Success Stories
Real Results, Real People – Success Stories at CORE
Transformations That Inspire
At CORE, we celebrate every milestone, big and small. Our community is built on dedication, perseverance, and real progress. Whether you’re here to build strength, improve endurance, or enhance overall wellness, our members’ success stories showcase what’s possible with the right support and motivation.
ACHIEVE YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS GOALS WITH CORE -- FIT. SPEED. NUTRITION.
Don’t just take our word for it. See what our members have to say! Our testimonials and reviews, shared directly from our thriving fitness community, highlight the real impact CORE has had on their fitness journeys.
Anthony H.
I started playing baseball when I was about 5 years old. My dad was a huge fan, and I suppose I fell into that lifestyle. Throughout my youth, I was an average player. I began playing travel ball in 5th grade and continued through high school. I always aspired to play Division 1 baseball, but it was never a guarantee.
I began training with Joe in 7th grade. I knew I had to do something different to stand out, and Joe helped me do that. I had seen videos of his intense workouts with top football players and knew I wanted that level of challenge. There are no shortcuts – you get professionals who truly care about your development and push you to your full athletic potential.
In 7th and 8th grade, I began to surpass my peers athletically. By high school, after two years of consistent training, I was stronger and tougher than my classmates. I pitched for the Varsity team as a freshman, going from throwing 75 mph to 86 mph. I kept training three times a week, even while doing school workouts. Joe and his team tailored training to make me a better overall athlete and baseball player.
Before my sophomore season, I committed to the University of Notre Dame. From ages 12 to 15, I gained 35 pounds and increased my squat from 100 to 315 pounds thanks to Joe. After a strong sophomore season, I transferred to IMG Academy. Their program mirrored much of what I’d already done with Joe, which prepared me well for that next level.
Before my junior college season, I returned to Joe, made more gains, and improved my 60-yard dash from a 6.9 to the low 6s. My velocity also jumped, sitting in the low 90s, touching 94 mph. Joe played a huge role in my development. If you’re serious about your sport, there’s no better place to train.
Michelle D.
Core has been part of my fitness journey for over 9 years. The strength and conditioning workouts are programmed to help you become the best version of yourself with nutrition support. Is it hard work? Yes! Is it rewarding? Yes! I am stronger today than I ever have been and continue to achieve my health and fitness goals with Core.
This is not just a gym, it is a community of individuals supporting one another no matter where you are in your fitness journey. The hardest part is making up your mind to make a change and start working out. I am so thankful for Coach Joe and my Core family for being with me every step, celebrating my wins, and picking me up on the hardest of days. Core is the place to be to become the best you!
Lexi G.
Life has a way of presenting us with mentors who profoundly impact our paths, and for me, that mentor is Coach Joe. His gym isn’t merely a place to work out; it’s a sanctuary of growth, resilience, and transformation. From the moment I stepped in, I sensed an energy unlike any other fitness center. Coach Joe’s passion for fitness and personal development radiated throughout the space, and what set him apart was his unwavering belief in the potential of each person who walked through those doors. He took the time to get to know me, not just as a client, but as a person. That personal connection made all the difference.
Under his mentorship, every workout became a lesson in resilience. There were days when I felt like giving up, but Coach Joe was always there, reminding me that every drop of sweat was a step toward my goals. He taught me that success is a continuous process and helped shift my mindset around failure. More than just physical training, he created a community of support and belonging, where we celebrated each other’s victories and lifted each other up. Today, I stand stronger, both physically and mentally, because of the environment and guidance Coach Joe provided. I am eternally grateful.
Erin H.
Core FSN is more than a gym. It’s obviously a place to build strength, but it’s beyond physical strength-building for me. It has built a strength in me that has bridged into my personal and professional life more than I ever thought it could, and that is primarily due to the support and encouragement of Coach Joe Giustino.
I have known and trained with Joe since before Core became Core, back in the “Speed School” days. I have always been consistent in coming to the gym, but I never saw great results. I realized that was because of my inconsistency outside of the gym. I think my training elevated just in the last few years. Something truly “clicked” in me when I started working solely with Joe. He started really talking about what it takes to get the results I deserve. He has taken a true vested interest in my progression, my family, my work, my ups and downs, my triumphs, my failures (never allowing me to even call them failures), my occasional aches and pains, and has pushed me to levels I didn’t see possible. I’ve started seeing huge changes both physically and mentally, and I’ve been setting goals for myself inside and outside the gym that I would have never thought I was capable of. I wake up excited every morning, sometimes even before my alarm even goes off at 3:45 in the morning wondering what he has in store for me.
The people who work out at Core have become a second family. I light up when I see them hit a new max or even try something they haven’t done before. We cheer for each other. We hurt when they hurt. We call each other if they miss a few days. We’re there to support each other when parents have passed away, when jobs have been lost, when pets have died, when kids have gone off to college, when life gets in the way of things. Joe has built a culture at Core to be one where people truly care for one another. He cares more than anyone. I’m lucky enough that he trains me. But I’m even luckier to call him one of my greatest allies and best friends in life.
Core isn’t a typical gym. It’s not for the typical person. You’re going to work your ass off, you’re going to be pushed hard. But the hard is what makes it great. It’s about Commitment, Respect, Effort, Discipline, and Attitude.
Mary G.
I began my fitness journey 6 months ago when I weighed 204lbs. I am 42 and a full-time working mom with three daughters, but I knew I needed to improve my health. My daughter was having one-on-one sessions with Joe and I decided to seek out his help as well.
