The Bar Method

Great place. Gennis is truly the best Bar Method instructor on the planet. Something to be mindful of, however — I wouldn’t recommend purchasing large packages if you have any inclination that your life circumstances could change (injuries, relocation, etc) or if you’re undecided. I purchased a 10-​pack of classes and was only able to attended 5. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I am no longer going to be in the San Mateo area and will be unable to use the remainder. I was told by a representative at the location that no refunds are available after 7 days of purchase, but that I could try to sell these classes on Craigslist. I have strong opinions about this policy and that suggestion, but I’ll spare them in this review. With that said, perhaps Craigslist would be a good resource for purchasing classes at a discounted rate. It looks like I’ll be selling mine there. Cheers!

Wow. I’m shocked.
I decided to take a Bar Method class as I figured why not — this is only the 100^th type of exercise I’ve tried!!! Admittedly, I don’t love to exercise but this is something completely different. I love going and know this is a great health benefit. I have been going regularly for about six months now, not bored at all and loving the increased strength and balance I have. Every class is a challenge… The teachers are well-​trained and professional… And the studio is clean!
Note: ALL the instructors are excellent.
The only downside is that it is pricey :(

Love it. Very addicting. I can totally see and feel the difference in my body. Totally recommend it. Teachers are super nice. Studios, lockers, and showers are very clean.

Of all the workout classes I’ve ever taken, Bar Method tops the list. I started coming about two months ago and was instantly hooked. I’m recovering from two car accidents last year that left my back, neck, and hips very sore and not functioning properly. I haven’t walked correctly in almost a year, despite physical therapy. My seventh bar method class was the one-​as I walked out of the studio after class I felt my hips release and I began to walk normally. Tears came to my eyes as I realized there was hope that I could resume my life.
I’ve now taken over thirty classes (about 4 times or more per week) and I keep feeling better and better. But wait, there’s more! I’m not a morning person, yet somehow bar coaxes me out of bed for 6am classes over and over. I haven’t experienced any other exercise that has changed my body so drastically. Since starting bar method, I’m down about 8 lbs and my muscles have become defined and lean. Next stop, six pack!
In addition to the great workout, the studio itself is cozy, clean and welcoming. The locker room feels more like your own bathroom and is impeccable. You can tell they take great pride in the maintenance of the studio.
The staff is wonderful and always remembers your name they joke and are always there to help with technique and provide encouragement. If the workouts, atmosphere, and staff weren’t enough, they throw in added bonuses like bar bingo to bring people together and add to the fun.
Note to the fellas, while I do see some of you in bar, there aren’t many. I recommend it to all, though know that there is a men’s restroom, but not shower. I LOVE THIS PLACE!

I started going here in June of 2014 and I haven’t stopped since! I’m kind of an exercise nut but I’ve only done cardio (like running and spinning). Bar perfectly rounds out my exercise routine and «other» parts of my body too :-)
I’m not stick thin but I’ve never been a big girl, and kind of boyishly straight. That said, since starting bar, I discovered I actually have a waist!!! Now I’m afraid to miss my classes!
The teachers are great, very helpful, and funny just when you need it the most.

Looooove to Shake, Lift, Tuck.
The Bar is so addicting. They accommodate to your injuries and the teachers are always there to support & encourage you. The community is awesome and everyone is so friendly! Studio is very clean all the time!

I have exercised my entire adult life, and have always been strong, But this is the first exercise that has transformed the shape of my body. In addition, all the teachers are great, everyone is cheerful, the sessions are HARD and change from day to day. It’s easy to see how you can get addicted — I’ve been going about 5 times a week for 9 months and still love it.

I’m a studio rat — from yoga to bar classes to dance. This is by far one of the best of the bar class options out there — the difference being the time and care they take to train the teachers. Also, there is a wide range of experienced teachers that stay on and continue to help students «refine» their work. The community here is friendly as many are regular and have been with this studio for years.

Love the Bar Method! The teachers & staff are amazing! You can really tell the difference with your body getting toned and fit! Love, love, love the results!

Amazing place for changing your body for toning and tightening. I’m hooked! The teachers are all amazing, nice and in amazing shape!

I still love this place. I’m still not tired of the exercises and I love to challenge myself with the variations we do in class! Even when classes are packed, the teachers can still catch when I’m not positioning myself correctly, which I really appreciate since 1. I don’t want to do damage to my body by having incorrect form 2. I really feel the burn of the exercise when doing it correctly. I didn’t realize I started here in the summer of 2010! I drive 22 miles each way (including street traffic, ugh) to attend class here. At first it was super convenient because I worked in San Mateo. However, even after moving to my job in the city, I decided to continue to drive the ~45 mile round trip commute since I love the teachers, studio and staff. I even attended bar classes and participated in a challenge (attending 4 classes a week) while in my 35^th-​39^th week of pregnancy. I like to say it was my Bar Class that got my labor moving the next day, along with walking at the mall and spicy Thai food. ;-) If driving from San Francisco and working out while waddling isn’t a testament to how much I love Bar Method, then I don’t know what is!

I have been taking Bar Method for 6+ years and still love it just as much as I did when I started. I have tried several other bar classes but this is by far the best. This particular location is wonderful. It has pretty studios with excellent staff and teachers. I definitely recommend it!

