The Bar Method

I don’t know why I do this to myself. Oh wait, I know why… because I’m a fatty fat that loves to eat, and every once in a while, I realize that my jeans just have gotten a little *too* snug and I need to do something about it.
Several of my soccer mom friends have been raving about Barre class. Evidently, it’s the new Zumba. Or is it the new Yoga? Eh, whatever, it’s evidently the latest trend for girly girl exercise.
After a little bit of research, I settled on The Bar Method for 3 reasons:
1) The website didn’t totally suck ass
2) They had a beginners class on Saturdays that didn’t start at the asscrack of dawn (side note for all gyms and fitness studios: do NOT schedule your fatties class first thing in the morning… we’re fatties because we like to eat and sleep and have very little motivation to work out. Scheduling it after breakfast but before lunch is the best time slot)
3) They had a month long pass for $ 99 (I had just missed the $ 75 special by 2 days. Doh!).
So…the class. The beginner’s class actually goes pretty fast. The instructor (Jill), is friendly, calls you out by name and helps corrects your form (without shaming), and is in general pretty cool. However, she calls out the moves *quickly*. Which means that half the time you’re still trying to figure out which leg is the left leg (shush, I never mastered this), and everyone is already into the pose. The class also has an assumption that you know basic yoga moves, like «Child’s Pose» and «Downward Dog», and basic ballet terms like «releve». I just thank all my binge watching of chick flicks and watching «Black Swan» a billion times, or I would be so fucking lost. If you don’t know these moves, I highly recommend you binge watch some Netflix. Think of it as prework.
So this Barre workout is basically a combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet moves. Which seems like it’s not going to be that strenuous… until you realize that you’re a total fatty with nearly completely atrophied muscles and OH FUCKING DEAR GOD I DIDN’T KNOW MY INNER THIGHS COULD HURT LIKE THAT. On the upside, if you’re going to torture yourself with a workout, I do like to feel like I’ve been worked over by a gang, to really feel like I’ve gotten my money’s worth.
The studio is on the second level of the Long and Foster building in the Kentlands (yeah it took me forever to figure it out), and the space is ultra clean and cute. The locker room/​bathrooms are lovely… I wish my bathrooms can be this clean. And the support staff there are pretty nice.
While Barre isn’t my favorite exercise thing, I’ve now been to 3 classes, and my muscles are starting to know what’s the deal. While I still look like a clumsy version of the dancing hippos from Fantasia, I can actually get through most of the exercises without having to break form because my muscles are trembling so hard. I don’t think this class will ever get me to look like Misty Copeland, but hopefully it’ll make me look a little less like the Philsbury Dough Boy…

This unparalleled and effective workout has become so much more for me — the owners Jen and Jenn have cultivated a community at the studio! The instructors are always there to answer any questions you may have, and the ladies here motivate me and inspire me to be better! It’s only been six months since I discovered The Bar Method North Potomac, but my posture has gotten better, I’ve developed muscles in areas I didn’t even know existed, and sharpened my mental stamina (which has trickled into other areas of my life too, especially my day job!) Join today — you won’t regret it!

This is an impeccably run fitness studio with a beautiful, spa-​like atmosphere. But don’t let the serene furnishings and pristine white surfaces fool you: this is a high-​intensity workout that focuses on correct form and posture. I started attending classes in February with the remains of a nasty rotator cuff injury and six months later (averaging about three classes/​week) am almost always pain-​free, more flexible, and much, much stronger.
The owners are warm and welcoming, and that attitude either attracts a like-​minded clientele, or their example is contagious. If you’re on the fence about trying it, they usually have a new client special — give it a go!

I’ve been a member of The Bar Method North Potomac for six-​months and have loved it since day one. No class is the same, though the instructors are equally as kind and motivating… and the atmosphere, always inviting. Every full-​body workout is intense and challenging, but will leave you in a state of euphoria when it’s over. Try it… you’ll be hooked!

