A few months ago, when taking a class at my local barre3 studio, I noticed heavier weights on the shelf. Now this franchise has, since its inception, been offering clients comparatively lighter weights for their signature barre classes. That’s because traditionally, barre classes use lighter weights to help you focus on toning the right muscle groups more precisely. We’re talking about in the two to 5-pound range generally.
Sitting on the shelf were 12 and 15-pound weights, a considerable jump from those lighter sets. I also started noticing specialty mats around the perimeter of the room. The owner announced over the speaker that they are getting ready to roll out a new class format and to stay tuned for more details. I couldn’t help but wonder what it might be.
It turns out that those heavier sets of weights are for a brand new class format called b3 Strength, and the company has been testing out the format through their online platform since 2021. According to the official class description, it is designed to build strength in mind and body while moving slowly and with intention.
Weights sit on a shelf at a barre3 studio.
It’s not just at barre3. Major players in the barre franchise world, like Pure Barre and The Bar Method, have been adopting new class formats that cater to strength, cardio, stretching and other modalities.
Even though fitness franchises like Orange Theory and F45 Training are in different lanes, there are many clients I know who complement their barre activities with an additional modality or two on the side, so it came as no surprise to me when I heard Pure Barre announce earlier this year a new strength-based barre class called Pure Barre Define™ was going to be joining the suite of offerings. Similarly, The Bar Method announced they would be rolling out Bar Strength, which according to their Brand President Stephanie Schon, is an amplification of their signature barre exercises with weight work and circuit training.
For reference, when I refer to signature classes, I’m talking about the classic barre classes. Some franchises like Pure Barre consider their suite of offerings to include 5 signature classes, with their classic barre class being one of them.
Photo credit: Jenn Byrne
The History of Expansion Barre Classes
Let’s dig a little deeper into how these barre brands began to offer more than just signature barre classes.
The Bar Method
The Bar Method has been around since 2001, and so has their signature Bar Method class, followed two years later by Bar Advanced. A decade later, Bar Move was introduced, designed to keep clients moving with larger ranges of motion. In recent years we’ve seen the introduction of Bar Restore (2018), a 30-60-minute Bar Method class followed by a 15-60-minute Restore class and Barre Flow (2022) that incorporates Vinyasa Flow sequences.
That brings us to 2023. After a 10-year run, Bar Move was replaced with Bar Method Cardio earlier in the year. This class is designed to increase your heart rate and calorie burn.
The newest class in The Bar Method family is Bar Strength, a circuit training class with weights. Some classes might consist of exercises like weighted planks, rows, shoulder walks and lat pulls. They let you know when to go with the lighter and heavier set of weights.
barre3
Launched in Portland, Oregon, barre3’s signature class has been their, shall you say, pièce de résistance since the beginning. The signature barre3 class has been combining strength conditioning, cardio and mindfulness into a full-body balanced workout since 2008.
barre3 is somewhat unique in that their core product has mostly carried them through its 15-year history, and they haven’t ventured far from the Signature class much, at least in terms of in-studio offerings.
With the recent announcement of b3 Strength and b3 Cardio, we’re seeing a new era of barre3. b3 Strength is intended to focus on slow, intentional movement to help move safely with heavier weights while b3 Cardio is designed to increase cardiovascular endurance while increasing stamina and improving overall heart health.
“We designed this class to be accessible and safe for all, focusing on working in the mid-range heart rate zones where most health benefits are realized,” said barre3’s Subject Matter Expert: Body Mechanics and Training, Lisa Schale-Drake. “In this class we focus on the importance of internal measures of breath vs. technology readouts and how to move safely with impact and speed.”
Photo credit: Jenn Byrne
Pure Barre
Pure Barre launched onto the scene around the same time as The Bar Method with their signature barre class, now simply referred to as Classic™. You can read all about it here.
In 2015 Pure Barre brought out the platform props to offer clients bigger ranges of motion with the added element of cardio. Pure Barre Platform lasted a couple of years before being shelved. It was eventually replaced with a new signature class called Pure Barre Empower™ which is still on the schedule today.
A few years later, Refom came on the scene with the use of sliders and resistance bands. Reform has disappeared from some locations’ schedules as of late, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t return. It’s quite possible we may see their newest offering Pure Barre Define™ take its place since the classes have similar resistance training goals. Pure Barre declined to comment for this article when asked about Pure Barre Define™.
We can’t forget about Pure Barre Foundations™, which sounds like their classic class but is actually an introductory class that was brought in a few years ago to help new clients get familiar with the technique and is offered for free as a way of incentivizing people to try a Pure Barre class.
In the earlier part of 2022, they announced Pure Barre Align™ would be added to the roster. This was after they offered the stretch and restore-type format through special intensives, like pop-up classes. Pure Barre Align™ is an iteration of the Stretch and Restore classes.
That brings us to the latest Pure Barre offering, rolling out in the summer of 2023, Pure Barre Define™. This is their weight-based strength training class. Using heavier weights, clients will move through resistance training exercises using the principle of progressive overload.
What’s Behind the Evolution?
