The Bar Method

My new favorite workout! I recently purchased the new client special of 1 month for $ 99, and let’s just say I got my money’s worth. I tried to go 3 – 4 times per week and even at the end of the month, after attending nearly 15 classes, I was still sore the day after attending (in a good way!). This workout is FANTASTIC for your arms, legs, rear… everything! I like how every muscle is worked and then stretched. I also think it’s wonderful that we are doing 30 – 50 push-​ups per class. That’s CAN’T be bad for the bod.
I also attended barre3 for over a year prior to trying this, and while I still love barre3, I think The Bar Method is an equal or greater workout. The instructors are so helpful — they correct every incorrect move you may make. I’ve read other reviews of Unilocalers that didn’t like being called out — but I have never felt put off by the way they announce personal corrections. The corrections have always been in a kind and gentle way from my point of view.
I 100% recommend this to women who are interested in toning, burning calories, and improving flexibility. It really is a great workout.

This place has put me off barre classes. I’ve done classes before at other studios and had pretty good experiences.
I purchased the new client package which includes three classes. I’ve only been to the Brentwood location so I can’t say much about the Town & Country one.
The studio is very nice and has ample closet space as well as lockers for your belongings. Instructors initially were very nice. I wasn’t aware that we had to wear socks to do the class. This is very different from previous barre classes that I’ve done.
The first class was OK. The instructor kept correcting my moves and I thought that maybe it was because it was my first time there. During the two other classes it was even worse. I constantly felt picked on compared to the rest of the class. During the last class the instructor kept criticizing my moves, and would constantly correct me physically. At one point I told her that I have an injury and couldn’t get into a particular position then she finally backed off. The classes seem to follow the same routine with minor differences, which is again different from other classes I’ve taken elsewhere where each class is very different from the other. I honestly felt very out of place since I’ve done many similar barre classes before.
After the classes were done I didn’t feel like I had gotten a great work out compared to the other classes I had done before.
Place also gave a very pretentious feel to it and I felt that most of the women who attended wore high-​end workout clothing, which is pretty common in these kinds of places, however this place took it to another level. Again I never felt out of place and uncomfortable in a work-​out environment like I did here.

I have been taking barre classes regularly for 2 and a half years at multiple studios. I work as a consultant and so attend barre studios in many cities by necessity (to keep up with the 3 – 4 classes per week to maintain the awesome results!) I just completed a 10 month project in St. Louis and regularly attended the bar method Town and Country location while there. I primarily attended Jessica’s classes and she and the studio are great. This is the best on the road studio I have found. The studio is well organized and the instructors really care. I never once attended a class where the instructor didn’t know everyone’s name and wasn’t fully engaged in watching the students and offering adjustments (painful but necessary). Barre is addicting and I wish I had the Bar Method Town and County and the awesome staff in LA now that I am no longer travelling to St. Louis. Thank you for keeping me in great shape on the road!

I attend classes at the Town & Country and Brentwood locations and both studios are terrific. The owner as well as all of the instructors are skilled, encouraging and somehow seem to remember everyone’s name no how big the class. In the 3 months I’ve been doing it, I’ve noticed a difference in my posture, flexibility and I’m seeing great definition/​toning all over my body. The classes are challenging but broken up into smaller segments so just when I think I can’t go any further, we’re on to another set. The music is fun, the studios beautiful and everyone there is friendly. ITo a work out I look forward to and with so many classes, there’s always a time that works with my schedule.

I’ve been thinking about trying Br Method for a while because of the location. I’m a big fan of Dailey Method, used to do it all the time in Chicago and love their studio here but being in Frontenac has made is more challenging to get to when I work downtown. I bought a Class Pass trial and thought I’d give it a shot and it did not go well.
I was a few minutes late to the class, which I know is very annoying for the instructors, but I figured being a 6am class I could get the tour of the studio and fill out any paperwork after. Wrong. The instructor did not know I was familiar with Bar, she only knew I was a new student so she pulled me aside and said «Are you new? New students are required to be here 15 minutes early (I signed up online and it did not say this) and you must be wearing pants (I was wearing full coverage, spandex yoga shorts), I can not let you into this class.» I was shocked.
If it was an afternoon class or a full class I would be a bit more understanding but there were about 5 students in this class. I won’t name the instructor because that’s not nice but she was so rude about the whole thing. She did say that they wouldn’t charge me for the missed class but sheesh! At this point, I have such a bad taste in my mouth it wound’t even matter if they did charge me.
Dailey Method would never turn someone away for what they were wearing and would be much more polite about enforcing the late policy. If you’re so strict with new students being early then make that obvious when new students sign up for a class.
The studio did look really nice and this was just my experience (and I was late) but I, for one, do not enjoy working out somewhere (and paying $ 20/​class!) where the employees are pretentious and unfriendly. It’s a 6am workout class on a Friday… work with your clients a little! Be a positive motivator and try to at least act accepting of new students. I’ve also heard they have this reputation in their Chicago studios but again, I wanted to give it a shot. Only Dailey Method for me from now on. Hope you have a better experience and be on time!