If you want to change your body, this is the place to be! I went from a size 10 to a size 6 within the first year (taking 3 classes per week) and I don’t think I’ll ever go anywhere else! No need to do so! The combination of strength training, fat burning and flexibility work has helped me to become the strongest I’ve ever been. Also, the recent addition of Bar MOVE cardio classes is a fun, welcome addition to the already challenging mixed and Level 2 classes. The location is wonderfully convenient with plenty of parking, plus Safeway, Starbucks, banking, dry cleaning, a drug store and more in one tidy spot! Oh, and if you have a little one, the studio has childcare for select weekday morning classes!

I went here almost everyday for a month straight with the new member deal. Loved it! I got a little bored with the same routines, but I have classpass now and I’m hoping I can start coming here again.

This is my first time here and I never felt so welcome and comfortable at a studio. From the moment I came in, everyone was so warm and helpful. I received a tour of the whole studio. Gennis, the instructor was so helpful. She knew everyone by name =) and she was helping everyone individually in the class. She paid great attention to me since I am new. I really appreciated that. I can tell that I am already sore from the workout and it feels good. I can’t wait to go back and I am hoping that all the instructors are just as great as Gennis. Thank you Bar Method for making my first experience so amazing!

i’ve been to a lot of barre classes at different studios (bar, dailey, cardio, pure, pop, etc) and bar method is one of the my favorites. i’ve come to appreciate the consistency at all the bar methods. i especially like this location better than the ones i normally go in SF b/​c the classes are never so full that you are waitlisted (normally) and there is room to move around so you’re not bumping into people.
i normally take the noon classes during my lunch break or classes after work so i can only speak to those classes but my favorite teachers are caron, gennis, and gaucha. caron and gennis are especially hard. you know the exercise is tough when you rest your leg, there is a sigh of relief from the entire room. i love the workout with the balls bc they seem that much harder, esp pretzel with the ball! i like that the teachers try to get to know your name and help correct your form.
the changing rooms have ample lockers and the showers are really clean and towels, shampoo and body wash is included, which is nice. there are two restrooms as well as it can get busy, esp during the evening.

I really like the atmosphere and the class. I am a big proponent of investing in fitness/​workout classes and was previously paying $ 50 an hour to a personal trainer. While other reviewers have not been a fan of the individualized attention, I personally love how much the instructors care about helping me stick with the class. Working out is pretty tough for me due to injury, and the studio has been really supportive. I have thick skin and am not self-​conscious and am totally comfortable with needing to have a learning curve.
After learning about my struggles to adapt, the owner actually reached out to me to set up some 1 – 1 time to modify some of my workouts. Makes me feel really good about spending my time here. Wow — impressive.

I purchased a really great Living Social deal to try Bar Method for one month of unlimited classes. Within the one month I went to 11 classes taught by Erin, Valerie, Amanda or Kim K. It was very easy to register for and cancel classes online or using the Mind Body Connect mobile app. FYI the cancellation window is 2 hours.
On the day of my first class, I remember thinking the reception area was clean and bright. The woman at the front desk was friendly and after filling out a waiver, she gave me a mini-​tour of the space.
Upon entering the carpeted studio, I immediately noticed a strong, unpleasant odor. Of course with any smell, with time you get used to it, but each time I entered the studio I was really put off by the stench of sweat.
This was my very first time doing any sort of barre class so I obviously looked like a newbie. What I didn’t totally appreciate was being constantly called out by the instructor. It felt so excessive that it actually kind of made me feel stressed out and relieved when it was over. This happened for my first 3 classes or so until there were other newbies (who likely also purchased the Living Social deal) for the instructors to call out.
Another thing I didn’t like was how crowded the classes were. With 20+ people in each class it felt like you were in a can of sardines. As soon as one class finished another one entered and it was just too much of a traffic jam with everyone trying to go in and out of one standard-​sized doorway.
Regarding the actual exercising itself I was expecting more time spent using the barre but there were other exercises done using the main floor space. All in all I do think the classes are an effective workout to supplement other types of exercise but I could never solely just do barre.
With so many different instructors I think the key is finding one you really like. They all play different kinds of music and I think that sets the mood differently for each student.
Would I ever try barre again? Yes, maybe. I wouldn’t rule it out, however after reading other reviews it seems that every barre studio has various pros and cons and you just have to find the best fit for you.

Been a Bar Method addict since my very first class in May 2011. Almost 4 years later, I’m in it for life! The music is fun, the choreography is ever evolving, the teachers are caring, and the facilities are clean and well maintained.
Owner Noreen is a tough instructor in the classroom and a dear friend outside of it. She helps with injury modifications and she is very inspiring both physically and verbally. Her teaching staff, which I joined only last year, is filled with experienced hot bodies who remember your name and aren’t afraid to put their hands on you when you need extra form corrections or more challenging options.
Manager Vanessa is helpful, knowledgeable and personable, as is the entire desk staff. The facilities recently expanded to include an upstairs studio and, in 2015, a childcare room for all the hot mommas getting their sexyback back. ;)
5 Stars on all counts!

Signed up for my first class, arrived on time but was not allowed to take part in the class. They didn’t say in their confirmation that one was supposed to arrive 15 minutes early???
Very annoying and frustrating experience, definitely a waste of my time

Bar method is a great way of getting lean, and working on the three parts of your body that seems to be the most difficult: abs, ass, and thighs.
I did unlimited classes for six weeks, and what a difference it made.
The first day I felt like throwing up. Left class early much to my embarrassment. But as my stubborn self, I powered through the rest of the weeks and felt myself getting better.
Each workout only lasts 3 to 5 minutes, but its a lot of reps. Their is a good amount of stretching as well.
My arms definitely feel toned. If it wasn’t as pricey, I would keep coming here.
Favorite instructors are Tanum, Tyler, Catherine, Gigi and of course Jada!