CorePower Yoga

This studio is in a great location and the teachers are nice. However, the last five plus times I’ve taken a class at the LP studio I did the EXACT same sequence/​routine. These few times I thought maybe that’s just what is taught at a certain date and time. Then I came back at different dates and times with different instructors — the SAME routine! No variation whatsoever. I’m paying $ 20 plus to learn, not to do a repeat video of what you learned in teacher training!

I’ve been to a variety of different classes at this location and while I haven’t been to any other locations yet, I love the Lincoln Park studio! It’s close enough to walk to for me, so 6:00am classes aren’t too bad.
The staff and teachers are amazing. I started out pretty new to yoga and I personally have a hard time sticking to group classes simply because I’m embarrassed. Not here! All the teachers were incredibly encouraging. Even when I went to one of my first Yoga Sculpt classes and had to sit for several minutes, I didn’t feel any judgement, only encouragement! I truly feel like all of the instructors want to see you get better and actually want to share their practice with you, rather than judging you and seeming pompous.
I had an issue with payment and the staff was so accommodating that it blew me away.
The facilities are always spotless, the studio never has that «a hot yoga class full of sweaty bodies just finished in here» smell. While it can get pretty full, just make sure to arrive early and get your favorite spot. Definitely not the place to go if you’re looking for the Buddhist/​Mind-​Body connection that some studios focus on, but an incredible workout!

This review is solely for CP’s Yoga Sculpt — Heated Power Yoga with Weights classes as I can’t seem to try any others since I like this one so much. It can get a tad bit crowded, but nothing too ridiculous and everyone who works there is nice enough. The studio itself is open, airy, and clean with a great location near the Fullerton red line.
The classes/​music do seem to vary based on the instructor but I like that — do NOT forget to bring water (or buy one there for two bucks) to these heated classes as you will definitely need it, and it’s bad for your body to leave the room during the class to run to the water fountain (i.e., going from 95 degrees to 65 degrees).
Overall, the five stars is due to it being such a great workout — no better feeling than leaving class feeling exhausted yet peaceful. While I feel like I’m in pretty good shape, I think it will be a few months before I’m ready for level 2!

Bottom Line Up Front: + Professional and attentive instructors, +clean facility, + excellent for beginners… — other than optimal layout, — obnoxious clientele.
Shockingly, I’m not a regular Yogi. My girlfriend is REALLY into it though, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Core Power is a national chain of hot yoga studios. One of the benefits is that your membership is valid at locations all over the place. Think of it as the Xsport or Bally’s of the Yoga world. I have attended classes in Bucktown, West Loop, South Loop, and Roscoe Village. They have a promotion that you can go as many times as you like for a week for free, and they have discounted military and student rates. Most people kind of follow their favorite teachers around for a specific class or most convenient time.
The studio is extremely clean, but the setup of having the locker rooms downstairs is not ideal. The teachers are pretty good with their instruction and are quite friendly. As a beginner, I didn’t feel out of place or embarassed.
Street Parking is available, but make sure to arrive early enough to look for a spot. The studio is right by McGees, so if there’s an Ohio State game, you’re going to be playing Douchebag Frogger in order to get to the gym.
Generally speaking, you’re going to be surrounded by Trixies from DePaul if you go to this studio. You’ll be inundated with conversations about the latest soroity gossip and you will most def not be able to watch the Bachelor… these bitches are the worst spoilers EV-​er.
Anyway, if you’re looking for a good chain to try hot yoga (which i recommend) this is an excellent choice. If you’re looking to avoid a bunch of narcissistic college broads, I’d head to another location.

