In the Victorian era, people made their cores look tight by wearing corsets, which doubled as bulletproof vests during pistol duels. Strengthen your core until it's naturally impervious to bullets instead with today's Groupon to The Core Connection, located near the Cathedral District and Wascana Park. Choose between two body-bending options:

• For $25, you get five group Matwork Pilates classes (a $75 value).
• For $25, you get three group Reformer Pilates classes (a $94.50 value).

With a workout structure that caters to clients at all stages of body sculpting, The Core Connection helps to jump-start personal fitness with a gradual rise in intensity. Matwork courses such as the Intro Mat, Power Mat, and Pilates Sculpt are designed to whip out-of-shape troops into sleek soldiers ready to charge into battle during the more advanced group Reformer classes. Using a system of pulleys, springs, and steel-plated hamster balls the Reformer machine also takes advantage of body weight for added resistance during workout classes. Unlike kickboxing with a cantankerous grizzly bear, each Pilates class provides an energetic workout with a low threat of injury and individualized attention from one of three experienced instructors. The course schedule includes classes seven days per week, with classes starting as early as 8 a.m. on Saturdays and as late as 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.