In my opinion, a few factors contribute to the diversity of classes. Firstly, client feedback plays an important part in dictating what gets on the schedule. Listening to clients was part of why you’re seeing new class offerings at barre3.
B3 Strength was an instant hit on our digital platform when it launched in 2021. Clients commented that b3 Strength was not only building their knowledge and confidence in lifting heavy weights but that they were feeling the results in their everyday lives. With excitement to try something new with a brand they trust, we knew that b3 Strength would be a success in the studio and an ideal complement to the barre3 Signature class.
– Lisa Schale-Drake, Subject Matter Expert: Body Mechanics and Training at barre3
The Bar Method was also paying close attention to what clients wanted. “Client feedback suggested that we needed to diversify our class format, so we introduced Bar Method Cardio,” said Brand President Stephanie Schon. “We learned from consumer data that our clients were unaware of the cardio workouts available to them in our barre programs. Despite offering Bar Move, we learned we needed to optimize the cardio class format to change this mindset.”
In my opinion, market trends also play a significant role in what gets rolled out. Stephanie Schon partially attributed market trends to why Bar Strength is now on their schedule. “Our market trend research led to the introduction of Bar Strength,” she said.
Exercise trends come and go; if clients can’t find what they’re looking for at your studio, they’ll go somewhere else. I believe we’re seeing more weight and resistance-training-infused barre classes because there is a lot of demand for those classes. In order to facilitate clients who might turn to other boutique studios for complimentary workouts, barre studios are trying to keep clients within their franchise by offering alternative classes to a straight-up classic barre class.
“Many clients informed us they had workout routines outside of The Bar Method and were looking for more variety in their classes.”
– Stephanie Schon, Brand President, The Bar Method
Photo courtesy of The Bar Method
How Do Signature Barre Classes Fit Into The Mix?
Don’t panic! When I spoke to representatives from The Bar Method and barre3, they assured me that signature classes aren’t going anywhere. After all, it’s their bread and butter. Lisa Schale-Drake had this to say. “While barre3 Signature is a mainstay class offered at every barre3 studio, b3 Strength and b3 Cardio are optional classes for studio owners to add to their schedule as desired by their specific client base.”
She also added that the Signature class is always evolving. “For the past 15 years, we have continued to evolve the Signature class to meet our client’s needs and implement the latest scientific research in body mechanics. Our objective has and will always be to pursue clients’ needs and not fitness trends.”
Stephanie Schon of The Bar Method commented about how important it is to root all their classes in barre. “While we offer a diverse range of class formats at The Bar Method, it’s imperative all our offerings have a foundation in barre. Barre is the basis of everything we do – we not only incorporate real elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates into our workout techniques, but test our formats to ensure they’re both safe and effective before introducing them to clients.”
Final Impressions
Over the last few years, my observations have shown that the barre landscape is changing. Boutique studios that once had a narrow niche focus on one signature class or modality are branching out. Though we looked at the big three barre franchises in North America, if you look at other barre chains like The Barre Code, Neighborhood Barre and Physique 57, they’ve been offering classes like HIIT, Bootcamp and strength classes for years.
For the most part, these classes still incorporate barre exercises to some degree, maybe some more than others. The Barre Code’s Brawl class is a standalone cardio class that doesn’t have any barre elements in it.
I predict we will continue to see the landscape evolve and react to client feedback and market trends. I don’t believe signature classes are going anywhere. So long as there is demand for barre, studios will continue to offer their signature classes.
Do you think these barre franchises are heading in the right direction with these new class formats or will trying to appeal to everyone’s taste water down the brand? Are there any formats you miss that you wish would return from the barre class graveyard? Let me know in the comments.
If you’re a fan of The Bachelor franchise like I am, you’ll definitely appreciate that a new season of The Bachelorette is set to hit the air on October 13. It’s no secret that most people who appear on the show are toned, so I wondered if any of them do barre workouts to stay in shape.
As I found out there were quite a few. Here are some of the women who consider barre a part of their fitness routine and what they like about it.
Tenley Leopold
Tenley Leopold (Molzahn at the time of filming) has made a few appearances on The Bachelor franchise throughout the years including on Jake Pavelka’s season of The Bachelor when she was the runner-up. She also appeared on the first season of Bachelor Pad and the second season of Bachelor in Paradise.
Tenley, a lifelong dancer calls barre “one of her favorite activities” and says “being at the barre feels like home.” From her Instagram account, we know that she has been attending Studio Barre Encinitas since at least 2016 and taught there for a period of time.
Source: instagram.com/tenleymolzahn
Source: instagram.com/tenleymolzahn
Photo source: instagram.com/tenleymolzahn
Here’s what she told us about why she loves barre just before she had her baby.
“As a former professional dancer, Barre is a favorite workout of mine. I love how it targets different muscle groups, but keeps your body lean and strong like that dancers body! I especially love my Studio Barre workouts, I actually taught for quite awhile! The format of the class gets you straight to work, and still helps you reach cardio goals! Anybody can do it from home now too, with Studio Barre on Demand and every single class has so much energy and leaves you feeling it! I also love that Barre workouts are great for pregnancy, and can easily be modified for the season of life you’re in. I’m currently pregnant and cannot wait to be back to Barre full force!”
