Denise Chakoian, a certified fitness trainer with more than 30 years of experience and owner of Core Cycle Fitness LaGree, shares practical insights on today’s fitness trends and training philosophies. She emphasizes sustainable, science-based approaches such as vibration plate training, low-impact strength work, soft cardio, recovery-focused routines, functional fitness, and zone-based training. Chakoian also discusses the smart use of wearable technology, effective at-home workouts, and the connection between exercise and mental well-being, while helping people distinguish between worthwhile fitness trends and short-lived hype.
EP 1,2789B - What’s in, What’s Over and What works now: Latest fitness trends and other fitness information you should know!
Featured Speaker:
Denise Chakoian
Denise Chakoian is a seasoned fitness professional, cancer survivor, and founder of CORE Cycle and Fitness LaGree, the first studio in Rhode Island to introduce the Lagree Method. A high-intensity, low-impact workout performed on a Megaformer, Lagree blends strength training, cardio, and core work into a single, efficient session. With nearly 30 years of experience, Denise brings a deep, holistic understanding of movement and wellness to everything she does. Her path began in childhood as a competitive dancer, classically trained in tap, jazz, and ballet. After years of performing and teaching, she transitioned into group fitness and quickly became known for her energy, precision, and smart approach to training. She holds certifications through AFAA, NASM, Mad Dogg Athletics, Keiser Indoor Cycling, Step Reebok, Indo-Row, and more, covering a range of modalities from strength to cycling to functional mobility. In 2006, Denise left the corporate world after 15 years to pursue her vision: a comprehensive wellness studio rooted in evidence-based fitness and community. That vision became CORE, located in Providence’s Wayland Square. The studio offers a full spectrum of training, including indoor cycling, Lagree, boxing, boot camp, circuit training, Pilates Reformer, personal training, Boditrax body composition scans, nutrition support, and infrared sauna access. She also developed her own signature Core Body-Barre™ method, blending elements of barre, sculpt, and flexibility work. Following her Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in 2018, Denise became a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist and restructured CORE to serve a broader mission: supporting people at every stage of life, including those navigating recovery. Today, she leads many of the studio’s offerings herself, including rhythm and performance-based cycling, Total Body Training, and Master Lagree. Beyond the studio, Denise is deeply involved in Rhode Island’s medical and philanthropic landscape. She collaborates with Lifespan Cancer Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, and Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where she serves on both the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees. Her fundraising efforts through CORE have raised significant support for cancer treatment and care. A member of IDEA, NSCA, and ACSM, Denise remains dedicated to one goal: helping people move better, feel stronger, and build lasting energy—both physically and emotionally.