Barre classes= least friendly people?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been going to gyms, yoga studio for years. Just recently joined a barre studio in an east coast city.

There is absolutely no eye contact or interaction between anyone in the class. Locker room is almost silent afterwards.

Teachers are friendly though.

Does barre attract a particular crowd? One article I read referred to it as the “pretty girl” workout.

[Anonymous]

I'm not here to be your friend, I'm here for a workout.

[Anonymous]

Um, locker rooms should always be silent. Nobody should be talking, interacting, or making eye contact in locker rooms. Save that for outside, please.

[Anonymous]

Guy here, so the dynamic is definitely different. But if another person makes eye contact with me during a sweaty session and in the locker room afterwards, I'd take it as being an unspoken message.

[Anonymous]

I live in the Pacific Northwest, where people are notoriously unfriendly and weird about small talk, and even then, barre classes were really different from other exercise classes here. A friend dragged me to a few Barre3 classes and when I said hi to women right next to me in the lobby or while setting up at the start of class, they looked away and ignored me. Haven’t had this experience at my regular gym, spin class, tennis classes, or the pool.

Maybe it’s an unofficial barre etiquette norm? Kidding, but also laughing because it’s strange we both had that experience.

[Anonymous]

Barre class reminds me of ballet class, people and exercises. Ballet isn’t a social sport.

[Anonymous]

My sense of barre is that the people there take themselves and the workout way too seriously. The few classes I've been to, everyone was so self-focused. I haven't had that interaction at any other boutique fitness class, gym, etc. It's weird.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I know we’re there for a workout, but I’ve been a member of gyms and there becomes a camaraderie of sorts between regulars. People lighten up with a regular beloved teacher who gets people fired up. Does this happen with Soul Cycle?

Yoga can be hippy dippy at times. “What a cool yoga bag”!

It is a more serious self focused crowd. It’s in a financial district. Everyone is in and out really quickly.

Before class, people just sit and look straight ahead at themselves in front a mirror. It almost feels like a religious cult that requires complete seriousness.

[Anonymous]

I went a daytime barre class for a while in Alexandria and it was super friendly. Where are you going?

[Anonymous]

I go to a barre class in nw dc and everyone is very nice. Usually all women of various ages and it feels very relaxed and friendly. It helps that the instructor is great and supportive and sets a great vibe. So, no, not my experience at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I know we’re there for a workout, but I’ve been a member of gyms and there becomes a camaraderie of sorts between regulars. People lighten up with a regular beloved teacher who gets people fired up. Does this happen with Soul Cycle?

Yoga can be hippy dippy at times. “What a cool yoga bag”!

It is a more serious self focused crowd. It’s in a financial district. Everyone is in and out really quickly.

Before class, people just sit and look straight ahead at themselves in front a mirror. It almost feels like a religious cult that requires complete seriousness.

Hmm...it almost seems like people want to improve their form and overall performance! That's crazy! Don't worry though OP, I'm sure plenty of people glance over at you when you're not looking and judge your form, physique, and outfit.

[Anonymous]

I joined a pure barre studio about 8 months ago and this has been my general impression. I’ve met a few nice people but a ton of b*tches too who won’t say hi. It wasn’t a super friendly environment. Teachers were/are amazingly friendly and welcoming though. I’m still going because I’m there for a workout not to make friends but it’s not a super welcoming place.

[Anonymous]

I am a barre bitch, I am more friendly in other classes like yoga but at barre I focus on myself, my form, the mirror. I think what does it is that the mirrors and the poses make you super conscious of the fact that if you want to have efficient movements you need to be very precise and each move kinda of have to look good (not the purpose but if you look good you are more likely to be positioned properly).

Anyway, long story short: not the best time to be your most goofy loud self. I want to be quiet and focus

[Anonymous]

I find it meditative and enjoy the quiet. It’s not chatty but I feel comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Huh. I’ve noticed this too, subconsciously, but never thought about it until now. Interesting.