Amanda Stanton
Amanda appeared on Ben Higgins’ season of The Bachelor as well as Bachelor in Paradise twice. She’s an ambassador for Openfit which includes an at-home barre program led by Xtend Barre’s Andrea Rogers.
Source: instagram.com/amanda_stantonn
I love that they have Pilates and barre and it’s a celebrity trainer. These workouts are only 30 minutes long so they’re super quick but really effective and I love that you can do everything at home so you don’t really need any equipment. It’s literally like having a personal trainer and nutritionist at home.
Sydney Lotuaco
Sydney is a Bachelor in Paradise alum was a contestant on Colton’s season of The Bachelor. The former New York Knicks dancer was also most recently a Physique 57 teacher in New York City. She was often featured in their marketing materials and in their video content.
Source: instagram.com/sydneylotuaco
Source: instagram.com/sydneylotuaco
Photo source: instagram.com/sydneylotuaco
I was a Senior trainer at Physique 57, teaching both in-studio and for our online platform. I love barre classes, but also love to incorporate all types of fitness in order to cross-train my body. Ultimately, I think it’s just best to move with efficiency while maintaining form and the easiest way to do that is when you love and are having fun while you’re doing it.
Upon leaving Physique 57 after 5 years of sculpting bodies and changing lives, she thanked the brand for making her stronger, giving her a voice and for those who trusted her with their own journey in fitness.
Tia Booth
The Bachelor in Paradise and Bachelor Season 22 contestant, is known to dabble in barre. Tia uses the Openfit app to take classes on occasion.
Source: instagram.com/tiarachel91
“I can’t go to the gym right now and this is something for me that is doable,” says Tia, who uses the Openfit app to take barre and Pilates classes.
Molly Mesnick
Bellevue-based Molly Mesnick was the runner-up and then eventual fiancé and wife of Bachelor Jason Mesnick on his season of The Bachelor. She counts barre as a go-to workout among an assortment of other fitness modalities. She’s been known to make an appearance at Pure Barre Bellevue.
Source: instagram.com/mollymesnick
Source: instagram.com/mollymesnick
Molly credits barre with helping her get toned while also being a nice compliment to other cardio workouts she likes doing, like SoulCycle.
The former Miss Texas USA was a contestant on Peter Weber’s season of The Bachelor. Though she doesn’t go anymore, she was known to frequent Pure Barre in Huebner Commons, before competing in Miss America.
Source: instagram.com/alayahbenavidez
I don’t go to Barre anymore but I did love it when I would go. It was a great low impact workout that was always super challenging and worked muscles that I wouldn’t normally think to target while helping me get leaner and stronger! I loved it.
Desiree Siegfried
The Bachelorette from Season 9 has been doing barre for years. When she lived in Seattle she would frequent the now-shuttered Bar Method – Eastside location, especially in the lead up to her wedding to contestant Chris Siegfried. Since the lockdown, she has been doing more online classes, and Barre3’s online program is part of her fitness routine.
Working with a trainer to get wedding-ready pushed her to lift heavier weights and to go longer on workouts she has said.
Former Bachelor contestants Lindzi Cox (left) and Desiree Siegfried (center) at The Bar Method in Seattle back in 2014. Photo by Andria Lindquist
Source: instagram.com/desireesiegfried
Annaliese Puccini
The two-time Bachelor in Paradise contestant was on Arie’s season of The Bachelor. On several occasions, she was spotted with her mom at Barre3 San Mateo.
Since 2001, when Burr Leonard and her then-husband Carl Diehl opened the first studio in San Francisco, The Bar Method has expanded to become one of the most popular franchises around. With 100+ locations across the United States and Canada, this Lotte Berk Method-rooted brand is a favourite of mine. Although there are no studios anywhere near where I live, I always try to visit one when I’m in the United States. International expansion might be on the horizon for this brand, now that The Bar Method has been acquired by Anytime Fitness’ parent company Self Esteem Brands.
What to expect
Upon entering a Bar Method you immediately notice the clean, modern and spa-like setting. There is a sophisticated air to each location I’ve ever walked into. From the reception area to the locker room and cabinets for your belongings to the studio itself. Most, if not all have at least one or more showers available for clients to use. It’s a small detail but one that is a nice option to have, especially since it’s not as common among other barre studios to have.
Each studio has a generous footprint. Studio sizes range from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet, which gives many, if not all locations the ability to have space for kids’ clubs so you can drop your kiddos off before taking a class.
The Class Format
Upon entering the studio, you’ll grab your equipment, which usually consists of free weights, mats and a ball. Every class begins with a warm-up in the center of the room, which involves upper-body exercises and pushups. You’ll work the biggest muscles first.
After your muscles are warm, you’ll make your way to the barre for a leg sequence and core exercises on the floor. The method predominantly uses your own body weight as resistance along with a few basic props.
Students are continually challenged with endless variations of each exercise timed to the beat of the music, which happens to count in “tens” as opposed to “eights,” so that each class feels unique. Students of all levels work within their individual limits while receiving encouragement to continually push forward.
