The Bar Method

Raise the barre on your fitness. I have taken about a dozen classes here and I would recommend Bev, Travis, and Rayna. However, all the instructors are well trained to kick your butt and body parts you didn’t know you had muscle there. It’s a lot of small movements that is critiqued by the instructor. The music also becomes motivating and you won’t be bored. There is a lot of guidance, but be forewarned there is a lot of body sculpting that will leave you sore for days.

I’m two months into it. Here are the salient points:
* The workout is fantastic. It gets harder the more you come, since you learn to push yourself harder. So for those who say it’s not a good workout, it might be worth coming a few more times.
* Instructor quality is top notch across the board. I’ve taken classes from maybe 6 instructors now, and every single one of them is good. I’m blown away by that. I use to go to Exhale which was also great (but no Seattle location), and even there, there were instructors I tried to avoid. I haven’t found one here I want to avoid yet.
* Lots of personal attention. Yep, they call you out by name. But honestly, isn’t that what you get with a personal trainer? I can see that some people might feel self-​conscious about being called out. Personally, I’m working way too hard to get all judgy about your name being called out! :D And hearing corrections for others remind me to correct my form too.
* Yeah, it has a large window facing West Lake. Again though, I’m always panting to just keep up so I barely notice who’s staring in.
* Nice clean towels provided, along with hair elastics, and just about anything else you need. I don’t really use the locker room but it seems nice and clean.
All in all, I really love it here. Wished I came in earlier!

So almost 500 classes later I feel incredible. I am now a size 4 started at a 6 – 8. I have back muscles I haven’t seen since my high school volleyball days. My body actually reacts poorly if I miss taking bar for any period of time. The instructors care so much about each person. They now have a bar move which is an advanced class that challenges me both physically and mentally.

I’ve been doing barre for years. I come to BM once in a while, but not frequently enough for the instructors to remember me. Therefore, I appear to be a new student to them every time I show up.
I feel the instructors would call out my name, just for the sake of calling out new students. Today I got called out at least three times to have a soft bend in my knee (s). And I know I have a soft bend in my standing legs at all times when I do barre workout. I am so irritated!!!

This is a long overdue stellar review for The Bar Method in Seattle. I walked into my first class almost one year ago after purchasing a voucher for 6 weeks of unlimited classes. As soon as it ended, I started a monthly unlimited (now «Club Bar») membership and have never looked back. I identify as more of an introvert so I was intimidated by a group based exercise class, but I absolutely LOVE it. All of the staff, owners Bev, Luke, and Maika, teachers, and other clients are so warm and welcoming. The workout is the perfect combo of cardio and toning and I feel challenged every single class. The teachers push you to work your hardest and also make sure you are in proper form and alignment to avoid injury or unecessary strain.
Shortly after joining, I cancelled my 24 Hour Fitness membership that I was barely using. I also started to feel stronger, leaner, and was having less upper and low back pain. I also had a rib twisting injury and the teachers were super accomodating to make sure I didn’t re-​injure myself. The Bar Method is now my happy place and I honestly don’t feel as good unless I’m going 4 – 5 times per week. Other pros: convenient location, class times, extremely clean studio with nice amenities (e.g. lockers, showers with shampoo + bodywash). I could go on and on… Thank you, Bar Method!

After years of letting myself go and then trying yoga without many results, I decided to join my friend at The Bar Method. I was hesitant because of the price at first and I have to say, I was a little scared of Bev after my first class with her (my second class overall).
It’s definitely true that your name might be called out quite a few times during a single class. It’s scary at first, but as you get to know the instructors, you begin to realize that they have your best interest in mind and that you are not the only one getting called on (even if it feels like it). I’ve been going to this gym since March and I still get my name yelled, but I prefer that to not hearing my name once!
Every dollar, every hour, and every sore muscle has been completely worth it. I’ve dropped 15 pounds, re-​gained tons of muscle definition, and lost 2.5 pant sizes… almost to 3! Best of all, I feel like I have a lot more energy than I used to.
Oh and Bev is definitely one of my favorite instructors. She’s tough, but she makes sure you you get what you’re paying for.

