Barre Centric

This may be the best run studio business in Buffalo (2 locations, one Buffalo, one Clarence). Ive been coming back to the Buffalo location since they offered a special with Revolution, just down the road on Main. If you don’t know what Barre is, here’s a layman’s explanation:
Ballerinas are the result of hours, days, months, years of practicing the art over and over. At Barre the instructors are all ballet trained, and the classes are based on the moves they did millions of times in the past. Anyone can do the moves, which is great. You see people of all shapes and sizes here, its friendly to all. No matter your past ballet experience, you will see results here from day one, and you’ll see improvement over time if you stick with it. I know this from personal experience.
You arrive here to a clean and well lit studio and parking lot. Even when its dark, the parking isn’t. Gotta love that in the winter. You can come in either the front or back doors, but the «changing area» is in the back. They do ask that your outside shoes come off right at either door, don’t track that salt and other wet stuff in.
You wear socks or Barre socks (which many wear for yoga too, those footies with little grippy things on the bottom). I wear regular gym type socks and they work just fine. But you can buy the other kind here, and I think that’s what most people do.
At this location they offer 4 classes —
Barre Express — 45 minute Barre class
Barre Centric — 60 minute Barre class
Barre Bouce — Barre on the trampoline. Yep, on a trampoline. Everyone has their own small, low to the ground, trampoline. There are various moves done on it, interspersed with some other floor work. Its a whole new ballgame from Barre, but lots of fun and challenging in a different way.
Barre Cardio — Barre at a faster pace with some different moves
The class most people take is Barre Centric, and its offered the most as a result. The Barre Express is often offered at lunchtime I have found. The classes remain more or less the same for a few weeks at a time, so you are not spending each class trying to figure out what’s going on. For someone like me, that’s great. If I had ballet training it might not matter as much, but I appreciate the consistency.
The other location in Clarence doesn’t have Barre Bounce, but does have Barre Stick, which uses Pilates sticks in class. You can go to either studio, and I gather that many do mix it up depending on where they will be that day.
Classes here start right on time. As a result, its rare for anyone to arrive late, so everyone is pretty focused on the class from the start. I love that they start and end on time. Makes things easier to plan.
There is a changing room here with cubbies for your things. Its got plenty of hooks for the winter coats too. The rest room is large with a shower that’s fully stocked with shampoos and lotions etc. Some people do use the shower and facilities Ive found. They must bring their own towels as none are available here. But the facilities are very nice and always so clean.
There are even some men who are taking Barre here these days. Nice to see that in the mix.
** The reasons I think its the best run studio in Buffalo — The owners have created a schedule and color patterns that’s consistent with the two studios. They have the same themes running throughout. The owners teach tons of classes themselves, but they also hire women who are well trained and consistent in temperament with each other. There is no visible drama here in the workplace. Its a fun place to be as well. As a studio junkie, I have plenty of experience with studios, and this is a well run, well organized, very pleasant place to «get your exercise on».

Although Barre is not for me, this studio is amazing! The relatively small space is used very effectively with lots of places to store shoes and belongings. The instructors are fantastic, very motivating and helpful. Although I was a Barre «newbie,» I had very little trouble following the instructor’s directions.
They play upbeat music throughout the workout. Overall, a very fun experience. When I say it isn’t for me, I just mean it’s a little too much focus on the lower body while I prefer arm workouts and more weights. Still, it’s a great workout and your legs will definitely be shaking in mere minutes.

Best place to barre! Don’t waste time trying out different places. Barre Centric is one of a kind and my go to me time. Not too serious, great music and lots of shaking. :)