Melissa Feeney, Author at The Barre Blog

Jun 10

Women taking a barre class in the water.

What Exactly Is Aqua Barre and Which Exercises Can Be Adapted for the Water?

By Melissa Feeney Exercises No Comments

Aqua barre, or whatever you want to call a barre class that involves water is a fun way to get a resistance-based workout in while avoiding stress on the joints.

Many barre exercises that you would traditionally see in a studio setting can be adapted for the pool. No equipment is necessary but a pool noodle can help with stability or offer buoyancy while in the water.

As you work through these low-impact movements, you’ll notice that these exercises can help improve your coordination and build up your overall strength and stability with the natural resistance that the water would bring.

How does barre in the water compare to barre on land? I spoke to some aqua barre experts for their insight on the differences between land and water barre!

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

Do you need props for aqua barre?

While not necessary, “the most common pieces of equipment used in aquatic barre classes are noodles, and the edge of the pool,” says Wet Barre™ creator Katina Brock. While she advises other pieces of equipment may be used such as bands or kickboards, in general, they are not as essential as a noodle or pool edge.

Aqua Barre Instructor, Sarah Catherine Carter says she also makes use of resistance tubing, aqua dumbbells and mini bands, in addition to pool noodles. “A couple of members have also added waterproof ankle weights to increase the intensity of the workout.”

Water barre demonstration on the pool deck with a noodle.

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

What part of the pool do you use for aqua barre classes?

Typically you use shallow water, that ranges from 3-5 feet in depth, since this area of the pool offers more options and many exercises are designed with the pool floor in mind. “Our members are typically in 4-5 feet of water, which is the depth of our lap pool where most aqua barre classes are held,” says Sarah Catherine.

While there are more options for Katina when utilizing the shallow end of the pool, she says that some exercises that use a pool noodle as a flotation can be done in either the shallow or deeper water, especially if there isn’t enough space for everyone in the shallow end.

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

What about using the wall versus the center of the pool? You can use both! While mostly sticking to the wall, Sarah Catherine directs clients to the center of the pool when there are larger groups, less wall space, and people need to spread out.

I have class plans that make use of the wall as well as class plans that are strictly for the center of the pool. With smaller groups, I enjoy the added challenge of using the wall for abs (for example hands flat, facing the wall, walking the feet up the wall and back down) or for other challenges such as tricep dips. – Sarah Catherine Carter.

According to Katina, while using a wall in the water can help to mimic the feel of a barre class on land that would primarily utilize the barre and floor, a mix of both wall and center of pool exercises offers the best of both worlds. In fact, she says that while the wall offers some great ideas, more options are available away from the wall. As for when to use the wall, she says, “It depends if it benefits the efficacy of the movement or if it benefits the participant as a modification or progression.”

How do you compare barre in the water to barre on land?

There are many similarities between barre in the water versus in a studio setting on land. Many exercises can be adapted for the pool, even if they may look slightly different. According to Sarah Catherine, most leg and seat exercises work well without much modification, and “instead of lying down on the mat, we use noodles and floating to complete core work or standing abs,” she says.

You’re also focusing on the same muscle groups as well as posture, alignment and breathwork, Katina points out.

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

Sarah Catherine says that she incorporates a bit more cardio in her aqua barre classes because the water makes the exercises even more low impact. “I can incorporate jumping movements for members of all ages and abilities with an extremely low risk of impacting the joints or injury,” she says. “This adds some heart-healthy aerobic exercise to our routines in addition to building on muscular endurance and the strengthening of the stabilizer muscles that we typically see in a traditional barre class.”

What are the added benefits that you can get from exercise in the water that you can’t get from a studio barre class?

Katina points to a couple specific benefits. First of all, she says that water offers resistance in every direction, and not just against gravity. “Instead of one muscle getting really overworked and trying to offer the opposing muscle a similar training intensity, you can more effectively work both muscles and have any direction as a training option.”

Think of a bicep curl, she says, which contracts the bicep muscles when bending the elbow. “In the water, it will also work the triceps when straightening the elbow with similar force.”

“This is not the case on land as it primarily only loads the biceps in either direction up or down. The lowering phase or eccentric contraction of a biceps curl on land can actually cause more soreness than the concentric or lifting phase. So in water, there’s less soreness which is wonderful and also better for those with inflammatory or fatigue issues!” – Katina Brock

Not to mention that “there’s also potential to burn up to 28% more calories in the water than on land because of this added resistance.” says Sarah Catherine.

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

Buoyancy is another benefit that Katina points out because it allows you to do things in a floating or somewhat suspended position that you wouldn’t be able to do on land. For anyone whose skillset might be limited on land, the buoyancy can help assist the execution of some moves. Katina uses jumps as an example.

“The hydrostatic pressure and support of the water against the body also offers additional benefits for pregnant participants, those with back issues, blood pressure issues, edema and more,” she says. “In addition, the cooling effect of the water is enjoyable and also a better option for certain conditions like MS.

Katina adds that the tempo in the water is slower because of the resistance which helps people go at their own pace and not feel the pressure to say on the beat. This works really well for mixed-level classes, she says, where the experience level varies and more modifications may be required.

Can you adapt most standing barre exercises for the pool?

Sorry no back dancing or seated pretzel exercises in the pool, for obvious reasons, but there are many standing exercises you can adapt for the pool from the studio.

