What do you get when you mix ballet bar dance conditioning routines with rehabilitative therapy techniques? The Bar Method. What’s that you say? The Bar Method is a whole new way to achieve a lean, toned dancer-like body without ever having to worry if you’ve got the moves like Jagger. There’s no actual dancing in class. Opening in December, The Bar Method St. Augustine is owned and operated by mother-daughter team Gayle and Kaitlin Gallagher. Gayle, a Physical Therapist with 25 years under her belt and Kaitlin a former ballerina, the two sought to find an exercise routine that was both safe and effective for women of any age and resulted in that long slender look every lady longs for.
The Bar Method is based off of the Lotte Berk Method which originated back in the 40s by an injured dancer. Founder, Burr Leonard licensed and operated several Lotte Berk Method Studios throughout the 90s but overtime noticed several clients whose knees, back and shoulders were not responding well to the program. She decided to partner with a physical therapist to rework the exercises and created her own, new exercise now known as The Bar Method. Ultimately, the program combines a ballet bar dance conditioning routine with rehabilitative therapy techniques. The exercise targets the muscles that play the greatest role in body change, then keeps these muscles working intensely and safely long enough for them to change. It then intensely stretches each muscle worked to make it look & feel longer & more graceful.
What to Expect: Each class is a one-hour, non-impact total body workout. It starts with a warm-up, free-weight exercises and push-ups and then moves on to intense, isometric leg work at the bar, followed by abdominal work at the bar and on mats. Every exercise includes active stretching to elongate the targeted muscles.
What to Wear: Comfortable workout clothes, but pants that cover the knees and socks are mostly recommended. And a top too. Don’t forget your top.
Gayle and Kaitlin will be announcing new client specials for ladies of St. Augustine who wish to try it out as they near the official opening date. We suggest following closely on their Facebook to be in-the-know first.
In the meantime, we can’t wait for December!