You will work the biggest muscles first, then abs and a final burst of bonus seat work. Equipment may include thick foam mats (different than yoga mats), light dumbbells, balls, straps and foam.
Beyond their signature class, The Bar Method has 6 other class types. Bar Move is their cardio-based class, that moves through sequences at a faster pace. Bar Advanced is for experienced clients who are looking for an extra challenge, with deeper thigh and seat work. Bar Restore incorporates more stretching into the workout, Bar Express is their condensed 45-minute workout, Bar Prenatal is a modified version of their signature class, for expecting and new moms and Bar Basics is, you guessed it, their foundational class for Bar Method beginners.
What makes this technique different?
There’s a lot of focus on comfort at The Bar Method. It’s not uncommon for clients to grab one to three 1 1/2″ thick foam mats for sections of the class, especially those that focus on the core.
What I love about The Bar Method
The carpets are so plush and comfortable on your feet. I know not everyone likes a carpet in a barre studio, but for me, I love the softness and generally prefer to workout on a carpeted surface. Every Bar Method studio has a 3/4″ gymnastics pad underneath, which adds to the cushion and in turn protects your feet and minimizes the pressure on your joints as you go through the exercises.
Criticisms
One striking difference that I picked up on when I first started going to their classes is that rather than correcting clients individually by going around the room and adjusting them discreetly, it’s common practice for Bar Method instructors to announce corrections over the mic for everyone to hear. For instance, they will say, “Melissa, move your left foot out a few more inches.”
Historically I’ve appreciated the tactile feedback I receive when an instructor comes around and puts my body into the correct position, so I can understand exactly where it’s supposed to be. Being called out for everyone to hear is not intended to shame you, but it gave me some serious reminders of being back in high school again when you were called upon by the teacher. Eeek.
At first, I thought it was just an inexperienced instructor who didn’t know that they weren’t supposed to announce corrections on the mic but soon realized that this happens at every class I’ve been to since.
However, in COVID times, hands-off corrections are needed anyway.
In Conclusion
The Bar Method has a loyal following for a reason. It’s a great workout, has nice surroundings, and is accompanied by friendly staff and a welcoming community. If I had one in my town, I’d be there in a heartbeat.
The workout DVD, compared to live streaming workouts seems like an ancient artifact that is collecting more dust than dollars for studios these days. Like every industry that has been impacted by the digital revolution, the fitness industry is indeed not immune to disruption. Though the DVD is undoubtedly still being promoted in studios and online, it is slowly being pushed aside to make way for the more popular monthly subscription-based model and streaming workouts.
On-demand workouts are a dime a dozen these days, as many barre studios are wising up to the idea that their clients for many reasons can’t always make it to a live workout.
Why online barre?
Whether you are travelling for business, on vacation, a new mom, or just would prefer to workout in the comfort of your living room, there a many advantages to remote classes.
For one, all you need is an internet connection, a reasonable amount of floor space and some comfortable clothes to workout in. You decide when your workout begins, so you are not at the mercy of the studio schedule.
On the flip side, it takes a lot of discipline to commit to at-home fitness classes. For me, I find I don’t push myself as much when I don’t have an instructor in front of me to go through the workout together with.
Use the list below to find an online-based workout that is right for you.
Also, a heads up that there are one or two affiliate links on the page, so if you do happen to make a purchase after clicking on them, I will make a small commission from the sale. It helps pay for the cost to run the site and is not necessarily an endorsement for the product(s).
What: Über popular franchise Pure Barre has recently updated and rebranded their online portal from Pure Barre On Demand to Pure Barre GO. They have online workouts for diehards who can’t make it to any of their over 500 locations across North America. The videos are packaged in several different increments, from 10 minutes to a full hour with live classes streaming throughout the month. They also have pre/postnatal workouts.
You can sign up through your local Pure Barre, or through the corporate site, just search Pure Barre GO in the locations section. If you’re a Pure Lifestyle member, Pure Barre GO will replace your Pure Barre On Demand access and remain as a grandfathered perk of your membership.
Price: Contact your local studio for membership options.
What:The Bar Method offers an alternative to their popular in-studio workouts with a vast collection of videos to choose from. A number of their top instructors lead various workouts, so you can stick to your favourite class or mix things up with creative and challenging sequences. Class lengths vary from 20 to 60 minutes. Take advantage of their 14-day trial before committing to a monthly subscription plan.
What: The Dailey Method‘s subscription service offers clients an ever-expanding library in a variety of lengths and Dailey class formats with new content being added weekly. From Dailey Barre to interval workouts and restorative classes, there’s something for every speed. For more on The Dailey Method, you can read my interview with Jill Dailey. Price: $20.00 month allows you to select from pre-recorded or live classes, depending on your preference. There’s a free 14-day trial if you would like to sample the workouts before you commit.
What: Entrepreneur Michelle DuVall’s impressive library of at-home workout videos appeals to both students and barre instructors. You can purchase a monthly subscription or rent the workouts of your choice à la carte. New videos are added monthly, plus workshops to further your knowledge and training are scheduled regularly.