It’s no secret — from my other reviews, you can tell I’m a CorePower fan. With my recent move, I’m closer to the DePaul/​Lincoln Park and Lakeview locations. I’ve ventured out to the DePaul location several times now, and have to give it only the A-​OK review by comparison to some of my favorite ones — Roscoe Village and Uptown.
The DePaul studio is at the corner of Webster and Sheffield. Because of that location, I would definitely recommend walking or taking public transit as opposed to driving and trying to find a place to park in that insane area. The building itself only has one studio, but it still has the standard retail space along with the check-​in desk up front, and has two locker rooms downstairs. I can’t speak for the men’s locker room, but the women’s locker room is always hot and they try to abate the heat with a couple of fans. It can get a little cramped right after a class just because of the narrow setup, but it works since there’s only ever one class going on at a time.
The studio is long a narrow, which is a little awkward because it’s hard to keep track of the instructor if you’re on one side and he/she’s on the complete opposite side. There are mirrors on one side which is always nice for alignment checks. My least favorite part of the studio is that it’s right next to the L tracks, and you can definitely hear the trains go by during class.
All in all, CorePower is a great place to practice; it’s always nice and clean and the people are friendly. This isn’t my favorite location, but I will still be coming here frequently for classes!

If you’re looking for an intimate studio, this isn’t the place. But if you’re looking for challenging classes that will kick your booty into shape, core power is definitely worth checking out.
I’ve been wanting to try core power, so I was thrilled when I found the groupon for the month membership. Its been awhile since I’ve done yoga, so I started with the level 1 class. The class was challenging but fun, and the teachers were both informative and knowledgable. They spend a lot of time going through the basic moves and helping with the form and technique of each pose. The only complaint I have is that both beginners classes that I attended were exactly the same.
My favorite thing about the studio may be the heated, padded floors. I’ve always been nervous about hot yoga, and even the beginner’s class here was 90 degrees. To my surprise, I lasted the whole class without passing out, which is a plus, since I want to keep coming back.

i was wrong to be intimidated by this location since it’s in lincoln park, and parking usually blows. ive been successful in finding non-​metered, non-​permit street parking in the hood (by state restaurant & bar). they have 1 room and locker/​pee rooms are in the basement. and if you know the drill — check your shoes at the door and let ‘em know you’re attending class. have fun getting bendy and sweaty.

I fell in love with biharam yoga back in california. Core power is a little different than traditional bikharam, but its minutes away from my house, so totally convenient! I haven’t had a class i was disappointed with! However classes do get a little crowded sometimes. So my best advice COME EARLY!

There are some really strong teachers doing classes there.
CPY is fine for a corporate studio. It’s always been clean, and it’s nice to have the extras (hairspray, lotion, qtips, the like) down in the locker room. Lots of ads for their different programs up everywhere.
While I’ve had some really great C1 and CR classes there, a few of the teachers are less than professional. Plus the schedule online isn’t always correct, so if you try to use it avoid a particular teacher– or attend classes led by the same teacher– you have limited success.
I’ve found it pretty frustrating that in 2+ weeks of the same classes at the same times I’ve had the same teacher twice– while the different teachers are supposed to lead you through the same things, in reality they’re all a little different and it can get frustrating when you’re beginning a new type of yoga and little things are changing each class, or teachers have differences in what they’re telling you alignment for a pose should be.
Also– different teachers enforce different studio rules (door locked at the beginning of class, not bringing your coat and everything into the actual studio, taking shoes off at the store’s door) so conflicting messages are pretty regular.
& the music is totally hit or miss. There’s always a fair amount of volume adjusting and skipping songs that have already begun during classes, which can be distracting.

Never would I be calling my self a yogi, nor am anywhere near a fitness buff… but this hot yoga schmoga stuff works… that’s why there’s a gazillion studios popping up all over this country and as for CorePower, they’ve got 5 or 6 last I check their website! and that’s in Chicago area alone! plus a few more in the burbs.
Whatever your fitness levels and goals are at this point in your life, give them a try. They offer 1 free week and I don’t find them pushy AT ALL to sell you memberships.
The classes themselves and how you feel afterward will do more than convince you to ditch your current gym or a-​yoga-​ing and try CPY.
What you need to know about CYP:
–Not cheap, expect to pay around $ 100+/mo for unlimited classes
–Real steam to heat up the rooms
–Locker/​shower area are clean (S. Loop, Gold Coast, and LP studios are ones I’ve been to)
–Free parking in S. Loop and can find street parking in LP (morning classes)
–Great Instructors! (Nell, Justin, Angela P, and Charlotte are some of my favorites)

