Biker Barre

I’m pretty new to both spin and barre, but even in my limited experience, it’s clear that Biker Barre is the tops. First and most important, it’s a welcoming and friendly environment. I’ve been to some gyms that are SO intimidating (esp to newbies). But the instructors and staff at BB are helpful and warm. I’ve found the workouts to be taxing and fun. Alison and Katie are both phenomenal spin instructors and Suzy Q is scary skilled on barre. And the cold towels at the end of class are a welcome refreshment. All in all, a real gem of a gym in the Capitol Hill/​Hill East community.

Really love this studio! They have the best music for their spin classes in town. You also can’t beat the scented cold towels that they pass out after class. The spin studio is dimly lit with those fake glowing candles. If you have never done a spin class this is a great place to start with one because you can hide in the back and no one will be able to see you. This is where I took my first DC spin class ever! All their instructors are great though my personal faves are Katie G. (I love her enthusiastic dancing and energy) and Dru (a road cyclist, his classes are the best for precision, especially if you bike outside too). I like their bands and burn classes because you use resistance bands and weights for arm work, respectively. They have cages on the pedals so you can wear sneakers to spin (if you have spin shoes you can clip them in).
Their barre classes are not my favorite in town (I like Xtende and Flybarre better because I think they’re a lot tougher) but the studio is pretty and light filled and the music is always good.
You should also keep an eye on their schedule online because they have free classes frequently! They also post deals frequently on their facebook so keep an eye out. At the studio they have two bathrooms one with a shower (which can quickly get filled when classes are exiting at the same time so maybe just plan to change at home). They sell clothes, juices and water. I also love the Highway to Hill flowers that are always all over the waiting area. They are a really active member and supporter of the Capitol Hill neighborhood too which I love. My favorite locally owned fitness studio in town.

I just started spinning, but so far Biker Barre is not my favorite.
My biggest issue is that I wish they offered cycling shoes for rent. I wore tennis shoes and apparently they didn’t fit into the cages because it was pretty painful during the class. I much prefer to be clipped in.
The instructor was nice and encouraging, but it was hard to hear her and since all of the lights were off, I could barely see her. I wish they were just dimmed so I could copy her form.
The staff was nice and I enjoyed the cold towels afterwards, but the space was very congested before and after class.
I’ll probably come back every few months for a change of pace, but I will bring my own cycling shoes. There is a cheaper studio in Arlington that I prefer.

My fiancé and I started working out at Biker Barre as a way to hold us accountable. We both enjoy coming together and often taking the same spin class, or he goes to spin while I go to barre. We love the work out and generally feel like we get the kind of burn and exercise we’re looking for. The downside is that there is a huge inconsistency in instructors. Some barre and spin instructors are FABULOUS. We love Lauren and Christine especially in spin. Others we can take or leave. The same is true for barre. Overall, we love the experience we have there and feel that the price is one of the best around. Definitely would recommend it to friends!

I’ve always had a great experience at Biker Barre. I’ve never gone to any other barre or spin studios, so I can’t really compare, but I’ve really enjoyed all of my classes there. It’s a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere all around, and prices are competitive with other studios (which are all a little too expensive in my opinion, but that’s nothing against Biker Barre).
The barre classes are great– Kelly is my favorite instructor, but I’ve had overall good experiences with others as well. Kelly seems to spend a little more time than others helping correct individuals’ poses and postures. But again, everyone else is also really good.
I’ve also taken a few spin classes there and have really enjoyed them. The music is a little too loud for my taste, but I know I have sensitive hearing. But the classes are great.
And I love the offers of mimosas at the end of weekend classes!

