Barre Classes
In Our Seattle Gym
Community Fitness offers In-Studio Classes,
Livestreaming & On Demand Videos
AFROBEATS & DANCEHALL
Barre Classes
Barre Classes
In Our Seattle Gym
Community Fitness offers In-Studio Classes,
Livestreaming & On Demand Videos
Browse Free Sample Classes | Use the video player above to try free sample classes.
#PulseBabyPulse!
BARRE CLASSES NEAR YOU
Voted Seattle’s Best Fitness Studio ~ Seattle Magazine
At Community Fitness gym in Seattle, we provide many different options to help you unlock your fitness potential. We offer in-person Barre classes at our boutique studio on Roosevelt Way NE. If you live in the Roosevelt, Green Lake, Ravenna, Wallingford, Maple Leaf or U-district neighborhood, we’re located near you! Try a variety of instructors to get different styles and exercises that will hone your practice and help you reach your goals. Regardless of whether you’re new or just want to add some diversity to your weekly workout routines, Community Fitness makes it easy to work out on your schedule. Barre classes can help you burn calories, reduce body fat, build lean muscle, and so much more in a fun and unique way.
You already know that regular group exercise is a fantastic way to increase your energy and improve your well-being, but if you haven’t tried Barre yet, you’re missing one of the most popular, addictive (even restorative) formats at our gym (and in the industry). Let us introduce you to this agonizingly awesome and still under appreciated workout routine. Our experienced Barre instructors have nearly 100 years of combined experience teaching classes and helping individuals to improve their fitness. So mix it up or make a habit of joining your favorite class every week and become the best version of yourself. Ready to build a healthy, strong body and hit your fitness goals? The group exercise classes at our health club are guaranteed to make you sweat and give you the confidence you need to conquer your daily routine.
Barre offers a low impact yet challenging workout for your entire body. Barre classes, at our studio, blend the grace and alignment of ballet with the core focus Pilates and the rigor of strength conditioning. This high repetition approach builds long lean muscles and leaves you feeling powerful and energized. Get engaged with like-minded individuals and a community that will encourage and inspire you. If you’re unable to make it to an in-person class at our Seattle health club, we also have huge library of recorded classes with a variety on demand workout videos whenever you need.
A STATE-OF-THE-ART FITNESS FACILITY
Since 2006, our health club has offered the best selection of Group exercise classes and instructors in the Pacific Northwest. We’re conveniently located in the center of Seattle, near the Greenlake, Wallingford, Wedgewood and Ravenna neighborhoods – just two blocks from Whole Foods on 65th and Roosevelt. Our gym is equipped with a pandemic air exchange system, twenty tons of heating and cooling power for climate control, wood sprung floors, two large screen TV’s on either side of the instructor stage, colored LED mood lighting and audio surround sound with acoustical treatments.
Browse Free Sample Classes | Use the video player above to try free sample classes.
#PulseBabyPulse!
BARRE CLASSES NEAR YOU
Voted Seattle’s Best Fitness Studio ~ Seattle Magazine
At Community Fitness gym in Seattle, we provide many different options to help you unlock your fitness potential. We offer in-person Barre classes at our boutique studio on Roosevelt Way NE. If you live in the Roosevelt, Green Lake, Ravenna, Wallingford, Maple Leaf or U-district neighborhood, we’re located near you! Try a variety of instructors to get different styles and exercises that will hone your practice and help you reach your goals. Regardless of whether you’re new or just want to add some diversity to your weekly workout routines, Community Fitness makes it easy to work out on your schedule. Barre classes can help you burn calories, reduce body fat, build lean muscle, and so much more in a fun and unique way.
You already know that regular group exercise is a fantastic way to increase your energy and improve your well-being, but if you haven’t tried Barre yet, you’re missing one of the most popular, addictive (even restorative) formats at our gym (and in the industry). Let us introduce you to this agonizingly awesome and still underappreciated workout routine. Our experienced Barre instructors have nearly 100 years of combined experience teaching classes and helping individuals to improve their fitness. So mix it up or make a habit of joining your favorite class every week and become the best version of yourself. Ready to build a healthy, strong body and hit your fitness goals? The group exercise classes at our health club are guaranteed to make you sweat and give you the confidence you need to conquer your daily routine.