Groupon $ 59 for 4 weeks of yoga is why I came to this studio.
A great workout with options is what keeps me coming back.
I’m in the midst of a 30 day yoga challenge and I have been taking classes here and at the Lakeview location. At this location I have taken C1 heated and hot power fusion.
Hot power fusion had the elements of bikram (skip the opening breathing series, doubling up on each pose, bikram triangle and add in some down dogs, planks, and core work). A good workout indeed.
C1 heated has traditional vinyasa poses (sun A, sun B, balancing series) and has some core work mixed in as well.
The facility itself is pretty nice: 1 large studio on the 1^st floor, locker rooms in the basement. The women’s locker room has 4 showers, complete with shampoo, conditioner, body wash. The locker room provides pretty much what one may need before or after practice: hair ties, bobby pins, cotton swabs, hair driers (complete with diffusers), deodorant, and body lotion. I had to go to work straight from class and thanks to the full locker room, I avoided looking like a hobo out of a sweaty yoga class.
Does it have a bit of a corporate feel? Yes. Have I enjoyed taking classes there despite that? Yes, again.

Of all the CorePower Yoga studios in the city, unfortunately this is my least favorite…
It has all the offerings of the other studios: traditional yoga, hot yoga, yoga sculpt, retail area, locker rooms, etc etc. The teachers here are the same teachers at the other CorePower studios, so you definitely can get a great workout with some great instructors.
I just don’t care for the facility itself, I guess. The locker rooms are smaller and aren’t as nice, the flooring isn’t the greatest… especially since we are all walking around barefoot! And parking. Parking is a big problem, as there is no parking lot. Instead it’s on-​street parking, and it’s a battle against the Depaul kids. Maybe I’m spoiled from the South Loop, Lakeview, and Bucktown CorePower parking lots?
If you can easily walk here, give it a try. Otherwise the Lakeview location is only a couple blocks north and a better facility.

I’m totally obsessed with CorePower. This is coming from a yoga skeptic that after years of trying different studios, etc never wanted to really commit beyond a class here and there. I have been doing their free week and have gone 4 times in the past 5 days and have tried the LP, Bucktown and Lakeview locations and love them all. The instructors are very friendly and helpful and the classes not only work you through the awesome vinyasa poses but also really challenge and push you. i used to not think i could get strong or get any sort of cardiovascular benefits from yoga but corepower is proving that theory wrong. i can already feel my arms and legs tightening up as well as my core, and my heart rate is pumping during the sun salutations and more challenging positions. PLUS i love the music… i dig the whole meditative music now and again but i must say their choice of more current yet still soothing popular music really hits the spot.
Great stuff… totaly getting a membership and going as often as possible.

Listening to half of a Jack Johnson song and half of an MGMT song is fine — if you’re driving a car, and it’s 2006.
During yoga, it’s jarring.
So please, DJ ADHD — turn it off.
That’s my only complaint. Everything else here is great.
The teachers are knowledgeable and incredibly helpful. Physically, their level 2 classes are pretty tough. There’s a bit less of the mind-​body connection I used to get from more traditional studios, which I expect from a mass-​market yoga chain. And they do the physical side well enough to compensate for that.
The facilities are clean and stocked with everything so you don’t really need to bring anything to shower after class — which is a huge plus over some of the other studios I’ve been to.
I’m an unlimited member here, so I like it enough to go at least 3 times a week.
I’d give this 4 or 5 stars if they’d turn off the music.

This was my first time at this location and I love it — not as much as my go-​to South Loop location, but it does the job. Cute studio– total «Lincoln Park» crowd — a mix of college students, soccer moms, etc. Still a great vibe.
The instructor I had for the 6:30am yoga sculpt class was awesome — and her selection of music was very much to my liking (more hip-​hopish), which makes working out so much better! Especially THAT early in da morn.
I would def come back should it suit my schedule — plus, they have early morning weekday sculpt classes, which South Loop doesn’t — AHEM (hint, hint). =)

I would recommend this to studio to everyone. After a hard day at work, this studio is a great place to relax, de-​stress & get a fabulous workout! The atmosphere, staff & all members made me feel like I’d been going there for years.
I also bought the Groupon for $ 50 for a month of unlimited classes. I’ve done Yoga before, yet am new to ‘Hot Yoga!’ My first time at CoreYoga, I tried the Yoga Sculpt class with Charlotte. Though she was very knowledgeable & encouraging this class was as intense as they get. I would not recommend it to someone NEW to Hot Yoga.
Even though the class was extremely difficult, it felt great to be able to get through it and accomplish something so tough. I will definitely be taking their C1 & C2 classes for the majority of my month, yet still try Yoga Sculpt once a week for an intense workout!

