The Bar Method

I am a huge advocate for and fan of The Bar Method and love both the Palos Verdes and Hermosa Beach studios. Having been a long distance runner most of my life running 2 marathons and many ½ marathons I really thought going in that my legs were already strong. But boy was I wrong. The isometric exercises target inner and outer thighs, hamstrings, calves… my whole leg not just my quads. I shook like a leaf the first class. And the second. And this morning, after attending for going on 2 years. And that’s why we love it. Because it never, ever gets any easier. And it’s not just legs. It’s core and arms… in fact I feel like I have been worked from top to bottom (glutes too) when I am finished. And even more, my posture has improved, my arms are defined and I feel strong. Beyond the exercise, I love the community feeling at both studios. Part of the teaching method is the instructors correct you by name, which has the added benefit of introducing us all to one another. The staff are professional and well trained and we often see them taking class right along next to us when they aren’t working. I never feel like I am going to get hurt bc they correct our form constantly so we feel protected from injury. The studios both have different vibes but are both impeccably clean and well-​run. To get started, try the $ 100 unlimited month and don’t be shy when they correct you. I attend almost daily, and still get adjustments from the instructors. Come join us — we would love to have you shake with us! :)

I wanted to love The Bar Method. I have tried out a lot of gyms and studios in the South Bay and wanted to find a workout program that would help me lose some weight and tone up. I signed up for the $ 100 introductory special. At first I was hooked, I felt like I was challenging my muscles in ways I hadn’t before. However, there are a few reasons I will not return.
1. It was not effective in helping me lose weight. I may have gained some muscle but I did not burn fat. The pace is slow. I never broke a sweat or got any cardiovascular exercise in this type of class. I realized I’d have to do this class in addition to a cardio workout to get the results I want.
2. It’s expensive. For less money I could join Equinox.
3. It’s pretentious. On my second day, I grabbed someone else’s locker key by accident. The woman ran after me and was really pissed off.
4. It’s essentially the same exact workout every single day. It gets boring and your body gets used to it.
Overall, it’s a great concept but it’s probably not going to help you lose weight if that is your goal. For me it’s not worth the price to supplement another gym or studio.

I’m so disappointed. Was looking forward to trying a class at the Bar Method through ClassPass and drove up to the location 15 minutes early to find out that it was closed?! I called the Hermosa location and the girl on the phone told me that class has been cancelled. I wish they would’ve notified me at some point if class was going to be cancelled. I get that its a bit quiet in PV, but you should still let your clients know it advance rather then surprising them with a dark studio!
3 stars because I haven’t actually tried their class and the girl at the Hermosa location was really nice and said she’d speak to the owner about this issue.

I love the bar method! It is a gentle workout that is a mix of stretching/​yoga, and strength training. Each time you go you do a different set of arms, thigh, seat, back and abs with push ups, plank, and stretches at the bar in between. It is a great work out that pushes your muscles to the limit and shapes them to be long and lean. Bar greatly increases flexibility and is great for athletes. It’s really more for women but sometimes there are men too. The PV location is good because it is hardly too crowded but it doesn’t have a good variety of times and doesn’t have early morning or Friday afternoon classes. Bar makes you feel great about your body and I highly recommend it for women of all ages and sizes! Just remember it is up to you to push yourself as the instructors suggest to make the best possible workout. If you aren’t feeling it you’re probably doing something wrong and should ask one of the instructors for help.

Bar Method in Palos Verdes is an inspirational place to reach your fitness goals.
I recommend Marah’s class. She is cheerful and knowledgable. Marah is attentive and seems to know exactly when you need an extra boost! Come and join us at 4:15 or 5:30 on Monday!

I love Bar Method! I did the $ 100 introductory special, and now I’ve joined for reals.
I did Pop Physique for 4 years, and while very similar, Pop does not come close to the expert instruction at Bar Method.
Full disclosure: I hate working out, but I have to so I don’t turn into a cranky, vaguely blob-​like creature. Bar Method is makes me feel incredibly good and strong and I always want to go back. Here’s what it’s like:
Facility: Bar Method Palos Verdes is lovely! The locker rooms, showers, and bathrooms are pretty and well-​maintained. The floor in the workout room is carpeted. At first I thought it would be grody, but it’s very clean.
Instructors: Bar Method has well-​trained, very nice, very helpful instructors. What I love about Bar is the attention to form. Instructors will make sure you have correct form AT. ALL. TIMES. They will not only come over, but call you out with corrections. (In a nice, non-​picking on anyone way). Pop Physique is less strict on form and less strict in general. I like the structure here.
Music: Typical exercise class electro-​pop. The edgiest thing I’ve heard was «Love Shack.» (!!!). Bar Method’s music is in the background, making it unobtrusive and easy to hear the instructor, which is great. But this is where Pop Physique wins — their music is much hipper. Not a big deal. I go to Bar Method to work out, not discover amazing new bands. (But «On the Floor» by J-​lo was a bit much).
Flow: Yeah, I said, «flow.» Bar Method, with its strict adherence to form, spends a good amount of time on each body part. This means lots of reps. Bar Method may not move as fast as Pop Physique, but you will work your arms, thighs, butt and core until you’re shaking and exhausted. Btw, thigh is HARD. Sometimes I find myself mouthing «mother f*****!» I’m not proud.
Misc: The Bar Method app is great, and It can add your class right to your iPhone calendar.
Parking is easy at the PV location.
Bar Method has rules: No phones in the workout room. No gum. No talking! Workout pants must cover the knees. Basically, it’s not a place for entitled, would-​be Hollywood starlets. (After years of Silverlake Pop, with its ass-​exposing /​flexitarded clientele, that’s refreshing).
The front desk people are helpful, making for a welcoming vibe. The people who go here are nice, and my body is changing quickly with this amazing workout. I really love it. Yay, Bar Method!