Barre offers a low impact yet challenging workout for your entire body. Barre classes, at our studio, blend the grace and alignment of ballet with the core focus Pilates and the rigor of strength conditioning. This high repetition approach builds long lean muscles and leaves you feeling powerful and energized. Get engaged with like-minded individuals and a community that will encourage and inspire you. If you’re unable to make it to an in-person class at our Seattle health club, we also have huge library of recorded classes with a variety on demand workout videos whenever you need.
A STATE-OF-THE-ART FITNESS FACILITY
Since 2006, our health club has offered the best selection of Group exercise classes and instructors in the Pacific Northwest. We’re conveniently located in the center of Seattle, near the Greenlake, Wallingford, Wedgewood and Ravenna neighborhoods – just two blocks from Whole Foods on 65th and Roosevelt. Our gym is equipped with a pandemic air exchange system, twenty tons of heating and cooling power for climate control, wood sprung floors, two large screen TV’s on either side of the instructor stage, colored LED mood lighting and audio surround sound with acoustical treatments.
Roosevelt Location | 6108 Roosevelt Way NE | Seattle, WA 98115
JOIN US IN-STUDIO TODAY!
Voted “Best Fitness Studio” by Seattle Magazine readers, Community Fitness offers some of the best Barre classes in the Northwest! Our Roosevelt gym and team of instructors have been leaders in the health club industry for over 15 years!
SAMPLE BARRE CLASSES
IN-STUDIO CLASS PRICING
In-Studio accounts and classes are handled by our MindBody registration system.
Includes: Participating in-person classes | Does Not Include: virtual classes (Livestream or On Demand)
In-Studio Accounts and Virtual Accounts are separate. Read more here.
SINGLE
CLASS
.
$18
.
Try a
New Class!
No commitments
No membership required
Perfect for visitors
and first timers
10-CLASS
PACK
.
$148
.
More Fitness
for Your Buck!
$14.80 per class
Non-Transferable
(good for purchaser only)
Valid for one year
MONTHLY
MEMBERSHIP
.
$98
.
Unlimited
Fun!
Best value if used
more than 6 times a month
Unlimited access to
in-studio classes
SINGLE
CLASS
.
$18
.
Try a
New Class!
No commitments
No membership required
Perfect for visitors
and first timers
10-CLASS
PACK
.
$148
.
More Fitness
for Your Buck!
$14.80 per class
Non-Transferable
(good for purchaser only)
Valid for one year
MONTHLY
MEMBERSHIP
.
$98
.
Unlimited
Fun!
Best value if used
more than 6 times a month
Unlimited access to
in-studio classes
Barre Classes For All Fitness Levels
At Community Fitness gym in Seattle, taking a Barre class (or any group exercise class) has never been easier. You don’t need to have been to a Barre studio, have a dance background, or even need to be familiar with Barre to join in. Our instructors will guide you through each sequence and provide modifications and adjustments so that you can master each movement safely.
Don’t feel ready to jump into an in-person class at our local health club? We have online classes that give you the same incredible Barre workouts at home, thanks to our high-quality videos and engaging instructors. We’ve designed our Barre classes to guide you through a series of low-impact, medium-high intensity movements that will strengthen and tone your body. You’ll utilize your bodyweight, tubes, bands, barre balls, glides and light dumbbells to minimize wear and tear on the body while maximizing gains. We have all the necessary equipment if you’re attending an in-studio class, but if you’re tuning in from home you don’t need all the same equipment we have in the gym – you can substitute with basic items you already have around the house. Our Barre classes are great for all ages and fitness levels. Even if you haven’t worked out in years, we make it easy to join in with group exercise classes created to help you feel confident and excited about the journey. Are you ready to push yourself to new levels? You don’t have to live in Seattle or even nearby, you can now also join virtually from anywhere in the world, whenever it’s convenient for you.
A Variety of Instructing Styles and Methods
At the Community Fitness health club in Seattle, group fitness is our passion! We’re committed to offering you a great selection of in-person Barre classes (as well as other group exercise formats) that will motivate you to keep up your healthy habits. We have a variety of Barre instructors, each utilizing a different approach and method. As a result, you’ll get the same Barre fitness you love, with different perspectives, methodology and choreography with every class — keeping you engaged and interested every time you come to the studio. Our workouts are easy to follow and modifiable, which means you’ll feel comfortable and safe wherever you are in your fitness journey.
