Episode 162: Interview With Denise Chakoian Owner of The Core Studio

For nearly three decades, Denise Chakoian has been a fixture in Rhode Island’s fitness scene—first as a competitive dancer, then as an instructor, and ultimately as the founder of CORE Cycle and Fitness LaGree, the first studio in the state to introduce the high-intensity, low-impact Lagree Method. Her journey blends business savvy, personal resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive.

Denise began her professional path in dance, training in tap, jazz, and ballet before moving into group fitness. Over the years, she earned certifications from AFAA, NASM, Mad Dogg Athletics, Keiser Indoor Cycling, Step Reebok, Indo-Row, and more, expanding her expertise across strength, cycling, and functional mobility. In 2006, after 15 years in corporate America, she took the leap to open her own studio. “There is a fear of kind of getting rid of everything you know and putting everything you have in one basket,” she recalls. “But I had a mentor who told me, ‘What do you have to lose?’”

CORE quickly became a cornerstone of Providence’s Wayland Square, offering everything from cycling and boxing to Pilates Reformer, barre, personal training, and wellness services. Denise also developed her own Core Body-Barre™ method, blending barre, sculpting, and flexibility training. Her philosophy has always been rooted in precision, energy, and community connection.

In 2018, Denise faced her toughest challenge yet—a diagnosis of stage three Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “Being so fit, sometimes you can miss the signs,” she says. “I thought I just had bronchitis again, but one cough in New York City broke three ribs. That’s when I knew something was wrong.” Throughout six months of chemotherapy, she continued to teach, train, and run her business. “I knew my body, and I knew keeping it strong was key.”

Rather than slow down, she used her treatment period to plan a major expansion. She found a new location, assembled a high-level team, and brought the Lagree Method to Rhode Island. “I love the way it makes me feel—low impact, high intensity, and adaptable for every fitness level,” she says. As a master trainer, she now certifies instructors worldwide in the Lagree Method, maintaining the integrity of a workout she believes in wholeheartedly.

Her cancer journey also inspired her to become a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, restructuring CORE to support clients of all ages and stages of recovery. Collaborations with the Lifespan Cancer Institute, Rhode Island Hospital, and Hasbro Children’s Hospital reflect her broader mission. “After what I went through, I wanted to give people a safe, supportive place to rebuild,” she explains.

Today, CORE offers a comprehensive blend of fitness, wellness, and recovery programs under one roof. Denise remains a hands-on owner, greeting clients at the front desk, leading classes, and ensuring every person who walks through the door feels seen and supported. “Owning a business means living it day and night,” she says. “But when you love what you do, it’s worth every bit of it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RDugZPB0ik

🎧 To hear the full conversation with Denise Chakoian tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, streaming now.