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.
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.
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.
Barre socks, grippy socks, sticky socks, whatever you call them, you most likely have a pair in your gym bag. The majority of studios require you to wear a pair to class either for hygienic reasons, to help you with your balance, or to keep your feet warm. You can find branded barre socks like those sold at your local Pure Barre, Barre Code, Pop Physique or Bar Method or non-branded socks like those sold by Sticky Be Socks, Tavi Noir, BarreSocks, grippysox etc.
Tavi Noir founder Charlotte Hobgood.
Sticky socks are expensive and we want to make sure they last longer than a few months. That’s why we reached out to Tavi Noir founder Charlotte Hobgood to learn how she keeps her socks in optimal shape.
As a general rule of thumb follow the washing and care label before you wash your socks but follow these other tips to ensure they maintain their grip.
How to Maintain the Health of Your Barre Socks
Turn those socks inside out.
Not only will this ensure they don’t lose their grip but you will also be giving them a better clean.
Wash on cold and the gentle cycle.
You can put your sticky socks in the washing machine but avoid hot temperatures. This can cause your socks to shrink and can shorten their lifespan.
Put them into a laundry bag inside the washing machine.
For an even gentler wash, put your socks into a bag specifically designed for the washing machine, to avoid sock pilling.
Don’t use too much detergent.
Using too much detergent for your laundry load size, can cause fungal growth and can even have them smelling like mildew.
Air dry your socks or put them in the dryer on low heat.
To keep your socks soft and grippy, avoid throwing them in the dryer. Always air dry your socks on a drying rack, or line dry them.
Do not bleach or iron.
No need to iron your socks, just let them air dry.
Only wear your socks during class.
Though it’s tempting to wear them around the house, if you save them just for class this will ensure they last longer.
Do you have any other tips for how you maintain the health of your socks? Leave a comment below.
After a season of holiday indulgence, most people are eager to hit the reset button. Lots of studios host monthly barre challenges in the new year hoping to get their clients back on track. Some studios like Barre Fitness are incentivizing participants with prizes for their 20 classes in 30 days challenge. Barre3’s All In challenge is more self-directed and Barre Body’s five-week challenge allows participants to network with each other in a closed, invite-only Facebook group. No matter what your goals are, there are tricks to help you stay motivated. Follow these tips to ensure you see optimal results at the end of your challenge.
1. Do it with friends.
Who says you have to do it alone? One of the best ways to keep yourself motivated is to do the challenge with a buddy.
2. Book all your workouts ahead of time.
Sign up for your classes as far in advance as you are allowed to, so you can visualize your schedule.
3. Write down positive words of encouragement and recite them to yourself daily.
You’ll find lots of great quotes if you search for them on Pinterest or Instagram. #MondayMotivation anyone?
4. Tell your friends and family that you’re doing the challenge.
If family and friends know about your goals, they’re more likely to check in with you and ask you how it’s going. This is a great way to keep yourself accountable. Take it a step further and blog about it. Putting it out there for the world to follow along with will certainly push you out of your comfort zone. Don’t have a blog? Tweet, Instagram or post your progress to Facebook.
Source: Pure Barre Chandler
5. Put your clothes out the night before.
I mentioned this in an article on how to make early morning workouts a regular thing. If you get organized the day before, it won’t seem so daunting to get out the door the next day. This is especially true if you register for a class before 7:00am.
6. Give yourself a gold star every time you complete a class.
As silly as it may seem, give yourself a gold star after completing each class. It doesn’t literally have to be a sticker. Perhaps you check off a box or put a mark on your calendar. Whatever it is that you use to signify the completion of your classes, it will help you to visualize your progress.
7. Reward yourself when it’s all done.
If the studio doesn’t provide some type of contest or incentive, then treat yourself instead. Did you have your eye on a new pair of leggings? Perhaps wait until you complete the challenge before purchasing them so you have something to look forward to.
Portland, Oregon, a city of just 640,000 seems like it has more barre studios per capita than larger cities like Manhattan, LA or London. When I visited last summer, I couldn’t get over the number of barre businesses in town. You have all of the major players like Pure Barre, Barre3, The Bar Method and at the time Xtend Barre. As well as some local favourites like Industrial Barre. Side note: I wrote a whole article about how I was convinced that Portland, Oregon is the barre capital of the world. If you’re interested in some related reading, check this out.
So what makes this city standout as a barre-friendly town? First of all Barre3 was founded here in 2008 and also has their headquarters in Portland. They are by far the biggest player in town, with 5 of their 123 locations in the city and surrounding area.
Their flagship location is a beautiful space outfitted with two studios. Upon walking up to the entrance I was instantly drawn to their floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the studio. Their reception area has the latest in athletic wear along with a large play lounge where parents can drop off their children while they workout.
Not only can you find Barre3’s flagship in the Pearl District but they have a handful of other locations in the surrounding area, which include: SE 22nd Avenue and Division Street, Kruse Village, Cedar Mill and North Williams Avenue near the corner of North Shaver. This also happens to be the company headquarters.
The Barre3 flagship studio in Portland, Oregon.
With an average 280 classes taught per week, Barre3 definitely has the largest presence in the city in terms of brand awareness. When I was there, they were hosting a Barre3 in the Park event. It literally took over the entire Fields Park, a nearby green space a few blocks from their Pearl District location. Hundreds of people came out to watch Barre3 founder Sadie Lincoln teach a class.
Trailing behind Barre3 in terms of popularity is Portland’s Industrial Barre, which has all three of their locations in the city. It has one of the more beautifully appointed interiors, with its exposed beams, branded wallpaper and recycled construction materials. You can read more about that in my post about the most stylish barre studios in the world.
Source: Industrial Barre
Just down the road from Industrial Barre on NE Broadway Street is Pure Barre, a staple of most American cities, so no surprise they have two studios in this mid-size city. Their other location is in the popular Pearl District, along with The Bar Method which has a presence along NW Hoyt Street.
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