What: No equipment is necessary for Physique 57‘s 80+ videos and programs that come in various intervals of 10, 15, 30, 45 and 57 minutes. Browse workouts in their library based on your goals and create playlists for different exercises.
Price: $29.95/month but the price comes down to $19.95/month if you commit to a multi-month plan.
Physique 57’s On Demand service surveys people when they sign up so they can be matched with videos that meet their workout goals.
What: Yoga-inspired barre brand, Barre3 has a vast collection of classes as part of their on-demand service. New videos are uploaded every week, so the content remains current and fresh. Their video library may be large, but it comes with a steeper price tag. Barre3’s on-demand service is also one of the most expensive on the list. Take advantage of their 15-day trial before committing to a subscription.
What: Mind/body company Exhale Spa has Exhale On Demand, which features new barre, yoga and cardio workouts each week. They have a generous 30-day free trial, so you can test out their service. Price: $26.45/month or $264.64/year
What:Xtend Barre has successfully franchised their business from London, England to Sydney, Australia and has been part of the at-home workout game for many years now. Their videos are more compact, with videos ranging from 10 to 20 minutes, so if you feel like you just need smaller cardio bursts, this might be the right subscription for you.
What: East Coast barre brand Forme Barre Fitness just launched its own virtual studio featuring a mixture of on-demand and live-streaming classes after having teamed up with NEOU in the past. Now you can take a variety of their alignment-focused classes including their full-length, 60-minute Forme Method classes, their Forme Focus classes, which are shorter in length and focus on specific body parts, and their Forme Blend classes which feature a combination of ballet and cardio. New content is added multiple times per week. Price: $49.99 per month, with a free 7-day trial.
What: Online-based video streaming service Barre Where You Are will make you feel like your instructor is right there with you! A subscription includes access to signature (full-length) and express classes, plus modification options, a breakdown of barre form and terminology and a mixture of different yoga classes. New classes are added monthly. Price: A monthly subscription is $14.99 and a yearly subscription goes for $164.99. BWYA has a free 7-day trial so you can test out the workouts before committing to a subscription.
What: If you’re craving a full-body barre workout that has more of a cardio lean, then Silhouette by Alexis gives members access to over 50 hours of workouts with new content posted weekly. The Silhouette Slick Library includes videos organized by arms, legs, abs, planks, dance cardio, and back strengthening workouts. The Silhouette Signature Library consists of full 40-minute classes. Your subscription allows you to also receive access to meditations, and soon-to-be-released pre and postnatal classes and information. Members can access video content anytime and on multiple devices, as the workouts are optimized for any laptop or phone.
Need a little guidance? Alexis releases her personal schedule each week, so if you need some inspiration, take a page out of her playbook and follow her suggested routine, which usually consists of a combination of low impact and high-intensity workouts.
Price: The monthly price is $9.99 or if you opt for the yearly subscription of $95.00, you’ll shave off a bit of money. A 7-day free trial at both the monthly and yearly level is available if you would like to try before you buy.
What: London-based Barrecore has lots of video content via their on-demand service. Options available include: BarreSIGNATURE, BarreASANA, BarreFORM, BarreEXPRESS and BarreSWEAT among others. You’ll find workouts in various lengths from 5 minutes to a full hour.
Price: £25/month. There’s a 2-week free trial available.
What: The ladies of theLONDONmethod are champions of Lotte Berk and her method, which was really the catalyst for many Americanized barre methods you know and love today. Having been taught by Lotte’s daughter Esther Fairfax directly, they are on a mission to pass on all they know and love about this original technique.
They have two online options. The first is TLM TV. This is an online subscription service where you can get access to pre-recorded videos. It’s also a great way to get a history lesson on the original method.
Price: Prices will range, depending on whether you want to pay for TLM TV or their live-streaming classes. TLM TV goes for $29.99/month or $330.00 for the year. If you’d like to get access to their live classes, membership options range from a $50 2-week unlimited “tourist” option to an unlimited autopay option for $175/month, with other options at varying levels of commitment in between.
What: Y2B Fit has a number of online options available for purchase. Most are time-based, so you can decide how long you would like access to the content. Options available include yoga and barre, postnatal barre and core, a live streaming option and an online fitness coaching option among other products.
Price: Prices range from $2.99 for one day of access to a 90-day option at $119.99.
What: NYC and LA-based adult ballet fitness studio, The Ballet Spot is now completely online with a mix of live-streaming and on-demand options. They offer 30 weekly interactive live stream classes over Zoom ranging from Cardio Ballet to Total Body Barre, Ballet Stretch, Ballet Sculpt, and more, all taught by knowledgeable and experienced professional dancers. No prior dance or barre experience is needed for any of their classes.
Price: New clients can try two live stream classes for the price of one – $5/class, $10 total, or three days of unlimited live streams for only $21. On-demand rentals of class recordings are also available for $5/class or $25/week for unlimited access to over 40 classes.
What: California-based Studio Barre just launched its on-demand service. Workouts vary in length from 25-minute “quickie” workouts to 60-minute full-length workouts. Memberships come with access to their private Facebook group.