Katina compares barre in the water as more of a sibling than a twin to barre on land. “Probably half or fewer of barre exercises translate well into the water, with the keyword being well,” she says. Not all barre exercises that can be done in the water, should be done in the water because they wind up being not as effective as their land counterparts, thanks to gravity or lack thereof.

For Katina, it’s all about striking a balance between moves in aquatic barre that honour the foundational idealogy of barre and the properties of aquatic fitness.

“In the interest of good programming and challenging participants and not just having them go through the motions not all that can be done, should be done.” – Katina Brock

Photo credit: instagram.com/scmoves_nc

Does the water make an already low-impact workout even lower impact?

We know that barre is low impact so I wanted to know does taking a barre class in the water make the exercises even more low impact?

The answer is yes! “The water is also really helpful in eliminating tension in the hip flexors – leg lifts, grand battements, passés, and more feel better in the water because there is less gravity,” Sarah Catherine says. “Plus, the water adds additional resistance to work the muscles differently.”

“It’s also always possible to dial-up or dial back the intensity. Too easy? Jump higher! Grab a larger set of dumbbells! Too intense? Eliminate the weights, stay on flat feet, march instead of jogging, etc.” – Sarah Catherine Carter

Photo credit: Wet Barre™

Just a Few of the Barre Exercises You Can Easily Adapt for the Pool

Need some inspiration? Here are a few barre exercises that can be adapted for the pool.

Marching

You know this exercise most likely from the beginning of barre class when you’re marching on the spot. It’s a great exercise to get your heart rate up and it works well in the pool too. Now you’re competing with balance and a lot of resistance through the water as well.

Start by lifting your knees up to hip height through the water, marching on the spot. Throw in a twist if you like to work your obliques.

Pushups On the Pool Ledge

We all know you can use the barre for modified pushups, so the same goes for the pool. Just use the wall edge as your barre. 10 of these at a time work well.

Calf raises (first or second position)

Calf raises are great in a studio but also work well in the pool. Start out in the first position with your feet turned out in a narrow V position, heels together toes apart. Raise your heels off the ground, then back down 10 times or more.

Wide Second Variation

Turn your feet out into a wide second position, wider than hip-width. Plie, raise your calves, rise up tall to straight legs and repeat this motion 8-10 times.

Leg Lift Series

This is a great top-of-the-thigh exercise, that has many variations.

Setup

Stand profile to the edge of the pool. Your feet should be in a parallel position and hip-distance apart. Place your inside hand on the ledge of the pool. Your outside arm can hover above the water or be held on your hip. Keep your core engaged and your shoulders over your hips. Your knees should have a tiny bend in them.

Variation 1: Lift your outside leg as high as you can get it without leaning back, then bring it back down to the floor of the pool. Repeat 8-10 times.
Variation 2: With your leg lifted as high as it can go, straighten then bend your leg, so you are doing a bend-stretch motion. Your foot is in a pointed position. Repeat 8-10 times.
Variation 3: Lower your leg to the pool, lift it back to hip height or as high as you can lift it, followed by a tiny bend-stretch motion. Repeat 8-10 times.
Variation 4: Flex your foot at hip height and just repeat a tiny lift, lift, lift motion, 8-10 times followed by a hold at the end.

Lunges

Everyone’s love to hate exercise in the barre classroom translates well to the water too. Now you’re also competing with balance, (in a different way).

Standing (Floating) Pretzel

We know that you obviously can’t do a seated pretzel exercise in the pool but there is still the standing option which is great for your seat.

Set up

You can use the ledge of the pool or hang onto a pool noodle for this exercise.
Start by facing the barre in a parallel position. Bring your heel toward your seat. Soften the standing leg. Toes are pointed. Next, rotate up and over the left shoulder, lifting up through the side body so you are now working in an open hip position, facing profile to the barre. Your hips are still square.

Variation 1: Pulse up in one-inch movements.
Variation 2: In a circular motion rotate the leg. Repeat 8-10 times, then change directions.
Variation 3: Keep your leg lifted while you point and flex your foot. Repeat 8-10 times.

Repeat this entire series on the other side, to even things out.

Where can you find Katina and Sarah Catherine?

Katina is the creator of Wet Barre™ and a continuing education provider in aquatic fitness. She offers weekend trainings with a variety of workshop topics to choose from such as Wet Barre: Booty, Wet Barre: Pilates, Wet Barre: With a Twist (rotational movement), Wet Barre: Power (cardio/strength intervals), Wet Barre: Extend (legs) and much more. You can find her at wetbarreworkout.com and at @wetbarreworkout on Instagram.

Sarah Catherine Carter teaches at the Hollow Rock Racquet & Swim Club in Durham, NC and can be found at @scmoves_nc on Instagram.

Jun 02

An empty Studio Barre studio before class with mats and balls on the floor.

A Complete Overview and Review of Studio Barre

By Melissa Feeney Barre Crawl, Studio Barre, Studio Spotlight 2 Comments

Studio Barre’s yellow and grey aesthetic is unmistakable. It’s noticeable across all of their branding, from the distinct yellow statement wallpaper that partially covers the walls to the yellow tutu that clients wear when they hit a class milestone.

Don’t think for a second that the vibrant atmosphere and their liberal use of a barre pun will make for a walk-in-the-park workout. The California-based company is sassy but their classes pack a punch. It’s partly why they are one of the fastest-growing barre franchises in the United States. At the time of publishing, they have 15 operational locations with a high concentration of them in California. Unfortunately, a few locations closed during the pandemic.

