Anyone go to Xtend Barre?

[janegold]

I have. I was going on my maternity leave to a baby-and-me class (we wore the babies) so it probably wasn't quite a full barre experience. I liked it a lot. It was a bit more ballet-based then some other franchises I have gone to so it was a nice change of pace. The one nearest me also has some features that others don't have, like TRX classes.

[janegold]

jenny1980, do you like Barre3? One just opened up down the street from me last week. I've gone to one class (it was a free class they did for the grand opening) and I didn't love it. It was much more repetitive than other barre classes I've done (Xtend, CoreFusion, Bar Method, Fly Barre). For each muscle group, we only did like two moves for a million minutes. Is that typical of Barre3 or did I just get a dud intro class?

[sydney02]

Aug 18, 2017 11:35:25 GMT -5 janegold said:

jenny1980 , do you like Barre3? One just opened up down the street from me last week. I've gone to one class (it was a free class they did for the grand opening) and I didn't love it. It was much more repetitive than other barre classes I've done (Xtend, CoreFusion, Bar Method, Fly Barre). For each muscle group, we only did like two moves for a million minutes. Is that typical of Barre3 or did I just get a dud intro class?

I don't go to a studio but my gym offers Barre classes. I've taken many and I've found that it's all about the instructor. We had one lady who did mostly ballet routines which I what I wanted to take Barre for. I loved doing the ballet warm up moves using the actual barre. And lots of focus on your posture and position.
Then there was an instructor who barely did any ballet type moves and it reminded me of an 80s class using small light weights and just doing weight lifting and squats. Lots of floor exercises. There was nothing about it that felt ballet. Then I had another class that was mostly weights and repetitive moves and this lady played country music the whole time. It was truly the worst class I ever took.

So anyway, I think moreso than Barre Method, Fly Barre etc, I think it's about the teacher. 

[janegold]

Aug 18, 2017 11:52:11 GMT -5 sydney02 said:

Aug 18, 2017 11:35:25 GMT -5 janegold said:

jenny1980 , do you like Barre3? One just opened up down the street from me last week. I've gone to one class (it was a free class they did for the grand opening) and I didn't love it. It was much more repetitive than other barre classes I've done (Xtend, CoreFusion, Bar Method, Fly Barre). For each muscle group, we only did like two moves for a million minutes. Is that typical of Barre3 or did I just get a dud intro class?

I don't go to a studio but my gym offers Barre classes. I've taken many and I've found that it's all about the instructor. We had one lady who did mostly ballet routines which I what I wanted to take Barre for. I loved doing the ballet warm up moves using the actual barre. And lots of focus on your posture and position.
Then there was an instructor who barely did any ballet type moves and it reminded me of an 80s class using small light weights and just doing weight lifting and squats. Lots of floor exercises. There was nothing about it that felt ballet. Then I had another class that was mostly weights and repetitive moves and this lady played country music the whole time. It was truly the worst class I ever took.

So anyway, I think moreso than Barre Method, Fly Barre etc, I think it's about the teacher. 

Well it definitely can be true that an instructor can make or break a class, but many of these franchises have sort of a branded format/style so regardless of the instructor, people may have preferences for one brand over another.  

[janegold]

Aug 18, 2017 11:53:32 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

I forgot one more thing I like about B3: I feel like there's more diversity in clients and instructors. At Pure Barre and Bar Method it was like everyone was 115lbs, had long highlighted hair and wore the same pair of LLL black pants. B3 tends to be less "fussy" that way and while I've never seen an overweight instructor at B3, there are definitely some on the curvier side who don't fit the "barre body" stereotype. And they NEVER say anything like "the higher the heels, the thinner the thighs, ladies!" the way they do at some studios.

Yes, I definitely know what you mean about Bar Method.  Barre3 did seem much more chill, which is a nice change of pace.  

[sydney02]

That is true and I can see how the studios would have a set format of what they do. I wish our gym had names for the classes and not just Barre because each style is so different. I end up looking at who is teaching the class to decide if I want to go.

Honestly I prefer what feels more like ballet. So what style would that be? I love the focus on posture and leg lifts.
I was surprised when I started taking barre because I thought all of it would feel like a ballet class. I personally don't care for the regular mat exercises because I get the squats and floor exercises in my weights class when I take that. I don't know. It was kind of boring to me.

And all of the barre classes at our gym are done in the dark. I'd like to see the difference with a bright and open type of class.

[janegold]

Aug 18, 2017 12:03:20 GMT -5 sydney02 said:

That is true and I can see how the studios would have a set format of what they do. I wish our gym had names for the classes and not just Barre because each style is so different. I end up looking at who is teaching the class to decide if I want to go.

Honestly I prefer what feels more like ballet. So what style would that be? I love the focus on posture and leg lifts.
I was surprised when I started taking barre because I thought all of it would feel like a ballet class. I personally don't care for the regular mat exercises because I get the squats and floor exercises in my weights class when I take that. I don't know. It was kind of boring to me.