Though I have used Unilocal many times, I never have written a review before. This is the very first and I’m only writing it because in this case my experience has been so extraordinary.
Biker Barre is a wonderful place. It is small — one room for Barre, one for spinning, two restrooms and a room at the entrance. The entry area is typically crowded and boisterous, with many conversations going at once. The vibe is energizing and welcoming.
Essential to its popularity and success is the quality of its employees, the clients they attract and on the atmosphere they create — the feeling of the place. In general, the instructors are remarkably athletic and well trained, explain things clearly, coordinate the exercises well with good music, are watchful, and ensure that everyone has a solid workout (more on the instructors at
). As I’ve gotten to know many of them, I’ve realized that in addition to being exceptional instructors, they also are smart, articulate and accomplished in their professional and personal lives.
Some of the instructors are especially good in connecting with their students and inspiring them to reach for perfection; and to go beyond their limits, tapping into reserves of energy and determination they did not even know they had. One example is Allison K, my favorite spin instructor. She often will greet her students individually as they enter the spinning studio; and at the conclusion of the class — when she distributes cool wash clothes — she thanks each person for coming. It kinda reminds me of the way some ministers treat their congregation before and after a service at the doors of their churches — so I sometimes call her «Reverend Allison.»
And like a good minister, Allison is also very attentive to the needs of her flock. She has to because most of her weekday classes are at 6 am. How does she take a roomful of sleepyheads and turn them into fully charged spinning machines? She masterfully combines a wonderful music selection, expert choreography, clear instructions and perfectly delivered exhortations. Allison also is a serious about yoga, and she sometimes will subtly work in some meditation into her routines.
Overall, her classes reflect great respect for her students and a lot of expertise and careful thought. Oh and one other thing: at the same time she is guiding and energizing the class, she is doing the entire workout herself (and good luck keeping up with her, as her legs are moving so fast that they are just a blur).
Need I add that she has built up a solid core of disciples?
I take all of her classes and after each one I am good-​to-​go for the rest of the day. I know that I have started the day by completing something physically demanding but fun at the same time. Don’t take my word for it. Sign up for one of her classes and start your day off right. Don’t wait until the last minute though, as her classes fill up. Even then, you can get on a waiting list and often can get in when there are a few cancellations.

The barre studio is a bit on the smaller side, but still very bright, comfortable and inviting! Kelly W is by far the best barre instructor I’ve had in DC (and I’ve gone to several studios/​teachers over the past year). She plays great music and mixes poses and routines up in class to keep things interesting and flowing– it makes each class super fun and different! Would highly recommend taking her class,

It’s a good thing that the lights were up and the music cranked up! I went to my first Biker Barre class this past Saturday and did the Saturday showtunes ride. Have to say that this studio was all around awesome!
Let’s start out with the location. This could be a pro or con (I think that parking is my one con for Biker Barre), that said it’s a great area to walk around in afterwards, but back to the studio. The staff was really friendly and I have to say that the small lobby both felt and smelled like a spa (big on the place I work out NOT smelling like, well, a gym). The staff knows, YOU. You’re not just another person walking through the door to take a class and that accountability is just what I need to stick to a regiment!
The class was fun and challenging, something I judge when i walk out and it feels like i got out of a sweaty dance party, not an exercise class. I have to say that one of the best parts was the clod mint scented towel I got near the end of class as we were cooling down. It. Was. Perfect.
Overall this tough cookie left Biker Barre loving the whole experience and vowing to come back — success!

Overall, I’m a fan of Biker Barre. You actually have fun while exercising since its kind of like cycling in a night club. They turn the lights off and out on candles and play all types of popular songs while an enthusiastic teacher encourages you .
Just a note, make sure to get there early as there’s some bike adjusting that needs to be done and if you’re a first timer, you won’t know how to do it .I went to the show tunes class and the instructor was really a sweetheart to took great pains to help me readjust my bike .
They have some nice touches that make this place stand out. Mimosas after a class, frigid cold towels that smell of peppermint for when class is over, and I liked that they had resistance straps to do strength training while biking .
But my only reservation, which is a big one for a poor student like myself, is the unreasonable cost. It’s the kind of expensive that makes you want to use extra squirts of soap in the bathroom or steal the toilet paper to feel like you got your money’s worth — over 200 a month. So as much as I enjoy, I’ll probably just end up being a sporadic user as their newsletter sends out free class options throughout the year .
And last, street parkings been reasonable.