Take it from me. The first time I tried a class at their Alexandria, Virginia location, the workout kicked my bootie. Thanks to the quick pace of the class, you’re flowing through the exercises while targeting each muscle group.

One disclaimer before we start. There is an affiliate link below for their On Demand service. If you purchase a subscription after clicking on the link, I get a percentage of the sale, which helps to keep the lights on, on the site.

The exterior of two Studio Barre locations, one in Alexandria, Virginia and the other in Charleston, South Carolina.

An empty Studio Barre studio before class, with mats and playground balls assigned for each client.

What to expect when you take a class at Studio Barre

Upon entering a Studio Barre you immediately notice the retail section. Some locations have such an extensive selection they could pass for their own boutique stores. More on that later.

The vibrant energy of their brand is felt right away. As soon as you walk through the doors, you’ll see pops of yellow everywhere. When you walk into the studio, you’ll immediately notice their statement yellow wallpaper that partially grace the interior walls. Some studios use more of it than others.

All studios use hardwood, and not carpet as Studio Barre founder Shannon Higgins explains in a blog post. The studio footprint is on the smaller side for a franchise. I’d compare it to a Pure Barre studio which is roughly 1,500 square feet on average.

Their roster of classes is quite simple. You have the regular barre classes that are one hour in length, while a Quick Tuck Barre Class is 45 minutes. There’s also the occasional workshop on the schedule.

The Studio Barre retail area in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Studio Barre Class Format

When entering the studio, you’ll grab your equipment, which usually consists of free weights, a mat, a ball and a resistance band. Sometimes the mat and ball are already set up for you. Places are set up around the perimeter of the studio, so everyone has a place at the barre.

Once class begins and you hear the boom of the music coming through the speakers, the instructor will direct everyone to the center of the room for the warmup. Marching at the beginning of the workout sets the tone for the rest of the class.

Soon after, you’ll pick up a pair of weights for some arm work followed by some core work on the floor. Planks and pushups also make an appearance in the warmup, which lasts about 13 to 14 minutes and is designed to get the heart rate up before you move on to the next section of the class.

Once the warmup is complete and you’ve taken a nice arm stretch, you move into the thigh section for about the next 12 minutes. Typically these exercises are done at the barre but sometimes continue on the floor after the warmup.

The seat section of the class, can either be done on the floor or at the barre and targets the inner and outer seat. Usually, at the midway point between seat exercises, they’ll break for a cardio burst, or cardio snack as they like to say.

Not to be forgotten is the core, which is completed toward the end of the class. Typical exercises in this section include C Curve and Reverse Curl. There is stretching between each section of the class and at the end but not before dancing it out on the floor with some Back Dancing.

If you can’t make it to class, they have Studio Barre On Demand

For those who can’t make it to one of their locations, Studio Barre launched Studio Barre On Demand. Their online subscription brings the flavour of the studio experience to your home. Ranging in length from 10 minutes to one full hour, there are a variety of options to choose from with new content being added all the time.

A barre class doing core work on the floor.

Source: instagram.com/studiobarrehighlandsranch

Women doing arm exercises during a barre class.

Source: instagram.com/highlandsranch

What makes this technique and brand different?

What sets Studio Barre apart from other boutique studios is the fast-paced nature of the class. You’re never stationary for very long.
There is also generally a more lively atmosphere in class with high-energy instructors cracking jokes and dishing out puns all while guiding you through the exercises.

What I love about Studio Barre

Going to class should be fun. Yes, you still have to put in the work during class but if you can groove along to the playlist and walk into a fun atmosphere then your experience will be that much better.

The great retail area

I love how each of their studios has a great retail section for some pre or post-workout shopping. In them, you’ll find the usual tanks, leggings, socks and hats, but some also carry jewelry, candles and other affiliated accessories.

How they celebrate milestones

Studio Barre has a Centurion club. If you couldn’t guess from the title it means they celebrate client milestones, such as 100, 300, 500, 750, 1000 classes, etc.

Not only do they love celebrating client achievements, but they also have fun while doing it. If you follow a Studio Barre location on Instagram you’ll surely see evidence of the celebrations, with some studios having their clients don a yellow tutu or decorate their spot at the barre. They also get to sign a special barre designated for Centurion members.

A barre studio celebrates a client taking 1000 classes with balloon and decorations.

Photo credit: instagram.com/studiobarrecarmelvalley

Criticisms

There is not much I have to critique about the Studio Barre brand or their classes. The one thing I will point out is that their language caters to a female-identifying audience. You’ll hear or see language like “So this girl walks into the barre…” or “A girl loves a big ol’ diamond [exercise].” Though they don’t exclude men or non-binary clientele, there is a lot of non-inclusive language in their marketing.

Women at a barre class doing Back Dancing exercises.

Source: instagram.com/highlandsranch

In Conclusion

There is a lot to love about Studio Barre. Life’s too short not to have fun during your workouts and that’s what I think I like most about their classes. They’re not afraid to make an adult joke during class or laugh at themselves. It’s not about following a militant formula to a tee but being playful with their exercises.

Have you tried a Studio Barre class or are you a regular at one of their studios? What do you like or not like about their classes and the overall brand experience? Leave a comment below.

Jun 01

A list of participants in a barre bingo challenge at Pure Barre.

