Truth be told, I go back and forth on barre workouts — sometimes I love ’em, sometimes I hate ’em. People always ask me about barre and whether or not it’s a good workout. My two cents could easily be a blog post on it’s own. Greatist did a great in-depth breakdown of pro’s and con’s of barre worth checking out.
If your goal is weight loss, barre can be a great, low impact part of your workout regiment, but I wouldn’t recommend it being the only thing you do. Strength training mixed with cardio bursts is more effective and time efficient workout on the weight loss front.
But obviously not everyone is working out to lose weight. While I was training for my first half marathon, barre was a really great, low impact way for me to cross train. So many running injuries stem of a weak core, quads, glutes and funky imbalances. Barre targets all those weaknesses and works your body in a totally different way than running.
I’ve found that a good barre workout can be gooooood: the right amount of burn (especially in the booty region and core) and it hits the sweet spot of soreness the next day. But a bad barre class is really bad. And just plain dangerous.
I’ve now taken two classes at The Bar Method and can honestly say it’s one of my favorite barre classes I’ve taken.
[Update 7/25/19: Since writing this blog post I’ve actually become a Bar Method instructor, you can read about the process here. Suffice to say I now love this workout, even though I wasn’t 100% sold on it after the first two classes I took. I’ve updated this post to reflect some of the information I’ve learned as a Bar Method instructor.]
My Review of The Bar Method
About The Bar Method:
Each Bar Method studio is actually a franchise — meaning each location is individually owned. Wherever you go the class will be the same format and structure. Instructors are expected to adhere to strict rules and regulations from corporate. This means you’re getting the same quality class in NYC as you are in LA or Orlando.
The Class:
Both classes I took started pretty abruptly– come in, get your weights and get started right away. It’s a bit overwhelming when you’re trying to find a spot and everyone else looks like they’re a regular.
Like all barre classes, The Bar Method is a low-impact fitness class that focuses on small ranges of motion. Think teeny tiny movements. The signature 60-minute class follows the same sequence every class but the moves within each section are different every day:
- Warm-Up + Arm Section. This is the only section of class you’ll use weights. I found this section to feel the shortest and most lackluster. But maybe that’s a good thing because I’m not always crazy about arm work in barre classes.
- Thigh Work: Thigh work is always one of my favorite parts of barre classes because it is such a different sensation from other leg exercises.
- Seat Work: A long exercise that targets the glutes.
- Core: Series of exercises targeting your core.
- Glutes: There is one final push for your glutes at the end.
- Final Stretch.
After every major section there is also a stretch sequence.
What makes Bar Method different is the extreme attention to detail from the instructor. Instructors go through about 6 months of training. Uh, I spent 2 months studying for my NASM personal training certification and just had to pass an exam.
The intensive training instructors go through really showed. In both classes I took the instructor was constantly rattling off individual corrections, nothing got past her hawk eyes. This could be overwhelming for a newbie, but I was appreciative because it meant less room for injury and mistakes, and I knew I was targeting exactly what she wanted. I’ve never experienced that kind of personal attention before in a barre class.
Bottom Line:
After taking my first class last week I immediately signed up for class the following week. I’ve been craving lower intensity workouts and this hits the spot while I also still feel like getting the endorphin high I crave from working out.
What to learn more about The Bar Method? Here’s what you need to know before taking your first class.
Curious about other barre classes? Check out my class reviews of other barre classes in the city here.
Leave a Reply