The Bar Method - Studio City

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The Bar Method - Studio City

Los Angeles, USA

The The Bar Method Story

The Bar Method was founded in 2001 by Burr Leonard. An avid lover of ballet and jazz classes, Burr took inspiration from the Lotte Berk Method to create her own unique approach that she found had great results in creating strong, lean, toned, and healthy bodies.

The very first flagship studio opened in San Francisco and was an instant hit, offering a place where people from different backgrounds - but with a connected mindset - could get stronger together. This powerful community soon ignited growth through a franchise model, with clients becoming hooked on the method before “graduating" to become an instructor or studio owner.

The Bar Method and community has now surpassed 100 locations across North America and is still growing, realizing Burr’s vision of helping “brave and brilliant” entrepreneurs pursue their passion and impact more people.

How Did The Bar Method Studio City Score Overall?

The full client experience at The Bar Method Studio City was excellent achieving The Fit Guide Award Of Excellence.

The class was also impressive and has achieved the Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The Highlights

The service during check-in and the club tour felt smooth, professional, and warm, creating a great first impression.

The strength and cleanliness of the community vibe stood out, with branded equipment and thoughtful design touches throughout the studio.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

“I really appreciated how the receptionist gave me a full walkthrough before class—she even suggested what weights to use based on her own experience as an instructor.”

“The class had a really welcoming energy, and I loved how the coach encouraged us to take things at our own pace with clear cues for regressions and progressions.”

“It was such a clean, comfortable space. From the lockers to the workout gear and the post-class amenities, everything felt well maintained and thoughtfully branded.”

What to Expect From A The Bar Method Studio City Session

The Bar Method is a 60-minute, low-impact, high-intensity workout rooted in ballet and grounded in strength training. Using just your body weight, a ballet barre, and a few props, each class is designed to sculpt lean muscle, improve posture, increase flexibility, and build total-body strength—without high-impact movement. You’ll move through a series of targeted exercises with expert cueing, breathing techniques, and stretching that lengthens and tones your body.

Classes are taught by highly trained instructors who provide hands-on adjustments and personalized modifications, making the method accessible to all levels—including beginners, prenatal clients, and those recovering from injury. Whether you're in a Signature class, trying Bar Strength for a deeper burn, Bar Method Cardio for a heart-pumping challenge, or Bar Flow for a yoga-inspired rhythm, each format is crafted to meet you where you are and push you further.

With a focus on precision, empowerment, and community, The Bar Method Studio City delivers a results-driven workout that challenges both body and mind—leaving you strong, poised, and energized from the inside out.

The Reception Service

There was no phone answer after multiple attempts, which meant our first impression had to wait until we arrived at the studio.

Once we stepped inside, the reception experience quickly turned things around. We were promptly welcomed by the coach, who recognized it was our first time and confirmed our booking before smoothly passing us over to another team member. The receptionist took the lead and delivered an excellent orientation, showing us the changing and grooming areas, lockers, and studio space. She even offered helpful equipment suggestions based on the class format and her own experience as an instructor. The handover between staff was seamless, and the overall flow of check-in was efficient and welcoming.

After class, the receptionist remained approachable and genuinely engaged. She walked us through membership options in a friendly, informative way, highlighting a new client offer and suggesting packages based on our training habits. Although no printed pricing was available, she clearly explained everything and clarified one point by checking with her colleague to ensure accuracy. While our name wasn’t used and no personal questions were asked to get to know us better, the thoughtful and attentive service left a positive impression overall.

The Class Experience

The Bar Method Studio City received our Class Experience Award of Excellence.

We were impressed with the overall structure and energy of the class. The session started on time, flowed smoothly, and featured a great blend of technique, strength, and motivation. Clear cues, well-timed progressions, and upbeat music helped keep the energy consistent and the class engaging. We appreciated the thoughtful use of modifications and the encouragement to listen to our bodies while still being challenged.

The coach was professional and warm throughout, offering helpful corrections and checking in with the group. She moved around the room attentively and created a focused yet relaxed environment. The cooldown was a particular highlight, offering a grounded and reflective close to the class. The presence of a strong community vibe—with participants chatting, supporting one another, and visible celebrations of member milestones—added to the experience.

While the coach acknowledged it was our first visit, she didn’t check in on our fitness background or follow up after class, and there was little attempt at personal connection unless she already knew the client. Nonetheless, this was a strong and enjoyable class.

The Equipment And Studio

We were highly impressed with the studio setup and attention to detail. All equipment was in excellent condition, clean, and professional in quality. From weights to mats, balls, and bands, everything was clearly branded with “The Bar Method” name or logo, creating a strong sense of identity from the moment we entered the training space. The equipment was fully stocked and well-arranged, with enough options to suit all ability levels and plenty of room for everyone to move comfortably.

The studio environment was fresh, clean, and well-lit, with a unique carpeted floor that was in excellent condition and added a cozy, welcoming feel. The continuation of ceiling tiles from the public areas into the studio provided a subtle but thoughtful design touch that created cohesion across the space. A professional sound system added to the experience and supported the smooth class delivery.

While the training space felt polished and functional, more branding within the room itself could have elevated an already excellent environment.

The Facilities And Public Areas

Public areas were fresh and comfortable, with nice touches like artwork, posters, and branded towels free of charge. The studio was easy to find, with prominent signage and a strong sense of arrival. A blue accent wall and on-brand design elements added personality, while the spacious locker and changing areas felt polished and professional. Lockers were key-locked and in great condition, though they lacked hangers. We appreciated the grooming amenities such as deodorant, lotion, and hairspray which were all neatly arranged and well-stocked.

Shower facilities were clean and in excellent condition, with strong water pressure and consistent temperature. Shower gel and conditioner were provided, and rolled-up towels were readily available. A water refill station was offered, but no additional beverage or food options were available. Workout towels were also provided outside the fitness floor, though no designated disposal bin was clearly visible.

The overall experience left a positive impression.

Digital And Technology

The booking process was smooth and user-friendly, both on the website and the branded app. One-off sessions and packages were easy to purchase, and cancellation options were clearly visible on both platforms. Emails reflected the brand’s aesthetic, featuring the logo and signature coral color, and the welcome email offered helpful tips for first-time visitors. However, the absence of a booking confirmation email created some confusion and required us to double-check our schedule online.

The website was mobile-friendly, professional, and packed with on-brand visuals and information. It clearly reflected The Bar Method’s values and mission, and provided detailed class descriptions, an easy-to-use schedule, and promotional call-to-action buttons. Social media was a strong point, with regular posts, brand-consistent visuals, and an accurate depiction of the in-studio experience.

While the foundational digital experience was strong, the club lacked advanced in-class tech features or interactive enhancements. Overall, the digital journey felt polished, functional, and reflective of the brand’s core values.

Pricing

The Bar Method Studio City offers a New Client Special, giving first-time clients unlimited classes for 30 days at $99.

If you’re looking for a longer-term commitment, memberships are available from $149 for eight classes per month to $179 for unlimited monthly access. An annual unlimited membership is also available with a one-time payment of $1,925.

Drop-in classes are available at $30 per class. A 10-class package is also offered at $260.

Gift cards are available starting at $50 and can be used at Studio City, Brentwood, and WLA locations.

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