Don’t bother…
Very bad experience. They are overpriced, didn’t accept my coupon, and overall I just didn’t like the attitudes of the people working there. On top of it, I spent a full month going, then realized Bar Method is not a full fitness routine. I still had to run and go to the gym to get real results.
Not worth the money. Would go to soul cycle or 24 hour fitness classes … for an hour of class, there’s no way the results are going to be as good as real exercise. Basically, I found that bar method won’t give you the lean-​looking results of doing stair climbing machines, elliptical, weights, etc. found at any typical gym.
I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn’t happening.

I love this place! All the instructors I’ve taken have been great! They are all different, some harder than others, but that allows you a variety of workouts. I love that all the instructors call you by name & point out what you need to improve or when your form is good. Really appreciate the personal touch!
It is a great workout! And there’s never a wasted moment. When I leave most classes I feel «wrung out» like all my muscles have been worked. I love that!
The front desk ladies have been great, on the phone & in person. I most recently purchased a month unlimited, but ended up having a medical issue that kept me from being able to workout for a week or so. When I called they gladly «froze» my membership so I don’t have to waste my last week. Very impressive!
Highly recommend!

I love Bar Method! I first came to the studio years ago with a friend and I have loved it ever since. It’s the low impact that I love and the results are real at least for me they are! Highly recomend this excerise studio.
I use to pay a private trainer $ 60 an hour so this is a bargain in comparison, and I like the results MUCH better. I honestly love this class!

millie’s palos verdes/​rolling hills estates bar method location rocks! why?
* best instructors
* kind front desk employees
* outstanding location (parking is FREE)
* BEAUTIFUL facility with showers and towels
worth the drive for me and i am SO grateful. love love love!

Bar Method WORKS!
Take advantage of their introductory special! 100 bucks for unlimited classes! It’s an awesome deal! The workouts are nothing like I’ve ever done before, and from an outsider’s point of view, they don’t really look that hard. But don’t be fooled. The moves are HARD. Some of them will make you want to scream in frustration. And you WILL be SORE. Don’t be turned off tho; The instructors are so great, and so encouraging. The other students are also so nice! I was HOOKED by the end of my first week. I also loved how the bar method is LOW IMPACT, and all the exercises can be modified to suit your body and any injuries you might have
The facilities are really clean, and the staff takes great care of everyone. Lockers are provided and there are 2 showers on site (and clean towels!)
I wish the price wasn’t so steep; otherwise I’d be here every single day. You can choose to buy individual classes or monthly memberships. Students receive a 15% discount, so students: bring your school IDs! Also, the times of the classes aren’t that convenient for people who work, but they do offer weekend classes.

I LOVE this place. After flirting off & on with different classes & ‘workout of the moment” fads, I finally found a place that I love and committed to. This place is GREAT and the workouts will seriously transform your body. The best part? You’ll begin to see results immediately which definitely helps keep up the motivation. After 3 Abdominal surgeries, my Abs were completely shot and after only 3 months of consistent classes, I can see an AMAZING difference. I can honestly say I look forward to getting to class everyday… even if I am 5 minutes late most days (sorry guys!!). All the teachers are super cool & friendly (as are the girls in the front) and they all have amazing bodies to boot. I’m SO looking forward to wearing a bikini this Summer :) Try it, you’ll LOVE it. I just hope you don’t go when I’m there… last time we had a full class I got stuck with the heavier weights cause I was the last one there and the lighter weights were all gone. I think my arms are STILL sore. On second thought… maybe I shouldn’t have posted this review. LOL.

