The Bar Method

Came this morning through classpass and the class with Emily was great! All of the staff were extremely friendly and she was extremely helpful during class. I have done other barre classes but hadn’t tried the bar method yet but I will definitely be back! The locker room and amenities were also extremely clean and well stocked.

If you’re thinking about joining The Bar Method, then seriously, just do it. I waited years to get a membership to a barre studio, despite knowing that these exercises work so well for me after taking classes intermittently. I love Equinox, but the classes really aren’t the same, and the gyms, while gorgeous, just don’t have the sparkly clean, comfy feel of The Bar Method. Anyway…
I decided to get a membership to get ready for my wedding, and after just about a week of coming consistently, I’m already seeing results. I feel right at home at this studio, all of the instructors are amazing (and different! which is great) and I LOVE that they have 6:30 AM classes. It’s perfect for anyone who works in midtown and needs to be in to the office at 8. Class is over within an hour and you really won’t get sweaty, so you can just get dressed and be out the door.
I’ve seen reviews of this and a few other barre studios saying that the overall program and especially the thigh work actually makes thighs «bulkier» or «bigger.» I don’t believe this to be true, at least not on a long-​term basis. When you start exercising for the first time (or if you’re new to strength workouts), or you’re coming back after a hiatus from working out, it’s pretty well-​documented that a lot of us start to look «bigger» because we’re putting on muscle for the first time or regaining it for the first time in a long time. If you just stick with this program, I really believe that you’ll lose the layer of fat covering your beautiful muscles and all will be well. I don’t think I’ve ever done a more effective thigh workout (or total body workout, honestly).
Word to the wise — if weight loss is your goal, and you’re not getting that from The Bar Method, remember that diet plays the 80% role, not the 20% role, of weight loss. Eat well, drink tons of water, incorporate some cardio and ease up on the booze. This workout will tone you and make you leaner, but you have to put in some work, too. :)
I look forward to my class every morning and am already getting my coworkers involved! Thanks, Bar Method!

After hearing amazing things, I was actually pretty underwhelmed with Bar Method. The studios and facilities are gorgeous and the staff were so nice. However, it was their technique that I really didn’t agree with.
For starters, I found some of the exercises to bulk more than lengthen and tone. I can see myself coming to bar ever couple weeks but my end goal is to strengthen and lengthen, not walk out with thunder thighs.
Additionally, I would have liked to see more diversity in the music. I noticed some of teachers only had 2 or 3 playlists they used on repeat. My favorite part of workout classes is the different music that motivates me!
As I stated, I could see myself coming here every once in a while but its definitely not an everyday option for the results I’m looking for.
The search continues…

Bar Method is my favorite work out and I love this facility. It is clean, spacious, and has all the necessary amenities. The class is very challenging, and the better your form gets, the more difficult the moves become. I really cannot recommend it more highly.

I took my first class today and I’m already hoooked. I’ve been around the block when it comes to barre classes but only just discovered that Bar Method Midtown is ON THE SAME BLOCK as work. I don’t even need to go around the block to get there.
First off, I was blown away by the space. It was spacious and thoughtfully decorated. I almost wished I didn’t need to go to work so that I could just hang out there. The classroom itself was also spacious. No need to cram into the room with 100 other girls. It was brightly lit, more artificial light than sun light, but that was perhaps because it was majorly cloudy this morning. I love that the room over all is just bright (good call on the light colored carpet — I like knowing that the carpet I’m laying on is clean! No dark colors to mask the dirt).
But beyond the space, my instructor was also bomb. One of the owners, Kristin, was my instructor this morning and she remembered ALL of our names. There were at least 25 people in class AND it was 6am. I want whatever crazy juice she’s sipping. Her adjustments were gentle, thoughtful and super effective. One moment, I’m not feeling it and the next second, I’m shaking. DAMN.
After class, I had a question about one of the moves and she took at least 10 minutes to show me the right way to do it. No rushing me out! Class is about an hour long and we ran over a little bit today but at no point did we rush through anything. I also didn’t look at the clock once during the entire class because class flew by. (I’m usually the one who’s counting down the minutes between lifts and tucks.)
Bar Method Midtown is a true gem and I am so excited to have found it! I’ve tried a bunch of exercise studios around the city (barre and otherwise) and this is definitely one place I feel is actually worth the price for the workout (40 for underwater cycling, not so much.).

So… the space is nice and I haven’t had any of the problems some of the other reviewers are talking about, but two weeks into my unlimited package, a teacher was doing some pretty aggressive corrections on my form in class– and basically as a result, I pulled a muscle in my back. I don’t think this teacher purposefully did this, as she was super positive and nice — but I was injured nonetheless. I wasn’t able to finish out my month because I was in too much pain to do anything more than some hot yoga classes that seemed to helped loosen the pain up. The problem I have is with the fact that at the end of my month — I got an email asking me how my experience was and whether I would be interested in signing up for/​BUYing more classes. I immediately wrote back explaining what had happened with my back and how I actually enjoyed the classes up until that point. I didn’t ask for anything free. I didn’t blame the teacher. I just wanted to touch base and explain why — at the moment — I was unsure about purchasing more classes. NO REPLY. It’s been more than 2 weeks. That seems totally unprofessional and just downright rude. Why would I bother giving you more money if you can’t even take the time to address my concerns? And this injury didn’t occur because I am out of shape. I am super fit, usually rotate between yoga/​pilates/​barre type classes all year. The truth is a teacher accidentally tweaked my posture a bit too aggressively. I just can’t get over the fact that they didn’t respond at all. I’ll be taking my business elsewhere.

The staff at Bar Method make you feel right at home. They know your name and it all feels very personalized. I love taking classes here. Just make sure you go enough times to find the teachers you like at least 3−4x a week. You have to go for the unlimited to get the results.

