This morning I went to a class at The Bar Method. I liked it but I don’t think I will go back. I went because my friend goes and she loves it and I’ve noticed she looks very toned, and when I asked her how she looks so good she told me her secret is the The Bar Method. When I asked her what this involved she said it’s strengthening and stretching, using light weights, your body weight, and the bar. I said I totally didn’t get it. She said it was hard to explain and I should come to a class sometime. So I did.

And it was exactly like she said. It wasn’t just hard to explain, it was hard to do. The instructor came over and re-adjusted me at least half a dozen times, which I appreciated, despite the fact that I felt stupidly slow. I stared at the other ladies to figure out what I was supposed to do, but clearly that was not sufficient. I did however observe that everyone was wearing black pants or black capris. I didn’t see any other colors or anyone in shorts. I was glad I had on my black capris but with the instructor coming over to me for frequent repositioning, I wouldn’t say I blended.

If I had to be more specific, I would say the class was like ballet meets yoga meets Pilates meets Body Pump. The movements were very small, very specific, and very painful, especially now, 12 hours later, and I suspect they will only become more painful overnight. 

The main reason I wouldn’t go back is that even though it hurt, I didn’t break a sweat. I think the sweat factor is where I draw the line between an activity and a workout. I could say having a baby has forced me to be more time efficient and that is why I have no time for non-sweat-inducing workouts, aka) activities, but that’s not even true because I wouldn’t have been into this pre-baby either. If I am going to do a physical activity that’s not going to result in sweating, than it needs to be social, like a walk with a friend.

So that’s my review of the Bar Method. This class would be ideal for those who: don’t care whether they break a sweat and those who have very good kinesthetic awareness (dancers, athletes), or those who don’t but don’t mind learning. Also, if you go definitely wear black pants unless you want to stick out. That said, any man there, black pants notwithstanding, would certainly have stuck out. I’m not saying men wouldn’t be welcome, I just didn’t see any, out of about 20-30 participants.

Have you tried the Bar Method or something like it? What did you think? And were there any men in the class?