I’ve only taken one class so far but I bought a pack of 3, so I’m planning to give this another shot. I took the spin class at 1130 on a Saturday and was shocked by a few things (good and bad)
–The staff is SUPER friendly and helpful. Check-​in was a breeze, and I even had a friend with me who was quickly signed up, put on the wait-​list and then into the class. The instructor help me set up my bike (they’re pretty different from SoulCycle’s bikes), and explained to me everything about what was about to happen.
–You don’t need spin shoes. Other studios offer rentals while this one doesn’t. From what I could tell this was a sort of point of pride for Biker Barre but I was disappointed. And I’m not sure if this is why the bike felt wobbly but it was certainly part of it.
–The sound system is really not great. Not only is it hard to hear the instructor, but the music has a harsh sound. I felt very out of my element and couldn’t understand when I should be turning my resistance up or down. And from what I could tell looking around, neither could anyone else.
–I also couldn’t SEE the instructor. This studio turns *all* the lights off, even by where the instructor sits. This also didn’t help me perfect my pace or form.
–Scented cold towels at the end were life-​changing. Amazing way to end a work out.
–The waiting area is a madhouse. Walking in and out was a pretty awful (and potent) experience. And the shower is somehow placed out in the open? Also they have mimosas out for the taking which some people seemed to love but I couldn’t quite understand why alcohol right after a workout seemed like a good idea. It made me feel like the message of the studio was «plans on a saturday» and not a serious fitness establishment. That’s a personal preference, though.
The next time I go I plan to try the barre classes. There seem to be a lot of complaints on here about price but it’s very competitively priced for the area. I’m not a fan of the fake candles and the industrial style rooms, but that’s a personal preference. Overall the experience was average at best. Again though, GREAT staff.

After coming here for a year, I felt it was finally time to share my thoughts. Yes, it’s not cheap, but the 6 month unlimited option is competitively priced for the area. I will complain about two things, as others have noted, the only place to fill up your water bottle is the bathroom sink, not only is this kind of grody, but it’s not terribly environmentally friendly because it’s encouraging hordes of people to buy water every time they visit. Second, the spin classes are short. I time them with my heart rate monitor and they are only about 35 minutes long. I wished they offered more hour long classes, or staggered them so that the 45 minute classes were actually 45 minutes of work.

Two days after Harry’s class my legs were killing me.
Even lying down hurt. The fault was mine. I didn’t want to think how out of shape I was.
I heard the mail arrive through the slot. It was torture to bend down to see what arrived. The only piece of mail beyond junk mail was a thank you card from the studio. It was Jane and Katie from Biker Barre making me do one additional exercise. They got me again.

Great location, great energy but the classes don’t use a lot of resistance and a lot of the clientele use even less resistance than the instructors say to use. I prefer classes that are a bit more challenging in terms of resistance and hills. However, every class I go to is packed so if you like a faster, easier ride, Biker Barre is great.

I’ve been to Biker Barre quite a few times now, both for spin and barre. I’ve had mixed experiences depending on the instructors. The staff here is always really nice and accommodating.
I’m not going to instructor bash, but the ones that have been best workouts and the most entertaining are Harry, Katie F (also the co-​owner, so she knows how to do it right), and Shelby. Some of the others are often difficult to hear and play terrible spin music (Lana del Rey? really?)
Charmaine’s barre class is a b**ch but, you’ll get your money’s worth. I was in pain for days.
Overall, the staff is nice, but there is room for improvement, including better equipment. The bikes at time have been wobbly. The class prices are also way too high, but what you can expect nowadays?

I took my first ever barre class with Ali M. this past week and it was awesome! The music selection was a 90’s playlist, which is great for working out in my opinion. I work out at a different gym with cardio machines and weight machines, but this class kicked my butt. I was a little nervous at first since it was my first class, but she totally made me feel comfortable. She asked if anyone was new and if anyone had any injuries she needed to know about. Her energy is fantastic and she was great at correcting me without making me feel dumb for not tucking my hips :-)
I totally recommend her class! I definitely want to take more barre classes.

Blasted 484 calories in the Bike: Ride class this morning! Stephen was an excellent instructor and really took us for a ride. I enjoyed how he used the music to set the tempo for how fast or slow you should be going. The atmosphere was wonderful and even though the class wasn’t full… it still felt like you would have enough space to really get the job done even if it was full. At the end… you get a special treat… the eucalyptus towel!!! Earned it!

I’ve only been to Jo’s class. This is an ideal job for her because her greatest strength is knowing now bounds of energy and just keeping the excitement going! Her choice in music reflected this, and I highly recommend her class!
The place is great overall, nice staff, clean facilities, etc. Handing out cold towels to wipe your sweaty body off at the end was huge! Great stuff!
My only complaint is that it was hard to hear Jo over the music at various points. I don’t know whether they need to turn down the music a touch, or what, but on a few occasions I couldn’t hear what we were supposed to do (sitting on a bike near a back corner… but I don’t think that should matter).

