The Bar Method

Where do I begin to explain how amazing Bar Method is, not only as a physical workout, but a spiritual one?!? I came to Bar Method in 2013, a few months after recovering from a c-​section and in need a postpartum workout that was gentle on my body. What I found was an incredible workout that toned and strengthened my muscles with the help of incredible instructors who really know their stuff! I gradually built up my comfort level from doing postpartum modifications to taking on the challenging options. Now that I’m expecting baby #2, I can feel how much stronger I am this pregnancy than my last.
I also love how they offer Bar Move classes for a faster paced, cardio driven workout!
Overall, the atmosphere is amazing and I feel so uplifted and strong after every class. I can’t recommend Bar Method enough!

The Bar Method has kept me fit and in great shape for 14 years. I do a lot of social dancing, and Bar Method is the secret weapon that keeps me strong and flexible. My daughter who grew up seeing me take bar method classes, is now also taking Bar Method. The workout is better than any other barre class out there — it works the entire body, the music and sequencing is very well thought out. Instructors are very knowledgeable and are always present, and challenge me at the right time. The studio is beautiful. It is really home to me.

Friendly and attentive staff. Beautiful studio and dressing room/​shower area. And although I was way out of my comfort zone in class, the instructors were supportive and encouraging me throughout. I will definitely be back!

I’m still going to the Bar Method after more than four years and one thousand classes. I continue to get an excellent workout from skilled instructors, and I can’t wait to try out the new Lake Oswego location when it opens in 2016.

I have been to the others, and then I have come back. Bar Method is the only program that works for me: it serves the body and the spirit (especially by way of the Challenge!), and I can’t say enough about how it becomes a part of one’s life. The teachers are consistently excellent: I can go from one to the other and undergo a challenging and consistently excellent experience. I am grateful for Bar Method: I really am.

The staff and instructors are super friendly and helpful, and have never once made me feel insecure, incompetent or incapable. They help me push myself and support me every step of the way.

The location, the people, the facility, the workout, and the community. I like it all. Thank you for bringing this into my life.

I like that the Bar Method is full body work out that varies from class to class, using their signature techniques (bar tuck anyone?). All the instructors I have worked with are great — fun and knowledgeable. I’m always impressed that they remember everyone’s name and offer corrections throughout the class to help target the muscles you are working. I know that some people are sensitive to this, but I find it encouraging and appreciate that they are working to help you perfect your form (and paying attention to you). It’s a clean, well stocked facility — so nice to have towels, toiletries and hair dryers. Did I mention it is a work out? Oh yes!

I first tried Bar Method when we were visiting Portland, a few months later we moved here and I started the unlimited membership and then as it sometimes does– life got in the way and I dropped the membership for 2 years. I joined Class Pass and signed up for a class. It was like reuniting with old friends! A lot of the same instructors and front desk staff were still there and remembered me – and were truly welcoming! The workouts are intense but after trying a few other bar type workouts I really appreciate the hand’s on correction and encouraging words of the instructors during class. The studio is beautiful and very clean but it’s truly the staff that makes it great!

The owner is nice but not all the workers

The welcoming nature of the staff even to a newbe to this style of workout. 5 days in and I’m hooked.

Great studio with really attentive instructors and helpful front desk. The locker room is immaculate and offers a comprehensive supply of toiletries (hair ties being the most important!).
Be mindful that the instructors know everyone’s name and will call you out if your form is not accurate. With an intense job, I personally prefer a bit more hands off, but if the pressure is motivating, this studio is perfect for you.

The staff here was genuine & warm, which is why I kept coming back. I didn’t change my diet or add any cardio, but after a month I saw a lot of definition that I hadn’t seen in my body in years. I never lost any weight or inches (actually I bulked up and gained muscle weight) so my advice would be to use bar classes as part of an overall fitness plan but not the only thing.
It’s a wonderful workout though, and you know it works because it hurts like hell in all the right places and you will see definition like you never thought possible, but don’t rely on just this for a total body transformation if you’re like me and have some fat to lose too. Diet & cardio probably make the biggest difference on weight loss whereas bar can make you look amazing and toned.
I appreciated how the instructors & reception always remembered my name and made me feel welcome– they didn’t have to but they were super sincere and unpretentious even to me (with tattoos and non matching workout gear), which is not what I expected in a place as lovely as this.

Everything-​about Bar Method is great – especially the commitment from the owners and staff! Beautiful studio, well trained instructors, and great people. Most important– it works better than any workout!

I love that no matter which Bar Method I go to, in Berkeley or Portland or anywhere else, I will feel right at home. I took a class here during a work trip in Portland and was really impressed with the spacious studio, thorough instructors and welcoming staff. The classes are universally structured, so I could follow along just like I do at my home studio in Berkeley: arms, legs, butt, abs, back dancing, stretch, and… you’re done.
This studio is especially nice with plentiful lockers, 2 showers, a large lounge area with tea, and 2 classrooms. It’s in a chill area of the Pearl District, so parking seemed pretty easy. Totally satisfied with my workout here. Your Portland barre-​goers are sure lucky!

Post baby update! Bar Method continues to challenge me and I’m just as addicted to this workout as I was before I had my baby. My husband notices a huge difference when he drops me off by the studio and stays with the baby and when I come out. I go in tired and frustrated and walk out with a huge smile on my face!
As soon as I came back I challenged myself to take the required 30 classes in order to move onto Level 2 and Bar Move. I had never taken Bar Move and I am absolutely HOOKED! I honestly think I could take Bar Move every day. The only problem I’ve found is that if I take it too late in the day I am wired and can’t get to sleep :-) It is like caffeine in workout form!
I am slowly getting back to my pre-​baby form. I feel stronger every day and I continue to push myself in class to get back to where I was (or maybe even better) before the baby.

