The Barre Code

I had never tried barre classes before going to the barre code. I really enjoy the classes and the atmosphere of the whole place. I am definitely a huge fan. This particular studio is clean and well maintained and the instructors are very nice and helpful. They will offer corrections but they do it in a subtle way and they usually tell you modifications to make moves easier. I only have a few things I would change. I wish there were more barre code class times offered. They offer other classes that take up the studio time, but I am really only interested in barre code. Also, they cancel a lot of classes, especially around the holidays. Instead of just canceling thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve & day, they will have the majority of the classes canceled for the whole week and weekend after. This is really frustrating when you’re paying for a monthly membership. But overall, I am a big fan of the barre code and this studio. It is a great low impact workout. I would just get a punch card next time instead of a membership due to the canceled classes and not a huge variety of class times offered.

Very nice place to work out. It is always super clean and the environment is energizing. The staff is kind and most of the instructor are good.

It’s definitely a hit or miss with instructors depending on your work out /​how familiar they are with what they’re teaching. Some of them are robotic and don’t know form /​bodies well enough to correct. I went in with my girlfriend and she ended up spraining her wrist because the instructor did not pay enough attention /​didn’t know the correct form.
I’d be careful! Other studios are much more educated and better places to go!

I have kind of a love/​hate relationship with The Barre Code (mostly love, though!)
The Pros:
I love the variety of workouts that they offer and the fact that there are so many classes throughout the day that I almost never have trouble getting in. I’ve recently begun doing contract work so it was SO nice that they had classes in the middle of the day/​early afternoon and didn’t just shut down after their morning classes like so many other studios do. Every single one of the instructors is incredibly nice and encouraging, as well. I also love that they keep the lights on pretty low during class because really, who wants to look at their sweaty self in harsh light for 50 minutes?
The Cons:
It’s kind of hit or miss on whether or not you’re going to get a good vs. great workout based on which instructor you have. I’m pretty sure that the ladies running the classes have a pre-​set routine that they are supposed to follow but I feel like with some instructors (shout out to Madeline!) really kick your butt and you leave sweating and exhausted but with some of the other instructors you might not even break a sweat. I also know they have certain things they are supposed to say during class («Make that mind-​body connection» is the one that jumps to mind) but I also feel like some of the girls sound really robotic when they throw out these lines and the whole thing just sounds scripted. When I’ve been holding a forearm plank for the past minute I would rather have just music than someone breaking my concentration with something that sounds canned and fake.
Overall, I think TBC is a fantastic place to go for barre classes. With such great people working there, the amount of classes they offer, and the various locations, there is seriously no reason to venture anywhere else!

I’ve been coming here for a few weeks at the recommendation of a friend who’s a regular. I love it. The space is really, really great, setting up your schedule is easy and the workout is awesome. The intensity differs by instructor, but you get to know who to take for what. I walk out sore, tired and sweaty usually – but feeling like a million bucks. I’ve only ever been to the other location in Gold Coast, so have limited experience to compare, but I really like this studio.

I LOVE The Barre Code!
I have always tried to stick with going to the gym and it never worked. Especially when the gym is in my own neighborhood it makes it impossible for me. The Barre Code is 2 blocks from my job so when I leave work, I shoot over there. It makes it a part of my work day. Anyway… the classes are fantastic!!! I mostly take the Burn classes because of my work schedule, but all the teachers are awesome!!! They are so motivating and fun. How they talk while moving and teaching I will never know! LOL! I starting getting compliments about my butt about a week after starting classes :) It’s totally worth it.

I absolutely love Barre Code. Here are the reasons:
1. Locations: There are three locations that are all very close to my office and my house.
2. Different Class types: Join BC and have access to not just barre, but bootcamp, tabata style intervals, yoga, and hot barre. Every instructors class is different, and the music and classes are changed every week.
3. Pricing: Compared to other gyms and specifically fitness studios/​barre studios this place is an absolutely value.
4. The instructors: Encouraging and friendly. As a new student, people were extremely helpful and welcoming, I felt like part of the community in no time.

