The Barre Code

Have belonged here for 3 years and I got there 5 minutes late and they wouldn’t let me in the class and charged me a late fee! The classes and instructors are great but I guess just make sure you aim to be there 20 minutes early because they will charge you even when you explain the situation and have been a loyal barre code member back when it was barre bee fit!

Absolutely in love with EVERYTHING about this place. I love the instructors, the studio, the fact that its not just a straight barre studio, and the fact that they incorporate cardio into every single class.
I also became a member of FFC gym which is literally around the corner from me, but I’ve only used that gym twice, while I generally opt to walk a mile to Barre Code in the mornings everyday because I’m obsessed with the classes. In 50 minutes, you strengthen every part of your body, in addition to getting in your cardio. That’s been a huge gripe that I’ve had with barre studios — there is never any cardio exercises involved to increase your heart rate. Barre Code has solved that problem.
My favorite classes have to be TBC and Barre-dio…although you walk out feeling amazing regardless of which class you take! If you’re looking for an exercise that lengthens and tones your muscles, while also getting rid of flab, Barre Code is the way to go!

I’ve been to several Barre studios and the Barre Code’s «schtick» has to be the best. I love the design of the studio and how their studios are in basements or top floors. Being a Chicagoan, the exposed brick at the Lincoln Park studio just makes me happy.
Everyone here is very warm and helpful. I accidentally bought a GIlt coupon not realizing it was for only first timers and they refunded it to my account right away, no hassle at all.
I was a little disappointed with my class instructor. She was almost too programmed and rehearsed. It would have been nice to see her energy come out a little more in the routines. I like when the instructors are invested in the workouts and fix/​recommend better postures.
The vibe, however, at this place is awesome. I will be back to try a different instructor!

I started coming to barre bee fit now the barre code in November! I’m slightly obsessed by obsessed I mean I come mostly everyday when I miss a day I get sad. When I’m out of town, I miss the classes and the instructors. All the instructors are amazing. Kate D, Carla and Stephanie’s classes I take all the time! I’ve been to all the locations and they are great. The founders are amazing! I am excited to work out each time I go. Another plus is I can run/​walk to this location. The other locations are really close to the «L». If your deciding if you should come try a class? Just do it! You won’t regret it. Your abs and arms will thank you! I finally have the wedding arms I’ve always wanted! Can’t wait to show them off in my wedding dress! Thanks to the barre code!

I have done barre at so many studios and I have seen the most amazing results at barre bee fit. With such a varied schedule and multiple locations, I can always find a class to fit what I’m looking for. This place is really the best!

Barre Bee Fit is, hands down, the best fitness experience I’ve ever had. I’ve been going to classes for a year now and have seen amazing improvements in not only my body and endurance, but in my confidence and overall happiness as well.
The classes, based loosely on classic ballet moves (pliés, relevés, standard barre stretches, etc.), are designed to target arms, thighs, abs and glutes and create the long lean musculature of dancers. What makes BBF special is the variety of classes available; rather than offering the same class over and over again (like many other studios), you can choose from a range of low to high impact classes, from the classic Barre Bee to high intensity classes like Barre Brawl and Interval Barre. The studio also offers special events like «Bring Your Boy to Barre» and fundraising classes that benefit various local charities.
The studio is brightly decorated, inviting, comfortable and conveniently located. Both the instructors and the ladies that work the desk are so very friendly and always willing to answer any questions. Although many previous reviewers note a lack of physical corrections, I’ve often seen (and experienced myself!) instructors gently tap a woman on the shoulder to give her suggestions to correct her form verbally. I find this method more pleasant and less invasive.
I love supporting this local business, especially since it’s founded by two ladies. I’ve never experienced a safer, more respectful, friendly and effective fitness environment. Special shout out to Amanda and her amazing Tuesday night classes! I’ll be going here for a long time to come.

I went here expecting a barre class with dance and ballet incorporated. I felt like it was nothing of the sort. My friend and I went to a 6am class and went 15 minutes early like requested. We walked in and the girl at the desk, who was also the instructor, didn’t get up and give us a tour, she just described where the lockers were and that is about it. So we just sat there until class started. Then it was jumping jacks, planks, mountain climbers, etc. It was more boot-​camp-​esque with 5 minutes using the bar to help balance yourself while using elastic bands. If you are looking for a good workout, you will get it, but if you want it more dance/​ballet, then this isn’t the place for you.

I love this place. Of all of the barre and workout classes I’ve gone to in Chicago (and there have been a lot), Barre Bee has to be my favorite. The music is so upbeat and I love the variety of the classes. I love that they incorporate cardio into the classes so that you’re not just attached to the bar the whole time.
The classes fly by for me. I love the summer Wednesday mornings on the roof of the Palomar. Seriously I just love everything about this place.