5 Unique Incentivizing Challenges That Aren’t Barre Bingo

By Melissa Feeney Barre Culture, Just for Fun, Resources for Studio Owners No Comments

Barre bingo is great, don’t get me wrong. It’s a fun challenge and one that is pretty easy for studio owners to set up and execute, plus clients always have a lot of fun with it. I’m not saying don’t keep doing barre bingo but it’s fun to change up your barre challenges sometimes. If you’re looking for some inspiration, look no further than these fun challenge ideas that are sure to motivate your clients.

The Buddy Challenge

This buddy challenge was inspired by The Dailey Method in Colleyville, TX. They ran a #DaileyDuo challenge that encouraged members to fill up jars to gain points.

Decorated jars from the Dailey Duo challenge at The Dailey Method in Colleyville.

Source: instagram.com/tdmcolleyville

How it works

Teams work in groups of 2-4. You can pair up your clients with each other if individuals sign up.
Have the teams decorate the jars at the beginning of the challenge for extra bonding time.
Assign points worth different values depending on the task. For instance, attending 1 class is worth one point.
Designate a collectible that they put in their jar each time they earn a point. For instance, they could be craft pom poms or similar objects from a craft supply store.
Collect prizes as your team achieves milestones with their being a grand prize for extra incentive.
The first team to fill their jar wins. Alternatively, you designate a colour-coded system, so a green pom pom is worth one point, for example, an orange worth two points, etc. At the end of the challenge, it’s not who has the fullest jar but the most points collected as a team.
Throw an optional end-of-challenge celebration where you can crown the grand prize winners and celebrate everyone’s hard work.

What is encourages

A buddy system to keep each other accountable
Community building. If you’re an introvert like me, you appreciate it when your studio pairs you up with a buddy.

Barreopoly

The classic board game with a barre twist was inspired by Studio Barre on James Island in South Carolina who ran their own Barreopoly promotion last year. You can have a lot of fun with this one, by getting creative with the property names and game pieces.

Source: instagram.com/studiobarrejamesisland

How to play

Have clients sign up ahead of time and give them a printable game card you create.
If you’re familiar with the iconic game, then you’ll know roughly how this works. Clients earn points by completing various tasks like taking classes, bringing a friend to class, or posting to social media, etc. Every point they earn gives them a chance to move around the board, bringing them closer to buying up more properties and taking out their opponents.
The exact logistics of how you would run this are up to you.

What is encourages

Friendly competition
Gives your clients a chance to play a game that drums up all sorts of nostalgia.

March Madness-style Bracket Challenge

In the spirit of March Madness, why not create your own bracket challenge to motivate clients to take classes.

Image of a bracket challenge for fitness studios

Download this editable bracket challenge template at barregoods.com/downloadables/

Want more studio resources and templates? Visit our store for easy-to-edit downloadables.

How it works

You’ll need to make a bracket printable with different exercises. If you need a template, you can download one from our sister site Barre Goods Co. here.
Divide each section of the class into different groupings, such as upper body versus lower body. Each week, clients vote on which exercises they want to see in the following week’s classes. For example, you have a “clamshell” versus “fire hydrant” pairing where clients can vote on which exercise they like more.
Work the winning exercises into the choreography for the next week.
You can also turn this into a friendly competition where teams compete in fun challenges, such as who can hold a wall sit or plank the longest.

What it encourages

Team building
Community building

Olympics

With the Olympics quickly approaching this summer, now is a great time to plan your own mini barre Olympics.

A medal is displayed on top of a red pure barre exercise ball while women stand in the background.

Source: instagram.com/purebarregrandrapids

How it works

Arrange clients in teams of 2-4 or have them compete individually. For fun, have them come up with team names or assign them a country they can compete as.
Create a set of activities or events that clients have to compete in. For instance, how long someone can hold a wall sit or plank for, or have instructors judge form of different exercises.
This can be a single-day event or run over multiple days.
For added fun, host a medals and awards ceremony after the competition is complete.

What it encourages

Commroderie
Friendly competition
Community building

Paint By Numbers Challenge

You know those easy to paint activities that children love? Adults can have fun with it too.

A woman creates an art piece on the chalkboard of Pure Barre McLean's location.

Photo credit: instagram.com/purebarremclean

How it works

Decide what the mural is that clients will fill in together. If you’re not the artistic type, hopefully, you know someone who can help you draw the outline of the painting.
This doesn’t need to be a paintbrush and paint activity either. Think pre-cut puzzle pieces that when put together creates a full picture of whatever you decide it should be.
Assign points for different tasks that clients will need to complete. Each time a point is earned the client will get to fill in a space.
When it’s complete you have (hopefully) a lovely mural to display in your studio.

What it encourages

The nice thing about this exercise is that your studio clientele will need to work together to complete this activity, creating a bonding experience.

Stickers and juice are displayed on a table at The Bar Method's Wayne, Pennsylvania location.

Spice things up with unexpected rewards

Here are some ideas for prizes that your clients might not expect.

Mystery prizes at the end of the month. Don’t advertise what the prizes will be ahead of time. Keep clients guessing by waiting until the end for a big reveal.
Spot rewards for achieving milestones throughout the challenge. For example, let the winner of a milestone reward decide what the theme should be for the end of the challenge party or class for all challenge finishers.
Host a wellness workshop for challenge participants like how to prepare smoothies at home, a meditation session or something you think your clients would like.
Give them access to unique retail, events or workshops. Keep it exclusive so they feel like they are getting something that most other clients are not.
Have a unique space in your neighbourhood that you think hosting a class at would be cool? Reward challenge finishers with a complimentary pop-up class at a desirable location such as an aquarium, football stadium, brewery or rooftop terrace for example.