Everybody here are so nice!!! The class instructor was super nice, and super fun! I left sweating and shaking from working so hard.
The only qualm I had about the place is that it was a bit hard to see the instructor in the room that I was in. Especially when you are new, and facing the barre… there’s no way you can turn your head to look down the room, and see past the other girls that are lining up along the barre too.
I’m definitely considering becoming a member.

Throughout my entire life, i had always tried to work out. I could never stick to a gym, or get in a routine. Not only that, there was always something wrong with each of the hundreds of gyms i have tried throughout college to many years later– to now.
Barre bee fit is absolutely fantastic. I’ve been going there for almost a year now. Reasonable price for the environment you pay for, great music, you feel comfortable, great workout (with quick results, i might add), and everyone that works there is so nice!
I look forward to going there everyday after work! This has never happened before! It also is a workout that focuses and works on parts of the body, for women! It’s absolutely fantastic! I don’t think I’ll ever change!
Not only that, it couldn’t be in a better location! for those of you that live in RN or work in the loop– this couldn’t be an easier option for you! It’s what we’ve always been waiting for! :) Couldn’t be happier at barre bee fit.

I am obsessed with Barre Bee Fit. My favorite class is Barre Burn, where the class is used for strengthening and toning in a class near 100 degrees. Do not be intimidated, it’s doable and a great workout.
I’m also a huge fan of Barre Brawl and Interval Barre for some cardio.
I recommend this for any woman looking to tone and be a part of a great community.

So I’ve been going to BBF regularly for about a year and a half now. About a year ago, I would have given it 5 stars. But now it’s really gone downhill. A lot of my favorite instructors are gone (Liz, Nina, Augusta, Lauren) and suddenly left BBF over the summer. I dont know why there’s such high instructor turn-​over, but BBF needs to address this.
The classes don’t feel standardized, so it’s difficult to come in (especially with a new instructor you’ve never had, which is frequent since they are always hiring new people and instructors will disappear after a while) and know if you’re going to get a good work out or not. Which is frustrating. I noticed after a while, I would come in and try a new instructor or class and cross my fingers and think «jeez I hope I get a good workout today.» Ridiculous.
Some times I have GREAT sweaty classes and I get a great work out /​feel motivated (Briana, Susan, Jacklyn, Taylor M, Jestina), and other times I’m like «…wait what did I even sweat?». Motivation is extremely important in having a solid workout, but when some of the instructors turn down the music so you can barely hear it, don’t count right, etc. — you get into a mindset where you are counting the seconds and can’t wait for the class to end. Which is something you don’t want to pay for because why pay this much per class when you can just go to any old gym?
Another thing that bugs me — Instructors here DON’T CORRECT YOU when you have incorrect form. Sometimes I look around, and I see people doing ridiculous things during chair pose, or are pulling on their neck during crunches, or other things that could seriously injure them. And an instructor will glance right at them — not say a thing — and keep yelling textbook BBF phrases. Very bizarre.
Anyways, a bit of a ramble. But I will no longer be a customer of BBF. Other Barre places are friendlier /​better customer service, with better instructors, and have better work outs. BBF needs to stop focusing on just franchising and think more about talent retention, standardizing their classes, and improving customer service.

My all time fav workout. I go to the LP location since its literally a block from my house. The class is hard but you feel amazing after.
Look for the 5 class deals on Gilt City if you want to try it. Otherwise they have a good month deal for newbies for only $ 80.
Honestly feel this workout gives me the best body and has really improved my strength and flexibility. I’m a huge fan of BBF.
Shout out to Jestina — take her class she’s awesome!

I tried one class here. I wanted to love this place because it is cheaper and offers more variety than the Bar Method (see my review). However, I did not like it at all. My friend felt the same. First, our instructor did not correct anyone’s form at all. She yelled instructions in her microphone but you could not hear over the obnoxiously loud Katy perry music blaring.
The room also does not have mirrors all the way around so you are unable to see yourself or the instructor if you are in an in mirrored location. So we found it difficult to follow –also she shut the lights off during some stretches and well then of course it was impossible to see!
The actual workout was not nearly as effective as the Bar Method routine and it incorporates cardio intervals (we were not in an interval class either). My soreness today is from improper form and from jumping on a hard surface without shoes, not from the actual exercises.
With that being said, you might like this place if you are not looking for a true barre workout but are looking for a cardio class with some barre moves. For the $ 8 intro class offer, they at least make it affordable to try and the staff is super friendly. They seem geared toward the younger clientele. But I am older and I have no interest any more in jumping around Jane Fonda circa 1985 style. So I prefer the Bar Method classes despite the higher price.

