What goes on at Pure Barre?

[Anonymous]

I've been to the Pure Barre in Roland Park and Harbor East (both in Baltimore) and everyone is definitely not a size 2 in Lululemon (including the instructors.) So it might just vary by location.

If you're self conscious at all I actually think it's a great class to go to... because half the time you're bent over and can't see anyone else or you're trying so hard to do all the thousand things you're supposed to be doing at once that you have no idea what everyone around you is even doing.

[Anonymous]

Would an overweight (size 16) person be welcome? It seems like it's mostly women with 5 pounds to lose, not 50.


You'd be very welcome but you depending on how secure you feel about yourself, you might not feel welcome.

It can definitely be intimidating because the type of exercise does lend itself to women who are already somewhat in shape. You have to wear more form fitting clothes for alignment and have to look in mirrors constantly, so personally I don't feel comfortable going when I'm larger. That's a personal issue, not a barre exercise issue, but I imagine I'm not alone in feeling that way about my body.

It's sort of a vicious circle. Overweight women feel intimated so they don't go, so then there aren't any overweight women there and new overweight women feel intimidated.

If you're unsure you could try starting with a barre class somewhere less branded than Pure Barre. Like at a community center. The cost of Pure Barre leads to a selection of women who are very polished and outfitted in the cutest Lulu while the group at a community center may tend a bit older and less Barbie-seeming.

I think you'd be fine. I think everyone feels self-conscious about something. I'm thin and in shape but older than most women who attend my barre studio (52). I feel slightly weird about it, but not because of anything anyone has said or done. I don't let it stop me from going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would an overweight (size 16) person be welcome? It seems like it's mostly women with 5 pounds to lose, not 50.

I tried it when I was a size 14.
Very welcoming and the only person staring at my body was me.

You can do it, and they are very supportive of modifying the moves for the beginners. I went to a small class of only 4 of us (+ instructor).

[Anonymous]

I go to Pure Barre in Twinbrook. The age and size range of women greatly varies. No one is looking at you because you are focused on your own form.

I think the hardest part is actually the warm up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been to the Pure Barre in Roland Park and Harbor East (both in Baltimore) and everyone is definitely not a size 2 in Lululemon (including the instructors.) So it might just vary by location.

I have to say I was really surprised at when I've looked at Instagram accounts of Pure Barre studios, how out of shape the people in their photos look. They post things like "Betty has completed 500 classes!" with a photo of Betty....and it's not good. At all.

[Anonymous]

I love Pure Barre! The first time I went, I thought, this is too easy. Then I realized that as your technique improves, it gets harder. MUCH harder. It’s a great workout and a friendly atmosphere— it is not intimidating like I imagine some other programs probably are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been to the Pure Barre in Roland Park and Harbor East (both in Baltimore) and everyone is definitely not a size 2 in Lululemon (including the instructors.) So it might just vary by location.

I have to say I was really surprised at when I've looked at Instagram accounts of Pure Barre studios, how out of shape the people in their photos look. They post things like "Betty has completed 500 classes!" with a photo of Betty....and it's not good. At all.

Wow.
Did you consider that perhaps Betty has lost 50 pounds by taking those classes?
People like you make me not want to take classes. Judge much?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Pure Barre! The first time I went, I thought, this is too easy. Then I realized that as your technique improves, it gets harder. MUCH harder. It’s a great workout and a friendly atmosphere— it is not intimidating like I imagine some other programs probably are.

Eh, I think intimidating is in the eye of the beholder. I'm much more intimidated by all the women looking perfect on their website than I am by the workouts that bill themselves as super intense physically. I can do super intense physically. Looking great while I do it? Not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Pure Barre! The first time I went, I thought, this is too easy. Then I realized that as your technique improves, it gets harder. MUCH harder. It’s a great workout and a friendly atmosphere— it is not intimidating like I imagine some other programs probably are.

Eh, I think intimidating is in the eye of the beholder. I'm much more intimidated by all the women looking perfect on their website than I am by the workouts that bill themselves as super intense physically. I can do super intense physically. Looking great while I do it? Not so much.

That's just marketing. Try a class-- you'll see it's actually not filled with 20-something models. People of all sizes and ages participate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love Pure Barre! The first time I went, I thought, this is too easy. Then I realized that as your technique improves, it gets harder. MUCH harder. It’s a great workout and a friendly atmosphere— it is not intimidating like I imagine some other programs probably are.

Eh, I think intimidating is in the eye of the beholder. I'm much more intimidated by all the women looking perfect on their website than I am by the workouts that bill themselves as super intense physically. I can do super intense physically. Looking great while I do it? Not so much.

That's just marketing. Try a class-- you'll see it's actually not filled with 20-something models. People of all sizes and ages participate.

I'm sure they do, but their marketing is an enormous turn-off. Not so much because I'm that intimidated (it's more annoying than intimidating), but because I think it's lame. I'll stick to my super intense, not marketed towards perfection workouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm sure they do, but their marketing is an enormous turn-off. Not so much because I'm that intimidated (it's more annoying than intimidating), but because I think it's lame. I'll stick to my super intense, not marketed towards perfection workouts.

Keep in mind that Pure Barre studios are franchises. So while the marketing is on the global scale and brand-related, the actual experience on a local level can be quite different. It really varies from studio to studio and town to town.

[Anonymous]

Do it. From a male perspective the figures of the women who are consistent are seriously impressive. (I shop at a grocery store next to pure barre and am and always take a double glance at the women (they are in their yoga/dance gear so I know and now recognize them)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love Pure Barre! The first time I went, I thought, this is too easy. Then I realized that as your technique improves, it gets harder. MUCH harder. It’s a great workout and a friendly atmosphere— it is not intimidating like I imagine some other programs probably are.

maybe Betty has injuries or joint issues and isometric movements were the safe exercise for her to keep moving and stay healthy.

[Anonymous]

If you dont want to pay 35/class, head to Washington ballet for their 22/class ballet class (skip second half).
It's the same class.

[Anonymous]

is it a cult?