Core Essentials is a small studio gym located in downtown Dartmouth. We offer classes, personal training and team training. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming space for both fitness beginners and more experienced gym-goers. Since our classes are small, it allows our instructors to offer specialized suggestions to match your fitness level whether it’s making something easier or increasing the challenge.

           Our mission is to help our clients make lasting changes. When you decide to improve your fitness, you have made one decision that will open the door to different choices each day. At Core we know it takes a commitment to positive habits to achieve success, regardless of where you are starting. We support you in the gym and strive to support you beyond our walls. Take the stairs. Skip the soda. Look forward to the gym. At Core Essentials you aren’t just training for one goal, you’re training for life.

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University 2012.

My passion for fitness started at a young age when I began training at the YMCA. I was 13 and they made me take a trainer course so I would be allowed to use the equipment unsupervised. I lived out of town so the option was go to the YMCA after school or stay in daycare program… the option was simple so at 13 I started spending 5 days a week in the gym. I was not ever a very gifted athlete when I first started sports being smaller than most of my peers and significantly slower. However I did not let anyone out work me and when I began to see improvements from the gym on the field I was truly addicted. Throughout high school I played football and rugby and later went on to play rugby for Dalhousie. It was in my second season of rugby at Dalhousie that I broke my ankle, sidelining me from the sport. I had suffered multiple concussions from rugby already so all in all maybe for the best to stop while I was a head.
With rugby done though I needed another challenge to push myself. I have been chasing different fitness goals now for the past 4 years most of which have been crossfit inspired. My claim to fame currently is 1000 burpees in just over 2 hours (I do not recommend this workout to anyone who wish to move around for the next two days).

I love fitness and it this love of fitness that makes me excited every day to come into the gym. Consistency is the key to health and the easiest way to stay consistent is to keep it fun. When fitness is fun a hard workout becomes a challenge, a sore day is an accomplishment and an awesome physique is the result.

Ben has worked with multiple sports team in the past and has trained endurance athletes, bodybuilding competitors as well as provincial level rugby players and golfers. Ben excels at programing and is very technical when breaking down movements. He will not make you do 1000 burpees… unless you book a double session.

Monique Andrea has been a fitness enthusiast for the past twenty-five years. Monique took her passion for fitness to a new level in 2007 when she changed careers from full time social worker to part time personal trainer and spin instructor. This allowed more time for both her fitness and her family. Monique is a native of Dartmouth and enjoys utilizing the many resources for fitness that Dartmouth has to offer. She can often be seen off road riding through Shubie Park or speeding down Waverly Road on her road bike (in good weather of course!). Monique also enjoys doing functional workouts and resistance training…always striving to improve. Monique is certified through Can Fit Pro as a personal training specialist. She also has a B.A. in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work degree. With her unique educational and work background she will be sure to find ways to motivate you to reach your goals. Monique is excited to be a Real Ryder instructor bringing the indoor riding experience closer to the outdoor experience and is looking forward to seeing you at Core Essentials!

Like many little girls, I grew up dancing. At 6-years old I wanted to be a ballerina, until I was about 8-years old when I decided Riverdance was my dream. I stopped dreaming about becoming a professional dancer when I started dreaming about becoming a veterinarian (which, for the record, I am not), but I never lost my love of fitness and movement. In middle school I played soccer and took horseback riding lessons, and in high school I was a member of the rowing and rugby teams. Being a dependable and hard-working member of the team was huge motivation for me.

As a university student, health and fitness became a struggle. I didn’t play on any teams, and I fell into unhealthy eating habits. Then I started going to group fitness classes, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed them. The sense of community and accountability I felt when I exercised in a group reminded me of having that feeling when I played team sports. Once I took a barre class, I was hooked. I love the precision of the movements and the opportunity to challenge yourself each class. It’s not about competition–it really is about the effort. It’s a great feeling when you can plié deeper or hold a plank longer than you did the month before. Plus, it’s an awesome workout! I love rock-climbing, and I’ve noticed that barre has been great cross-training for strength and balance.

I’m also pretty passionate about eating. I even have a vegetarian food blog called MJ Food Blog. Over the last few years, I’ve learned that eating well doesn’t have to feel like deprivation. Gaining confidence in the kitchen was a life-changer for me, so if you’re ever looking for a new plant-focused recipe or a tip for the crispiest oven fries, then I’m your girl!