Here’s why I love Bar Method:
*It works! I’ve lost stubborn pounds that I thought would never come off; I am stronger, more flexible, and in better shape than I have been in years.
*The instructors are very helpful and correct your form and encourage you,
*Because form is a major emphasis, your joints and back are protected from injury.
*Every exercise can be modified. It doesn’t matter how flexible, weak or strong you are, the routine can be done and is always challenging.
*It’s never boring! Even though there is an order (arms, thighs, seat, abs, back dancing with stretching in between), the individual exercises change, so your muscles never get «used to» the exercise.
*The other students are encouraging. I’ve never felt intimidated or like I didn’t belong (even in my earlier out of shape state).
*There are all ages, fitness levels, sizes of people attending.
*I am not someone who loves exercise. Bar Method is the only workout that I am motivated to stick with.
It is pricier than a traditional gym, but it’s well worth it because of the results! And because you’re paying more you’re more likely to go (built in incentive). I started going because of a discount from a mailer. I thought I would go once and try it out. I liked it so much I signed up for a first month unlimited for $ 100 (a fantastic deal) and went 3 – 4 times a week. The changes in my body were so amazing I continued and signed up for a year.
If you’re even just a little curious about Bar Method, give it a try!

It’s taken me forever to write a review, but when I saw they still have only 2 reviews after being open over a year, figured I should write one soon! I started Bar Method in April 2010 at the Hermosa Beach location, and went their regularly despite horrific parking, until this location opened in December 2010. It’s a little further to drive for me but much less of a hassle to find parking (which is FREE). They share many of the same great instructors as the Hermosa spot, and it’s really a gorgeous studio with clean facilities. I always feel challenged, even though I’m so much stronger than when I first started — there is always an extra variation you can do on each basic exercise to push yourself, and there is no question how much my body has changed since I started going regularly. My only gripes are:
1. Schedule — I can’t make most classes before 5:30pm, and it appears their main clientele prefer daytime, so there are not nearly as many evening classes as in Hermosa.
2. Cost — I’ve been a loyal Bar Method fan for almost 2 years now, but the cost still kills me. It’s not my main workout, so it’s hard to justify paying more than $ 13 a class — so I just wait and buy when they have sales/​promotions.
I have tried Core Exhale Fusion, Pure Barre, and Barre Physique, and still think that Bar Method is overall the best barre-​based class, but between the cost and schedule issues, will probably be mainly using their DVD at home. For anybody new to Bar though, I would highly recommend the $ 100 unlimited month deal — it’s so worth it!

My friend got me into The Bar Method when she heard that they were opening a studio in Palos Verdes. I’ve been going at least once a week, up to three times a week depending on my schedule and I have to say, I love it!
Let me preface this review by stating that I had not had regular exercise in oh, close to 10 yrs (I used to count my strolls through South Coast Plaza or Century City Mail with shopping bags in my hand as exercise).
The first class that I ever took totally kicked my ass. After the class, I was telling hubby how it wasn’t so bad, and that I wasn’t sore. Right. Fast forward two days later and I’m limping at work with my friend asking me if I was okay. I guess I didn’t look so okay.
After getting over my fear of the same thing happening again, I started to go to class more regularly at the PV one and I have to say, I feel so much more energized and it certainly helps that my «fat» jeans are now totally loose. Yay!
I’ve also gone to the Hermosa Beach location a few times because the Palos Verdes location doesn’t have any later evening classes. Compared to the Hermosa Beach location, the Palos Verdes Studio is so much cleaner, bigger and brighter. There is plenty of parking in Peninsula Center whereas the Hermosa Beach location, you have to park in a lot across the street. The only days where it might get a little harder to find parking is on Sunday morning in PV as the farmer’s market is right across the plaza.
Classes are one hour long and they certainly work you during that one hour. All of the instructors that I’ve had so far have been nothing but wonderful. They all change up the work outs so you never really get two of the same workouts. You start off working on arms, then onto legs, abs, and booty. At first, I thought that Bar Method was more dance/​ballet, but I quickly learned that that’s not the case. So, for all of you out there scared of ballet, don’t be, because this is like 10% ballet, 90% pure work out.
One thing that I wish the PV location would do is change their morning classes earlier to 7:15 or 7:30. They changed them to 7:45 and it’s too late for me to get to work on time at 9 after class. It would also be nice if they started to have some evening classes like at 7 – 8 like the Hermosa Beach location has. As of now, I go to the PV location on weekends and Hermosa during the week. I took one star off purely because of their limited schedule.
When you buy class packages, you can use your credits for classes at both the PV and Hermosa Beach location, so that’s always a plus. Most of the instructors at PV also teach in Hermosa too so you see a lot of familiar faces.
There are lockers for you to put your stuff in during class. Among some of the amenities of the facility are two shower stalls and bath towels for your use. Whenever I walk into the studio, they always have some really pleasant smelling candle.
If you’re scared to try out a class, don’t be! Everyone is really friendly and you’ll be too busy working yourself hard that you won’t even notice how fast the hour goes by!