Mar 13

ReBarre North Scottsdale Virtual Class Setup

One Year Later – A Look Back at How 5 Different Barre Businesses Managed the Pandemic

By Melissa Feeney Barre Culture No Comments

We all remember March 2020 well. Depending on where you were, you may have been on the brink of a lockdown or already told to stay at home. It was a frightening time because no one knew what to expect. Would this last for several weeks, months, or even years?

For fitness studio owners and managers, the fear of the unknown was exacerbated by unpredictable closures, at the state or provincial level, not knowing how long it might be before they could re-open again, while some opened a new studio during the pandemic.

From studios offering live streaming classes for the first time to figuring out who to keep on payroll during slower times, I can only imagine how trying this last year must have been for any barre studio owner, and the difficult decisions they must have had to make.

A Pulse Barre and Fitness employee sanitizes a barre in the studio during the pandemic.
Photo credit: instagram.com/pulsebarreandfitness

Not to be too grim but there were business casualties along the way. I counted at least three dozen studios that closed down in the wake of the pandemic and I’m sure there were others that weren’t even on my radar. Some who had to give up their brick-and-mortar space managed to pivot into an online business, while others said they would try to come back in some form or another in the future. Many had to close down permanently.

One year later, I wanted to look back on the year that was, through the eyes of 5 different businesses and their owners or operators. I asked them to reflect on the year, the lows, the silver linings and what they learned along the way.

Manchester, New Hampshire's Barre Life fitness studio hosts an outdoor barre class in the park.

Manchester, New Hampshire’s Barre Life fitness studio holds an outdoor class.
Photo credit: instagram.com/barre_life

Let’s start at the beginning, what were the initial days of the shutdown like for you?

In speaking with owners and managers I noticed some common issues in the initial days of the shutdown. First, there was a lot of fear of the unknown, a lot of figuring out how to get classes online if they weren’t already and concerns about paying rent.

Ming-Bo Lam, Operations Director of Barreworks in Toronto said that “like so many small businesses at the start of the pandemic, we felt as though the ground was crumbling beneath us. We were overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty.”

While figuring out the next steps, Lam said that she and the team took a “deep breath and reconnected to the heart of our brand.”

At its core, Barreworks is a functional movement methodology that provides a unique, safe, and accessible workout to the clients we love and care deeply for. The ultimate question was how can we continue to provide the Barreworks experience – no matter what necessary pivots occur – in a way that prioritizes the safety of our community and the survival of the company.

Women workout in the Barre Life studio in Manchester, NH.

The Barre Life studio in Manchester, NH.
Photo credit: instagram.com/barre_life

South of the border in Manchester, New Hampshire, Ashley Oberg, Owner of Barre Life said, “the first reaction was pure shock, a pit in my stomach and what seemed like a large mountain to climb in front of me.” The one-room studio that also offers Yoga and Trampoline classes had already been doing some preliminary research into streaming live classes, so by the time they needed to pivot, they were able to jump into action.

Over in Arizona, Alli Goozh, Owner of ReBarre North Scottsdale was in a unique position since at the start of the state’s first shut down, she was still an instructor at the studio that she now owns, so she reached out to the owner to offer help.

“We scheduled several Facebook live barre classes since we did not have the infrastructure of an online studio to leverage when the pandemic started,” Goozh said. ” The previous owner did a great job communicating frequently through emails and social media so clients didn’t feel abandoned, on top of our world being so abruptly and massively changed. We did themed classes and tried to create as much connection and community as possible during those first few weeks.”

Rodrianna Wallace of Pulse Barre and Fitness in Uniontown, Ohio
Photo credit: instagram.com/pulsebarreandfitness

Also in a unique position was Rodrianna Wallace, Owner of Pulse Barre and Fitness in Uniontown, Ohio. The business had only been in operation for under a year and she was only about one month into her maternity leave when she realized what was going on. “I sent out studio communications as a heads up of what might potentially happen. I eventually made the tough decision to shut down the studio prior to the governor shutting us down. There was so much uncertainty and unknown to the situation so in my mind the best thing to do was to shut the studio down until I had more information.”

Across the pond in London, England, Sophie Ritchie, Owner of DiscoBarre™ and the Disco Barre Studio said “It’s crazy looking back as we innocently had no idea how serious it was going to be! I initially went into an extreme fight or flight mode, which I often do in a crisis.”

Learning along the way

As owners raced to transition to a new way of doing business, not everything ran smoothly as some will admit. From what I saw, at least in the early days of the pandemic is that there was a lot of grace and forgiveness on the part of clients. At least in my experience, no one was expecting management to have everything figured out but we’re often our own harshest critic, so no doubt these entrepreneurs felt they made some mistakes along the way.

Ritchie said she spent way too much money on technology. “I made a lot of mistakes and have wasted so much money, I have so much redundant technology to sell,” she says.

Dividers keep clients separated at the Disco Barre Studio in London between the shutdowns.

Disco Barre Studio during the pandemic between the shutdowns. Photo credit: DiscoBarre™

Oberg shared a similar sentiment. “I would have invested in proper technology from the start,” she says. “Not realizing this would last so long, so many items were hard to get.”

