The Bar Method - NoHo

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The Bar Method - NoHo

New York City, USA

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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 Noho Score Overall?

The full client experience at The Bar Method, Noho was very good, achieving The Fit Guide Award Of Excellence.

The class was also excellent, winning our Class Experience Award of Excellence.

The Highlights

The class experience as a whole was a stand-out highlight, guided by a quality and attentive instructor.

We also enjoyed the design aesthetic of both the studio and the common areas.

What Our Evaluator Had To Say

“The instructor was friendly and engaging and made an effort to connect with everyone in the class.”

“The class was challenging, yet enjoyable.”

“The studio was a nice space, with natural light coming in and enough room for everyone.”

What To Expect From A The Bar Method Session

The Bar Method offers 45 and 60-minute classes that infuse Pilates, yoga, and other strength training exercises into a ballet-inspired barre workout. They use an interval format that’s designed to not just work your muscles, but also give you a cardio workout. You can expect small, controlled movements that keep your muscle working through the full range of motion. This is challenging, but their instructors are trained to give you a “personal training” experience to help you hit the moves effectively.

Class types include Bar Method, their signature workout; Barre Advanced, for those that want to push their limits and Bar Move, for an aerobic, cardio challenge.

The Reception Service

We had a great call with The Bar Method before our visit, and it left us excited to join a class. The staff member provided clear, detailed information about the facilities, class offerings, and even highlighted a newcomer package. All our questions about class capacities and amenities were confidently answered, making us feel well-prepared.

Upon arrival, the reception team greeted our evaluator promptly and efficiently handled registration. They gave a clear verbal orientation to the key areas of the studio. The welcoming tone, professional demeanor, and proactive confirmation of the booked class ensured a smooth, seamless experience with no delays or confusion.

After the class, staff didn't ask about our experience or make a strong effort to engage about future visits. While the receptionist was comfortable discussing packages and provided relevant information, there was no attempt to personalize the options or match them to our needs.

The Class Experience

The Bar Method Noho received The Fit Guide Class Experience Award of Excellence, making it one of New York’s stand-out offerings.

The class was well-organized and flowed smoothly, leaving us feeling impressed. Our instructor was professional and communicated clearly, guiding us on form and offering modifications for different fitness levels. She was friendly, took the time to learn our names, and made sure to connect with us, which made the experience feel personal and welcoming. The warm-up and cooldown were well-paced, and the clear instructions made the whole session engaging and enjoyable.

There was no injury check at the start but the sense of community was definitely there and overall the class was challenging, fun, and well-structured.

The Equipment And Studio

The studio offered a spacious and well-designed environment with clean, high-quality equipment that was fully stocked and suitable for all ability levels. The inclusion of branded straps was a nice touch, although overall branding throughout the space was minimal. Natural light from the windows and a high-quality sound system added to the comfortable and engaging atmosphere.

The space felt slightly cramped in certain areas, particularly near the corners, where participants had to adjust positions to perform exercises comfortably.

The Facilities And Public Areas

We loved the overall design of the facility, which had a sleek, modern vibe with wood floors, industrial-style light fixtures, and a neutral color palette. Cozy throws and pillows in the waiting area added a nice touch, making it feel extra inviting.

Branding was front and center, with the studio's name on the reception wall and plenty of branded items available in the boutique. The natural light and muted tones created a calm, welcoming atmosphere.

Lockers with numerical locks were provided, but they were on the small side and lacked hangers, which made storage a bit tricky. Both workout and shower towels were available for free and neatly presented on shelves. There was a water refill station, but no paid beverage options or food items like protein bars or snacks.

The two showers were clean, well-maintained, and stocked with shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. Hot water and strong pressure made for a pleasant experience. The changing area had a sleek design with slate floors and tiled showers, though it was compact, with just a narrow bench, which limited space. The amenities were plentiful, with hand wash, lotion, deodorant, feminine products, hair ties, and razors, though one bottle of dry shampoo was empty.

Overall, the space impressed us with its modern design and high-quality amenities, making for a comfortable and stylish experience.

Digital And Technology

We found the digital experience smooth and easy to navigate, with straightforward booking and payment options through the website and app. The website’s professional design and positive tone highlighted The Bar Method's values, and the class schedules were easy to find. However, the absence of a strong call-to-action on the landing page and the inability to cancel bookings via the app slightly took away from the overall convenience. Additionally, there wasn't much follow-up after booking, which left us feeling a bit under-informed.

Email communications were polished and personalized, with branding elements like the logo and images, but it could have used a little more to really drive home the brand’s identity. Social media pages were visually consistent with the brand and regularly updated.

The branded app was convenient to use, and we really appreciated the option to access online barre classes.

Pricing

At the time of writing (January 2025), The Bar Method was offering 13 Classes for $78 (only $6 per class). They also offer an introductory offer of ‘30 days unlimited classes’ to new clients for $78.

If you’re looking for a longer-term commitment, memberships are available from $129 for four classes per month up to $279 for unlimited classes.

Drop-in sessions are available at $40 per class, with smaller commitment packages also available, starting at a five-pack for $189.

Top Scoring Categories

Reception Services
four
Class Experience
four
Equipment & Studio
four
Public Areas
four

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