And all of the barre classes at our gym are done in the dark. I'd like to see the difference with a bright and open type of class.

I've been to most of the big barre brands and Xtend is the one that has resembled ballet the most.  (Tendus, plies, turnout, etc.)

And I agree, it is weird to do these classes in the dark since they are so focused on posture and body placement.

[lilafowler]

Aug 18, 2017 11:58:31 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 18, 2017 11:53:03 GMT -5 freedom said:

You are really determined to be your own boss.

I am! I have always wanted to own my own business. 

#BOSSBABE

[bugandbibs]

If wannabe and her extend anywhere pics are a clue, she does.

[donutsmakemegonuts]

I used to, but they went out of business in my town. 😔 Luckily, a new studio opened in its place called Inline Barre. Most of the instructors from the first place transitioned over. I really liked/like both. I agree with others in that every class can be different depending on who is teaching. Also, the new studio has more class variety, like booty barre, Pilates, barre sculpt, etc. I like that there are different versions so I don't get bored.

[starlily]

I did. I liked it initially and bought a one year VIX membership, but started getting bored with the classes about 10 months in. I wasn't motivated to go often enough anymore to make VIX worth it, so I didn't renew.

I haven't been back since, mostly due to scheduling conflicts, but I don't miss it the way I miss pilates or ice skating when I haven't done those in a while.

ETA: The class I actually liked best at my Xtend Barre studio was a 30 minute lunchtime express TRX class, but it got discontinued.

[donutsmakemegonuts]

Aug 18, 2017 17:00:23 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 18, 2017 16:58:01 GMT -5 donutsmakemegonuts said:

I used to, but they went out of business in my town. 😔 Luckily, a new studio opened in its place called Inline Barre. Most of the instructors from the first place transitioned over. I really liked/like both. I agree with others in that every class can be different depending on who is teaching. Also, the new studio has more class variety, like booty barre, Pilates, barre sculpt, etc. I like that there are different versions so I don't get bored.

Oh interesting! I wonder what happened there. 

The owner, who was a very nice woman, sent out an email letting everyone know that it was no longer financially possible to keep the studio open.  Obviously I don't know her situation, but she opened one of those monthly massage places next door, so maybe both were too much?  The massage place is still there though.

[wannabe]

I've been going to Xtend for over 3 years. I adore it. It's different every time and I still get sore after class. I love how it works full body plus cardio all in 55 minutes.

I've toyed with the idea of opening a studio too, but my area already has 3 within about 40 miles, so I think I'm too late.

I've tried Barre 3 and don't like it nearly as much.

[starlily]

Oh, one more thing. When I stopped going, the studio had just been sold to a new owner, about two years after opening. Then several months after the new owner took over, there was some sort of merge with an independent barre studio. It made me curious about the finances.

[preppy]

My sisters good friend owns 3 locations in Australia if you want to talk to someone who has done it.

[donutsmakemegonuts]

Not to hijack this thread, but since so many people are doing classes, where do you buy your socks? The studio? Online? 😋

[sydney02]

Aug 18, 2017 11:57:24 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 18, 2017 11:52:11 GMT -5 sydney02 said:

I don't go to a studio but my gym offers Barre classes. I've taken many and I've found that it's all about the instructor. We had one lady who did mostly ballet routines which I what I wanted to take Barre for. I loved doing the ballet warm up moves using the actual barre. And lots of focus on your posture and position.
Then there was an instructor who barely did any ballet type moves and it reminded me of an 80s class using small light weights and just doing weight lifting and squats. Lots of floor exercises. There was nothing about it that felt ballet. Then I had another class that was mostly weights and repetitive moves and this lady played country music the whole time. It was truly the worst class I ever took.

So anyway, I think moreso than Barre Method, Fly Barre etc, I think it's about the teacher. 

Maybe in a gym setting, but at the barre studios the routines are set, down to the thigh/seat/ab exercises you do each day. Some studios even set the specific music. 

And most studios follow a similar format: warm up on the floor, arms, thighs, seat, abs with stretching thrown in there. It's unusual for a barre class to have much that is ballet inspired--the squats, weights, floor exercises are much more typical. 

This is the part where I didn't realize when I first started taking classes. Since it was at a large gym chain the classes are kind of up to the teacher. My first teacher was very heavy into the ballet part. So when I started other classes and very little was ballet I was confused. It was really my first class that wasn't typical barre.

Anyway sorry to derail. I think opening your own studio is an excellent idea. So many times I've wanted to have my own business of some type.  I'll probably never do it. But I do think it's a great idea. 

[hazelden]

Why open a franchise and not your own studio? Is there much brand recognition or specific training or payment systems that you're buying? I started a business a few years ago that someone else was offering as a franchise, but they weren't really offering anything unique, other than the brand name (which wasn't known outside their region anyway).

[winnied]

I'm starting on my third month at Xtend and I love it! I enjoy variety of classes and that I've never had the same routine twice. It's a 15 min walk from another barre studio and our classes sell out frequently (so clearly it's popular).