Have you always wanted to try a Barre class but felt too intimidated to go to a gym? If this is the case, you can always start with our virtual classes. Let us show you that getting fit through Barre doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming. We’ll walk you through the choreography and give you all you need to get stronger and ready to face the next challenge. As with every exercise program, consistency is the key to feeling and seeing results. Our Seattle gym is located on Roosevelt Way NE not far from the View Ridge, Laurelhurst and Ravenna neighborhoods. There’s free street parking (1 block east by Cowen Park is always available). Community Fitness is a fitness industry leader in the Pacific Northwest, and we would love to share some of our world-class workouts with you. Browse our in-studio weekly schedule of classes today and find one that gets you excited about moving your body in fun new ways!
LIVESTREAMING & ON DEMAND WORKOUTS
35 Weekly Livestreams & 4000+ On Demand Videos
Livestreaming
At the Community Fitness gym, we have livestream workouts you can watch every day. If you’re new to Barre and want to dive in, this is a great place to start! With over 35 live classes offered each week, you’ll be able to stay accountable in your fitness journey. Check out all the group exercise classes we livestream and join a virtual Barre class with your favorite instructors in real-time right on our website. Any of our fitness videos will help you build confidence and learn new techniques while experiencing all the benefits our fitness classes have to offer. If you don’t have the ability to join an in-person class at our health club, try our virtual workout videos instead. Professionally produced in our Seattle studios each virtual class has real participants in attendance. Our high-quality videos give you the full experience of being in class so you can feel connected. No matter where you are, let our livestreamed online fitness classes keep you motivated while you work out at home.
On Demand
It’s not always easy to find time to join a local health club. With our busy lifestyles, it’s no wonder more of us are looking for remote group exercise classes.. Whether you’re traveling and visiting someplace new or just want a way to exercise from home, our on demand Barre classes are the solution you need. All you need is internet access! You’ll love the convenience of working out whenever you want, wherever you want. You don’t have to tune in at a certain time, or put pressure on yourself to go to the gym multiple times per week. Let our on demand Barre classes help you reach your goals when it’s convenient for YOU! Never miss a workout with Community Fitness On Demand. We’ve produced (with new classes add daily) thousands of fitness videos from our Seattle studios that you can stream on your phone, computer, tablet, or even your Smart TV! No matter your goals, our professionally guided fitness routines can help you de-stress, build strength, increase flexibility, and so much more — all from the comfort of your own home. Join a fitness community that has everything you need and workouts you’re looking for!
#SomethingNewEveryday!
VIRTUAL CLASS PRICING
Virtual Class Subscriptions are bought and accessed right on our website shopping cart.
Includes: 35+ weekly Livestreams and 4000+ On Demand classes | Does Not Include: In-studio classes, in-person or online special events
$8 DAY PASS
$28 MONTHLY
$280 ANNUAL
$8 DAY PASS
$28 MONTHLY
$280 ANNUAL
IMPORTANT NOTICES
VACCINATION
MANDATE
- All clients attending in-studio classes are no longer required to be vaccinated.
- All clients, vaccinated and unvaccinated, are welcome at our health club.
FRESH AIR EXCHANGE
Studio air is replaced with fresh outdoor air 10 times per hour (every 6 minutes). It’s the next best thing to exercising outside!
REVIEW IN-STUDIO
COVID PROTOCOLS
- Pre-registration is required
- No walk-ins allowed. If you’re unable to register, please don’t come to the studio. Instead, email accounts@communityfitness.com for help
- We are currently open at 100% capacity
- Starting March 12, 2022, masks are optional
- For all livestream and On Demand classes, we obscure the classroom image so clients in the studio can workout anonymously
- We are asking clients to:
– Arrive 10min early
– Print your name clearly on class sign-in sheet
– Use social distancing floor marks
HOW TO REGISTER FOR
IN-STUDIO CLASSES
- Pre-registration is required
- If you’ve been to our gym before, follow the instructions on our Schedule page to access your existing account
- If you’ve never been to our gym, click “Create Profile” on the pop-up login page
- To book a class, go to our Schedule page, click the “Register” button and then login
- View “Schedule” tab on your Account Login page to review and/or cancel a reservation
- Cancelations are permitted up to 1/2 hour prior to the start of class. Read more
- Class registration ends 10 minutes prior to class
- In-Studio accounts and Virtual Subscription accounts are separate. Read more
Testimonials
I tried Barre at another studio and it just wasn’t a good fit. I was hesitant to try Barre again, but the virtual Livestream and On Demand classes make it easy to sample formats – so I did and WOAH, what a great (and thorough) workout it was! I love how the work creeps up on you and then just keeps going. The movement seems simple at first but by the end of the set my muscles are exhausted. My inner teen ballet dancer also loves the incorporation of balletic movements in class. After class I’m always sore, but in a good way. I like to dabble and my schedule is constantly changing. Some weeks I like doing the On Demand virtual classes, but other weeks I prefer doing the live online classes because there’s an extra bit of accountability with a start and end time. It’s amazing how much Community Fitness offers online for free and for (what I consider) a low drop-in rate.