I’m glad I gave The Bar Method a second shot, because I hated the first class I took here. Like what some reviews have mentioned, instructors will call out your name to correct you. Normally, it doesn’t bother me BUT when it seems like your name is called almost every 5 min and the instructor doesn’t hands on correct you, it then gets annoying. If it weren’t for the lady next to me in class helping me out, I most likely wouldn’t have came back for a second class (where I actually had hands on corrections). So yes, if you hated your first class here, you have to give it another try with a different instructor.
What I do like about The Bar Method is that they do seem to have a focus on proper technique. I’m the type that likes to get technique down before going all out in an exercise so this is a big plus for me. But it all depends on the instructor, like I mentioned earlier. I like instructors that will show and physically correct you as opposed to verbal «shaming».
One thing that I do not like about the place are the class sizes. I attended an afternoon and morning class and both were what I considered large classes. It was barely comfortable for me to stretch out my legs for certain floor stretches. If you are new to The Bar Method, I recommend standing somewhere to the front right of the room to have the best view of the instructor.
It’s not my favorite barre studio but I’ll come back when it meshes well with my Flywheel class schedule.

What a great experience for my first bar class! I had two instructors that switched off one would tell us what to do, while the other made sure we were keeping the correct form! I was brand new and they both remembered my name which made it more of a personal class. I am used to working out and would say this workout was a high 8. Very hard but ohhh so good! Thanks bar method for a great first experience.

I would say it is was mediocre workout for someone in their 20’s. I have been to almost every barre studio in Seattle and this one has a very weird vibe. They call your name out and shame you in front of everyone in a very rude tone instead of just coming over and helping you fix it. Seems kinda lazy.
Also, it is not hygienic at all! Why do they have carpet in a workout studio?! They also have cloth pads that you don’t wipe off? I don’t really like smelly other peoples sweat while planking and occasionally using mats that obviously haven’t been cleaned.
If you want a great workout in that area go to flybarre. They have current music, a hard workout, and it’s VERY clean.

I liked the classes here enough to give this studio more than three tries. My friends love to come here because the instructors really help you build more strength in your core and helps with your flexibility. Being a very inflexible person, I felt pretty self-​conscious because the studio windows face the street where people walking on Westlake can peer in to get a good view of what’s going on inside. In the meantime, my legs and arms are flailing all over the place ungracefully of course.
I really appreciated that the instructor will give you tips in terms of correcting your stance and etc because if you’re doing the exercise wrong, you won’t injure yourself. However, being a very uncoordinated person, my name was continuously called (maybe 8 – 10 times). When it came time to doing a leg stretch (pulling your legs towards your head), I couldn’t do it. Being probably the only remedial student in class, the instructor walked over and dropped this leg stretch helped rope. lol. I appreciate the time/​energy that they put into helping students learn but then again, I felt really embarrassed and horrified by all the attention. I think because they use microphones in class, the corrections become amplified so the entire class knows how bad you are at these exercises.
You definitely sweat and get a good exercise in. The only problem is that each class is super expensive. I’d say almost unaffordable.
The facilities are really nice and clean and I appreciate that they lock their doors while you’re in their building. It gives customers the feeling of safety.

