Raising the bar on studio workouts: the Bar Method

From your first step inside a Bar Method studio, you become aware that there is something different about this workout.

It's not just the soothing, serious colors and beautiful photographs on the wall.

It's not just the sculpted, lovely shape that the women (and yes, sometimes men) who come to these classes seem to have in common.

As if this isn't enough!

Rather, it's after the workout begins that you sit up and take notice.

And for an investigative mind such as mine when it comes to all things fitness, here is where the inspection begins.

Consistent delivery of solid, sound instruction

I've never, ever had a bad Bar Method studio experience. That includes those at this San Francisco location (How Kate kicked my butt in Bar Method class) and the studio in Walnut Creek.  There are several in the San Francisco Bay Area.

How many have there been for me?  Probably under 20.  Yet that is enough time to have experienced no less than 7 instructors.  And the consistency of quality hasn't waivered – not once.  It's like the Starbucks of studios – you know you are going to get exactly what you came for, with no compromise in the quality or standard of delivery.

As it turns out, this is no accident.

The intention behind the method.

The Bar Method truly IS a method, on mulptiple levels.  Physical, mental, and emotional.  This is because the choreography of the workout flow is holistically designed to engage not only the body layer by layer but also to keep the mind focused.

The choreography here is more than the sequence of steps.  Let's get that clear.

Physically, the Bar Method workout incorporates and well-thought out – and planned – sequence of instruction.  The workout builds from simple warmup, weaving in stretches and isolation work to intentionally alternate between comprehensive (all body) work, isolation work to work deep into the muscle  for superior body shaping, and stretching to create greater flexiblity, strength, function, and beauty.

Mentally? There's no down time.  Every minute of the 60 minute (count on precise start and end times, a real plus)  sessions is planned and presented in a fashion to keep moving things forward.  There's no time for glancing at watches or catching a quick chat between sets.  The workout keeps advancing, building with the creative force of instructional detail, counts, and the music.

Emotionally one emerges from this well-planned experience refreshed not only in body, but spirit.  The hour is meditative due to focus and orchestration.

A conversation with Burr Leonard:  more to report!

The Bar Method delivers this experience, of course, without you knowing exactly why or what the plan is, and that's just fine.

Yet as a teacher, fitness coach and pro for a few decades myself, and as one always looking to investigate what works and what doesn't,  it was a treat to experience  having the design behind the workout explained personally by Burr Leonard, it's creator, herself.  Perceptions were confirmed, as enlightenment about more of the details of the workout took place in our conversation.

So, consider this Part 1.  More to report as interviews are transcoded.

What's on the video?

For now, enjoy the video of a day at the Bar Method Studio, including:

• clips from a mixed level class taught by Burr Leonard, Bar Method creator
• private, one-on-one instruction from Burr in a favorite, signature Bar Method exercise:  the Pretzel!
• a glimpse inside the San Francisco Marina studio, the Bar Method flagship location

And stay tuned for Part 2.   Find the studio nearest you here:  The Bar Method, where you can reserve class space in advance or pick up a video for home practice.

© Lani Muelrath 2009 All Rights Reserved