I am obsessed with Biker Barre. I don’t get to attend the classes as much as I want to, but if I lived closer, I’d be there everyday. Before Biker Barre I had never done spin or barre, so I was nervous, but from the moment I walked in I was well taken care of.
Let’s start with spin: I told the instructor (I can’t recall her name) it was my first time, and she welcomed me and basically gave me an introductory lesson on how to spin prior to class. It was great! After going to a handful of spin classes, I found that spinning isn’t really my cup of tea, but that has nothing to do with Biker Barre. It has more to do with the pain I feel after sitting on that little seat for 45 minutes. The music and the energy are fantastic and really kept my stamina up when I felt like I wanted to give up.
Now on to my favorite part, barre. Basically, it’s amazing. I’ve gone to 4 different instructors, my favorite being Alison M. Her cadence and energy are perfect for what I’m looking for in a workout class. She’s friendly and is always willing to help make adjustments (tucking your hips is harder than you might think). After class, you get a cool towel soaked in some sort of amazingness to help you cool down… it’s one of my favorite things. The only warning I would give is if you have never done barre, you may want to steer clear of Charmaine’s class for a bit. She’s a fabulous instructor and always kicks my butt, but I definitely feel like her class is more advanced than the other classes I’ve taken.
Overall, if you’re looking for an awesome workout with awesome people in an awesome location then go to Biker Barre. You won’t regret it.

So I have a physical addiction to Biker Barre (whenever I tell my mom that I’m heading over there she puts on a creepy voice and goes «Going to get your drug little girl?»). It’s an incredibly friendly studio that has a real sense of community, which I personally need in my workout space otherwise I will not go. Not to mention that the workouts are awesome.
So splitting this review into spin and barre…
Spin:
Katie– Ridiculous commentary throughout class. Every time she says «this is the last song» I’m always surprised.
Jo — Seeing Jo always makes my day better. I’m not even lying — she just makes me smile. And her dancing around during spin class makes me laugh.
Andrew — He can somehow make 16 minutes straight of hill climbs fun. I think he hypnotized the class because that’s the only possible explanation.
Harry — He opened the first class by saying «I’m a gay Jewish boy from Long Island. Let’s do this.» His classes are all Britney/​Beyonce/​Cher/​Madonna etc. and it’s amazing.
Shelby — She once did an Irish themed spin class for St. Patrick’s day. It may or may not be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Barre:
Stephen — His corrections are fantastic… he has an eagle eye.
Charmaine — Ow. That is all. Awesome. But ow.
Kelly W — her seat sections are awesome. And they hurt.
Kelly H — I go to barre entirely so that I can someday have my arms look like her arms. We all need goals in life.
Lani — Lani just makes me happy. Also, she’s the kind of instructor that I forced into having networking coffee with me so I could talk about non-​barre related things and she was perfectly happy to do it.
Jane — Piece of advice: she will always ask you whether you want to do seat on the floor or at the barre. If you choose floor, you get to do the move with your head on your arms. Ka-​ching!

I have not taken a spin class before, but wow — its a great work out. I don’t think I have ever sweated as much as I have after taking a class with Katie. I did not even sweat this much when it was 117 degrees in Dallas, TX!
Checking in was really easy. We checked in at the front desk and the lady gave us a brief introduction on what would happen, where to go to change, and where the restroom was. She was friendly.
We booked our class online and it was super easy. Because it was our first booking, we had a buy one get one class deal. We are looking forward to our next class!
What I liked most about the class was:
–the great instructor – Katie was very encouraging and helped set up my bike so that I would be comfortable with riding and standing
–the class started on time and did not take late comers (late people would have definitely disrupted my concentration)
–a towel was provided on my bike ahead of time
–they have cubicles to place your things
–after the work out, the instructor gave us cool wet towels that were soaked in something that smelled fragrant and minty to cool us down even more. I really enjoyed that!
–that the class was dark – it helped to relax me and keep me focused
–the cool down at the end was good to help stretch out the body
What I wish the studio had:
–multiple shower stalls (they only have one half and one full shower)
–more bathrooms (they only have one bathroom on the first level and one on the second)
I recommend being careful walking down the stairs after spin class. The stairs were very wet and slick and someone had fallen down the stairs. Exit with caution!
I felt wonderful (and very tired) after the first class. Although I was scared not knowing what I had gotten myself into by taking this class, I’m very glad I did take this class. A great studio! Looking forward to my next class of barre!
UPDATE:
The next day, I went back to Biker Barre for the barre portion of the studio. The barre studio was upstairs and it was small. I was bumping into my neighbor a lot of the times during the exercise routines. I am definitely absolutely sore after having taken both classes (spin and barre) back to back. I guess thats a good thing though because that means I used those never-​used-​before-​muscles?! No pain no gain!