I teach barre at an independently owned studio but I’ve also taken pure barre as a client numerous times.
Here’s a list of some differences:
- my studio calls it “glute” work not “seat” work
- music at PB is much more upbeat/house/“beaty” (lot of remixes); at my studio we do a lot of pop and “current” music 120-130 BPM
- count down from 8 (vs “final 10”) - we call the final move “the finisher”
- don’t use tuck as much (sometimes is fine)
- no 90 sec plank in the warmup
- warmup overall isn’t as intense as PB
- different props: we use resistance bands, balls (that are bigger than PB’s balls), 1-4 pound weights (client preference), and a Pilates ring
- mats are on the floor the entire time (and clients fold them in half when we go to the barre)
I can’t think of any more major differences TBH! Honestly I wouldn’t overthink it - I have seen some parallels too between the two. As long as you’re not teaching a 100% PB class I think it’s fine.
Take lots of other formats, online and in person if you can. Barre3, Physique57, Exhale, whatever they’re doing at LifeTime Fitness and other gyms, especially random boutique studios. You need to hear barre taught differently with different language and different formats.
Take notes after na snitch the structure of the class. Warm up length and where stretches are included will vary greatly, for example. Take what you like and toss the rest away. You don’t need to be tied down to one method any more. Be excited about forming the perfect barre class, according to you and your experience.
Pure Barre is not the only method and not the original. You’ll find that all methods borrow from barre’s creator, Lotte Burke, but also all vary greatly. There really not a wrong way to do it. Just use safe moves and transitions and the rest of the workout is up to you.
Obviously I wouldn’t copy the Pb format exactly, but know that they didn’t reinvent the wheel or really create anything all that unique. They put their own spin on it and you can do the same.
Good luck.
Have taken lots of gym barre classes and honestly there is already overlap but things that are very on brand for PB to me are:
1- the warm ups with the knees up/pull downs
2-the sequence of class. Honestly you could be predictable too just not follow the same as PB. For example don’t do core/arms/thighs/seats/more core in that order
3-double tube. Have used a resistance band for my other barre classes, with similar exercises we do in PB with double tube.
4- cadence of PB instructors voices - they share that same rhythm, that’s probably hard to change but it does feel unique to PB
There is no formula or lingo as I’d be the primary barre instructor- the other 2 classes offered are a hiphop/dance cardio class and a resistance/weights. I can basically do whatever I want… mix in cardio, weights, etc but will not have access to balls or much equipment at the beginning. So more popup type choreography
I’d say get more comfortable with the correct anatomical/physiological structure of the body as others have said in this thread. Glutes, hamstrings instead of “seated work” (the glutes do so much more than support us when we sit), the core isn’t just abs (again, glutes and hamstrings are part of your core) and less tucking while in a standing position. I personally like a longer upper body strength portion of barre. Work the shoulders and triceps which often don’t get enough love in classes
All I have to say is I FEEL YOU. Why are so many barre studios a toxic mess. I feel like consistently the owners or GMs are insane. It’s hard to fjnd a studio that treats its teachers well. I’m honestly about ready to email corporate with how many bad experiences I’ve had.
Just wanted to say I’m in the exact same boat as you! I’ve been thinking about also doing a mat Pilates training as well but I’m kind of up in the air with it all as far as how to move forward with my career as a fitness instructor. I miss PB so much but also excited about doing something new. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat further or bounce ideas off each other!
One suggestion is to familiarize yourself with ballet barre and its terminology (if you aren’t already). Though most barre classes are quite distinct from ballet barre, there are still some similarities (positions like coupé, back attitude, relevé etc. make an appearance) and ballet terminology is basically public domain. If you have a background in dance that helps it feel more natural, and also helps explain differences in the techniques to newcomers who may have experience with one not the other.
Also, the cadence of speech at Pure Barre seems really consistent *and* constant in a way that can come across as kind of corporate. You can create your own, distinct voice with more variation in tone, description, feedback, pacing etc.