Learn more about Chika | LinkedIn
I’ve been taking Barre at Community Fitness for the past few years and really love Alexandra Sipe’s class. She’s an incredible instructor. Her class is super fun but not at the expense of working hard – I always feel it a couple of days later! Her references to literature, modern music and dance are funny and always make me laugh out loud!! How she manages to come up with them whilst teaching is beyond me. It’s definitely a testament to her strength (I can barely manage to stay upright). Whether you come in-person or do the virtual workouts at home – try out her class. You won’t be disappointed!
Learn more about Bhairavi | Facebook
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Share your stories, selfies and workout wins with us online, and watch for instructor and member spotlights to come through our feed! #CommunityFitness
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NewsLetter
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Share your stories, selfies and workout wins with us online, and watch for instructor and member spotlights to come through our feed! #CommunityFitness
Instructor Bios
Read more about our World-Class Fitness Instructors below!
TOP FAQS
Do you have to be vaccinated to attend classes at Community Fitness?
No. Community Fitness gym in Seattle is no longer requiring all clients attending in-studio group exercise classes to be vaccinated. All clients, vaccinated and unvaccinated, are welcome at our health club.
Are masks required?
As of March 12, 2022 and in accordance with WA State and King County mandates, wearing a mask at our Seattle gym is now OPTIONAL.
Do I have to pre-register for classes or can I drop-in?
- Pre-registration is required to attend group exercise classes at our gym on Roosevelt Way near the 65th Whole Foods in Seattle.
- Clients may reserve space in class, via our In-Studio Schedule page, by clicking the “Register” button and logging in.
- If you’ve been to our group exercise studios before, follow the instructions on our Schedule page to access your existing account.
- If you’ve never been to our studios, click “Create Profile” on the pop-up login page.
- Class registration ends 10 minutes prior to class.
- Cancelations are permitted up to 30 minutes prior to the start of class. Read more
What steps have you taken to keep clients safe during this pandemic?
Since reopening our Seattle gym, our studios have been at 25%, 50% and currently remain at 75% pre-covid capacities. We also have client workout stations marked on the floor, for social distancing purposes. However, the most important thing we’ve done for client safety is the installation of our new fresh air exchange system.
Our group exercise studio air is now replaced with fresh outdoor air every 6 minutes (10 times an hour). Exhaled CO2 is a Covid risk proxy for indoor, and partially enclosed outdoor, spaces (Read more). With our new fresh air exchange system, average CO2 levels in class are around 450 parts per million (ppm).
For some comparison, Seattle and other major urban areas across the U.S., have outdoor CO2 levels measuring around 400 ppm. And previous WA State Open Air and Outdoor Seating Requirements use 450 ppm as a safety benchmark for CO2 levels. Read more
Wherever you’re currently working out, be informed and ask your gym what the CO2 levels are within their health club.
Learn more about all our Covid adaptations on our Coronavirus Response page here.
Is barre suitable for beginners?
Yes, there are many reasons why Barre, in a group setting, is a good format for all fitness levels and abilities. Even though Barre incorporates ballet movements in class, no dance experience is required. Minimal equipment and space is needed, especially if you’re planning to start with virtual on demand barre classes. Traditional equipment includes a mat, light dumbbells, exercise bands and/or squishy balls. If you’re unable to participate in-studio at our Seattle gym and you’re working out at home instead, mats are not necessary and you can use a chair or tabletop for balance, substitute water jugs for hand weights and a rolled towel for an exercise ball.
This modality was created by combining ballet barre and floor routines with rehabilitative therapy exercises. Barre workouts focus on proper form, body alignment, posture and is a great low-impact strength training option.
What are the benefits of barre workouts?
