Having just opened their doors at the end of March, the brand new barre3 in Brookline’s Washington Square already seems to have the recipe for success. barre3’s mantra is all about finding balance, and we felt the workout fulfilled this mission – providing a great mix of strength, flexibility & cardio. For those keeping close tabs on their FitBit, barre3 with keep your heart rate relevé-d.

RUNDOWN

WORKOUT

Showing up bright and early on a cold morning for this 60 minute class wasn’t easy – we definitely appreciated the thorough and gradual warm-up. Once the class kicked off, it was clear that barre3 puts its own twist on the traditional barre workout — think more along the lines of FlyBarre’s Barre Sport class as opposed to Pure Barre or Bar Method. While you’ll certainly get your fair share of isometric holds and tiny movements utilizing the barre for single leg work and relevé pliés, you can also expect sets of squats, lunges and push-ups.  And with summer just around the corner, we were all about the ample time that was allotted for a challenging ab workout to round out the class. For those that don’t mind a healthy dose of cardio with their barre routine, we have a feeling you’ll enjoy this workout as much as we did.  

INSTRUCTOR

Owner Simone Bernstein, and team, greeted us with a friendly smile when we walked in the door and didn’t stop smiling throughout class. Her passion for teaching and challenging others in a way that works best for them was evident, and we found her to be very engaging and attentive. Working her way around the studio for demonstrations and individual instructions, she encouraged us to flag her down for any modifications needed. Simone’s class is tough and she’ll definitely keep you pushing outside of your comfort zone, but in a manageable way that doesn’t leave you feeling defeated.

SPACE

There’s nothing like walking into a brand new studio, and this one didn’t disappoint. Situated in the heart of Washington Square, this storefront has a modern design that could best be described as industrial chic. The studio itself has cork-like flooring, which we much preferred over dingy carpet! So don’t forget your socks (although not required). If you prefer to use the mirror to keep your form in check, make sure to arrive a few minute before class, as there are a handful of spots along the side and back wall that don’t have mirrors. Expect all the usual amenities such as cubbies, lockers with keys, towels, apparel for sale & limited showers. Moms take note: there’s one major perk that’s rare for individual studios – childcare for a small fee during select class times (not even kid-ding you guys!)