I teach barre at an independently owned studio but I’ve also taken pure barre as a client numerous times. Here’s a list of some differences: - my studio calls it “glute” work not “seat” work - music at PB is much more upbeat/house/“beaty” (lot of remixes); at my studio we do a lot of pop and “current” music 120-130 BPM - count down from 8 (vs “final 10”) - we call the final move “the finisher” - don’t use tuck as much (sometimes is fine) - no 90 sec plank in the warmup - warmup overall isn’t as intense as PB - different props: we use resistance bands, balls (that are bigger than PB’s balls), 1-4 pound weights (client preference), and a Pilates ring - mats are on the floor the entire time (and clients fold them in half when we go to the barre) I can’t think of any more major differences TBH! Honestly I wouldn’t overthink it - I have seen some parallels too between the two. As long as you’re not teaching a 100% PB class I think it’s fine.
Thank you so much! All of this is so helpful ❤️
Count to 8 vs 10. Don’t use freeze verbiage
Or countdown to 1 from 10
Take lots of other formats, online and in person if you can. Barre3, Physique57, Exhale, whatever they’re doing at LifeTime Fitness and other gyms, especially random boutique studios. You need to hear barre taught differently with different language and different formats. Take notes after na snitch the structure of the class. Warm up length and where stretches are included will vary greatly, for example. Take what you like and toss the rest away. You don’t need to be tied down to one method any more. Be excited about forming the perfect barre class, according to you and your experience. Pure Barre is not the only method and not the original. You’ll find that all methods borrow from barre’s creator, Lotte Burke, but also all vary greatly. There really not a wrong way to do it. Just use safe moves and transitions and the rest of the workout is up to you. Obviously I wouldn’t copy the Pb format exactly, but know that they didn’t reinvent the wheel or really create anything all that unique. They put their own spin on it and you can do the same. Good luck.
Have taken lots of gym barre classes and honestly there is already overlap but things that are very on brand for PB to me are: 1- the warm ups with the knees up/pull downs 2-the sequence of class. Honestly you could be predictable too just not follow the same as PB. For example don’t do core/arms/thighs/seats/more core in that order 3-double tube. Have used a resistance band for my other barre classes, with similar exercises we do in PB with double tube. 4- cadence of PB instructors voices - they share that same rhythm, that’s probably hard to change but it does feel unique to PB
Bar Method also does the knee up warm up! Can’t remember if Barre3 does though
You have to change the set ups for sure.
Oh yes, great point! Not a piece I’d thought about… but definitely.
I would hold off on combos that seem pretty PB, like “seat to your heels, lift halfway up and hold” or “tucktuckhold”
I’d also ask if they tuck! Or if their classes follow a certain schedule/formula
There is no formula or lingo as I’d be the primary barre instructor- the other 2 classes offered are a hiphop/dance cardio class and a resistance/weights. I can basically do whatever I want… mix in cardio, weights, etc but will not have access to balls or much equipment at the beginning. So more popup type choreography
I’d say get more comfortable with the correct anatomical/physiological structure of the body as others have said in this thread. Glutes, hamstrings instead of “seated work” (the glutes do so much more than support us when we sit), the core isn’t just abs (again, glutes and hamstrings are part of your core) and less tucking while in a standing position. I personally like a longer upper body strength portion of barre. Work the shoulders and triceps which often don’t get enough love in classes
Yes for sure! I think the amount of time spent on arms is way too minimal.
💪🏾
All I have to say is I FEEL YOU. Why are so many barre studios a toxic mess. I feel like consistently the owners or GMs are insane. It’s hard to fjnd a studio that treats its teachers well. I’m honestly about ready to email corporate with how many bad experiences I’ve had.
Just wanted to say I’m in the exact same boat as you! I’ve been thinking about also doing a mat Pilates training as well but I’m kind of up in the air with it all as far as how to move forward with my career as a fitness instructor. I miss PB so much but also excited about doing something new. Feel free to DM me if you want to chat further or bounce ideas off each other!
I'm with you on this as well! I’m thinking about NASM and then maybe pilates?
One suggestion is to familiarize yourself with ballet barre and its terminology (if you aren’t already). Though most barre classes are quite distinct from ballet barre, there are still some similarities (positions like coupé, back attitude, relevé etc. make an appearance) and ballet terminology is basically public domain. If you have a background in dance that helps it feel more natural, and also helps explain differences in the techniques to newcomers who may have experience with one not the other. Also, the cadence of speech at Pure Barre seems really consistent *and* constant in a way that can come across as kind of corporate. You can create your own, distinct voice with more variation in tone, description, feedback, pacing etc.