The Bar Method Seattle-​Eastside has changed my life.
The studios (I used to be a regular at both studios, as I live in Seattle but worked in Redmond until recently — now I only take classes at the SLU studio) are immaculately clean and smell so amazing — you really can smell it from a block away! No shoes are allowed in the studio, which helps it to stay so pristine. There are lockers, locker rooms, showers, towels and a lot of other little amenities (extra hair ties, deodorant, hairspray, blow dryers, mouthwash, etc — all which come in handy when working out before work or on your lunch break).
The teachers and staff learn your name and use it on a regular basis. No matter how many classes you take, your name WILL be called in class. Sometimes it’s to correct your form, other times it’s to encourage you to come lower in thigh or get on your toes for pushups, and other times it’s to praise you for working so hard. The hands-​on, personalized approach to teaching is what really sets this place apart. Don’t think of it as being called out or forced into an uncomfortable position — the teachers genuinely want you to get the most out of each workout and keep your body in safe and proper form. If you’re not used to this kind of attention, don’t knock it after one or two classes — try different teachers and let yourself get accustomed to the attention; you’ll learn to appreciate it!
After coming consistently for over a year (and 6 months before that, with a break in between), I can personally attest to the results that will be achieved if you challenge yourself. Sure, you can phone it in and go through the motions, maybe even not break a sweat — but if that’s the case, you’re wasting your time and money. When you push yourself during class and come 3 – 5 times per week, your body will change — you will be able to eat more and worry less about your workout routine. Maybe you won’t burn as many calories as an hour on the treadmill, but the muscle you build with boost your metabolism and keep you burning fat long after the hour is done. You absolutely can drip sweat, and you WILL feel the workout days later. Trust me, your body and mind will thank you!
As for the price — Bar Method is the same price as the other bar studios, and a single class is the same or cheaper than many personal trainers who will torture you at the gym. Give it a try for a month — go 4 days a week or more, and then ask yourself if it’s not worth every penny. The free mobile app makes it super easy to manage your account, sign up for classes and track your attendance.
I’ve tried other barre studios and can say with 100% certainty, that I’m a Bar Methodist for life!

This studio is fantastic. The teachers are all incredibly good and work hard to ensure that all students are positioned correctly to get the most out of this body changing workout. I have had knee problems over the years and The Bar Method has helped build strength in my legs like no other workout. It can be intimidating at first because the exercises and movements are challenging, but if you stick with it you won’t believe the results. I have been a regular with the Bar Method studios since its inception on the East coast and can honestly say this is the best run studio in the franchise. They have events to give back to the community which adds to the special feel of the studio.
Try it out and give it two weeks and you will realize that this is the workout that really changes your body.

I started the barre method in January, and have gone 3 – 5 times a week since than. The instructors at Bar Method are warm, friendly and always open to giving helpful hands on assistance.
I chose Bar Method because it’s in a very convenient location, and although it is expensive, I like to think you get what you pay for. It’s clean, smells wonderful (I know this is a weird comment, but honestly, I can smell the studio from a block away and it almost puts me in a zen like state, ready to work out) and the locker rooms are clean and inviting.
The instructors are my favorite part, by far. I won’t name favorites, because I’ve never had a bad class there. The front desk ladies are always happy to see me and greet me by name. Right now we’re in the middle of «Tuck Fest,» a competition to see whose team can take the most classes. An insanely successful marketing technique; I think every class I’ve taken in the past two weeks has been full. It’s simple to bypass the stress of being turned away from a full class: they have an online schedule that you can reserve classes on. Super simple and efficient.
I hate the gym. Hate it. I get really bored and don’t push myself as hard as I could because of my lack of knowledge of the equipment, and just plain laziness. That’s why I chose Bar Method at the beginning of this year: I needed something new that would push me, and I needed to get fitness back into my life.
January 15^th: I can do push ups on my knees. Felt like I was going to die.
February 15^th: I’ve started doing half of the 25 push ups on the balls of my feet.
March 15^th: I do all of the push ups on my feet, feel like I’m dying.
April: Oh you want me to do 30 push ups? Cool. Can do. Then what?
I suspect by August I’ll be lifting cars and flying. Bar Method has totally changed my body and my ability to push myself past what I thought I could do.

This studio has changed my life. From the support of the teachers helping me through injury, to getting in shape for my wedding. The owners, teachers and front desk … They make working out and changing your body fun and successful!