So, Groupon was offering an awesome deal on this place. Five weeks of unlimited yoga sessions for $ 50 — I felt like it was a good opportunity for me to try hot Yoga, as well as trying to rehabilitate my shoulder/​neck injury (physical therapy got me 95% of the way there, but that last 5% is nagging me).
I went the Lincoln Park location yesterday and it was super cute. The instructor, Dawn, was so friendly and was really patient with all my noob questions.
They have locker rooms downstairs, but you have to bring your own locks (FYI). You can rent towels/​mats for a small fee… renting a towel may be worth it to avoid lugging a sweaty towel around with you.
Anyway, I walked into the heated room, and yeah, it’s really hot. It’s about 98 degrees (dry heat). The class, Hot Fusion Yoga, was fairly fast paced, and it was quite challenging. I consider myself to be in decent shape — I walk 4 – 7 miles a day and I do floor exercises at my house. This hour session of yoga left me sore as hell the next day, but it also left me wanting more.
My shirt was literally dripping with sweat (you could wring it out), but I felt like the class wasn’t out of my range of capabilities. It’s definitely something to grow with, as the instructors go over different poses for people of different abilities. I definitely lacked the flexibility/​balance for some of the poses, but I hope to work up to it.
I really, REALLY enjoyed this experience and I can’t wait to go back (as soon as my muscles become un-​sore!).

Since I live in the South Loop, I’ve worked out at the CorePower studio there. It is in a great location with amazing views, but the classes were so crowded I stopped going. When the new studio opened up in Lincoln Park where I work, I was very excited.
My first class there was yesterday and I am still coming down from a post-​yoga euphoria. It should be noted that I go to the 5:30 class because it’s so close, so my class size may be biased due to short commute time. The woman at the desk, Kelly, was extremely helpful. I showed up with three of my coworkers and was delighted to learn that each friend who I referred earned me $ 5 on the next package or class purchased.
The instructor was very good at guiding us through each pose and the suggested modifications to poses were spot on for me.
I really only have positives for this place. I love the small size. I love the crazy person next to me doing every sort of extreme variation possible.
Ok, the price is the only con. I get a university discount, otherwise I probably would not be willing to do yoga classes on top of a gym membership elsewhere.

The good: clean and soothing atmosphere. smells nice. friendly, knowlegeable instructors. large class schedule with variety of times. awesome locker/​changing rooms with lotions, hairspray, hairdryers etc. good music during class which adds a fun, modern twist on traditional vinyasa. teacher discount was significant enough to allow me to become a member.
the not so good: not enough «core 1» classes offered (best for those of us who aren’t super athletes yet!). too many ‘hot’ classes, even when they aren’t advertised that way. classes can be crowded; arrive early, especially on weekends. traffic and parking around this location are difficult.

CorePower is offering a free week of unlimited classes.
To be fair, I will review this studio for what it is (an athletic venue that focuses on using yoga as a workout tool). Given the name «CorePower,» this was not a surprise to me. Certainly be advised that if you are looking for a traditional studio that focuses on a mind-​body connection, this may not be your joint.
The Pros: CorePower is meticulously clean, new, and has an attractive modern décor. I participated in 1 class and found the instructor to show reasonably good knowledge of alignment; more so, she was pretty accurate in her queuing of yoga poses. A huge plus, my instructor was not afraid of being hands on and gave me some great assists during asana.
The Con: I showed up 5 minutes late (no exaggerations…5 minutes) for my first class and while the group had not even begun moving yet, I was not allowed in… Boo to that. Most yoga studios allow a 5 – 7 minute grace period for late comers (especially if you are new and may have gotten lost!)…It seems like if this place is trying to earn new clients they should not be turning people away… but consider yourself warned– if you are late, you are out of luck!