Barre Body

I’ll start by saying that I really like the concept of barre body & it’s a great workout. The reason for the lackluster score is twofold– 1. I think the price is utterly ridiculous & 2. There’s no good ‘beginner class’ options which means people are more prone to injuring themselves due to lack of knowledge or technique.
I did about 3 weeks of classes (and intro 2 week deal and a week afterwards) and went probably 9 times so I got a great overall view of the classes.
The teachers were really lovely but a few moved far too quickly through the yoga components of the classes & I could see people struggling to keep up & rushing their poses to do so (which will lead to injury eventually). There was no explanation to newbies about the poses and no real extra attention paid to them.
For those in the know the workout is excellent — it’s quite lower limb heavy but different classes are varied and it is hard work– my butt & legs were killing me for days after each class!
The price. Woah. It’s so expensive. Over $ 200 a month for unlimited classes! That’s too much by anyone’s standards. Their overheads are not that excessive.
So what’s my summary — eh, if you can afford it, do some yoga classes somewhere else first so you get to know the poses and then go nuts. You’ll get a great workout with lovely teachers in a truly gorgeous space.

I admit I was pretty intimidated about the idea of doing a Barre class. I always thought it would be some kind of ballet show-​off session with super toned chicks in impossibly skimpy outfits making me feel fat and frumpy.
After some friends and my Pilates teacher filled me in on what REALLY goes on here, I thought I’d bite the bullet and give it a try with the two week $ 50 pass as a way to shake up my exercise régime. I’m really glad I did and can confirm a few things for anyone else wondering if they should take the plunge.
1) There’s women of all shapes and sizes here. I once also saw a guy, but usually it’s a women only affair.
2) Apart from the Barre that you use for some exercises and a couple of ballet terms, it’s not very ballet/​dancy at all.
3) The teachers are very kind and super lovely. There’s none of that «look at me I’m so great» attitude you might get elsewhere.
4) The Barre Tone classes will make you sweat and work muscles in small but excruciating ways.
5) Your arms, legs and bum will look and feel better in just a month!
I’m now attending two or three classes a week (mostly Barre Tone and Barre Body ones) and really love how it has improved my fitness, flexibility and strength in just a couple of months. The online booking system is very easy to use, though I wish you could book more than a week in advance as I like having my schedule organised a fortnight at a time. I also really like that I can use class credits in any of the Barre Body studios around Melbourne and Sydney as this gives me more flexibility when travelling.

I am loving Barre Body. They’re one hour classes with lovely teachers who have worked muscles I didn’t even know I had! It’s a great combination or yoga, Pilates and ballet. I end up shaking and gasping during the session (I’ve never done yoga or Pilates or ballet) but always finish calm and centred and prepared to enjoy my day or evening.
It’s a little $$$$ at $ 25 a class but they currently have a 2 week trial for $ 50. A months worth of class is normally $ 220 or for the non-​committed types $ 200 for 10 sessions.
They also have another studio in Windsor and Richmond. I am planning on giving the gym the flick once my year expires and just attend these classes.
If it’s your first time exercising in a while. I would suggest the Barre Tone class over Barre Cardio unless you are prepared to WORK It!