I have never been an athlete or one to work out. I would text him my food for the day and he would be honest and tell me what I should be eating. We started slow and he helped calculate how much protein, calories, fat, and carbs I should be eating. After two one-on-one sessions, I decided to join 5 a.m. classes because I wanted to work out more. I first started two days a week and then began 5 days a week as I felt more confident.
The coaches are very patient, would demonstrate exercises, and helped one-on-one when needed. I have never felt embarrassed and everyone in the class is encouraging. Joe would answer all my questions via text and would be brutally honest with me. I needed the honesty to move forward. Every month we would evaluate my progress and make adjustments as needed.
Today I weigh 151lbs. I have more energy than ever, I have dropped two sizes, and no longer wear baggy clothes to cover myself up. I am still working out daily and eating healthy. If I can do this, you can too.
Jackson A.
Some coaches you have in your life will one; be there for you for the sport or they’ll be there for you through life. And that’s who Coach Joe is.
Coach Joe will be with you every step of the way through every journey that you have. I started my journey with Coach Joe when I was seven years old just learning the beginning and understanding what hard work and life will become. Coach Joe takes training seriously but he takes life lessons even more seriously. Coach Joe’s care for his athletes is something that gets overlooked. Coach Joe and I have created a bond outside of training that will last forever. We’ve talked plenty of times about how life is changing and how I as a young man will have to step up in the real world.
When I’m with Coach Joe he is more than just a coach to me. He acts though as a second father – we talk about life, we talk about school, we talk about family, sometimes even personal things. Every conversation I have with Coach Joe I will always remember. He has such an impact on my life, every word he says motivates me to be a great young man. Another thing that stands out about Coach Joe is that most coaches will always tell you these life lessons or even give you advice but Coach Joe is actually there with you along for the ride. He checks up on you and sees how you’re doing. When you tell him how you’re doing, he listens. That’s something Coach Joe has that I feel like no other Coach has.
Coach Joe always pushes you to your limits because he knows how great you can become, and he believes that you can become that great person, not just a great athlete.
Doug D.
Core FSN is a tremendous community headed by the most passionate coach I have ever met. Truly thankful to Joe for all he has helped me accomplish and looking forward to the many more accomplishments to come.
Judy S.
Throughout my life, I have tried all different types of workout programs. All of them have benefited me in one way or another. I love the results that working out provides me. Strength, a positive outlook on life, and the ability to participate in activities such as long hikes, bike riding, lifting heavy weights, and even handstands. I would say most people my age can’t do many of these things. Plus, my yearly checkup lab results are pretty darn good and a really big bonus, I have made some awesome friends!
Several years ago I started to take my health and wellness more seriously. It had nothing to do with weight loss or appearance. I wanted to be healthy, strong, and present for my family. To be around for as long as possible for them. In the process, I came to the realization that getting fit is HARD! Getting myself to the gym on a regular basis was HARD! Committing myself was HARD! But, I made up my mind and committed myself to hard work. I did more than step aerobics, and I did more than Jazzercise (I’m not knocking it), I did more than a daily walk and sit-ups. I started to lift heavy weights. It completely changed the way I looked at being fit. For the first time, I felt really strong. My body felt strong and so did my mind. I challenged myself to do things I had never done before. I will never forget the day I got my first pull-up. It took me a year of trial and error until the morning I came into the gym and actually got one pull-up, unassisted. I was literally jumping for joy, screaming, “Did you see that? I just did a pullup!” And then there were box jumps… who would have thought me…Miss Freak Myself Out all the time, could jump on that hardwood box without killing myself, but I did it after lots and lots of self-talk and practice. The deadlifts, and overhead lifts, clean and jerks…. I learned how to do them all. It was a learning curve but in the process, I had become addicted to bettering myself and have not looked back.
Three years ago I came to Core FSN (my former gym fell victim to COVID) I was nervous but I wanted to continue my journey. Literally from day 1, I knew I had found my new fitness home. The barbell work (that I love), agility training (that I never had), flexibility work (that we all need), nutrition guidance, supplement advice (that really works) and so many happy people who were willing to keep me going. Core FSN focuses on dynamic, strength-building workouts that keep improvement goals in mind. I am achieving more PRs, getting more pull-ups, and jumping higher than I ever imagined! I pray that with all my hard work and the amazing coaching from Core FSN, I will continue this journey and live a very long, healthy, active, happy life!
Thank you Joe and Core FSN Staff, I love you!
Kathy S.
We are an entire CORE family! Each of our three boys trained at CORE starting in middle school through high school, leading to very successful Varsity experiences in each of their sports (all three did baseball, one also did football and another did golf). Joe finally convinced us to try the adult classes. That was 7 years ago and we will probably be here for life. We have never been stronger.
So many positive things to say. At CORE it doesn’t matter what fitness level you start at, it’s just about getting better at whatever pace you need. We really value how closely Joe watches our form and corrects us when needed. Of course, at 59, our bodies have issues now and then. Joe and his coaches always go way out of their way to work on the issue with us, giving insight as to what might be causing it and stretches, etc. to help resolve the problem. We also love the CORE camaraderie. It’s a fun and friendly group that makes the hard work much more enjoyable. But lastly, one of the most valuable things you will find here at CORE is that Joe is motivating not just about physical fitness but whole life well-being.
It’s never easy to start a fitness program, but it’s harder to find one that will keep you committed in the long term. That is what we have at CORE.
Video Features – Watch Their Transformations
Experience the journey firsthand! Our Success Stories Video Series highlights real members achieving real results. From weight loss achievements to strength gains and personal victories, these short clips capture the dedication and resilience of our CORE family.
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