I needed something barre but not ALLLL barre or else I’d suffer to no end through the entire workout. I decided to try Brawl with Sueleen, which only has a little bit of barre and mostly cardio kickboxing. WOW she’s quite an amazing instructor! Very easy to follow, encouraging and a true professional. I got an awesome workout!
I am an instructor myself so I am very critical when I try out a studio… I can’t help it! I was certainly impressed. The staff at Barre Bee Fit are friendly and fun. Everything was very straightforward.
The only thing I don’t like is that there is no water fountain. You have to refill your water in the sink. Um, weird. This is a fitness studio… add water fountains!
Barre Bee Fit, I’ll be back to sweat with you soon!

I’ve been taking barre classes and came here on a business trip to Chicago. I tried the Bardio Interval class and it kicked my butt!
My instructor was Chelsea, who was great at explaining what to expect during the class and how to work through it. It definitely got my heart rate up and I had to «tap it out» as I got light headed.
The interval class has more of an emphasis on cardio and I was worried that I didn’t get any toning in… Let’s just say, a few days later, my thighs are still killing me.
Love the variety of clases they offered and am excited to try the rest when I’m in town next. In the meantime, please bring Barre Bee Fit to Los Angeles!

I came here courtesy of a Gilt City deal, and enjoyed the classes so much I actually broke down and bought a package at full price (well, 10% discount for Black Friday, but close enough).
I’d been lacking in the weight lifting arena lately, and my mix of the treadmill, elliptical, and spin wasn’t enough. I’d wanted to try barre classes for awhile, but was worried since the whole tuck that barre is built upon is a real no-​go for me on some of the moves due to my scoliosis. In the past I’ve been called out in classes, and even after explaining why I can’t do certain moves I’ve had instructors argue with me and call me out as lazy. Luckily with Barre Bee Fit, there’s none of that. Instructors will come by and help guide you through movements (often turning their mics away so the rest of the class won’t hear), and will always offer modifications for those with bad backs.
On top of that, the mix of classes here are great, and with two studios at this location, there’s more flexibility with classes and times offered. I figured I’d be bored with just a regular barre class, so although I’ve attended and loved their standby, Barre Bee, which targets the arms, abs, thighs, and seat, I’ve also done Bardio Barre and Interval Barre, both of which mix extended cardio intervals with barre. Barre Burn is Barre Bee in a heated room and perfect for Chicago winters, and my ninja butt is dying to try Barre Brawl, which mixes kickboxing with barre. They also do boot camps, strapped classes (TRX), and fun dance themed classes, where you get to learn dance routines (Beyonce!).
The classes here are cheaper than the standard barre place, and are $ 18 for a drop in class, as low as $ 15 with a package, and $ 99 a month unlimited, which can be used amongst all three of their studios. They also offer different free classes every quarter, so fan them on facebook to get in the know and get your barre on!

Fantastic music, inspiring teachers, VARIETY, cardio, toning, clean studio… this place has it all.
I was able to try three classes at Barre Bee Fit and they kept getting better. I started out with their signature Barre Bee class and got a sense of the movements and format of the class. Small movement with neglected muscle groups is the name of the game and you WILL feel it the next day (a good thing!). I consider myself fairly fit, but this class challenges me. I really liked that modifications were provided for every movement and encourages all fitness levels to push themselves. Cardio «blasts» are done throughout the class to elevate heart rate and give you that caloric burn. Yay buddy!
My second class was Barre Brawl, which mixes kickboxing and barre. Weird right? No, actually AMAZING. I loved this class and the hour went by too fast. I loved the high energy and boxing movements and I got a SERIOUS cardio workout.
After loving Barre Brawl with all my heart, I wanted to try another cardio-​focused class, so I gave Bardio Interval a try. When I signed up, I wished it was 1 hour instead of 45 minutes, but after I was in the classroom, I was happy to see the 45 minutes come up because I was dripping sweat and running high on endorphins. 45 minutes was MORE than enough to get a killer cardio workout. I LOVED the movements and the format of this class and the teacher (Lina) was awesome. Low lights and killer jams… the way to my heart.
If you are looking for something different for your workout, mix it up and try some classes at BBF.