All I can say is WOW! I’ve tried every workout out there including pole dancing (which is still my first love) but I must confess, Barre ranks second! I bought a Gilt 5 pack and wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve taken the Bar Method before and was not quite impressed. The Barre Bee class is perfect for someone like me who is recovering from surgery. It’s a low impact class, but the endurance pays off. I have also taken one of the Barre Brawl classes and the instructor was awesome that she modified some of the more intense moves for me. I have never walked out of a workout (except for pole) soaked like I do after a Barre class! All of the instructors have been very friendly and helpful. The only drawback is the cost. It would be more appealing if the monthly fee is $ 75, but I still very much recommend it.

This class was amazingly challenging. All the staff were super friendly. If I could rate Barre Bee Fit based on those two items then I would Have given 5 stars, but I can’t.
I docked one whole star for cleanliness. The floor was disgusting and needed to be cleaned. The mat I put my body on should not leave dirt on me or anyone else. I also docked a star because this place has no shower. You sweat a ridiculous amount in this class and driving home covered in that sweat is horrible.

Barre Be Fit wasn’t really my style. I could have done without the overly girly cues and schizophrenic musical «flow» I’ve taken other barre classes and favored those over BBF. I’m used to pushing myself hard during workouts, but was not impressed when I attended my first BBF class with Laura on Friday morning. It was difficult to trust her counting — when you workout really hard, you rely on an accurate countdown! Also, the music transitions were rather abrupt, changing to the opposite extreme right in the middle of a song — a fast song with uptempo beats to a completely slow song and vice versa. During class, I did feel a burn, but nothing like the burn I’m used to in a typical barre class. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like I wanted to leave in the middle of class, but I felt just that.
The studio has cute décor and a clean space to practice. Lockers with keys are available to store your belongings. Parking out front is metered.
Overall, I would not return to BBF — this place is not for me.

I love living by the bar-​code (their moto), this place rocks! I have to say the first time I came to class, it was intense– and I wasn’t sure if I would be back. But I bought a gilt group 5– pack, so I had to get my butt back to use the rest of the classes, and I am so glad that I did. The instructors are friendly, and the classes are small so you can follow along very easily. I was waiting for my other gym’s location to open, but I will certainly be keeping the Barre classes in my weekly rotation!

Time for an update for Barre Bee Fit, 15 classes and endless amounts of muscle burning in!
I already pay for a gym membership and work out there five times a week. But what keeps me coming back to BBF weekly (and paying to do so) (despite the fact that I’m not engaged — why does it seem like everyone who does BBF is engaged!!!) is the fact that this studio continues to impress me.
Barre Bee — the class I take most often — is still challenging, especially since there are usually new moves, or variations on moves we’ve done before, each week. This is my favorite class to take because, with all the other high-​impact, high-​cardio and high-​intensity classes I take during the week, it’s a nice low-​impact alternative that gets to the deepest part of your muscles, and the stretching incorporated throughout the class is ideal for lengthening them. The class flies by, too.
Barre Brawl is BBF’s newest class — it’s much more high-​energy; cardio-​based (you’re moving almost the entire time) (and if you drink 18 gallons of water a day like me, you’ll be moderately drenched by the time it’s over); it incorporates a lot of kick-​boxing moves in the same repetitive fashion.
The instructors are wonderful. Mostly, I go to Trista’s class, and she’s great, but I’ve tried a few others and can tell that they’re all on top of things.
OH: and a good friend of mine teaches Bar Method (similar idea) in LA. I took a Level II class taught by one of the founders and can honestly say BBF is not only harder, but it’s more fun.

another 5 star review for barre bee fit. bbf opened a studio much closer to my home this past spring and i’ve been a regular ever since. the newer studio is gorgeous, filled with exposed brick and windows looking out to the street. i can only imagine what people think with some of the crazy exercises we do to tone and tighten. i still love the river north studio and venture down on occasion, but the LP studio is just so dang convenient.
but what really keeps me coming back is the classes (duh, right?). i’ve been visiting bbf for just about a year now at both studios and i’m just amazed at how they constantly change up the workouts. in addition, they’re always are testing out new class formats. i’m definitely never bored! last night i did a ‘barre brawl’ class, which was amazing! a combination of kickboxing and the usual barre workouts. next on my agenda is baryasa.
my goal is to survive a stripped program (essentially a kick butt bootcamp) or two before i get married in 2013!
keep doing what you’re doing bbf– because you know i’ll keep coming back for more.