Builds muscular strength and endurance
In-studio Barre classes, at our Seattle gym, will strengthen your whole body, but primarily target your glutes, thighs, calves, triceps and core. Greater strength will lead to an increase in muscle mass, joint flexibility, balance and weight loss. Core strength helps your entire body function better. Barre strengthens the muscles in your pelvic floor which helps control the bladder and is especially important when pregnant.
Muscular endurance increases stamina and energy levels, contributing to a more active lifestyle. Endurance also decreases your risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Improves flexibility and posture
Barre workouts, at our health club, increase flexibility and joint range of motion and decrease stiffness after working at your desk all day. Barre workouts, in a group exercise setting, may actually improve posture, helping you feel better, and breathe better. Good posture also reduces spinal pressure and associated back pain.
Increases bone density, decreases risk of osteoporosis
Along with improved posture and spinal mechanics, the resistance training exercises in barre can help you lower your risk of osteoporosis by maintaining or even increasing your bone density. Improving posture and spinal mechanics will also help with this. Reference article (Healthline/Benefits of Barre)
Why is barre so popular?
In-Studio Barre classes, in a group exercise setting, have gained a bit of a cult following for a multitude of reasons, some obvious, some not. Many are initially attracted to the promise of Barre as a way for non-dancers to develop a dancer’s body. And while, we can’t all look like ballerinas but I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want a tighter tummy, firm glutes and toned thighs.
Despite it’s draw for creating shapely and attractive physiques, some Seattle-based instructors, health clubs and gyms have created very body positive and community-oriented environments. The workout itself is accessible for all ages and abilities and is generally considered to be safer and less intimidating than traditional weight training. Barre classes combine elements of yoga, Pilates, light aerobics and resistance training which can be welcoming and therapeutic in nature. Yet, this format is not for the faint-hearted – you will lift, circle, pulse and hold nearly every part of your body until it starts shaking and burning.
A unique aspect to Barre is the incorporation of ballet elements such as pliés and relevés, which can elicit a sweet nostalgia for those who took ballet classes growing up. And for those without experience, Barre is a great way to feel like a dancer even if you’re not. In addition to having a “dancy” feel, exercises are often synchronized to music, giving Barre an up-tempo musicality which makes it enjoyable and motivating.
Seattle Barre enthusiasts will talk about how “addictive” it is, but most can’t quite put their finger on why. The answer is unexpected. A distinctive characteristic of the Barre brand, whether in a big box gym or small boutique studio, is its focus on isometric movements and the use of pulsing techniques to achieve muscular overload… but it’s not just our muscles we’re overloading. With traditional strength training we work until our muscles fatigue and another rep cannot be done. In this case, our physiology is the limiting factor. But when we combine very low weight with repetitive, small range-of-motion movements that repeat dozens and dozens and dozens of times, it’s our psychology not our physiology that limits us. Because it takes time to reach muscular failure with bodyweight pulses (or isometric contractions), it’s not uncommon to confront mental and emotional boundaries before physical ones. Our body can always do one more pulse or isometrically hold for one more second, if we really want or need to. When we’re able push past mental confines, something opens within us, endorphins are released and a natural high occurs. In Barre, growth can happen on many levels, which keeps people coming back.
What is the best way to lose weight?
You’ve heard it said that body weight is regulated by diet and exercise. Another common weight loss related phrase is “calories in vs. calories out”. It’s true that if your caloric consumption (diet) isn’t lower than your caloric expenditure (exercise), you simply won’t lose weight.
Diet / nutrition is key to losing weight, because an increase in exercise also leads to an increase in appetite. So taking a ton group fitness classes (such as Barre) at our Seattle gym, won’t help you achieve a daily caloric deficit if you’re eating more as a result.
Because changing your eating habits can be challenging, keeping your diet (daily caloric intake) the same and changing (increasing) your group exercise regime is generally considered a good game plan. Plus, with an increase in physical activity comes a host of additional mental, emotional and physiological benefits beyond just weight loss.
Which is better for losing weight, Cardio or Strength Training?
Losing weight is a matter of caloric consumption vs. expenditure. Whether you’re taking group Barre classes at our Seattle gym, or doing cardio dance workouts at our health club, calorie burn will depend on factors like intensity, duration, and your weight. But generally speaking, Cardio will burn more calories in a single session. However, weight training increases muscle mass and the more muscle you have, the more calories you’ll burn at rest. This means your body will burn more calories over time, including when you’re sleeping or sitting at a desk. A fitness program that has both cardio and strength training will maximize caloric burn. For more information on this topic check out this Healthline article.
