By Linden Wilson
Boutique gyms are popping up everywhere. Instead of hitting the treadmill at Gold's Gym or spinning at Planet Fitness, women are choosing to burn calories and tone muscle at smaller group fitness studios. The difference? Intimate class sizes with personal attention, high intensity workouts with less impact, and a slightly higher price tag. Take a look at three area boutique gyms, and learn the reasons why they continue to grow in popularity.
Pure Barre
In 2001, Carrie Rezabek Dorr started an informal groupbrfitness class in her Michigan basement. Dorr, an instructor for dance, Pilates and other group classes, wantedbrto combine what she loved most about each of these disciplines into onebreffective exercise program. By 2009, Pure Barre was a franchise, and there arebrnow 200 studios across the country with more opening each and every month.
A total body workout that utilizes the ballet barre to perform small,brisometric movements, Pure Barre focuses on the problem areas all women strugglebrwith: seat, hips, thighs, abs and arms. The workout is designed to workbrimperative muscles to fatiguebrand then stretch them out, which creates a long, lean and strong physique. Classesbrare conducted in a high-energy atmosphere and are choreographed to motivatingbrtunes. According to Southlake Pure Barre owner Lindsey White, the Pure Barrebrtechnique is extremely effective and produces results quickly, but it's alsobrlow-impact and protects joints by avoiding bouncing and jumping. White openedbrthe Southlake studio a little more than two years ago after falling in lovebrwith the technique.
“Having danced my entire life, Pure Barre allows me to stay fitbrand have a positive impact in the community,” she says. “I cherish thebrrelationships I have built with my staff and clients, and I look forward tobrcoming to work every day in my sticky socks.”
Along with the sticky socks, PurebrBarre clients wear capris or leggings (no shorts) and workout tops that coverbrthe midriff in order to see faster results in flexibility. In addition to yourbrown body weight, you only use small weights, a rubber ball and stretchy tubebrduring class. Instructors, who walk throughout the studio to correct form, arebrpassionate about dance and exercise and undergo demanding training in order to becomebrteachers.
“After undergoing interviews andbrauditions with Pure Barre studio owners, all teachers attend an intensebrtraining at one of Pure Barre's corporate training facilities in either SouthbrCarolina or Colorado,” White says. “After a rigorous training weekend, there isbra multi-step test-out process that must be completed in order to becomebrcertified.”
Pure Barre caters to everyone no matter whatbrshape, size or age because of its safe, low-impact choreography — even pregnantbrwomen can complete classes well into their pregnancy. Pure Barre's slogan,br“life, tone, burn,” affectionately referred to as LTB by enthusiasts, reflectsbrits mission: burning calories and gaining lean muscle through isolatedbrexercises in a fun, friendly environment.
Callout
Single class: $22
New member special: $100 (one month)
6 months unlimited: $1,150
12 months unlimited: $2,160
Purely Pilates Center
Pilates founder JosephbrPilates said, “A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balancedbrsequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion.” Pilates,brwhich creates long, lean muscle and toned bodies, is uniquely beneficial forbranyone with physical limitations, and its integrity and effectiveness will likelybrkeep it around long after other fitness trends fade away.
After spendingbrtime as a student at Southlake's Rhythm and Moves, Trilby Kuelbs becamebrinspired to start her own Pilates studio. Purely Pilates Center opened in 2009brand continues to expand its clientele as experienced instructors keep thebrexercises safe and enjoyable for everyone. All instructors complete a Pilatesbrteacher training program in which they invest about one year and more than 500brhours of teacher training, self-practice, observation and teaching.
“Our instructors represent thebrfinest Pilates certifications from all training programs,” says Megan Burleson,bran instructor at the center who also serves as its manager. “We pride ourselvesbrin the variety of styles and training methods in our studio. With strong rootsbrin the Pilates principles and contemporary knowledge of movement, we keep itbrfresh for our clients.”
Burleson, who has been anbrinstructor since 2005, joined Purely Pilates in 2011 after realizing that thebrstaff at this location had evolved into her Pilates family. The centerbradvocates centering, control, concentration, flow, breath and precision, andbrthe workout equally improves your mind, body and spirit.
“We feel our studio is the standardbrthat others look to for inspiration,” Burleson says. “This is my passion, and Ibram on fire for this method of movement. It is beautiful, empowering and fulfilling.brThe results our clients feel and see speak volumes about their dedication andbrpassion for Pilates. We strive to create a Pilates community, and I see thatbrevery day.”
Callout
Single group session: $20 (with mat and springboard) or $35 (with equipment)
12 group sessions: $168 or $312
Single private session: $75
8 private sessions: $480
CardioBarre
With 13 locationsbralready well established in California, this exercise method has migrated eastbrwith new studios in Utah, Tennessee and most recently, Southlake. CardioBarrebris a high-energy, no-impactbrclass that combines barre work and light weights with continual fat-burningbrmotion that tones the butt, legs, torso and arms, sculpts muscles and elongatesbrthe appearance of the body. According to the Southlake location's owner,brShannon Moore, CardioBarre strives to empower its clients to transform theirbrlives through fitness, education, motivation and passion. She says it'sbrdefinitely not just another fitness class.
“We hope our clients will take the sensebrof accomplishment and passion they get at CardioBarre and incorporate that intobrtheir daily lives,” Moore says.
CardioBarre was originally foundedbrby Richard Giorla, a choreographer, dancer and former Chippendale dancer and backupbrdancer for Michael Jackson. His dance career ended after he injured his hip,brbut he wanted to maintain an exercise routine that resembled the training hebrwas accustomed to. In order to teach a CardioBarre class, instructors spendbrthree weeks of rigorous training at the Studio City headquarters with Giorlabrand his training team. The classes will make you sweat — however, no dancebrexperience is necessary to reap the full benefits of a CardioBarre workout.brPlus, you can choose from introduction, beginner and advanced levels dependingbron what you're comfortable with. You're also in good company: NumerousbrHollywood celebs have and continue to enjoy breaking a sweat at CardioBarre. Abrfun, energetic and fast-paced exercise session, it will challenge and motivatebryou in and outside the studio.
Callout
Single class: $18
10 class series: $170
20 class series: $320
30 class series: $450