Barre classes as main fitness?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting how many barre fans incorporate walking. I used to run but quit because I found it so hard on my joints.

I've intentionally avoided running because injuries seem inevitable if continued long-term.

I’m 40 and have been running for 25 years without any major injuries. I developed arthritis in my foot after having unrelated Lyme disease, but never had a major running injury that lasted beyond 2 months or so. There’s a lot of misinformation out there.

Yes but you’ve had running injuries that lasted a couple of months! (As did I when I was a long distance runner.) No thanks. I don’t get injuries with barre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough cardio. And frankly not even great for strength training. It’s mostly a place to parade expensive yoga pants and cosmetic surgery.

I agree and yes I have been to barre. The fact is you need some kind of cardio and getting your heart rate up to keep weight off. Barre and some walks aren’t going to do it especially as you age.

Not everyone has to lose weight. I’m already at my ideal weight. Barre keeps me strong and toned.

[Anonymous]

Agree with everyone who says Barre3 is different. I tried all the bar studios in Arlington via ClassPass and Barre3 is totally different- in a very good way. Cardio, moving with music, empowering instructors - I absolutely love it. Pure Barre was very weird and not my thing. Xtend Barre was fine but kind of boring. I compare Barre3 to a mix between yoga, Pilates, and Jazzercise. I love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the info, Barre3 poster. Maybe I’ll try an intro package at Barre3 and see how I like it.

The suggestion from a prior poster to join ClassPass was a great one. Both Barre3 and PureBarre are part of it as are a bunch of other barre studios. There’s is an offer for a free trial month right now and it would let you try various options to see what you prefer. I much prefer Barre3 over PureBarre for the reasons others have said, but I know others who are opposite. Sign up for ClassPass, use it for a month and then make a choice. You might like the variety that ClassPass allows and keep it or you will find your “home” and get a membership there. Good luck!

+1 for ClassPass. My schedule shuffles around, and there isn't one gym that has a class schedule that always fits. I also like being able to try something new on a whim.

[Anonymous]

Out of curiousity, were you not pleased with the Bethesda location/classes for Barre at Sport & Health or the NW location? I think the NW gym is nothing special overall and I hate searching for parking around there, but I really like all of their barre instructors ("Freedom Barre") and enjoy the music/choreography and how the teachers do the entire routine with enthusiasm; they acknowledge when parts are hard for the group and are relatable/fun. I have tried Barre3 in Spring Valley and BarMethod in downtown Bethesda and both studios had waifish looking teachers mostly standing in the corner modeling a few poses but not actually completing the whole class with the students. I found it far less inspiring. (Admittedly, I didn't go a lot so there may be a variety of teachers and I just got unlucky the times I went.)

I'm also happy that NW Sport & Health has childcare (so does Barre3 in Spring Valley) which helps if I want to go on the weekend and drop my kid. I am really not a group exercise type of person but I do like the Barre offerings at NW Sport & Health and I feel like it's whittling my waist a bit and toning my body overall like no other exercises I'd done in the past. Good luck with your experimenting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the info, Barre3 poster. Maybe I’ll try an intro package at Barre3 and see how I like it.

A good friend of mine tried classpass for a few months before she figured out which studio she wanted to get a membership with - so that is a great idea as well.

I think that once you find the workout you love, be it Barre3 or another studio, you'll feel justified spending the monthly membership fee. Especially when you consider how much money you've probably wasted over the years with memberships you never used, with gyms you hated. I know that's the case for me at least.

My Barre3 membership (unlimited) is about $4 a day, less than a Starbucks Latte. I'd venture to guess that most boutique fitness studios probably come in around that same "daily rate", give or take a couple of bucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Out of curiousity, were you not pleased with the Bethesda location/classes for Barre at Sport & Health or the NW location? I think the NW gym is nothing special overall and I hate searching for parking around there, but I really like all of their barre instructors ("Freedom Barre") and enjoy the music/choreography and how the teachers do the entire routine with enthusiasm; they acknowledge when parts are hard for the group and are relatable/fun. I have tried Barre3 in Spring Valley and BarMethod in downtown Bethesda and both studios had waifish looking teachers mostly standing in the corner modeling a few poses but not actually completing the whole class with the students. I found it far less inspiring. (Admittedly, I didn't go a lot so there may be a variety of teachers and I just got unlucky the times I went.)

I'm also happy that NW Sport & Health has childcare (so does Barre3 in Spring Valley) which helps if I want to go on the weekend and drop my kid. I am really not a group exercise type of person but I do like the Barre offerings at NW Sport & Health and I feel like it's whittling my waist a bit and toning my body overall like no other exercises I'd done in the past. Good luck with your experimenting!

I did Bar Method in Bethesda for a couple of years (until recently) and never experienced "waifish teachers standing in the corner doing nothing". Keep in mind that the instructor is there to teach and lead, and help adjust the students as needed. If she's busy doing the whole workout with the class, then what's the point of having an instructor. Also, there's a limited number of spots for students - so if you have a full class the teacher has to give up her spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the info, Barre3 poster. Maybe I’ll try an intro package at Barre3 and see how I like it.

A good friend of mine tried classpass for a few months before she figured out which studio she wanted to get a membership with - so that is a great idea as well.

I think that once you find the workout you love, be it Barre3 or another studio, you'll feel justified spending the monthly membership fee. Especially when you consider how much money you've probably wasted over the years with memberships you never used, with gyms you hated. I know that's the case for me at least.

