problem with the front desk. The receptionists always remember my name and they are always very helpful. Jaimi, the owner, is really nice and if you ever have any problems, questions, or suggestions she is eager to improve her business and help you out. The place is very small but well laid out. They also have a pretty good website where you can log on and schedule your own classes or services yourself.

Christine gave me an awesome massage!!!
At one point, when I complained, she had to go out and shush an employee who was talking loudly on his phone right outside the massage room.
The staff is very big on selling their services — a bit annoying.

My trainer, Beau, was perfectly good. However, I do not feel I got that extra push out of my workout that I had gotten from previous trainers. I feel one can find better personal trainers elsewhere at a better prices and not have to deal with the business aspect of CORE.
CORE charges $ 155 for a Pro Elite trainer (less if you buy a package). This is the highest price for a personal trainer that I have ever encountered. There other trainers range from $ 85 to $ 105.
The Bay Club in Cupertino and Axis in Menlo Park do not charge this much. My pervious trainer in Menlo Park not only had her personal training certification, but also had a Masters degrees, had run the sports club for a major Silicon Vally computer company and had 15 years of experience. She charged $ 85.00. I understand that people can charge what they feel they are worth, but I feel one could find better service and quality of product for substantially less money.
Like the other reviewer, I too had issues with the billing. I find their insurance billing questionable at best.
My other issue is the specialists offered at CORE. CORE represents itself as a one stop shop. I would strongly recommend confirming you are seeing a licensed practitioner before scheduling.
This was an issue we had with CORE. The owner Jamie and I disagree who was at fault for this confusion. As the client and someone who has been working in the health industry for 17 years, I feel it is the responsibility of the practitioner to be clear. I specifically scheduled a Physical Therapy appointment for my husband. He did not see a physical therapist. Also, please note that CORE has a bad reputation amongst local health practitioners.

Walking into Santa Cruz Core Fitness was the best thing I ever did; it changed my life!
Jaimi and the crew there are all about integrative healing/​health. Everyone there is so helpful and supportive, I gained a lot of knowledge about my body frame and how to improve it. Very valuable staff, from physical therapy to acupuncture, to massages. perfect place for healing. I highly recommend!

I’m liking the place a lot so far. I went in for a Groupon massage which was pretty good, they look small from the outside but they have back peaceful rooms for the massages. Update, try to book Autumn if you want a proper deep tissue massage, she is amazing.
They also did an sort of functional movement evaluation for me. I have had something like this done before and it’s a great tool for assessing where your body could use some help. I might try their personal training that works with this assessment too, nice that they have some many options here for training and rehab.
So far all on staff have been cool.