Studio name: Pop Physique
Locations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Toronto
Cost per single class: $21 (but your first class is free).
If American Apparel were to open up a barre studio, it would be Pop Physique. The LA-based franchise has the glamour of a retro 80s workout without the shoulder pads. But contrary to their bubblegum pink barre balls and playful aesthetic is an intense workout that leaves no muscle unused.
I decided to try the workout that has been described as simple, sexy and effective for myself. Luckily, I was within walking distance of their newest location to open, in Toronto.
Knowing that Jennifer Williams, founder of Pop Physique was in town to teach a few classes, I sought out the first of her two appearances to ensure my first time at the studio was a memorable one.
Jennifer was welcoming and helpful in guiding me through modifications, since I was almost 8 months pregnant.
The Format:
The workout begins with some basic leg lifts to get your heart rate up, followed soon after by some core work on the mat. Some of the exercises might feel familiar, if you’ve ever been to Pure Barre or The Bar Method. After the plank and push-up series, we used hand weights to work our arms, starting with a lighter set of weights and moving onto a heavier set for bicep curls.
We then made our way to the barre for thigh and seat work, where we fatigued our muscles through thigh-shaking pulses. Then it was back down to the mat for additional ab work. Finally we stretched out with a band to end the class.
What I Liked About Pop Physique:
My first impression? At first glance I made note of the playfully appointed bubbly pop aesthetic. It is definitely the most fun barre studio that I’ve ever been to. The studio wallpaper at first glance appears to be in a criss cross pattern but if you look closely you’ll see they are actually women’s legs, to go with their sexy workout branding. At the barre are bright pink balls and yellow ropes to add a pop of colour to the studio. In the hallways and entrance are rose gold hangers, which stand out against the black and white tiles, flooring and wallpaper.
The staff were very welcoming. Upon my arrival I was given a tour of the changing area and studio. Most importantly they reassured me that Jennifer would chat with me before class to talk about some modifications, which put me at ease.
I loved the colourful socks and merchandise on display. Even though I have a full suite of sticky socks, I was definitely considering purchasing a cute pair of pink Pop Socks or a J’Adore Barre tank.
I enjoyed the small touches that sometimes get overlooked at other studios. The beautifully appointed bathrooms are stocked with enriched hand wash and lotion from Nuori for example. The White Tea Blossom fragrance was particularly lovely.
There are showers available if you need them to freshen up before work or anytime of the day for that matter.
Also worth noting is that they had built in locks for their lockers. Just like a hotel safe you decide the four digit combination you want to use. I found this helpful so I didn’t have to worry about bringing my own lock, having to bring the key into class with me or having no lock option at all.
The workout was tough without being intimidating. Even though the plank series isn’t a walk in the park, you’re not in any one position for too long. If you’ve ever taken a Pure Barre class you know the first 10 minutes can be particularly challenging. I would say Pop Physique has half of the intensity of a PB workout, as a comparison.
The cost of a class is very competitive, compared to other studios. At $21 a pop (no pun intended), that’s still less than Barre3 ($25) or The Bar Method ($28). As the franchise rises in popularity, I’m sure the price will change but for now I’ll take advantage of the single class cost and frequent discounts being offered for 3-class, 6-class or 20-class packages.
Suggestions for Improvement:
Maybe I’ve been spoiled but I’m used to the instructor coming around at least once during every phase of the workout to correct my technique or offer up suggestions. The class sizes are smaller than what I’m used to, so it wouldn’t be particularly hard to give more attention to the students or call out their names for encouragement.
There are no hand towels supplied to use during the workout and the studio can get quite warm. That’s not a deal breaker for me but it would be nice if a complimentary towel was provided. You can however request a towel to use for the shower.
The Final Verdict:
This is a workout I can see myself going to consistently. It has just the right amount of thigh-shaking intensity without being intimidating. Considering I purchased the New Client Special after the first class, so I could take 30 days of unlimited classes, I would definitely recommend Pop Physique.
Most importantly, I loved that the hour flew by. I’ll take that as a good sign.
If you are interested in trying Pop Physique, they currently service 4 cities in North America including: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Toronto. The company is planning for aggressive growth in the next 18 months, with 15 additional studios in the works. Perhaps Pop Physique will be coming to a city near you.
Have you tried Pop Physique? What do you think? Leave a comment below!