Barre Bee Fit was fine — but it wasn’t as hard as the Pure Barre classes I’m used to. Sadly, there is no Pure Barre in Chicago, so this is probably all you’ve got (except the Bar Method).
It just doesn’t really work you. The things that are the beginning of a sequence at Pure Barre are the point where the instructor at BBF starts telling you to feel the burn. Ummm… not yet. You’re going to have to work a bit harder than that.

The Barre Method has become the rage and I have been practicing it at Exhale spa for years now. It is no new found discovery that a gym or workout studio can pop up with a few lockers and a couple ballet bars and become a success. I feel the place has to offer something out of the norm or be priced competitively to real in the crowd.
I decided to check this new studio in river north out after many reviews on Unilocal and citing a gilt city coupon. The unlimited month coupon went fast and I purchased 2 3-​pack class coupons instead.
Although the place offers the flexibility of class times I do wish there was a 2pm or 3pm class. The other draw back is the space is restricted and you end up on the wait list a lot. And you don’t get a confirmation that you got in so you have to keep looking back at your personal page to see if you can come to class.
I have tried the Bardio Interval, Barre Bee and Barre Brawl. I have to say hands down the Barre Brawl is my favorite cardio rush. I wouldn’t waste time on the Bardio Interval for a 45 minute class if you could take a 60 minute Brawl. The class leaves you pumped and dripping after an intense push. I was very disappointed in Barre Bee since it is the place’s namesake. Not enough on the bar compared to Indigo Studio and Exhale. I felt I could have recommended workouts on the bar for abs that would be better and give better results than the standing abs they had us do. After experiencing many workout studios and at home workouts I could do a better job of a basic bar class.
Nina is one of the best instructor I’ve experienced in motivating and coordinating a intense sweat dripping cardio class and recommend her hands down if you use this studio.
The location is good for me with the brown line steps away but no parking in the area unless you want to search for street parking on Hubbard and LaSalle. The space is clean and offers changing rooms and shower. There is a sink to fill your water bottles and a small locker with key for your belongings but bring your own towel unless you want to rent one and don’t expect the perks you find at exhale spa anywhere else. I was disappointed in the fact that these features are not complimentary since the prices are comparable and these days gyms are popping up on every corner.

It’s been 6 weeks since I had my baby… and about time to shed the remaining pregnancy weight! I’ve always been a fan of barre workouts (Dailey Method, Bar Method & Core Fusion at Exhale Spa to name a few)…so thought I’d try the newest one in my neighborhood: Barre Bee Fit.
I signed up for a lunchtime class with Susan, a very energetic and sweet instructor, who became a fan herself of the barre workouts at Exhale Spa. Such a big fan that now she’s teaching it! There were about 8 of us in the class, which was pretty full considering it’s xmas week. Susan played xmas music during the class, which was a nice touch since tis the season.
It’s a tiny studio in the basement of a building. It was absolutely freezing and the bathroom could use a good cleaning, but besides that the space was lovely.
For those of you not familiar with barre workouts: it’s a combination of ballet, pilates, yoga and even some strength training that works your entire body.
For those of you who have tried the DM, BM or Core Fusion: Barre Bee Fit is pretty similar, although there’s a bit more cardio involved. I also didn’t find it to be quite as challenging as the other workouts I’ve listed above. It still was challenging, but more so cause I“m super out of shape thanks to baby.
I bought a package of 5 Barre Bee Fit classes thanks to a special with Gilt City so I’ll be back again soon. After that I may continue going since this is in a very convenient location for me, although it’s even more convenient that Dailey Method has daycare for my lil one. I’m probably going to need more than a barre workout to shed these pregnancy pounds, but hopefully it will help me get back in my skinny jeans soon.