The Bar Method Downtown

As OGs of the barre scene, we had high hopes for our first Bar Method experience. The studio, staff, and amenities were top notch and some of the best we’ve seen in Boston. The workout, however, did not bring the heat (or the shake) that we was hoping for. Don’t get us wrong, it was a solid barre workout. But after our class this morning, we were already rearranging our schedule so we could fit in a spin class in the afternoon.

RUNDOWN

WORKOUT

The Bar Method is set-up similarly to other barre classes – a weight series, push-ups, planks, thigh work, seat work, and the infamous “curl” to finish it up. The arm series was shorter than other studios we’ve been to, which was a bummer. Even though it wasn’t a solid focus on arms, the weight series of curls, triceps, and the sneaky-hard “bend-stretch” had our arms burning. Always a plus in our book.

Now to the barre! Ah, thigh work. How we love/hate you so much. We were a little disappointed in the thigh portion of class. Even though it has a reputation for making us question why we show up, thigh work is the the reason we drag yourself out of bed at 6am for class. We want, in fact NEED to get into “the shake zone”. So, the fact that thigh work was minimal and did not put us in excruciating pain left us wanting more. Same goes for seat work. Bikini season is nearly upon us, and we wanted our ass on FIRE, sadly it wasn’t. Significant (maybe too much) time was spent on core and back dancing.

INSTRUCTOR

Theresa was adorable. Super sweet and with a really nice energy. She remembered my name and was constantly giving me adjustments and compliments over the microphone. I love that type of personal attention…especially when you pay $28 for a class. She also physically modified my movements multiple times, which is the sign of a teacher who takes her work seriously. You go, Glenn Coco (Theresa).

SPACE

We have to applaud The Bar Method, it is probably one of the nicest studios we’ve seen in Boston. It doesn’t compare to Exhale, especially in the shower department, but it is still a lovely and relaxing space. The white-on-white color scheme, coupled with the minimalist vibe, had us feeling fressssh. The two studios, reception desk, and lockers were all downstairs. On the second floor were more lockers, showers, toilets, and vanities. The studio also provides hair dryers and some other basic toiletries in case you may have forgotten them at home.