Price: $29 for the month, with a pay-as-you-go membership or pay $299 for the year outright and save the equivalent of 2 months worth of fees. For anyone who wants to try it out first, there’s a 7-day free trial.
What: Touted as “your virtual barre studio” barreALLEY is always updating its online library. Notably, they delete their older content after a few days to ensure the content is always fresh. There are 7 programs to choose from, depending on your level of commitment. Access to the private Facebook group is complimentary with all packages.
Price: Prices will range, depending on whether you want to pay a one-time fee, or sign up for a monthly subscription. The basic product is a one-time fee of $20.00 for one month of access, all the way to a yearly subscription which costs $40/month or an annual fee of $480. For anyone who wants to try it out first, there’s a 7-day free trial.
What: Situated in Canmore, Alberta in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, WildHeart Canmore is a yoga and barre studio that offers over 100 on-demand classes, with new content being added each week. Clients receive access to a variety of yoga and barre classes that vary in length from 5 – 60 minutes, with options ranging from upper and lower body workouts to cardio-based classes and stretch and restore, among others.
Price: $24.99 per month. There is a 7-day free trial available.
What: Fast-growing fitness brand The Barre Code is extending its offering by taking its popular classes online, including their Barre, HIIT, Strength and Restorative workouts.
Classes are available via SweatWorking, a third-party app that will house their workouts that vary in length from 5 to 55 minutes. Price: $9.99 to $19.99/month + tax (depending on location) for non-members to access 80+ digital workouts with new content being added each month.
What: The Southern Ontario fitness studio offers clients 24/7 access to a variety of workouts including Barre Fusion, Mat Pilates, Classic Barre and Sculpt & Barre. There’s no trial, but there’s a 22-minute preview that you can watch to get a feel for the type of workouts they offer. Price: $29.99 CAD/month
What: Mesa, Arizona’s Vibe Barre hadn’t even had a chance to open before the state shut down again, but that hasn’t stopped Victoria and the team from offering live stream options to her new clientele. Class options include Barre Burn, Barre Control and High Fitness, a cardio-infused, high-intensity workout.
Price: Any packages purchased during the shutdown can be used for in-studio classes once they open up. Prices range from a single drop-in at $18 to $139/month for unlimited classes ($119 autopay). Check out their newbie 3 classes for $20 special. Your first class is also complimentary.
The Vibe Barre crew pose for a photo during a pre-opening celebration. Source: instagram.com/vibe_barre
What: A combination of on-demand and live streaming options are now available from Naples, Florida-based TriTone Triple Barre, who are best known for their Triple Barre Toning System and aquamarine and silver colour scheme. On-demand options include full 60-minute classes and 20-minute sculpts. Alternatively, if you are into live-streaming workouts, you can join their in-studio classes virtually, 6 days a week.
Price: Access to the virtual on-demand platform goes for $39 per month or $339 annually. Live-streaming classes can be purchased separately. Single classes go for $25 each. Other class package options are available. There’s a 7-day free trial for anyone who wants to test before they buy.
What: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Leah Sarag has over 300 workouts in Ballet Body® and Iron Barre® available to stream. Subscribers also receive access to new workouts and training plans, designed for all levels.
What: Touted as the only studio-quality barre workout for the home, this on-demand service is part of the larger Fluidity program that was launched by Michelle Austin. The online workouts are intended to be used alongside their Fluidity Barre product, which is comprised of a barre made of wood and a cushioned mat that is upheld by double beams. The on-demand service can be purchased as part of their full suite product offering (barre + mat, ball, pump, DVDs, bands, and healthy eating guide), or on its own.
What:The Ballet Physique may just have a one-room barre studio in Littleton, Colorado but they have quite a comprehensive library of content through their online streaming service. Subscribe to their on-demand service and you’ll receive unlimited access to over 100 workouts, with new content added each Monday.
You can choose from a variety of lengths depending on whether you want to fit in a quickie workout or a full-length studio class. Their content can be streamed from your platform of choice, computer, tablet, smartphone, or tv streaming device.
Price: $19.99 – $24.99 per month, depending on your level of commitment. There is a free 14-day trial for newcomers.
What: The West Virginia-based studio has ramped up their online video efforts, and are providing clients with various subscription-based options.
Price: Online memberships are available to view their virtual classes at several price points. $70 for one month, or $60/month for 6 months, or $50/month for one year of access.
What: Don’t be intimidated by the name, Killed By Kiki is a warm and inviting online option hosted by Kyra (Kiki) Christopher, a New York City-based fitness instructor whose CV includes time spent teaching at Exhale and Pop Physique among other places.
A self-professed purveyor of bad jokes, Kiki will have you smiling during class which may or may not help you forget just how hard she is working you.
Price: Rates vary depending on your commitment, from $15 for a drop-in class to $135 for a 10-class pack. Both group and private classes are available.
What: Calgary, Alberta’s Barre Body Studio offers on-demand classes through their online site. Classes range from low-impact to high-intensity and are available at varying lengths from quick 10-minute workouts to full 60-minute classes. Membership comes with access to their Facebook group for additional support and motivation. A sample 15-minute workout is available on their site.
