Good Sweat
Nationally known Pure Barre joins the New York barre scene
Pure Barre: New to New York City, known nationwide (Photo: Pure Barre)
Joining the barre studios of the Upper West Side—including home-grown Nalini Method, Physique 57, and Figure 4—is Pure Barre, a little Southern-belle of a barre class.
The new Pure Barre studio opened two weeks ago in Columbus Circle with little fanfare—and yet it’s been hopping, thanks to its national presence.
The franchise-friendly company, which hails from Michigan, has studios in 23 states. That’s a lot like the Bar Method, a West Coast creation that grew into a successful fitness franchise, and finally planted its flag in New York during summer 2010.
“We had an email list of about 200 women, probably transplants to New York like us, who were waiting for us to open,” say 28-year-old owners Leslie Coakley and Kaitlin Vandura. Coakley worked at a Pure Barre studio in Tennessee (which has five Pure Barres) and Vandura at one in North Carolina (it has four). When they heard about the other’s plan to open a New York studio, they decided to join core-focused forces.
Pure Barre's Kaitlin Vandura and Leslie Coakley
The duo could be part of the reason Pure Barre UWS kind of feels like Bar Method’s trendy little sister. The class is set to pumping music. Students are a young, unpretentious combo of the already-fit and barre beginners. And they exhibit cute style galore. I couldn’t help shopping off my classmates in their sassy Splits 59 tops, stretchy workout skirts that hugged over yoga pants, and leggings that went down over the heels. Class felt like a fitness shoot for Teen Vogue.
While all barre classes emphasize core work, arm work, and exhausting the butt and leg muscles before stretching them out, Pure Barre has a few signatures.
"Class felt like a fitness shoot for Teen Vogue" (Photo: Pure Barre)
One that made a ton of sense? Coakley pointed out teachers in the class to follow, while she provided the instruction and adjustments. Also new: clenching the gathered end of a mat between your thighs. This requires a super zipped-up thigh-to-knee pinch. When things got excruciating, Coakley would say in a soothing DJ voice, “Just go to another place.”
Even with the advantages of Pure Barre corporate behind the new New York studio, you get the feeling someone’s aware of what can be a competitively vicious and super proprietary business. Along with my health waiver, I had to declare that I was not or had never been a fitness professional and I wouldn’t replicate the Pure Barre moves elsewhere for payment.
That shouldn’t be a problem. I’m pretty sure most women who frequent Pure Barre and other boutique fitness studios expect their wallets will be made slimmer for it, along with their tummy and thighs. —Melisse Gelula
Pure Barre, $33 per class (or $150 unlimited monthly; conditions apply), 1841 Broadway at 60th St., Suite 330, Upper West Side, 917-344-9175, www.purebarre.com
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Will there be a Well+Good NYC event?
I would love to do barre classes. But, all of these places that have opened up in NYC make it unaffordable:(
I look forward to trying! I didn’t realize they had 4 studios in NC. I won’t make it, but Lululemon NYC is offering a free class this Saturday at noon – http://www.facebook.com/notes/lululemon-athletica-new-york-city/lululemon-athletica-nyc-complimentary-store-events-117-1113/257798737600654
Can’t wait to try it! I’m going to book a class ASAP! That’s awesome that Lululemon is hosting a free class this weekend. Wish I could make it!
We’d love to see lots of Well + Good readers at the complimentary lululemon class on Saturday at noon! Just a side note, we are located at 60th and Broadway not 60th and Columbus per the link.
I am really excited this new location has opened! I have already gone several times since it’s opening and feel like it’s the most effective workout and I have tried all the barre methods. It is also great for all ages. I am 46 and feel great after each workout!!
Thank you for bringing attention to, what I consider, the best workout in NYC! My recent experience at the Pure Barre NYC studio was wonderful. I am just an average girl in her late 20s and felt very comfortable in the studio and the class, thanks to the helpful teachers and staff. It was the most I have ever pushed my body physically and it was a WONDERFUL use of 55 minutes. I left leaving the class full of energy and wanting to come back for more (which I have thanks to the New Member Package I purchased immediately following the class)!! Pure Barre is truly a workout for all ages, all body types, and anyone who wants to challenge their body in a way it’s never been challenged before! So glad Pure Barre is finally in NYC! There is nothing else like it and I have recommended it to all of my friends and family!
As a frequent traveler to New York, I’ve had the opportunity to take each of these classes listed. I do not have much time, balancing work and family ,etc… so when it comes to working out, I want to make sure I utilize my time in the best possible way. I always know the 55 minute pure barre class would be the best use of my time by far! From my experience in trying each of these classes, the Pure Barre class is my favorite. I think the results from Pure Barre are better than the others, and overall, I think it is a friendlier environment. For what it’s worth, I would definitely choose Pure Barre over the others if I had the choice. I hope you all will give it a try! You will be hooked!
Thank you, Leslie, for bringing Pure Barre to NYC! I could not wait much longer! Compared to other barre classes, it is the most efficient use of my time AND money! The new member package is such a steal and worth every penny. I have been to several classes since the opening and have been so pleased with the highly effective 55-min sessions and friendly atmosphere. My favorite part about Pure Barre is the fact that anyone can do it – my mother, who is 60 yrs old and has had back trouble her whole life loves it – it is the ONLY workout she enjoys and can get through without feeling defeated.
Again, thanks for finally bringing PB to NYC!
[...] a Pure Barre class: “[It was] kind of like being hit on by a boy only to realize that my boyfriend is way [...]
[...] debuting on the New York fitness scene less than a year ago with a small Columbus Circle studio, national brand Pure Barre is now set to open its second city [...]
[...] debuting on the New York fitness scene less than a year ago with a small Columbus Circle studio, national brand Pure Barre is now set to open its second city [...]
[...] newbies. It has nearly 100 locations across the country now and opened its first New York franchise in Columbus Circle just last fall. (Comparisons to Starbucks omnipresence have been made.) Its young New York owners have found a [...]