For Wallace, discovering her new small business didn’t qualify for financial assistance was a bit of an eye-opener. “I was very disappointed to find out that we didn’t qualify for PP loans etc because we were in our first year of business and had not recouped out money from the studio build-out.”

Dealing with unforeseen circumstances

At the end of April 2020 during the first shutdown in Toronto, Barreworks announced it would not be able to re-open its downtown location because the landlord had sold the building and the new owners planned to renovate it immediately. A decision to close the uptown location a couple of months later was just as heartbreaking. “We have determined that due to the layout and size of the studio space, we are unable to provide on a sustainable basis, a safe environment with proper social distancing measures,” signed the Barreworks team in a newsletter to clients.

The closure of Barreworks’ two locations for me was personal. It was the first barre studio in Toronto that I had visited and one that I had frequented quite a bit for nearly a decade.

“This impact was massive,” Lam said. “Our studios were so much more than just a space to run our classes! The majority of our instructors are also professional dance artists, so our physical studios served as rehearsal space and a creative hub of sorts. Losing the places that housed these interactions, places that felt like home for so many of us, at a time of so much uncertainty and anxiety, caused a significant emotional toll.”

ReBarre North Scottsdale gets set up for virtual fitness classes in the early days of the pandemic.

ReBarre North Scottsdale getting set up for virtual classes.
Photo credit: instagram.com/rebarrenorthscottsdale

For Goozh, she says she may have asked for help sooner in retrospect. “I learned through the challenges of this past year that people, both strangers and those who know me, want to help – they want to root for the dream chaser who buys her dream business during the pandemic, they want to donate and share posts to see me succeed.

I would take key actions more quickly – asking for help, applying for grants and asking for donations, stepping outside of my comfort, without as much delay and contemplation. I let overthinking and overwhelm be a barrier. And I believe, in hindsight, that there is a healthy, stable balance between thoroughly processing ideas and moving forward – too much overthinking and delay becomes a detriment in many cases.

As for Wallace, she learned that you can never have too much money saved for a rainy day or 100. “It probably sounds trivial, but the biggest lesson I learned was to ensure you have enough in savings x10 in case of emergencies.”

It’s not all doom and gloom though. There have been some silver linings throughout the pandemic.

Among the very real challenges of operating a business during a pandemic, there were some good things to come out of the last year. Pulse Barre and Fitness “expanded from just a barre studio to a fitness studio,” Wallace explained. Adding that the additions of rhythmic spin, TRX and boot camp classes to the schedule was one of the biggest reasons they were able to survive the pandemic.

Being able to reach more people from across the country and some former clients who moved away was a benefit of going online in 2020, Barre Life’s Oberg said.

Speaking from experience, I’ve tried a dozen or more classes from all over the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom which I view as a benefit of virtual classes.

Ritchie, a single mother, says she loved having her daughter with her 24/7. “We have been so harmonious and I am so grateful for this time. To have this time has been the biggest gift.”

A woman works out at home while studying for a Barreworks barre certification.

Working out while studying for a Barreworks certification.
Photo credit: instagram.com/barreworksto

“We’ve restructured our internal workflow for increased efficiency and productivity,” Barreworks’ Lam said, “we’ve just launched a sweet new website, our certification program is thriving with both Zoom and self-guided course options, and – quite frankly – we are closer than ever with our incredible instructors and thrilled to be working together as a team.”

I must also commend the Barreworks team on acknowledging that representation, accessibility and inclusion matter. They launched a BIPOC scholarship program in 2020, which covers the cost of tuition for their teacher training program in its entirety.

When asked about that, Lam said “by continuing to improve the accessibility of our classes and teacher training, and the representation of marginalized communities within our company structure, we can continue to hold ourselves accountable for normalizing these changes. Have we made mistakes along the way? Oh, yes – we are human! Are we committed to learning, improving, and continuing forward with the knowledge we’ve acquired? YES.”

A light at the end of the tunnel

ReBarre North Scottsdale, Barre Life and Pulse Barre and Fitness continue to offer a mixture of in-person and virtual classes.

Ritchie is looking forward to getting back into the studio space she rents in The Factory Dalston when things are scheduled to open up in May so she can hold in-person classes again. She also plans on launching an on-demand platform soon.

Disco Barre Studio hires a cleaning agency to do a deep clean on their barre studio during the pandemic.

A cleaner does a deep clean of the Disco Barre Studio during the pandemic.
Photo credit: instagram.com/discobarrestudio

Likewise, for Barreworks, their fingers are crossed they will be back into a brick-and-mortar space before the end of the year. “We’re also continuing to expand our Certified by Barreworks programming with a series of continuing education courses available to all fitness professionals.”

“We stand in solidarity with the other boutique studios that have faced similar challenges and studio closures in light of the pandemic,” Lam said. “The resiliency and perseverance of fellow studio owners and small-business leaders inspire us to keep moving forward.”

Nov 20

Kelly from Barre Roots leading a live-streaming class.

You Don’t Need a Brick and Mortar Studio to Build a Barre Community

By Melissa Feeney Barre Culture No Comments

I like to describe the year 2020 as the one where we all had to roll with the punches. At the beginning of the year, if you had told me that I was going to be doing virtual classes from my home for months on end, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. For as long as I could see into the future I always envisioned working out in a studio so long as I was able to afford that luxury.