The Bar Method is my favorite bar studio in Seattle. I’ve tried other Barre classes in the city and always use Bar as my benchmark for comparison. The instructors spend the hour making sure that YOU as the patron are getting the most effective workout while maintaining form. I’ve felt like a lot of instructors at other studios only care about their workout as they lead the class.
The staff are so personal and make an effort to get to know you. They call you out by your name and have great memories. By my 2^nd or 3^rd class I felt like instructors who I had never even had, knew who I was.
I had only been going to bar for 2 months and then got injured after running a half marathon and had to stop going to bar for 3 months. When I returned back to the studio for my first class after 3 months, I was greeted with such a warm welcome and all the instructors still remembered me :)
This is such a great workout– if you stick to it consistently, you genuinely do start to see results within your first 5 – 10 classes. Its also great that you don’t get drenched in sweat form the workout due to nature of the workout, but you still feel the effects of class thorough the next day :). Whenever I start or end my day with bar, I feel happiest.
If my schedule permitted, I wish I could attend more classes than I currently do :(

Pros: the founder was trained in the original lotte berk method so the program is pretty authentic. I had been going to exhale core fusion for years (founded by another lotte berk ex-​student) in Boston and NYC. Bar method’s program is comparable. It does deliver results — toned abs, arms, and butt with 1 – 2 classes a week. You can’t argue with the results.
Con: the biggest con and the reason I don’t go is that there are no evening or afternoon weekend classes. The last class on weekdays is 6:30. For people who work late, that’s just not doable. It’s a shame because the studio must be losing the business of a lot of Amazon and start up employees this way. Seattle SLU is being overrun by transplants who are used to working longer hours, and this would be an incredible customer base for BM if only they would listen.
As a point of comparison, Exhale core fusion offers a 7 pm and 8 pm class, as well as classes all day on the weekends. This makes a world of difference in the convenience factor.

I’ve been going to Bar Method at this location for over 2 years consistently and it’s the best barre studio period. I’ve taken classes at Pure Barre, Daily Method, and Barre3 and it all comes back to the highly trained instructors at Bar Method, and how you can always get a tough workout no matter who is teaching. The studio is very clean and there are secure lockers which you don’t get at the other franchises. I can attest this will change your body. The staff is very welcoming and friendly don’t be afraid to try it.

Top barre studio in Seattle. Have taken Barre3, PureBarre and Bar Method each for months at a time — each with their unique appeal/​benefits.
Bar Method is the most consistently strict /​hands-​on about form, which is great if you prefer hands-​on assists as I do. Each instructor pays rigorous attention to individual form, which is quite impressive given classes get packed. Absolutely produces results — stronger core, total body toning and strength.
Fave instructors based on attention to form — Megan, Brynn, Gina. A number of instructors are always present in class, which is both motivating and helpful as examples. Bev is by far the most intense/​strict instructor, can almost seem scary haha.
Classes are fairly rigorous — I was able to do classes with a fractured toe but had done months of barre previously and knew how to modify. Might recommend other barre studios if you’re recovering from injury.
Studio has 2 large rooms and is gorgeous, well-​lit. 3 showers available with towel service. Full lockers available in shower room and lockers/​cubbies in the lobby.
Dislike the glass walls facing Westlake, which have their fair share of oglers.

I walked a few times by to learn more about their program, and pricing. The first three times, the main entrance was locked as a class was ongoing. I assumed that the instructor was also the greeter/​hostess at The Bar Method. Finally, the forth time was a charm. I walked in, and was greeted warmly. When I asked about programs offered and pricing, I was shown a table; they had no brochures nor any cards.

I have been a Bar Method member for a few months now and am ADDICTED! I am seriously kind of in disbelief of the changes that I am seeing in my body; I still have lots of room to improve, but the instructors and classes keep me motivated and excited to keep working at it!
At first and after reading some of the reviews, I was a little worried about the rough corrections that I would be receiving, but have yet to experience this. All corrections are gentle, and for me much needed (I have horrible posture). I can finally feel my chest and back muscles loosening up, and the bad back pain that I have experienced for years is so much better after just a few months of Bar. The instructors really pay attention and make sure that you are doing each pose correctly, and I am sometimes a little blown away at how they seem to have eyes everywhere!
The studio is extremely clean, and all of the instructors great. Overall I am extremely happy with The Bar Method, and recommend it to anyone looking for a great workout!