I will start by saying that the Bar Method is hard. If you are are a dancer (I never was), you probably know what this means — holding a position until you shake like a leaf. It’s a whole new way to think of exercise. The studio is lovely, the instructors are specimens of strength and grace, the music is awesome, and the friends you will meet are impressive women. I was sold after the first class. The masterful part of Bar Method is how you exhaust certain muscle groups, so they change shape. In my case, they lengthened. Other exercise, like spinning and running, just shortened my legs and make them feel/​long heavier. Please give Bar a month or two before making up your mind. That’s when the «shrink» happens.

If you are looking for a great workout and an inspiring experience, look no further! After moving to Rockville and living within walking distance to Pure Barre I instantly became addicted to barre classes. A friend convinced me to try Bar Method with her and I was shocked at how the quality of the classes differed so much! Bar Method instructors go through months and months of rigorous training to become certified while Pure Barre instructors only have a weekend of training. I would compare Bar Method to having a personal trainer, who knows your name and ability level, and consistently corrects your form and technique to maximize your workout and keep you from injuring yourself. Pure Barre would be more comparable to trying to follow along with a workout DVD in your living room, as the instructors rarely know your name and almost never correct your form, but rather recite a script. Needless to say, I decided Bar Method was far more worth my time and money.
After about three months of classes at Bar Method, I significantly improved my posture, lost inches off my waist, and noticed muscles I didn’t even know I had. The most exciting part of the whole experience has been experiencing complete relief from residual knee pain I experienced after two ACL tears. I was even able to run a ten mile race completely pain free, something I never would have imagined before Bar Method.
The owners of Bar Method North Potomac are very present in the studio, always greet you my name, and are frequently teaching classes. Every instructor is friendly, knowledgeable, and always professional. I genuinely look forward to having any instructor, all for different reasons. The clientele consists of almost all women, from teenagers to seniors, and of all fitness levels. The instructors work with each woman to modify any exercises and truly meet everyone’s needs and provide a great exercise experience.

When I first heard of The Bar Method, I imagined bored housewives in black leotards pretend-​exercising — you know, as a former CrossFit member that’s what I thought. And then the class kicked my butt, err, «seat». And then I came again, and then again, and then I just signed up for the membership and didn’t look back.
Some specifics you might want to know about:
1. No other studio /​gym I tried provides the warm and friendly welcome and sense of belonging that this studio does.
2. This is a high intensity workout. You will sweat, and your legs will be shaking well after the class.
3. Give yourself a full week, maybe take 3 – 4 classes and try different instructors. You will likely be hooked after that.
4. Be prepared to be called out in the class by name — instructors are always watching for the right posture and alignment, and provide verbal instructions throughout the class.

The first time I tried bar method was in LA and I fell absolutely in love with it! So imagine my excitement when I found out that ClassPass had added the Kentland’s location to their list of studios!
The studio is located on the second floor of the Long & Foster building in Kentlands. When you go up the stairs, you take a left and then an immediate right where you’ll see the glass windows of the studio. The studio has two main rooms to it and is kept very clean and organized. There are small lockers where you can store your cell phone, wallet, and other personal items when you’re taking a class. The lockers also come with their own personal key so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own lock! Every time I’ve been, the staff is very friendly, welcoming and helpful.
The instructors will make adjustments on your form when you’re doing it incorrectly but they do it in an encouraging and motivating manner. I like bar method a lot more than pure barre because of the amount of feedback you get on your form. Also no class is the same which is great because you never get bored of taking classes.
I’ve taken almost all of the instructors and they are all very friendly and attentive to the students. My favorite instructor is Katrina because she’s so positive and upbeat throughout the entire class. So if you have a chance to take her class, I would highly recommend it!

Love this place! I’ve been going for about 3 months now and I still look forward to every class I attend! I’ve tried 2 other barre studios and this is definitely my favorite. I’ve taken classes from almost all of the instructors and they are all fantastic. The staff is so welcoming and very attentive. The studio has a clean fresh style and always smells good. That feels weird to say but when you’re in a plank with your nose 6 inches from the carpet, you notice these things! Highly recommend :)