My Barre3 membership (unlimited) is about $4 a day, less than a Starbucks Latte. I'd venture to guess that most boutique fitness studios probably come in around that same "daily rate", give or take a couple of bucks.

I’m the PP you quoted, but not the OP of this thread. I have been a Bar Method member for a few years and I’m generally happy with it, but am considering the change to Barre3, mostly for the childcare. I did not realize that class pass was free this month though, so I may just go that route to save some money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you so much, everyone - from OP. I am thinking of joining Barre3, as I like that it combines yoga and pilates core into the routine. I was concerned about lack of cardio, so good to know that Barre3 incorporates some (thanks PP who does Barre3). I cannot afford to join a barre studio and another gym, but perhaps I should give some thought to joining a gym that offers good barre classes. Any suggestions in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area (I am a prior Sport and Health member and do not love that gym).

Would you do some cardio at home if a gym isn't possible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough cardio. And frankly not even great for strength training. It’s mostly a place to parade expensive yoga pants and cosmetic surgery.

I agree and yes I have been to barre. The fact is you need some kind of cardio and getting your heart rate up to keep weight off. Barre and some walks aren’t going to do it especially as you age.

Not everyone has to lose weight. I’m already at my ideal weight. Barre keeps me strong and toned.

Except it doesn't keep your heart strong and toned. And it isn't as beneficial in preventing bone loss as other forms of exercise which become important as you age.


OP- you are better off joining a good gym. Most offer some form of barre and/or pilates classes. Maybe those classes aren't quite as good as a stand alone barre studio, but a gym membership where you can utilize cardio machines, a running track, weights, machines, a pool, trainers, various classes, etc. will give you a comprehensive workout and is much better for your overall health than only doing barre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the info, Barre3 poster. Maybe I’ll try an intro package at Barre3 and see how I like it.

A good friend of mine tried classpass for a few months before she figured out which studio she wanted to get a membership with - so that is a great idea as well.

I think that once you find the workout you love, be it Barre3 or another studio, you'll feel justified spending the monthly membership fee. Especially when you consider how much money you've probably wasted over the years with memberships you never used, with gyms you hated. I know that's the case for me at least.

My Barre3 membership (unlimited) is about $4 a day, less than a Starbucks Latte. I'd venture to guess that most boutique fitness studios probably come in around that same "daily rate", give or take a couple of bucks.

Which Barre3 studio do you belong to that is $120/mo? The one in Bethesda is $150/mo and Spring Valley is higher. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I'm guessing PP joined early on. I have a founder's rate myself for less than that but joined when they were brand new. It's now roughly 200/month for new members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough cardio. And frankly not even great for strength training. It’s mostly a place to parade expensive yoga pants and cosmetic surgery.

I agree and yes I have been to barre. The fact is you need some kind of cardio and getting your heart rate up to keep weight off. Barre and some walks aren’t going to do it especially as you age.

Not everyone has to lose weight. I’m already at my ideal weight. Barre keeps me strong and toned.

Except it doesn't keep your heart strong and toned. And it isn't as beneficial in preventing bone loss as other forms of exercise which become important as you age.


OP- you are better off joining a good gym. Most offer some form of barre and/or pilates classes. Maybe those classes aren't quite as good as a stand alone barre studio, but a gym membership where you can utilize cardio machines, a running track, weights, machines, a pool, trainers, various classes, etc. will give you a comprehensive workout and is much better for your overall health than only doing barre.

This is inaccurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough cardio. And frankly not even great for strength training. It’s mostly a place to parade expensive yoga pants and cosmetic surgery.

I agree and yes I have been to barre. The fact is you need some kind of cardio and getting your heart rate up to keep weight off. Barre and some walks aren’t going to do it especially as you age.

Not everyone has to lose weight. I’m already at my ideal weight. Barre keeps me strong and toned.

Except it doesn't keep your heart strong and toned. And it isn't as beneficial in preventing bone loss as other forms of exercise which become important as you age.


OP- you are better off joining a good gym. Most offer some form of barre and/or pilates classes. Maybe those classes aren't quite as good as a stand alone barre studio, but a gym membership where you can utilize cardio machines, a running track, weights, machines, a pool, trainers, various classes, etc. will give you a comprehensive workout and is much better for your overall health than only doing barre.

This is inaccurate.

+1 not true

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not enough cardio. And frankly not even great for strength training. It’s mostly a place to parade expensive yoga pants and cosmetic surgery.

I agree and yes I have been to barre. The fact is you need some kind of cardio and getting your heart rate up to keep weight off. Barre and some walks aren’t going to do it especially as you age.

Not everyone has to lose weight. I’m already at my ideal weight. Barre keeps me strong and toned.

Except it doesn't keep your heart strong and toned. And it isn't as beneficial in preventing bone loss as other forms of exercise which become important as you age.


OP- you are better off joining a good gym. Most offer some form of barre and/or pilates classes. Maybe those classes aren't quite as good as a stand alone barre studio, but a gym membership where you can utilize cardio machines, a running track, weights, machines, a pool, trainers, various classes, etc. will give you a comprehensive workout and is much better for your overall health than only doing barre.

This is inaccurate.

I understand if Barre isn't your "thing", but don't spread untruths about it not being beneficial for your bones as you age. Do your research, and you'll find out the opposite.