Not a huge fan. I prefer barre3, but you should really try a few different methods to see which barre class suits you. So just on an aesthetic level, I prefer barre classes that are barefoot on cork rather than socks-​clad on carpet. Totally a personal preference.
But I also felt like the movements were slightly inflexible and one-​size-​fits-​all, which isn’t great. For example, one (very brief) portion of class involves putting your leg up over the bar and stretching over it. Well, I am very short! This felt uncomfortable, and like I was forcing the stretch to an uncomfortable point. I suppose I could have just not done it, but there was never any mention of modifications and I didn’t want to be the only one not doing the movements. This happened with a few other moves as well– I struggled with them and felt discomfort bordering on pain, and there was never any indication that you could adjust the moves to suit yourself.
Here’s my biggest complaint about Bar Method: the classes book up so far in advance! Literally every single class would have a waitlist a week in advance. So you have to sign up for the waitlist, and then hope you get an email saying you made it in to the class. I almost always did make it in, even when I was number 12 on the waitlist. Which… makes me think a lot of people book every class they think they might possibly take, and then cancel at the last minute. This is really frustrating and makes it difficult to schedule your own classes.
I will say this: everyone was very friendly, both instructors and fellow class attendees. The studios are bright and clean, with a sort of glam vibe. The dressing rooms are nice but too small and crowded (at least at the Brentwood location, which is the only one I ever went to). The location in Brentwood is cute, and right near Café Nadoz which is great for a post-​workout smoothie.
I’m glad I tried Bar Method, but I am also glad to go back to barre3. If you’re looking into barre classes, I recommend checking out a few methods/​studios to see how they mesh with your personal preferences.

I typically attend classes at the Brentwood studio, but the instructors are the same at both. I saw the DVDs online and before ordering I looked up if they offered classes in St. Louis– now I’m addicted. The price is a little steep, but it’s honestly worth it to me. The hour long classes stretch, tone, and burn calories in a way that’s much more fun than at a gym. It’s the only exercise plan I’ve been able to stick to. I had dance experience and I think that helps with some of the movements, but it’s definitely not a necessity. The first class is hard and you will be thinking «what the heck did I sign up for?» But stick with it and you’ll see results! In just a month I saw huge changes to the shape of my muscles and the way my clothes fit, and now I feel guilty when I take days off from class!

Bar Method is changing my life. That may be a stretch, (pun intended) but it’s most definitely changing my body in ways I never imagined. Sure, it’s expensive and the $ 15 late cancel policy is soul-​crushing, but as long as I am gainfully employed (or I marry well, which seems more and more achievable with each class I attend) it’s Bar Method for LIFE!
While I have jokes for days about trophy wives, I must say, if everyone in the class LOOKS like a trophy wife, well duh, Yahtzee, you found the right class! I am intimidated no longer. In my first thirty days, I dropped a clothing size, my posture improved, and I started getting compliments on my arms. 60 days in, my thighs are rock hard, butt is lifted, calves are defined, and I’m finally developing core strength.
I feel the need to reward myself with Lulu Lemon and Rogiani outfits as they grow increasingly more adorable on my body. I also still attend Yoga a few times per week, as I feel it compliments Bar Method nicely. I experienced some low back pain initially from the moves in flat back, but I believe it’s because my core was not engaged properly. Tip: «exhale sharply to engage your abs.»
Other things to love: The workout is incredibly challenging, but somehow, you’ll barely sweat. The choreography is predictable, but it changes enough to keep it interesting. Corrections from the instructors are helpful, supportive and very necessary. Be prepared for a spike in your metabolism and improvements to your sex life. There, I said it.

I am not a fitness junkie and was a little nervous about my first class, but the ladies at the Bar Method are so friendly and welcoming to people of all shapes, sizes and activity levels. When I arrived, the woman at the counter had a special sticker by name so she would know when I arrived. She showed me around and made me feel less nervous. When the instructor arrived shortly after, the receptionist introduced us. Class began, and I was even more shocked that in our class of about 20 – 25 girls, the instructor was able to remember all of our names and help correct our form. This was different than any other workout that I had ever done before, but I loved it. I really felt the burn. Although it’s a little on the pricey side, for me, it has been worth it!

OBSESSED. I am a exercise junky– I have tried it all. That said, I have never seen my body change as much as I have since I started doing bar method. I feel so much better about my body. I love all the instructors and the facilities are both so nice (but I am a little partial to my home studio at the Brentwood location). Try the 1 month trial. You will not regret it!