This year has made me appreciate in-person connections more than ever as we navigate shutdowns. It’s something that I’ve come to realize is so fragile and shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Now that we are living in a semi-virtual world and more classes are going online, is it possible to build a barre community without a physical presence?

To dig into this topic a little more, I turned to Kelly at Barre Roots who has been doing a great job of growing her business without a brick and mortar studio. I thought she would be the perfect person to speak with about how to grow a community without owning a fitness studio.

Kelly from Barre Roots teaching a virtual barre class.

Image source: Kailee Rose Photo + Video / @kaileerosephotovideo

Had you considered opening a brick and mortar space when starting your business, or had you always planned to host remote classes?

My original plan was to open a brick and mortar. I started out renting a studio while I looked for a space of my own. However, when I started finalizing my business plan to turn in to the bank to get approved for a loan, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything came to a stop.

What do you like about owning a business without a physical space?

There is very little overhead, and I can be VERY flexible in what I do. Barre Roots has grown so much since March, and it’s because I was given the opportunity to think outside the
box (or brick and mortar specifically.)

Are there any disadvantages to not having a physical space?

When I tell people that I own a barre studio, their first question is always, “Where is it located?” Sometimes I get frustrated because I’d love to say, “Oh it’s in ‘blah blah’ shopping center, or it’s at ‘blah blah address’.” But since the pandemic started, the online space for fitness studios has become more and more normalized.

Kelly from Barre Roots leading a virtual class.

Image source: Kailee Rose Photo + Video / @kaileerosephotovideo

How do you nurture culture and community with people through your virtual and on-location classes?

Part of what makes Barre Roots different is the connection that is created. I will always personally follow up with you after class, I’ll text to check in with you, or send an email to let them know I’m thinking about them. I have also created a Facebook group for all the Barre Roots students so they can not only stay connected with me but with each other as well.

Do you find you have to foster the community differently when you have a chance to meet clients in person versus online?

I like meeting people in person, but I think the same rules apply to in-person and online. You need to LISTEN to your community and make sure every individual knows they’re SEEN, and not just a number. I will say because the online reach and community can grow to be much larger than an in-person reach and community, it does require more effort, but like I said, the same principles apply.

How do you keep connected with your clients?

I always text/email/direct message them to check-in. Even if it’s as simple as, “Thinking about you today, hope all is well!” And in the Barre Roots, I will post studio updates, ask how everyone’s weekend was, ask if anyone has any exciting news or anything else to keep the conversation going.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting a remote fitness business?

It takes time to grow. For most people, this is brand new territory, so don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t “take off” at first. Even though this is a new world we’re living in, this is still a fairly new concept that people need to get the hang of. In addition to that, keep in mind all the possibilities you have because you’re not limited to one single space- get creative! That will help set you apart.

Kelly from Barre Roots sitting outside on a yoga mat.

Image source: Kailee Rose Photo + Video / @kaileerosephotovideo

Would you advise people with online businesses to host offline events and in-person classes?

I would. That is something I have done and continue to do. I think it is important to have that in-person connection every once in a while to let people know, “this is real and these are real people!” I have two Small Group Outdoor Classes each week, and I have larger events in parks, breweries, and other fun locations. I recently held an event where one of the attendees was a girl who I only knew by way of her purchase of my recorded classes. When I finally met her in person that connection became stronger.

Anything else you would like to mention?

Don’t try and do it like other studios. Obviously, you need to be aware of what your competitors are doing so you’re not so far off the beaten path but being unique is going to be your biggest asset. And I cannot stress enough; BE REAL. Because most of your clients won’t see you in person that often if at all, it is good to let them know that you’re a real person and not just some online machine.

If you would like to learn more about Kelly and her business, visit barreroots.com.

Nov 04

Comparing At-home Barre Equipment

By Melissa Feeney Barre Culture 2 Comments

If you asked me if I would be investing in at-home barre equipment at the beginning of 2020, I probably would have told you that I don’t need it because I prefer in-studio classes. If you’re like me you probably would have never predicted that you would even be considering investing in a ballet barre.

With a surge of at-home workouts due to the pandemic, there’s now a greater demand for barre equipment to mimic that of what a studio offers. Have you decided that the dining room chair isn’t going to cut it anymore, and you’re ready to invest in some real equipment?

If you’re still in the preliminary phase of researching various equipment, I’ve broken down some of the more popular ballet barre options, both portable and wall-mounted.

Portable and Freestanding Barres

In the portable barre category here are some of the more popular options.

Booty Kicker

You see them all over your social feeds, thanks to a generous affiliate program and a friendly price point. They are the portable barres that include a large white frame, with stainless steel support, wooden barre, gripping feet, and weight rack.

Pros

It can slide right under a bed or into a closet.
You can’t beat the price. The cost is just $79.99 plus shipping, which is easily one of the most affordable portable barre options.
Comes with an authentic wooden barre.
This is a little thing, but I like how easily I can move the barre around when I’m taking a virtual class. Depending on which leg I’m working I can easily move it to one side or the other so it’s facing the camera and I can see the instructor better.

Things to keep in mind

You can put 250 pounds down onto it, which will allow you to gently pull off the barre, but you’ll probably want to put some more weight on the weight rack in the front, for counterbalance.
Setup time varies, with some saying they’ve been able to put it together in as little as 20-30 minutes and others saying it can take an hour or more to initially put it together.
Watch out for stubbed toes! The metal structure is a little rough around the edges (literally). Make sure if you’re doing any wide second positions or anything that requires a larger range of motion that your toes don’t accidentally brush the legs of the structure, otherwise ouch!

