scoop does a Barre hop: Your Guide to the Charlotte Barre Studios.

I’m not sure I’ve ever actually participated in a bar hop; even in college. Mostly because it’s hard enough for me to decide ONE place to go for the evening, much less multiple places. Then ya gotta find a table and a waitress and prop yourself up just right so that hot guy can see you and ohmygosh it’s so much work!

But, hopping from Barre studio to new Barre studio felt like a delightful challenge. I’m fairly new to taking Barre classes and I’m always up for exploring the fine people in the Queen City. Thus, I grabbed my Lululemon and Gap Body attire, adorable gym bag, and hit the streets to learn everything I could about the growing Barre scene in Charlotte.

CAROLINA BARRE AND CORE

Here’s their mission statement:  “Carolina Barre & Core is a place to feel totally present, engaged, motivated and safe. No egos, no judgment…only results. Our goal is to be mindful mentally and physically during exercise which will ultimately allow you to gain the results desired.”

My first stop on my Barre Hop was Carolina Barre & Core in the Myers Park neighborhood. For loads of details about CBC, check out Come with Us Inside the Walls of Carolina Barre & Core in Myers Park, from a few weeks ago. I had a great time getting some behind the scenes action with owners Amity and Grace.

Going into CBC automatically relaxed me… I was checked in quickly and asked how my day was. You know, a little extra attention after a frazzled day at work always feel good. But, I must warn you: Do not let the chill atmosphere and warm regards fool you. The teachers at CBC are out to whip you into shape in an effort to turn your body into a lean, mean, push-up machine. (I hate push ups. Why does everyone want to do push ups?!?)

I found out the hard way that a chill atmosphere does not equate to me cruising through the Barre class. I’m pretty sure Amity walked over and corrected my form 99 times. It’s likely I got out of form a time or two just so she’d come hold my leg and I’d get a quick break. I’m no professional athlete.

CBC likes to ensure each class is unique. You’ll get a stellar work out every time (arms, legs, glute, and ab strengthening and toning), but you’ll never quite know what to expect upon walking in the door. If your motto is “variety is the spice of you life” you’ll enjoy your classes at CBC. It also touts itself as the most orthopedic studio in town thanks to the intentional stretches you’ll do throughout class and its Stall Barre. Very few of us ever stretch enough. Attending classes where you’re forced to stretch enhances every inch of your workouts.

I thought CBC offered a wonderful variety in each class and tons of hands on attention. I also felt a lot of friendship with those that took the class. I mean, if you’ve gotta sweat it’s better to do it with friends, right?

Your basics for a CBC class include:

• Reserve classes online
• Bring your own water and towel
• Socks are required
• At least 13 years old

2901 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209
Phone: 980.207.1046
Email: info@carolinabarre.com
Web: www.carolinabarre.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarolinaBarreandCore
Twitter: @CarolinaBarre1

FLYBARRE AT FLYWHEEL

FlyBarre in their own words “is a total body sculpting class that blends the best of light weight training, dance, and core strengthening exercises. Using small intense interval exercises choreographed to immersive and inspiring music, FlyBarre quickly reshapes the body for lean, strong, and elongated muscles.”

My second stop along my Tour de Barres was FlyBarre at Flywheel. If you aren’t familiar with Flywheel, it’s a high-energy cycle class with dim lights and hot teachers. FlyBarre was created to be partnered with the Flywheel spin classes.

I think the combination of the spin & barre is important to note because the exercises in FlyBarre are different from the other studios I attended in my Barre Hop.  I did more exercises to strengthen my arms and legs than the other classes I attended. And, we moved pretty quickly too. The music, except for the stretch portions in the middle and end of class, is upbeat.

Another unique FlyBarre attribute was the teachers do most of the class with you. If their arms are up. Your arms are up. If their legs are pulsing. Your legs are pulsing. There’s personal attention (only 18 people can be in a class) but it’s not hands-on unless you specifically say, “fix me, please”.

At FlyBarre, you know what the hour class will look like. Each class you’ll start with two routines that will warm up your entire body, then it’s 3 arms, 3 legs, a stretch, 2 glutes, 2 abs, and a target area. Then you’re dead, I mean, done.

