Pure Barre

What a great work-​out with fabulously enthusiastic and encouraging teachers. Not only do you develop lovely muscle, but I feel stronger and more energized. The classes have a very wide age range and abilities vary, but no one seems to care about what the next person is doing other than to share words of encouragement.

Pure barre is always a great workout! Natalie has lots of energy and shares it! I love how she’s walks so quickly around the room. It keeps me working hard. A great way to start the week!

Pure Barre McLean is the best. I drive further to this location for the great instructors, convenient class times, and the big parking lot! The workouts are tough, but super effective. They toned by body post-​baby very quickly. My favorite instructors are Jessi, Kalen, and Jasmine, but you get a good workout in any class. The atmosphere is very friendly and non-​intimidating.

Such a great place to get back in shape quickly! Good instructors, friendly atmosphere, killer workouts!

I have been to several classes so far, and am honestly not feeling the workout, physically or mentally. I haven’t experienced any post-​workout soreness, with the exception of pulling a muscle in my back.
The workout experience itself is a little frustrating because it can be difficult to hear the instructor and the calling isn’t very good. It is difficult to hear the instructor because the music can get loud, and the instructor typically and frequently changes her place in the classroom. So I end up frantically looking for her, and then to the other people to figure out what is and how to execute the next move.
And that is another thing – more often than not, everybody is doing the move differently. And there is little to no instruction as how to execute the move to make sure you are doing it correctly and to avoid injury. The moves can be awkward and sometimes you have to sit or stand in odd positions, which makes it even more important that the instructor provides an accurate description of how to execute the move.
Granted, the instructor will at times walk around the class and correct poses. But if the calling was better and an on-​time demonstration was provide, it could decrease the need to correct poses. At my first class, I was told that I should concentrate on the muscle being worked but some of these moves/​positions are so odd that it is difficult to know what muscles are supposed to be working.
For those that care about this stuff, the instructors are friendly and seem to want to learn your name. I don’t really care about this – I just want a workout that makes sense and doesn’t cause strain and/​or injury. Maybe if they offered segmented classes throughout the week for beginners, intermediate, and experienced barre exercises, it could be helpful.
Otherwise, the studio is immaculate. The people attending classes are pleasant, and share space.

Love pure barre and did it almost every day when I lived it near a studio. (Probably for about a year) Have moved again and don’t have a studio near by and was thrilled to be in McLean for a long visit and get to do it. So disappointed on Saturday January 2^nd-​first frost and a toddler and baby at home I was 7 minutes late and couldn’t go in. In theory I understand if this is a policy but again I’ve been to several locations and been a few minutes late only a few times and never had that experience. (Especially since you pay ahead for your spot!)

I love Pure Barre (PB) in just about every way. Be prepared for that *full body workout* because you will totally get your seat kicked here, along with your thighs and abs [those are the three large muscle groups focused on in PB].
What got me through this long winter was PB. As a newcomer, I was lured in with fabulous deals (one month unlimited for a discounted, fixed price), so I really frequented this studio as much as I could. I even took the February Challenge to complete 20 classes in those 28 days. I loved having a really freaking awesome reason to get up to work out at 6AM (those classes are so awesome because after completing an early one, I would feel amazing and energized for the rest of the day). That fun music always woke me up and kept me motivated throughout the full class.
Be sure not to arrive late, or worse — miss a class you signed up for! You will still have to pay for the class, which is totally fair, but it’s good motivation to follow through and just DO the class (you’ll be glad you did, anyway).
I love how the studio felt like a little community. The Wednesday wine nights were especially fun and I had the chance to meet fellow PB ladies! All in all, I miss this place and would gladly come back for a class.

Visiting from California and wanted to try a barre class. Natalie g was incredible… high energy, fun, detail oriented, guaranteed a great workout with her. She was so good for a beginner like myself and the experienced students. I wish I lived closer… great studio and class.

FEEL THE BURN and get ready to completely change up either your existing or non-​existent fitness routine with a fun, challenging, and rewarding workout! As a longtime boot camp and group fitness devotee, I was looking for a way to bring more fat-​burning and flexibility work into my regimen, and Pure Barre is just the trick. I happened upon PB thanks to my Class Pass membership, and the McLean location is perfectly convenient off of 123, and has an amply-​sized parking lot with free parking. The studio is located on the second level of the shopping plaza, and there’s even a Greenberry’s coffee to fuel (or re-​fuel) you, which is located below the studio.
I’ve attended three classes so far, all taught by different instructors, so I’ve experienced already variety — but one thing is for sure, and that’s consistency among the instructors, their method, and what you’ll accomplish. The workout is INTENSE and will challenge your deepest muscles and fine muscle control. The music to which the different segments are set is perfectly-​timed and the instructors all seem to be fully-​versed and well-​practiced on timing, techniques, and they’re very good about gently correcting technique and helping pros reach the next level of burn. I can recommend Jessi, Carrie and Natalie for sure!
How to? Join Class Pass, or reserve directly with Pure Barre. Arrive about 10 minutes prior to class start, and bring some socks with sticky bottoms, and wear tight-​fitting capris or leggings and a midriff-​covering top. Bring a water bottle, but you won’t need any other equipment. Once you enter the studio’s workout room, proceed to the back «closet» to grab two sets of handweights, a ball, and a band, and then grab a mat from the front corner of the room. I like to situate myself close to a barre and close to a mirror so I can better work on my newbie technique and better see what the instructor is demonstrating.
Don’t feel like you need to be a dancer or a ballerina to feel welcome here or to excel here or that you have to be flexible or graceful to get a good workout. For me, I am a lifelong tomboy. My mom tried to enroll me in ballet, and I used the barres to do knee-​flips and the floor to do cartwheels, so off I went to gymnastics and other team sports. I have neither the flexibility or the body of a ballerina, but I am strong and fit — Pure Barre is another element that can add to or be your main exercise regimen! Totally worth the price, in my opinion.

