Barrecore Leeds is a franchise of Barrecore London, a very popular conditioning studio that has exploded in popularity over recent years. As a result, Barrecore studios have popped up across the UK, and are now found in Bristol, Manchester, and most recently, Leeds.
Barrecore Leeds launched this September and I was invited to try out a class this week. As I needed to be able to fit it in before work, I was up bright and early on Tuesday morning and cycled down the canal to the studio for the 7am class. The studio was easy to get to as it’s located at the bottom of the newly opened Spicemill building on Mustard Wharf in South Bank, a 5-minute walk from Leeds Train Station and just 2 minutes from the canal.
I have attended a Barrecore class in London, but it was a while ago and I recalled that it was pretty tough! I’ve also been out of training for a while and so, on arrival at the studio in Leeds, I was a little nervous. However, after being greeted by the friendly instructor and the studio manager, I was instantly put at ease. The studio space was also beautiful, with shower, changing and storage facilities all on site, which again made me relax and look forward to the class.
I walked into the studio space, which was all ready for us to get started. It looked like a cross between a yoga studio and a ballet room, with mats on the floor, and a ballet bar all around the mirrored space. We had 4 students in the class, with an instructor. For me, that was ideal as in larger classes I often become distracted or lost.
The class started with some light stretching and flowy movements, which helped us all wake up and get ready to work out. The main body of the class included elements of yoga, Pilates and ballet, with lots of small pulsing movements to make our muscles work hard and in an unusual way. The session lasted for 50 minutes, and we all had a total body work out. I struggled most with some of the arm work, but I appreciated how low impact the session was, as I often struggle with other fitness classes that involve lots of jumping.
After the class, I read that Barrecore has been touted as being a fast, safe and effective training session that can help people to make big transformations, and I can see why. Although Barrecore classes don’t make you sweat much, the session was tiring and made all my muscles ache (in a good way). We were all told to hold the positions for as long as we could and to ‘embrace the shake’ – a phrase that I am going to hold on to when I next attend a session.
As the exercise was low impact, but high intensity, Barrecore would make for an excellent option for people of all ages, genders, fitness levels, shapes, and abilities. It was ideal for me, because despite being relatively fit, I’ve been injured for a while and have been out of the gym. I thought the class was great, as each of us could push ourselves as much as we wanted to. I also enjoyed the mix of music and the encouragement and support from the instructor.
The Leeds studio currently has 45 classes per week on offer, all using the BarreSIGNATURE format. They are planning to have other sessions on offer in the next few weeks, including Private Sessions, Private Duo Sessions, and specialist Barre classes. With the available range of classes and membership options, it’s possible to dip in an out of classes, or to make a bigger commitment to classes if you are really keen to see results from the Barrecore method. More information about the Barrecore studio offering can be found on their website or via their app.
I would recommend giving Barrecore a try, even if you’re not sure it’s for you. The classes are fun and accessible, and you’re sure to walk out feeling like you’ve treated your body to a tough workout.
Paige, Barrecore Leeds studio manager:
“As a person who doesn’t have any dance experience at all (I was a basketball player), I have found that Barrecore is the best possible workout for my mind and body, and has given me a strength I never had previously, even through more intense workouts. As the owner and a long time client of Barre fitness, I firmly believe this is the best workout for every person, no matter their stage of life.“
https://barrecore.com/locations/leeds
Photographs by Gemma Bridge.