I want to live here. No, seriously. If I could afford to live anywhere, it would probably be here. The studio is stunning. It’s quiet, very clean, and bright. The carpet in the studios is beautiful. I don’t often describe carpet as beautiful but it is. It’s so cushy and soft and clean — it really makes the old carpet at Physique (sorry, Physique, I love you girl, but your carpet need some work) and the hard, smelly, painful carpet at Pure Barre (seriously, ow) look even crappier because the carpet is amazing. This sounds like a simple aesthetic thing, but it also makes pushups a lot less painful and you don’t hear your spine cracking on the floor during crunches (ahem, Pure Barre).
Front desk person was far nicer than most at 6am! Other than that, it’s pretty much your standard barre fare as everyone was saying — but with good instructors and a really calming vibe. This is not FlyBarre or Physique — you probably won’t break a sweat — but it’s not Exhale either, where you leave sometimes wondering what you worked out (Exhale has a lot of newbs lately). Warm up, thighs, seat, and abs — thighs are really good and will leave you burning, seat is a pretty good burn too. Abs I don’t love because they do that marching stuff that Exhale and Pure Barre does and I don’t know that I find that stuff the best ab workout for me (but defer to anyone who loves it!). The music, like everyone else is saying, is quieter. No one is going to scream at you over some Lil Jon to get lower and that you are strong. More like, someone is going to gently encourage you to sink into the position as a lovely, slightly slower version of the Pussycat Dolls «Buttons» plays (yes, this happened). If you need to sweat and be yelled at during your workout, this is not your jam. If you really want to get length and flexibility and tone, you will love it.
Four showers, as opposed to only two like most of the barre studios. Shampoo, body wash, conditioner (good quality!), hair ties, etc. I’ve had people not really respect that five minute rule (if you were in the shower for 3 minutes when I got in and are still in the shower after I got out and changed, your shower is too long, B) but for the most part, people are friendly. It’s an interesting crowd — a little less power woman than the Physique crowd, but older and more sophisticated than an Exhale or Pure Barre.
Will definitely be back, if only to lie on the carpet.

I just took my 2^nd class today and still very satisfied. They have a great deal for new students $ 150 for unlimited classes for a month. What everyone’s saying about the Bar Method is true:
— super friendly staffs & instructors
— they remember you by name
— the instructor is your cheerleader, they’re very encouraging, in a zen way, and correct your pose without criticizing
— they provide EVERYTHING; water, hand towel, big towel, shampoo conditioner shower gel, facial wash, face cream, face serum, mask, mouthwash, body lotion, deodorant spray and even shavers (I know, it’s awesome!!)
Two thumbs up for the owner for being so thoughtful
If only they keep the affordable package after a month

I’ve been really loving coming to The Bar Method. The midtown location is super convenient to my office so I can stroll over right after work. I bought a first-​timer monthly unlimited and have been going 2−3x a week. It’s the perfect low-​impact compliment to my high-​impact HIIT workouts.
The studio itself is GORGEOUS. Super clean, spacious, and spa-​like. There are 2 barre studios, 2 restrooms with showers and toiletries, and tons of digital lockers.
Each workout is around an hour and is organized similarly every session: Warm-​up, arms, legs, seat, abs/​floor work, and stretch. Depending on the instructor, some of the moves will be slightly modified but the goal is always the same. My favorite moves are the leg work at the bar. The instructions are simple but my legs will start to shake within the first 2 minutes.
They recommend doing The Bar Method 4−5x a week. However, I have major workout ADD and NEED to vary my routines so I don’t get bored. I do think my inner thighs, obliques, and triceps have gotten slightly more toned but I don’t know if I can fully attribute the results to The Bar Method. With that being said, I think this is a great low-​impact workout and the instructors are all super knowledgeable and nice. My favorites so far are Anna Trepanier and Nikki Albert.

I’ve gone to quite a few barre studios over the past few years, and this is definitely a great one. The biggest plus for me is the beautiful facility — it was just opened and you can definitely tell. There are spacious showers and locker rooms, and the barre rooms are nice and spacious. Perfect in a midtown location for those looking to go into the office afterwards.
The instructors are also very good — many times, barre instructors don’t really correct you, or you feel a little judged or criticized (ahem, Physique). But the instructors here are really great at correcting your form in the most helpful way.
My only suggestion (after only taking a few classes) is that the classes could be more varied, but for now, I think this is pretty great!

I’ve been a member of Bar Method Soho for the past 3 years. And to this day, I still find the classes fun, challenging and addictive. I have been able to maintain a lean, firm, and toned physique taking classes ~4 days per week– Thanks to The Bar Method!
The class follows a sequence with varying exercises working the entire body– to help define and sculpt longer and leaner muscles and help burn fat. I have taken various barre classes at other studios and The Bar Method is the absolute best for stressing the importance of and teaching students proper form. The instructors make it a point to learn their student’s names so that they can deliver personalized attention. I really appreciate that. In spite of class size, the instructors aid students throughout class with maintaining proper technique which is extremely important in having an effective workout and decreasing risk of injury. Three years later, I still appreciate being corrected in class or encouraged to modify the exercise to a more advanced level.
The initial class is an adjustment period as you’re learning the flow and technique of the class. I highly recommend committing to an unlimited month of class (where first time students receive a special rate) and taking class at least 3−4+ days per week to see just how your body can be transformed and challenged in this class.
The beautiful Bar Method Midtown location is freshly opened and fancy off of Fifth Avenue but with the same amazing owners and instructors as the Soho location. The owners, manager, instructors, and staff are all lovely, caring, and passionate about their craft.
I still find myself looking forward to Bar Method class and am so happy for this new, convenient location!