How do virtual fitness classes work?
First you’ll need to buy a virtual pass here.
To access our health club’s live (livestreamed) group exercise classes, go to the navigation bar at the top of this website, hover over “Virtual Classes” and click the “Livestream Schedule” link. Click your desired class. You’ll be asked to login, if you haven’t already and a video player page will appear with the time and date of your class. Wait for your class to start and enjoy!
To access all the on demand workouts produced by our studio, hover over “Virtual Classes” and click the “On Demand Workouts” link. Formats at our north Seattle gym are separated into the following six categories, Dance Fitness, Strength & Cardio, Barre, Yoga & Wellness, Pilates and Cycle. Scroll down and click on the format tile of your choice. You’ll be asked to login, if you haven’t already, and a video player page will appear. Click the icon in the lower right corner of the video player to expand the view. Click the drop-down arrow in the top left corner, select a class by date from the drop-down menu and click play. Press ESC to exit the full page video player and return to our On Demand Fitness page. Repeat as desired.
How much does on demand fitness cost?
You can start streaming today for free! A 7-day Free Trail is available via our Monthly or Annual Pass. Our health club’s virtual content is separated into two main categories: Livestreaming group exercise classes and On Demand workouts. All pricing options for virtual content include unlimited access to both.
Our north Seattle gym offers 35+ weekly livestreams and a 2500+ On Demand workout library which includes all the major group exercise formats such as Dance Fitness, Strength & Cardio, Barre, Indoor Cycling, Pilates and Yoga.
- $8 Day Pass (unlimited access for 24hrs)
- $28 Monthly Pass (recurring monthly subscription)
- $280 Annual Pass (recurring annual subscription)
To purchase a virtual pass, click here.
Is there one membership price that includes both in-person classes and all the virtual content?
If you want to take virtual classes and in-studio classes at our Seattle gym, you’ll need two separate accounts. Each has their own login credentials and are paid for separately. Learn more about our health club’s virtual account vs. in-studio account pricing here.
What equipment is needed for virtual / on demand workouts?
Equipment used in our on demand Strength Training classes range from body weight to hand weights, from balls to resistance bands. Once you’ve taken a few group exercise classes with your favorite instructor(s), you’ll get a sense of what you’ll need for the class. We’ve included some creative equipment substitutions below, many of which can be found right in your pantry!
No weights, No Problem. Below you’ll find easy equipment substitution recommendations from Community Fitness instructors. Items that you likely already have or can procure at the grocery store (FYI, if you’re coming to an in-studio class at our north Seattle gym, all the necessary equipment will be provided for you).
- Hand Weights Light (1-3lbs): water bottles, jars of food, bags of rice or beans. Used in Barre and Pilates formats.
- Hand Weights Heavy: gallon jugs of water, laundry soap jugs, grocery totes filled with cans or paint cans. Used in Strength formats.
- Gliders: paper plates, micro fiber cloths, cardboard or socks. Used in Barre. Also used in Strength & Cardio formats like, Bootcamp, HIIT, Tabata.
- Yoga Blocks: stack of books (large, encyclopedia size), low chair or table, rolled towel or pillow can support hips for Yoga and Yoga Sculpt.
- Pilates Ball: rolled towel bound with rubber bands.
- Bands: long towel, robe ties or bicycle tubes. Used in Barre and Yoga.
- Chair. Used for Barre and/or Yoga.
What are the origins of Barre?
Barre was created by the German ballet dancer Lotte Berk in 1959. After an injury, she learned functional strength training exercises to rehabilitate her back and decided to combine her new found therapeutic knowledge with her dance background to form a new group exercise system.
Originally just for women, Berk promoted her fitness regime, as a way for women to improve their figure and their sex lives. Today, erotic undertones are diminished yet modern day barre classes still primarily focus on shaping and toning the aesthetically pleasing parts of the body such as triceps, abs, glutes and thighs.
Lydia Bach, one of Berk’s students, brought barre to the United States in 1971. Some of the instructors from that studio founded Barre chains like Physique 57 and Exhale Spa. Barre expanded rapidly in 2010 with hundreds of locations popping up around the United States. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) noted an increase in the popularity of Barre classes after the release of the movie “The Black Swan”, which may have played a role.