The routines for each area vary, but if your personality requires a “every muscle exhaustion guarantee” after every class you’ll appreciate the flow of FlyBarre.

To me, FlyBarre was the most intense of all the places I visited. But, with that intensity came a lot of encouragement among the students in the classes. It seemed they worked out a lot together and enjoyed the interaction with each other and the teachers. But, as a newer face in a class, I didn’t feel left out. I felt welcomed by the camaraderie.

The basics for a FlyBarre class include:

• You reserve your class online. Reserve a few days in advance. 
• If you have to cancel, do it by 5 p.m. the day before or you’ll lose that class credit.
• You reserve your actual mat space (1-18) online.
• Bring a water bottle if you want to fill up at their cooler, or buy one there.  Towels are provided.

FlyBarre Ballantyne, 9852 Rea Road, Suite F2, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704.209.7612
Email: ballantyne@flywheelsports.com

FlyBarre Charlotte, 2907 Providence Road, Suites 103 & 104, Charlotte, NC 28211
Phone: 980.819.8501
Email: charlotte@flywheelsports.com

Web: http://north-carolina.flywheelsports.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlywheelCharlotte
Twitter: @FLY_Charlotte (for local events) and @FlyBarre (for all things Barre)

HILLIARD STUDIO METHOD

Hilliard Studio Method® describes the method as “a core-centric, pilates-based workout incorporating hand weights, resistance training, intense isometric positions, floor and ballet barre work. This results-driven workout elongates the body, improving overall strength, flexibility and posture. Expect to see flatter abdominals, a lifted seat, leaner thighs and greater definition in the arms and back.”

My third stop on my Hippity Hop was the Hilliard Studio. Lemme tell y’all, at this point I needed some Advil and massage. The things I’ll do to get y’all a good story!

Anyway, I literally ran into Liz Hilliard, the owner of the Hilliard Studio Method and creator of the Hilliard Method, as I scurried up to the front desk to announce my arrival. I’d heard she was gonna kick my fanny with a whole new kind of work out. And, yep. She did.

I was ushered into a restroom to quickly change clothes and told to grab 8 pound and 3 pound weights. I wanted to tell her, “Um. No, I’m tired and haven’t lifted 8 pounds in each arm since last year,” but as the good little Andy Anderson I’m becoming I did as I was told. I figured I need to get the full experience. (I did grab 5 lbs too because I’ve met me before and me isn’t super strong.)

The Hilliard Method turned out to be an entirely different type of work out than the previous two I’d experienced. In Liz’s class, we did a lot of muscle confusion exercises. Our warm up included squats with bicep curls before moving into push-ups with our legs in varying positions. After about the 97th bicep curl with a squat and then glute press, I dropped those 8 lbs and got my 5’s.

After a rather strenuous 20-minutes of almost cardio-like work, we headed to the Barre for toning, lifting, and grunting. Well, the grunting was me. For the rest of class we transitioned between Barre work and floor work. We did some stretching as well.

Hilliard used to be a personal trainer so she created most, if not all, of the exercises you’ll do in her class. She does most of the class with you, but also walks around to correct your form.

The Hilliard Studio was the most competitive of all the places I visited; competitive in a positive and healthy way. The women in my class were in tip-top shape. Very few of them seemed to need many breathers and loved the push, plus encouragement, they got from each other and Liz.

The basics for a Hilliard Studio class include:

• Sign up online or via the Hilliard Studio app.
• Cancel your class at least 2 hours before the class starts.
• Bring water. Towels are provided.

516 Fenton Place, Charlotte, NC, 28207
Phone: 704.236.3377
Email: info@hilliardstudiomethod.com
Web: http://www.hilliardstudiomethod.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hilliard-Studio-Method/136488323039620
Twitter: @LizHilliard

PURE BARRE

Pure Barre “is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body.”

Slowly, but surely, I dragged myself to Pure Barre for my last leg of the Hop. I really did wonder why I agreed to this little project (minus the fact that I’ve loved every minute of it) as I walk into the Providence Road location of Pure Barre. I figured by this point I knew the drill and I could squeeze and pinch my way through 50 minutes without much thought.