Price: 19.99 per month or $199.99 per year. A 7-day free trial is available.
What: This fun, energetic workout was created to break down barriers, and make ballet fitness accessible to everyone. Their online subscription service offers unlimited access to video content that consists of 30-40 minute Ballet Beats® videos, 20-25 minute cardio videos, and “in-studio” workouts which are refreshed monthly. Specialty classes and ongoing technique videos are occasionally added.
Price: Online memberships are $24.99 per month or $250.00 per year. You can try out their service for free, for 7 days. They are also currently offering 50% off your first month with the code: FEELGOODATHOME
What: Designed for instructors but open to everybody, the online portal houses pre-recorded and live-streaming options. New choreography and Spotify playlists are released each week and are intended to help inspire moves and format options for your own workouts. In addition to the video content, notes, tips, modifications, and online support are available if you need assistance with designing classes.
Price: For $12.95/month or $119.95 for an annual subscription, you’ll receive unlimited access to their entire library. They also currently have a great founders rate of $9.95/month, or $99.95/year.
What: California’s CarmelBarre has a subscription-based video service that allows users to workout along with live and pre-recorded videos. Multiple classes are added weekly.
Price: Access to their online library is $20/month. There is a complimentary 7-day trial, and you can cancel anytime.
What: If you’re looking for a workout with more of a traditional ballet focus, then Toronto’s Barre Beautiful‘s newly-launched online service might be right for you.
Price: Their video subscription is currently priced at $40/month, and the drop-in rate is only $5/class.
What: German-based fitness brand Youpila has YOUPILA® WORKOUTS ON DEMAND that includes barre, Pilates, yoga, stretching and pre and post-natal classes to choose from. Classes are taught in German, FYI, however if you’re not fluent in the language, it’s still easy to follow along with their fun classes.
Price: Rates are based on the length of subscription you commit to. One month is €59, 3 months is €49 per month, and 6 months is €39 per month.
What: The popular Canadian brand Barre Belle that has taken Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto by storm, has an equally sweat-friendly version of their workouts online through their on-demand service. Expect a bit of dance-infused barre and interval training-based workouts to get your heart rate up and your body toned.
Price: Access to their online library starts at $20.00/month with a free 7-day trial.
Fitness trainer Michelle Carrillo has an assortment of workouts in varying lengths on her YouTube channel.
Additional Resources
Not necessarily paid and not necessarily free, this is where I’m listing additional resources and content that has become available to consume as part of the response to COVID-19.
Based out of Arvada, Colorado, the independent studio has been producing online classes for anyone to participate in. Book through Mindbody via their website. There’s also complimentary live-streaming workouts on their Instagram profile.
In my experience, it’s rare to see men in barre classes for the majority. From what I’ve witnessed, I’d say 95% of the time classes are attended by women. Recently, however, I began noticing more men coming to class. Not in huge droves but on occasion there would be one or two in the same class.
This is no coincidence. If you’ve visited Pure Barre’s website lately, you’ll see their updated promotional video includes men, which is a reflection of their attempt to build upon their relationship with male clients.
Barre has never been a female-only workout. Yes, some studios are limited to women, and most clients, instructors and studio owners are women, but men have always been part of the growing barre trend. Fred DeVito of Exhale, for example, has been at the forefront of the barre workout for over 3o years.
I wanted to explore the relationship between men and the barre, so in an effort to learn more I spoke with some male instructors and clients who love barre, to ask them about their experiences, how they got interested in the workout and how it feels to be outnumbered in this space.
Photo credit: Instagram.com/masonrglennofficial
What Initially Drives Men to the Barre?
There are roughly a dozen male clients who regularly frequent the barre studio I go to most often. Almost all of them were invited by a female client, who is either a friend or spouse.
For Mason R. Glenn, a Bar Method instructor and National Trainer he sees a lot of male clients coming with their spouses. “A lot of young women bring their husbands with them because they find they like to work out together.”
Mason discovered his love of barre almost by accident. Within a year of managing a Bar Method location, he was asked if he wanted to be an instructor. “I should probably learn what the basis of this method is if I’m managing this company,” he said. “They said you have a pretty good personality. I feel like you could probably do it. I wanted to be a little bit more healthy and I wanted to work out more, so I said ‘why not.'”
A Bring on the Men event is how Matthew Henninger, now an instructor at Pure Barre Buffalo discovered barre.” I was introduced to Pure Barre by one of my friends who lived in New York City. She said you need to try this out, it’s called Pure Barre. They’re doing a Bring on the Men event, so will you be my date and give it a try? I said sure, no problem, I’m open to giving it a shot, and so I went into one of their studios in the city and I couldn’t walk for three days afterward.”
Joel Cardenas, a Pure Barre teacher in San Antonio, TX, says he sees some men come with their significant others on occasion, but hasn’t seen a big spike in men coming to the barre.
Photo credit: Instagram.com/lifeasjoe_l
What do you think prevents men from trying a barre class?
