The Bar Method

From kickboxing and lifting to cycle, yoga, and even marathon running, I’ve done tons of different types of workouts.
The bar method makes me feel muscles and strength in places NO other workout has!
First of all, I love walking into the studio and being greeted by the cheerful lobby girls and teachers. Everyone has a smile on their face and the studio just screams «woman power» while keeping a calm, clean feel.
The workouts are incredible– for once, I’m not pushing through joint pain and muscular discomfort while exercising! Of course I feel the burn, but it’s the good, «wow I’m getting stronger» burn, not the «oww, is my hip still in place?» burn. During the small, intimate classes, the teachers will praise students by name or watch form to offer corrections when you’re not in perfect position. Teachers come around and adjust students by hand, watch and offer modifications, and willingly grab extra mats and weights for students who need them.
After only a few classes, I was already feeling my glutes, triceps, and core getting stronger.
After years of being just another face in the crowd at Lifetime Fitness, the personal attention and tight-​knit feel of «The Bar» makes me never want to leave.

My first bar method class outside of a ‘barre’ class given at my Equinox gym in Los Angeles.
My thoughts? AWESOME!
My future MIL, signed me up to join her in a class while I was visiting for a whole week during Christmas.
I must say, I had little hopes of getting a real workout from a bar method class.
Even before leaving the house, I told my fiancé ‘I doubt I’ll even break a sweat”.
I was wrong.
I was sweating, unable to fully engage, unable to do as many reps and so on.
I was a newbie!
Much different than doing cardio and weights at the gym with a trainer.
I was actually sore later in the evening. The last time I got that sore that quickly was when I tried P90X & Insanity.
The instructor and staff were polite and helpful.
The location is clean and convenient (plenty of parking).
I recommend this class for people who do not like the gym. :)
Great alternative.

UGH!
I hate it!
I love it!
I hate it!
I love it… It’s so great!

In addition to providing a fantastic workout, Bar Method runs a FIRST CLASS operation and is truly a role model for the way a business should be run!
They truly provide outstanding customer service. I am so impressed that the instructors know names and greet you with enthusiasm each time you walk in, which really sets the tone for the personalized attention you’ll receive from them throughout the workout. The teachers all provide thorough and detailed instruction for each and every exercise, as well as positive and encouraging corrections and support throughout the class. It ensures you are doing all the exercises safely and correctly, to maximize impact, and motivates you to get through the grueling class. The instructors are all fantastic and really know their stuff, which really sets them head and shoulders above many other gyms/​exercise classes.
The workout itself is awesome and you definitely see results from the intensive intervals and stretching combinations – you burn calories and sculpt muscle (and in a lean way like a dancer.) I am in pretty decent shape and it’s definitely challenging for me, but in a great way. The structure of the class is the same each time, but the exercises each day vary and you do not get bored. It’s a great feeling of accomplishment when you make it through and there’s a great camaraderie amongst the class. Overall it’s a very welcoming environment, which was great for someone new coming in. I also really, really love the workouts. While you do use a ballet barre, don’t let the name make you think it is a prissy, slow workout, it is intense and tough. You will shake and want to die, but you will keep going… and you will become addicted and love the results. It’s very inspiring to see all the different ages, shapes and sizes of people that are working hard together.
The studio is beautiful, with convenient free parking. It just feels very nice and classy when you are there, which adds to the overall experience. Beautiful bouquets, nice smelling candles, cute furniture, nice lockers… like i said, everything is top notch here.
I also appreciate how they are involved in the community and support other local businesses in the surrounding area.
I also REALLY appreciate that they have classes that are convenient for folks who work during the day (in the early a.m. and evening, as well as classes both Saturday and Sundays), which is HUGE. Many places offer tons of classes DURING the day, but only have like a 5:30 pm class, which is impossible to make if you work any distance away. They have 6:00 pm and occasionally 7 pm classes too.
Just overall an incredible place to workout with outstanding instructors, that also is very well run business. Many kudos Bar Method Leawood!

Ok, so I’ve been really wanting to write a review for Bar Method, but kept having issues figuring out what to write. After all, how much do I want to sell someone on Bar Method when I love the limited class sizes? Plus, how many people will understand the appeal of «it burns so good»?
But I can’t not review this place. So here it goes!
For anyone who doesn’t know, Bar Method is an awesome work out that is inspired (in my opinion) by the best (and most burn producing) parts of dance, yoga, and Pilates. I’ll be honest, I’d never heard about Bar Method before a year ago, and I was somewhat skeptical. But I decided to give it a try, and I became hooked. What made it really awesome for me was that it was a low impact but incredibly intense (when done right) work out that helped strengthen my knees. The instructors — Lizzy, Rebecca, and Hoddy — are amazing at keeping us focused in the exercise… no matter how much it hurts and burns. Of course, at 5:45am it hurts all the more. Especially when the instructor is wide awake and sooo crazy cheerful.
I swear everyday after I do Bar Method muscles that I forgot I had ache.
Of course, that might also be a result of doing Bar Method and either Muay Thai or swimming after. I’ve only been back to Bar Method for a month but I’m already feeling changes. Not seeing results yet, but I have a feeling that’ll soon follow. :-)
Now if I could completely give up sweets again (like I did for like 4 months not too long ago) I’ll probably see those results sooner!