Price

It retails for $79.99 plus shipping.

DorBarre

Utah-based company Stroops’ latest product is a removable barre that attaches to nearly all indoor and outdoor doors.

Pros

The barre can be set up on nearly any type of door in minutes and can be removed in seconds.
It weighs under four pounds and fits in a 4″ x 6″ x 27″ box.
When many other free-standing barres would tip over from doing exercises that require you to pull off the barre, the DorBarre allows you to do push and pull movements.

Things to Keep in Mind

If you’re like me, you might have plenty of doors in your space to choose from but that doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a tonne of room on either side of the door to do the exercises.

Price

$129.95

Door Barre Fitness

Speaking of “door barres,” Door Barre Fitness is a handcrafted portable solution that claims to be the only barre on the market that attaches to your door and that can also be easily packed into a suitcase when you travel. If you’re looking for a barre that takes up less physical space than other standalone barres, this may be the solution for you.

Source: doorbarrefitness.com

Pros

It weighs just 3 pounds and is 23 inches wide.
It features a rubber backing, adjustable straps and the barre can hold your full weight, so go ahead and pull off the barre. Chair exercise anyone?
Door Barre Fitness is also the name of Founder Nikki Branning’s online streaming subscription service. Each Door Barre purchased comes with two weeks of complimentary online classes. After that, it’s just $9 per month.

Things to keep in mind

Even though you can put the barre on either side of a door, Nikki’s preference is to attach it to the side of the door that you pull to close.

Price

It retails for $95 USD

Fluidity Barre

The Fluidity Barre is an infomercial product that is part of the Fluidity Barre System which is accompanied by a ball, pump, a workout DVD with three workouts on it and two bands. It comes fully assembled. All you need to do is adjust the height to your liking, and lock it into place. Comes with a built-in mat, that lies below the barre.

Pros

There are wheels on it, so you can easily collapse it and put it away.
It is adjustable to your height and level of flexibility.

Things to keep in mind

This is an infomercial product, which doesn’t make it bad but sometimes anecdotal success stories are used to inflate people’s confidence in the product. Keep in mind that you don’t need to buy into the subscription service to order the product.

Price

The product comes with a much higher price tag than other pieces of equipment on the market, at just shy of $600 plus tax. If you are just looking to buy a barre, and not buy into the full system then you’d probably want to find another option.

BurnBarre

Touted as the first truly portable ballet barre, the BurnBarre is the most compact freestanding barre on the market, weighing only four pounds. According to its website, COVID-19 has halted the production of BurnBarre due to factory closures in China. They are currently in the process of moving operations to the United States and are hoping to be up and running by Fall 2020.

Pros

It’s compact. It’s small enough that you can carry it in a tote bag, and can easily put it in a suitcase for travelling with.
Easy setup. They claim it takes just 20 seconds to assemble.
The sustainable aluminum real wood is very durable and is made to resemble a real ballet barre.
It’s based on fingertip pressure only, which encourages you to engage your core more.
It’s height-adjustable.

Demonstrating exercises using the BurnBarre

Source: burnbarre.com

Things to keep in mind

This is quite a bit smaller than most on the market. For better or for worse you won’t be able to do a full range of barre exercises due to the design of the apparatus. That’s because it was designed by a group of dancers so it’s probably intended for a true ballet barre workout where you lightly grip the barre, as opposed to pulling off of it to sit in a chair position.

If you are looking for something compact that easily fits in your studio apartment or want something that is not going to take up a lot of room, this might be a good option for you.

Price

Now on sale for $139, normally $199.

Portable ballet barre

This four-foot portable ballet barre from Boss Ballet Barres comes in 3 different colours.

Source: balletbarresonline.com

Pros

Easy to move around.
There’s enough room for two people to use the barre at a time.
They offer a lifetime guarantee.

Things to keep in mind

The price tag may seem a little more expensive than other options on the market but Boss Barres are made completely out of powder-coated steel, so there aren’t any plastic or aluminum parts. This means that their barres can handle the extra impact and force from a rigorous workout.

Price

$378 CAD

Wall-mounted barres

If you can swing it, there’s no greater option than having a real barre in your home. Although not the reality for many (including myself) there are a lot of good options on the market.

They have to be mounted into the stud to be able to ‘pull off’ of them but wall-mounted barres are your best bet for creating a real deal barre set up in your home. If you’re wondering about the height of your barre, most single barres in fitness studios are between 36″ to 38″ above the ground.

Vita Barre

The traditional wood single bar wall mount ballet barre system from Vita Barre is made of high-quality wood types including natural ash wood, oak, and maple. With various lengths, 3 feet all the way up to 42 feet and a number of different bracket designs available in multiple colours, this is a good option if you want a semi-customized wall-mounted solution. They also have a pro aluminum option in lieu of wood, which has a slightly lower price point.

Source: vitabarre.com

Pros

It has a smooth finish that will make you feel like you’re in a real barre class. They actually supply the barres for many fitness studios including Pure Barre.
It comes in various lengths so if you want a compact barre, you can order just 3 feet, or if you wanted to turn your garage into a makeshift barre studio you can order up to 42 feet.