Breaking this review into two parts, the actual work out and customer service/​facility.
The work out:
As a new mom (post 14 weeks) this work out is perfect for me. It’s low impact, absolutely no plyometrics moves (easy on the joints) and challenges my strength, balance and core. I’ve taken about 12 class now and can definitely feel the difference in my body. (Signed up 1÷31÷15)
Everything else:
Unfortunately everything else is just mediocre. Facility is small, between members leaving class and others starting class it gets super cramp. Pure Barre allows too many members into each class. During popular class times be prepared to struggle for barre and floor space. Staff members don’t strive to make connections. I attend class 5 – 6 days consecutively and the instructor never greets me by name (out of the 12 classes I’ve attended, I’ve had her 10 times).
Although I enjoy the work out, I won’t be returning to this studio after my unlimited month expires.

Since becoming a mom, I’ve really struggled to find a workout that I can stick with. It’s too cold and dark outside to run, the treadmill is boring, the gym is too far, they only offer classes I like once or twice a week, etc etc etc. A friend suggested Pure Barre and I am so very happy that I gave it a shot.
Everything about this studio and the classes just makes me excited to keep going. The super convenient schedule. The online reservation system that holds me accountable («Well I signed up for a 6am class, so I guess I HAVE to go…»). The super nice and patient instructors. The friendly studio staff and the other students in the classes. The fun, loud music that gets me excited to work out, even at 6 in the morning. And of course, the way the classes make me feel afterwards — I love it.
I won’t lie, it’s intimidating (and expensive) for a beginner — I am still learning the moves and find certain poses really frustrating. I am still confused about what constitutes a «tuck». But I am seeing a difference in my body, strength, and posture — and that makes everything totally worth it. Give yourself time to adjust and try it out, I think you’ll be very pleased with the results.

I have been doing pure barre for about a month in Charlotte, NC but came up to this studio while I was in town visiting family. I had a great experience with both instructors I took classes from (Jessi and Courtney). I would highly recommend this studio! PB is always a great workout!

I was so excited to go to my first Pure Barre class however, I did not plan ahead and ended up rushing to class from the doctor’s office coming off a 12 hour fast. The studio was beautiful and both ladies working were beyond nice and calmed my first-​time jitters. Noël, our instructor was just delightful and explained how the class worked. Just as we were getting into class my low blood sugar kicked in and found myself almost passing out.
The girls were so kind and offered my snacks and gatorade as I waited to recover. Rather then try again I decided to call it a day and try again tomorrow. The manager let me sign up for another class the next day, no charge. What I did complete of the class I loved and can’t wait to go back!

I have been doing barre classes about two years now. Somehow, they never get easier! I used to go to Lava Barre in Arlington but after moving back to Tyson’s, I was in a loss of what to do. I hate running and standard weight lifting. I was so excited to hear that Pure Barre was coming to the Tyson’s area. I ordered the 5-​week unlimited package in February and have been going about 3 times a week ever since. I just purchased my 3-​month unlimited and I’m excited to get ready for swim suit season.
Pros:
1. Each instructor is different — all super nice
2. Clean and Friendly atmosphere
3. Routine changes frequently so I’m never bored
4. Awesome music
5. All around great workout, targets all my problem areas
6. Online scheduling system is great! Able to reserve classes in advance and know there will be room for me
7. Classes available basically all day during the week: 6:00am-7:45PM
Cons:
1. Pretty expensive, but standard for any other yoga or pilates studio
2. Not being a dancer, I have difficulty understanding some of the poses — especially during the butt exercises. I never feel like I am doing them right.
— Positive though: they do offer «breaking down the barre» classes to teach you. I just haven’t been able to go with my schedule
3. I wish they had later weekend class times available
Over all, I love Pure Barre McLean and I’d definitely recommend it to a friend

So I went to my first Pure Barre class last night and it kicked my butt… along with my hips, thighs, arms and abs!
Here is the scoop:
1. It is located on the 2^nd floor.
2. The staff is super friendly and helpful.
3. They have a variety of fun merchandise in the store to purchase.
4. You can bring your belongings and put them in open cubbies.
5. You should wear your «sticky» socks and perhaps bring a small towel and water.
6. The class is about 15−20ish people with 1 instructor who helps you with your form, you just have to watch the instructor and the rest of the class to get the gist of the terminology.
7. The workout consists of a warm up, working on the floor and bar with an abs ball, mat, small free weights and resistance bands and of course cool down and stretching.
8. Then you clean your equipment with wipes and return them to their respective bins for the next class to use.
I felt energized and not at all bored and I’m looking forward to my next class and eventually modifying for advanced moves. I bought the 5 week opening special for $ 100 but will definitely sign up for the $ 100/​mo unlimited classes.