[wannabe]

Aug 18, 2017 18:01:56 GMT -5 donutsmakemegonuts said:

Not to hijack this thread, but since so many people are doing classes, where do you buy your socks? The studio? Online? 😋

I get socks at the studio and I also have a monthly Barre Socks subscription. $20/month and I get 2 pairs.

[wannabe]

jenny1980, I've become friends with a few of the instructors and I know that Xtend is constantly doing more training for new classes and different moves no equipment. They seem to have a lot of support from HQ and even our little studio has had master classes with Andrea, the founder. I would totally open a franchise if I could!

[donutsmakemegonuts]

Aug 18, 2017 22:43:36 GMT -5 wannabe said:

Aug 18, 2017 18:01:56 GMT -5 donutsmakemegonuts said:

Not to hijack this thread, but since so many people are doing classes, where do you buy your socks? The studio? Online? 😋

I get socks at the studio and I also have a monthly Barre Socks subscription. $20/month and I get 2 pairs.

That seems dangerous lol

[claudiakishi]

I will echo everything that Jenny1980 said about B3. I was a hardcore B3 addict for about 9 months - I got in on an introductory "founding" membership that was an amazing deal, I went 5-7 times a week, became friends with the instructors, etc. Then I started going less and less - it was a combo of getting bored with the music and routines and I plateaued as far as progressing. I canceled my studio membership. I definitely got toned but I personally needed more at that point. I still have an online membership and do the workouts occasionally, but I need more variety in my routine. In my area one class is $25 and a monthly membership is $200, so I probably won't be back.

My friend that's an instructor is a SAHM and does it for fun and free membership, but she said she only gets paid for teaching the one hour class like Jenny said - you work on memorizing routines on your own time. And HQ designs the choreography and sets it to the music, so there's no real freedom for the instructors to mix things up which makes the classes repetitive. I think deviating from the script is discouraged. When I started the online classes it was crazy how much the "script" was the same as taking in person classes.

I've only ever been in person to B3 and PB - I like the clientele diversity and classes much more than PB. It was definitely a fun, welcoming environment for everyone.

[jr009j]

Aug 19, 2017 0:25:39 GMT -5 mofongo said:

jenny1980, check out BarreCode, there's none in your area yet. I AM ADDICTED. Look at what they offer:)

I loooved Barre Code at first. But I started getting more into their cardio class (specifically brawl and barredio) and my studio offers them at the weirdest times so I let my membership lapse because the regular barre classes started getting weird.

[lilafowler]

Aug 19, 2017 14:32:14 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Aug 19, 2017 13:16:11 GMT -5 jr009j said:

I loooved Barre Code at first. But I started getting more into their cardio class (specifically brawl and barredio) and my studio offers them at the weirdest times so I let my membership lapse because the regular barre classes started getting weird.

I love brawl! What do you mean they got weird? I still love the barre classes!

[preppy]

Aug 18, 2017 22:44:50 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Aug 18, 2017 17:49:20 GMT -5 preppy said:

My sisters good friend owns 3 locations in Australia if you want to talk to someone who has done it.

If she'd be open to chatting via email or FB that would be amazing!  (heart)

I will PM you when I hear back from her.

[jr009j]

Aug 19, 2017 14:32:14 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Aug 19, 2017 13:16:11 GMT -5 jr009j said:

I loooved Barre Code at first. But I started getting more into their cardio class (specifically brawl and barredio) and my studio offers them at the weirdest times so I let my membership lapse because the regular barre classes started getting weird.

I love brawl! What do you mean they got weird? I still love the barre classes!

I feel like they got a bit too body contorting so that just holding the weird position was hard, much less doing the movements. I think its more in comparison to the older routines, where my body can just do it.   

[firedancer10288]

Aug 18, 2017 16:58:01 GMT -5 donutsmakemegonuts said:

I used to, but they went out of business in my town. 😔 Luckily, a new studio opened in its place called Inline Barre. Most of the instructors from the first place transitioned over. I really liked/like both. I agree with others in that every class can be different depending on who is teaching. Also, the new studio has more class variety, like booty barre, Pilates, barre sculpt, etc. I like that there are different versions so I don't get bored.

Umm...do you live in my town? I loved Xtend, but the few times I've been to Inline I didn't love it enough. I really liked how ballet based xtend was.

[donutsmakemegonuts]

Aug 20, 2017 11:41:42 GMT -5 firedancer10288 said:

Aug 18, 2017 16:58:01 GMT -5 donutsmakemegonuts said:

I used to, but they went out of business in my town. 😔 Luckily, a new studio opened in its place called Inline Barre. Most of the instructors from the first place transitioned over. I really liked/like both. I agree with others in that every class can be different depending on who is teaching. Also, the new studio has more class variety, like booty barre, Pilates, barre sculpt, etc. I like that there are different versions so I don't get bored.

Umm...do you live in my town? I loved Xtend, but the few times I've been to Inline I didn't love it enough. I really liked how ballet based xtend was.

Not sure lol