I’ve been going to Bar Method classes for over a year. While the price point is a little higher than your basic gym membership, I’ve found it is worth every penny. I’ve toned up in places that I’ve never been able to before and I enjoy the structured class and methodology. The instructors are great and the «calling out» referred to in another review makes the workout even better. Good form is important to all forms of exercise and the adjustments and encouragement given by the instructors is great. You get muscle toning and some cardio as well because the class moves at a quick and steady pace. Yes, you may be sore the next day, but I look at that as a good thing.
I am a devoted Bar Method class member!

Let me start off first by saying that I am NOT a workout person. Never have been until I had my second child and the weight was not going anywhere. I found out about TBM while living in San Francisco (its the sworn by exercise method there) and after the first time I was hooked. I was hooked but also in awe of what I could get out of a 1 hour class. I had tried yoga and boot camps but nothing really drew me back in like TBM.
In under 4 months I had lost 22 lbs, was more toned than I had ever been in my life and still wanted to go back for more. They suggest you go at least 3 least times a week but with 1 day of cardio and 2 Bar classes a week I was in my zone.
As for Shanti’s comments below, the ONLY one I agree with is the price point. It is steep (especially for St. Louis standards) but if you buy the packages its significantly lower and completely worth it. I dont know about you but I didnt have the dedication to hit a gym and stay on track, this way The Bar classes energize me and I get what I came for WITH good music. The zinger that got me in the door was the first time unlimited month option.
Also, as for being called out in class — she was right, Ive seen it as standard practice but if you watch and listen to the instructor the moves are fairly easy, slow and well thought out.
I know I sound like an infomercial or something but it really works!
I just hope they move closer to Clayton or Ladue soon!

I’ve been going to the Bar Method for about 4 months now and I love every minute of it… Yes, the prices are higher than other gyms/​studios I’ve gone to, but I also feel that the workout is worth it. If you get the monthly membership and go roughly 3x/​week then the class price is closer to $ 12 – 13 each rather than $ 20. They have lots of package choices for educators/​nurses/​students and rates for new clients too.
The classes are 1 hour (sometimes a little more) and the workout is different everytime. Each instructor is different too and it’s kind of neat to see their personalities come out in their choreography for the class. The instructors will correct your technique and form, but it’s only to help you get «further into the muscle.» I’ve never felt ridiculed as a result of a correction and it actually motivates me to try to get it right the next time. There are lots of specialized boutique studios for many different types of exercise and I rank Bar Method as one of the best in the area!

Ouch! I’m speaking now not only of my soreness the day after my first class but also to the punch to my pocketbook ($ 20/​class is fairly steep, methinks) and for being called out approximately 30 times in the space of a 1 hr. long class as a newbie. From reading other reviews I understand the calling out is standard practice, but this was pushing it, especially considering that the music was blaring as the instructor took us through the routines. Some of the explanations were difficult to follow, especially for the first-​timer. My legs shook quite a bit, which I guess meant that I was getting a good workout, and my upper arms were really sore the next day, so that is better than nothing, I suppose.
The emphasis here is on isometrics to purportedly create a toned, elongated look (at 5’1″ i need all the help I can get in that department). For my money there are other ways to skin that cat. I most likely will not be back, at least to this location. I also found it odd that the carpet was berber, almost like something one would find in a rec room. I don’t know about anyone else, but I had wicked bad rug burn (get your mind out of the gutter, people!) even wearing the long pants and socks that I was instructed to wear to class. To paraprase Stephen Colbert: a tip of the hat to Bar Method for great marketing to get me in the door, but a definite wag of the finger for so-​so instruction and everything else.

I LOVE this place. My first class was a few months ago, and I’ve renewed my monthly package every month since. I feel fantastic after each class. The combo of intense muscle work and stretching is just what the doctor ordered. It’s a great way to de-​stress after a long day of work.
The studio is beautiful and the atmosphere is fun, friendly, and relaxed. The membership costs are very reasonable and classes are offered through-​out the day Mon-​Sat. The class is a combo of modified ballet barre exercises and pilates — at least that’s my take. It’s an hour long class that works your ENTIRE body. Look out for the pretzel ;-) It’s a killer!
In just a few months, I have seen changes in my strength, shape, flexibility, and I’ve lost a few pounds. Bar method is the only exercise I do anymore. Try one class and you’ll be hooked, promise! That’s all it took for me. In fact, just one look at the owner’s legs, and I’m sure you’ll be completely dedicated to bar method! Yes, I am envious of her legs, fo sho!
Oh, and it gives you an excuse to buy cute leggings from lululemon! And every time I go in there, the leggings are even cuter.