For Matthew, he says a lot of the men he has interacted with don’t know what to expect from it. “They either are into sports or they go to the gym or they do CrossFit,” says Matthew. “They think it’s either too easy for them or they’re not sure what it’s going to look like and they think it’s all dancing, it involves ballet and that’s not something they’re comfortable with. In reality, we do incorporate some ballet dance aspects into our workout and it might be based on dance but it’s not dancing.”
For Joel, he felt like a guy that infiltrated a tough secret women’s organization. “I have more of an appreciation for women in the corporate world or who have to work in male-dominated industries, where they only see men. It was really humbling for me.”
At the end of the day, Mason believes it has a lot to do with visual media. “If we see a girl in an arabesque position, we think that’s not what we can achieve. What I think can help is to include more neutral positions in class that men can achieve. A lot of men do yoga, and there are a lot of positions that The Bar Method has that are yoga friendly.”
Are there male-specific modifications?
“Men are tighter and typically taller too,” says Mason. “There are certain things a 5’4″ woman can do that a 6’0” man can’t do. They have longer torsos, they have longer arms. They’re used to doing a bigger range of motion, they’re not used to stretching, their hips are typically tighter, they have tighter hamstrings so they typically have lower back pain.
Mason continues, “my best interest as an instructor is to make them feel that they can be successful. Placing a male at the tallest barre in the room is probably not a good idea, we don’t want them to feel like a failure. We want them to take a lower barre where they can be more successful.”
Instagram.com/purebarrebuffalo
What do you think would attract more men to the barre?
One of Matthew’s goals is to try to get more men involved. “If they see a male instructor..there’s kind of this notion that okay men can do this, and it’s not just for women, it’s built for anybody, all body types, all abilities, that’s something that we really try to emphasize.”
Joel thinks more male representation in advertising would help. “If men could see themselves in marketing campaigns that would make a difference. Men usually want the body-builder type so barre doesn’t really cater to that body type.”
Mason thinks that hosting events when they encourage men to come to the barre help draw more male clients. “Having other guys in class and having this collective event really draws them in,” says Mason, referring to when studios host events like bring your bae to the barre or barre and beer, which are created to encourage more men to attend.
While events that encourage you to bring a man to the barre certainly help to attract more male clients, some studios are even going so far as to host male-only workshops, like Seattle’s Barre Rev. Their Men’s Only Barre Bootcamp is designed to target those stabilizing muscles that may get overlooked during a power and strength training session.
Photo credit: Instagram.com/barrerevstudio
Why should men try barre?
“Give it a shot,” says Mason. “It’s something I thought I would never do, and if I can do it, anybody can do it. What it’s really taught me is mind-body awareness. It’s prevented injuries. I wasn’t able to do much, but I was able to do The Bar Method and I felt successful. I felt like I could still have a little bit of a sweat and a burn in my muscle.”
For Joel, he suggests to embrace it as a fitness concept that is results-driven and don’t focus on the fact that it might appear girly or feminine.
“Speaking from our studio perspective there are a lot of pop up events at our studio, we do a lot of date nights, and our last date night was very popular in getting more men involved,” says Matthew. “Whether or not they want to come more frequently… it’s more about seeing what it’s actually like and even if they can go out into their communities and talk about this thing… I gave this a shot and this is something I think you should try.”
Final thoughts
In conclusion, yes, the barre community is dominated by women but a group of strong women indeed who are comfortable with welcoming anyone through those doors. That’s what I love so much about the community and it would be great to see more men attend classes in the future.
When you’re a city that’s surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, there’s no shortage of gorgeous ski resorts, golf courses and hiking trails. However, as much as there is an abundance of outdoor activity to keep you occupied, people in Denver head into any of the two dozen barre studios in Denver and the surrounding area.
From familiar chains like Pure Barre, The Bar Method and Barre3 to local favourites like Barre Forte and The Ballet Physique, Denver offers residents more than two dozen options to choose from.
So what makes Denver a barre-loving city? Let’s explore what Denver has to offer.
Why is Denver Considered a Barre City?
It’s (partly) home to Pure Barre
Not only will you find a handful of Pure Barre studios throughout the Denver area, but the city is also the home to their corporate headquarters. The head office is where they run operations for the company, for the nearly 500 locations across North America.
Though there is a corporate training facility in Spartanburg, SC, Denver is also home to a training center for instructors and studio owners.
Photo via Instagram: @nmallmendinger
The studio is like a second home for regulars
When I went out to Denver in early February, I got to see first-hand how passionate locals are for the barre workout. At every studio I stopped into you could see how connected the community was with their local studios. It wasn’t just the workout that was drawing people in. Regulars were gabbing with each other before class and were hanging around the studio up to 30 minutes after a class ended to connect with the owners, instructors and other students. Classes were full and some even had wait lists.
There’s a studio on every corner
Okay, I’m exaggerating a little but boutique fitness studios are everywhere in Denver and barre is right up there in popularity with yoga, pilates and crossfit. No matter which part of the city you are in, you are most likely a stone’s throw away from a studio. The high concentration of studios is even more obvious in the suburbs. In Highlands Ranch alone, there are four different studios within a few miles of each other. When I visited, Studio Barre was just about to open their doors in Highlands Ranch.
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