I absolutely love this place. Beautiful studio. Friendly employees. Most of all, an exercise I look forward to every time. Results are apparent and I feel great. I was intimidated to go because I thought it was a lot of ballet. It’s not intimidating at all and the teachers make sure you’re doing everything right. Down to the inch so you stay injury free and are maximizing the benefits of class.
Give it a try!

Bar Method makes me very happy, proud, and beautiful. I work in the area and decided to walk by one day to inquire. The sweetest front desk girl took the time to show me around and provided wonderful customer service. I thought the place was spotless, spa like, and could see myself coming here a lot. I didn’t waste another moment and decided to sign up for the $ 99 special and went the next morning.
I loved how they corrected me with every move to only benefit myself. The instructors are gorgeous, sweet, and know everyone’s name. Christine Wang was my first instructor and I think she is AWESOME! Every time I am in her class, I push myself harder each time. She really knows her clients and you know she sincerely loves what she does. All the instructors compliment you on something new that you did– they always notice! Weather or not your could lift your heels off the ground for seated abs, or got onto your toes for a push-​up. The attention to detail and gratitude is impressive! The added, «How bout’ it?» push is always appreciated! I have become «hooked» on Bar Method and love each and every time I go!
I have seen so many results too! I have drops a few lbs and look a lot more sculpted in the mirror. I moved here from Maui almost 5 years ago, and since I have left the islands I have put on more weight and never want to wear a bikini. (When I use to live in them everyday…)
My body is muscular and curvy from 14+ years as a swimmer, scuba instructor, and triathlete. One thing I never did in the past was stretch and become flexible only because stretching «hurt» and I would only do the bare minimum. This class has made me love stretching and I am amazed by my flexibility. I actually feel like in 2 more months I could possibly do the splits! WHAT?
All I can say is that Bar Method had changed a little bit of me and I will never look back. I am getting married in the spring and cannot wait to rock that wedding dress without Spanxs. THANK YOU BAR METHOD!

I have a like-​love relationship with Bar Method, hence the 4 stars.
loves: great workout, especially while I was rehabbing my post ACL knee and needed something super low impact. the small movements really create a burn, and does absolutely tone your muscles. years ago, ii went 4 – 5 times a week for 3 months, and came out lean and in amazing shape.
the studio is gorgeous. seriously.
targets specific muscle groups.
and i’ve tried both B3 and here, and i prefer the workout here. I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel most people fall into 2 camps – ones who love it here or there. i think maybe it’s because i feel a bit more pushed here? i understand that people need modifications, but having instructors who tell you to lift that leg a little higher, or tuck a little harder (as opposed to «listen to your body today») seems to do it for me. maybe its the competitive side of me.
the less than amazing:
it’s not very cardio, which i definitely crave, and now that my knee is better, i can do more of.
now that there’s more (and newer) instructors, there’s a bit more variability in the quality of the classes and corrections. so even though it sounds so mean, i do try to pick certain instructors to go to.
it’s pricey. i wish they would do a bigger class package (they only have 5 or 10 class packages) and with a bigger discount – and not jump from 10 to unlimited. especially since the class package doesn’t expire for a year. i’d love to see a 30 class pack (and even if it were for 6 months, it would be perfect).
although it’s welcoming. it’s like that weird portland welcome that doesn’t seem quite right? and although welcoming, there’s definitely cliques – which i don’t mind. i’m here to get a workout.
if you go more than a few times a week, the workouts and routine can get quite a bit repetitive.
so yes, this place is definitely in my rotation of workout places… and everyone should at least give it a try!

I love this place so hard. I came here darn near every day for a solid year-​plus after trying them out on the recommendation of my physical therapist, and I’m so glad I did. My butt has never looked better (not even when I was a 19-​year-​old size 4!). The workout is INTENSE but low-​impact — hence the physical therapist recommendation! If you have injuries or are just looking to get fit or sexified, this is the workout for you.
It’s expensive — single classes will set you back about $ 20 — but it’s worth it. And I don’t just mean worth it in the workout sense — going to the Bar Method is like going to a day spa. You will feel 100% cared-​for from the moment you step through the door to the moment you leave: You’re greeted by friendly front desk folks who’ll give you a tour on your first day and remember your name every day thereafter. You get your own locker, with a key you don’t have to take with you and remember to pack. You get a fresh, clean towel on every visit. You can have as much cold filtered water as you like. The bathrooms and changing areas have hair ties and lots of various other lady-​supplies you might need, free of charge.
Did I mention the smell? Despite the fact that you will SWEAT your proverbial balls off during every workout, this place somehow manages to smell amazing and be cleaner than a whistle. I’m convinced they shampoo the carpets (yes, CARPETS — you do your workouts in stocking feet) in the workout rooms every single day, it’s that clean and wonderful.
Now for the workout. Your butt will be kicked. The movements are small but insanely effective — your muscles will shake and you will learn to like it. The instructors WILL remember your name and come over to correct your form, over and over, until you get it exactly right — and when you do, they will say «Beautiful form, Sarah!» and you will beam from ear to ear like a little teacher’s pet. It’s a little like having a less-​expensive personal trainer that way.
And let’s not forget the community — I made lots of super-​cool friends by going here. Some of the ladies are your very typical yuppie expensive-​workout types, so be advised. There is definitely a bit of a Cult of Lulu vibe. But most everyone’s pretty friendly, and they run fun little fitness competitions to keep it interesting. Totally addictive — which is what you want in any kind of exercise. I only stopped going when I broke my foot — clearly, it’s time to get back on the bar!