In related news I really need to stop thinking I know everything!

Again, I’m surprised because Pure Barre felt very different from the other 3 studios I visited. For one, everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing from the  minute the instructor stepped in front of the room. Thank goodness, not a single person laughed and pointed at me for having no clue where to start. Pure Barre has the same warm up routine for 3 months which allows you to see how and where you’re getting stronger.

We didn’t do much for arms but did one of the hardest leg work out I’ve done in a FO-EH-VER. Wowza. The true focus throughout all of class was the core. I could not think of a single other thing in class but the “Pure Tilt”; a combination of tightening my core and tucking my booty. If I started to think about another cup of coffee for even 20 seconds I’d lose form.

The class teacher didn’t do many of the exercises. Instead, she did a quick demonstration of an exercise before walking the room to encourage and correct form. Most of the students were regulars so I could easily follow along with them if I got a little lost in what I was to do. And, not a one of them seemed to mind me watching which made me feel comfortable and welcome.

Pure Barre was the class where my mind totally zoned into my work out and out of the world around me. I had to focus or I’d miss a move. It felt nice to get away from the world for a bit and spend some time with little ol’ me.

The basics for Pure Barre include:

• Sign up for classes online
• Socks are encouraged.
• Bring a water bottle and a towel. Water is provided at the studio.

Pure Barre Charlotte – Ballantyne, 8430 Rea Road Suite 120, Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone: 704.502.5888
Email: ballantyne@purebarre.com

Pure Barre Charlotte – Myers Park, 603 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
Phone: 980.329.4640
Email: charlotte@purebarre.com

Web: http://www.purebarre.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/pure-barre-charlotte/296505901976?ref=search&sid=505838053.1254743914..1
Twitter: @pure_barre

Before I go any further, I NEEEED y’all to notice I’m a sweaty mess in all of these pictures. I purposely took pictures after classes because a lot of folks steer clear of Barre classes because they wanna sweat. And if you haven’t sweated, you haven’t worked out. Welp. I sweated. A lot. Ask the gal beside me when I forgot my deoderant. (I kid! Calm down!)

Now, into my big finish…

After my week of Barre hopping around town I’m sore, yes, and but also really pleased. We have vast opportunities to lift, squeeze, tone, and strengthen in every inch of our city.

How the heck do you decide the Barre where everyone knows your name?

I’d suggest you consider a few things:

1. Location: I will not go out of my way to buy a pair of Paige jeans on sale so why would I go out of my way to work out? Find a studio that is close to something you do on a regular basis be it live, work, or shop.

2. Commit: Buy a series of classes. Some places offer unlimited month memberships but I’d suggest buying 5-10 classes first. Tell yourself and your workout buddy you’ll go three week for a month. And book your class at least 2 if not 4-5 days ahead of time. 6 am & 6 p.m. classes fill up fast!

3. Price: You know your budget. You know if you’re willing to cut a thing or two out for a little health benefit. You also know if the cost becomes overwhelming you may quit the Barre scene.

4. Atmosphere: Do you want to pick your mat in advance or figure it out when you get to the studio? Are you into a competitive teacher who will push you or would you rather have a zen experience with instruction but not as much hype? Part of the atmosphere of class is what you make it but each studio has its own vibe. If you go enough, it starts to feel like family. Find the family that fits you.

5. Believe: Honestly, there’s no wrong choice for a Barre studio in Charlotte. I’m telling y’all, I was welcomed at each studio and asked to come back again. The real success with Barre is believing you can do it and you will enjoy it (or at least the results)! Like any workout, you get out of it what you put into it. Believe you are worth the time, effort, money, and energy it takes to reach your personal results. Because, honey, YOU ARE WORTH IT!

And that’s it. I hope y’all enjoyed my spandex all over the interwebs and got inspired to join me in the Barre scene. I assure you, those skinny jeans look LOADS better after you’ve pulsed.

Now somebody PLEASE get me some more Advil!