I have taken xtend barre classes before, and have a high bar (pun intended) for barre classes. Yes, the classes are challenging enough but the instructors never check/​correct your form. I am also not a big fan of them speaking through a loudspeaker– especially when it’s a small class. Unnecessary and distracting.

Loved this class. Not only did I get a great workout, I had fun and learned a lot! I’ve never taken a barre class. Trista was really nice and would help me make corrections to my posture. She knew it was my first time there so she also gave me some first timer tips and tricks beforehand.
The workout itself is addicting. I’m definitely going back although I live in the suburbs! It’s worth the drive and worth the money. I usually work out on my own, take yoga or dance classes but I’m going to throw this class in the mix too.

I really love Barre Bee classes, I feel that it is a perfect workout. I only go once per week, but I wish I could go more frequently. I feel that 3 times a week would be wonderful but I just don’t have the time. It is an entire body workout, they play great music, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment after finishing a class. The class is so challenging for me, and I am in fairly good shape, and sometimes I am amazed that I made it through the 60 minutes! But that’s a good thing :) I do wish the instructors remembered your name, like at Bar Method, because that’s such a nice personal touch. All in all, I highly recommend!

I’ve been going to Barre Bee Fit for about 3 months now… for the last month I have been commuting from the suburbs about 2x a week because I’ve gotten so addicted to these workouts!
Within the first few weeks of attending classes (about 4x a week) I started to see and feel changes in my body. For years I had been doing regular cardio workouts at the Lakeview YMCA, combined with yoga and pilates classes on and off, but these Barre Bee classes really helped strengthen and tone muscles I didn’t even know I had! Posture and paying attention to the muscles you are working (tiny movements) is key.
All of the instructors are really nice and friendly… No pretentiousness at all. I’ve always felt really comfortable there and everyone seems to really know what they’re doing. I mostly have class with Ali or Laura who are both awesome! I also had a class recently taught by Jillian, one of the owners, and not only was her class great but she was so nice and friendly… It definitely helps that there are such nice people working there.

Addictive. That’s what I heard one young woman say abou this class. She confessed to me and the instructor that she drives into the city from the suburbs just to take the class twice a week!
Don’t let the cheeky name fool you. This is NOT your stereotypical women’s workout, where wealthy women come out in trendy little outfits and the instructors intimidate the hell out of you. The instructors and owners are super friendly, encouraging and always make you feel welcome. I’m the wimpiest person sometimes — totally not a gym rat — but I never feel like the high-​energy workout (which is tough, I’ll admit) is too daunting to get into. I always end up feeling sore, in a good way, and I would recommend this class to anyone who wants more energy, more definition in their arms, legs, butt, stomach, and who is looking for a workout that’s a cross between body sculpting and Pilates. I’ve been attending off and on since January and I’ve always been pleased by the quality of the class for the price. Other barre classes I’ve been to are really expensive, in comparison, and don’t draw as many diverse women as Barre Bee Fit does.
Now that I work right behind this newer location, I’ll probably be going a lot more frequently.

this is definitely not your traditional barre class.
i had the pleasure of taking the 7a class with ali this morning, and though i thought i’d be running back under the covers when i got home, i have this newfound spurt of energy. thank you, barre bee (and endorphins).
barre bee incorporates bar flexibility, weights for upper arm exercises, and «cardio bursts» — random acts of energy sprinkled throughout the class (today we had a kickboxing burst and a mountain climber burst), as well as some yoga and muscle strengthening endurance challenges.
as with barre classes, posture is key and the tiniest movements achieve the best (albeit shaky) results. honestly, this class felt more like a boot camp slash aerobics class to me than anything else. ali yelled at us over her microphone while doing the exercises herself, and the poppy jams echoed throughout the large room, helping us keep count and work through the burn.
unlike traditional barre classes, i wasn’t physically adjusted as much, nor was i ever called out by name for corrections. i knew i was doing exercises less-​than-​perfectly at times, and i felt myself give up instead of pushing further, yet i received no personal attention to keep going. it wasn’t like there were too many people to keep track of either. there were five of us total, including ali.
you’ll miss this place if you aren’t looking for it as it’s not clearly marked, but there’s ample parking out front as well as (free!) parking behind the building. they have lockers (with keys) and the padding of the studio floor was nice — i didn’t slip with my runner’s socks as much because there was some texture to it. towel rentals and bottles of water are each a dollar. it’s also the cheapest of the barre-​esque classes out there ($ 15 per class at time of review), so that’s an added incentive.
if you feel like doing more cardio than traditional barre, this is your place.