Meet Me at the Barre: Comparing San Diego Studio Barre Methods

Barre workouts are all the rage these days, and it’s no secret why: This type of workout focuses on flexibility and graceful dance moves as a means of toning and lengthening the muscles, in hopes of achieving those beautiful dancer-like curves. There’s no shortage of barre style studios in the San Diego area, but what’s the difference between the various barre methods and what type of exerciser does each best suit?

These are the questions I was asking myself a couple of months ago when I decided to commit myself to really trying out barre. Sure, I had done barre classes before here and there, but I was on a mission to really experience three different methods within the barre community: Bar Method, The Dailey Method and Xtend Barre.

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on each style of barre. While I’m sure each studio represents its designated method well, keep in mind that I’m specifically comparing Bar Method Solana Beach, The Dailey Method San Diego and Xtend Barre Encinitas.

All of the workouts focus on flexibility, toning, and proper form in ballet barre moves, but the styles also have some distinct differences. Instead of doing a rundown of each individually, I thought it’d be fun to categorize the studios by what I found to be their defining qualities. Here we go!

Best method for cardio: Overall the workout that you’ll sweat most in is Xtend Barre. I really enjoyed how the classes focus on flexibility, toning, and a cardio workout in one.

While The Dailey Method’s regular barre classes weren’t all that cardiovascular, the studio’s Dailey Interval class is an awesome fast-paced class where you’ll torch some serious calories. This class in particular was definitely more my usual style of working out, and I love how it still incorporates the same dance moves that focus on form and flexibility, but it takes things up a notch and makes it a more challenging workout. When I chatted with the owner of The Dailey Method, she said that their interval classes are meant to balance out their regular lower intensity barre classes.

Best method for feeling the burn: One thing is for certain when you take a class at Bar Method Encinitas: Your muscles will be on fire! While all the classes focus on small movements for muscle toning, Bar Method seemed to emphasize this the most. After I take classes there, my legs and glutes tend to tingle the whole ride home.

Friendliest instructors: Xtend Barre takes the cake with this one, as every single instructor whose class I took was really energetic and super friendly. I’m all about warmhearted, down to earth people! Having friendly staff makes me become a bigger fan of a studio (and a business in general for that matter).

Most dancer-like method: While all of the styles are ballet barre focused, the Bar Method is the studio that strikes me as most ballerina-esque. Many of the classes I took were full of members who appear to be former classically trained dancers themselves. This can be seen as a pro in that it’s a great workout for aspiring dancers and those who enjoy that type of atmosphere, or as a con for people who may be intimidated by it.

In terms of my nagging foot and calf injuries, the Bar Method is probably the worst for aggravating them, as it’s the method where I seem to be up on my tippy toes the most performing moves.

Best barre style for moms: The Dailey Method offers childcare, which is great for mamas of small children wanting to get their barre on.

Xtend Barre Encinitas offers a Babies on Board class. I’m sure that having your baby strapped to you adds a lot of resistance to your barre workout!

Most strict with form: As I mentioned above, all the barre styles pride themselves on putting a focus on having correct form. But in my experience, the studio that adjusts its students the most on their form is Bar Method. The instructors often walk over in the midst of class and move a foot a few inches back, help you tuck your hips under more, or remind you to pull your shoulders back a bit.

It depends on if you prefer instructors being hands-on or not, but I don’t mind it at all. I’d rather be learning the right way to execute the moves than constantly having the wrong form!

Best at switching it up: Xtend Barre was my favorite in terms of variety. Every time I took a class, the routine was different and the instructor had their own style – which I loved.

Best at consistency:  The more Bar Method Encinitas classes I’ve taken, the more I’ve realized that their classes follow a pretty strict format. It became clear to me that regulars know what move is coming next a lot of the time. This is great for people who like routine, and not so great for people like me who find repetitiveness boring.

Nicest facility: In all honesty, all of the studios are pretty gorgeous and clean. However, I think I have to give this title to The Dailey Method, who has multiple rooms for classes, a very pretty, pristine bathroom/locker room area, as well as local juice company OH! Juice headquartered at the front of the studio. It’s a nice perk being able to grab a fresh juice post-workout, and their Nice Melons juice is awesome.

Overall I really enjoyed taking classes at each studio. I had a different sort of experience doing each method, and while all of them overlapped in their techniques and moves, each was unique and distinct in its own way. While I still love doing butt-kicking, drenched in sweat workouts, I like doing barre on days when I want a lower impact workout and something a little more feminine than jabbing at a punching bag.

Are there any San Diegans out there looking for a fun fitness event this weekend? Join me in attending Daileyfest – a fitness festival hosted by The Dailey Method that celebrates
health and wellness. Featuring barre classes, aerial yoga performances, a laser maze and a live DJ, the event takes place on Sunday, September 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 at the Embarcadero Marina Park North. You can use the code DAILEYFEST for 15% off of your ticket purchase. Check out their event website for more details!

Disclaimer: While I did attend some classes for free, this post is not sponsored in any way. As always, all opinions expressed are genuinely my own. 

Tell me… Are you a barre fan? If so, is there a particular method you enjoy most? What was the last studio exercise class you attended?