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 wonderful call with The Bar Method before our visit, which left us feeling excited to join a class. Clear and detailed information was provided about the facilities and class offerings and the staff member confidently answered all questions, including class capacities and amenities, and even highlighted a newcomer package before the call ended.
Upon arrival, the reception team promptly greeted our evaluator, completing registration efficiently and offering a clear verbal orientation to the studio’s key areas. The welcoming tone, professional demeanor, and proactive confirmation of the booked class contributed to a smooth experience. We felt well-prepared to navigate the space, with no delays or confusion.
After the class, staff members did not inquire about our experience or make a strong effort to engage them about future visits. While the receptionist was comfortable discussing packages and offered relevant information, there was no personalization or proactive attempt to match options to our evaluator's 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-prepared and smoothly executed, leaving our evaluator feeling impressed. The instructor's professionalism and clear communication allowed the session to flow seamlessly, with effective guidance on form and modifications tailored to participants' abilities. Her friendly demeanor and effort to connect with participants, including learning and using our evaluator's name, added a personal touch that enhanced the experience. The warmup and cooldown segments were well-structured, with appropriate pacing and clear instructions that made the session engaging and enjoyable.
The absence of an injury check and a clear explanation of the class's aims and goals left some participants uncertain about what to expect. Additionally, while the instructor stayed available for questions after the class, there was no proactive follow-up with our evaluator, a first-timer, which could have strengthened the overall impression. Although the instructor was friendly and encouraging, her energy did not convey a strong sense of enthusiasm.
The sense of community within the club was apparent through features like milestone bulletins, which fostered a welcoming atmosphere. Overall, the class was challenging yet enjoyable, with a solid structure and thoughtful attention to participants’ needs.
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 aesthetic of the facilities, which had a sleek modern style with wood floors, industrial-style light fixtures, and a neutral color palette. There were cozy throws and pillows to add interest to the waiting area.
Branding was prominent, with the studio name displayed on the reception wall and branded items available in the boutique. Natural light and muted tones created a calm, inviting atmosphere.
Lockers with numerical locks were provided, though they were small and lacked hangers, making storage slightly inconvenient. Both workout and shower towels were available and complimentary, presented neatly on shelves. A complimentary water refill station was available, but there were no paid beverage options or food items, such as protein bars or snacks.
The club had two showers, which were clean, well-maintained, and equipped with shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. They offered consistent hot water and strong pressure. The changing area was sleekly designed with slate floors and tiled showers, but it was compact, with only a narrow bench, limiting space for clients. The amenities were extensive, including hand wash, lotion, deodorant, feminine products, hair ties, and razors, although one dry shampoo bottle was empty.
Overall, the space impressed with its modern design and high-quality amenities.
Digital And Technology
We found the digital experience to be functional, with easy booking and payment options available through the website and app. The website’s professional design, positive tone, and clear navigation highlighted The Bar Method's values and provided useful class schedules. However, the absence of a strong call-to-action on the landing page and the inability to cancel bookings on the app detracted from the overall experience. Additionally, minimal follow-up post-booking left us feeling a little under-informed.
Email communications were polished and personalized, featuring branding elements such as a logo and images, but lacked additional touches to reinforce the brand identity strongly. Social media pages were visually consistent with the brand and updated regularly with engaging content.
The branded app was convenient and the inclusion of online barre classes was appreciated.
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.