Looking to compete with other gyms and studios? Investing in a portable ballet barre or two could send those niche workout lovers leaping through your doors.
“Specialized fitness studios used to be pricey enclaves for a few fanatics,” Rachel Bachman writes in the Wall Street Journal. “But the ranks of their fans have surged, and now stand-alone cycling studios, boot camps and ballet barre rooms are transforming the fitness industry.”
According to a report by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, approximately 42% of the 54 million members of health and fitness facilities in the U.S. say they use fitness boutiques. “As exercise routines serve more roles in people’s lives,” Bachman reports, “—stress relief, psychotherapy, social outlet, even personal identity—the expense of boutiques becomes easier to justify, their devotees say.”
After trying out a session at Pure Barre in Texas, 50-year-old Mary Sullivan quit her gym. The stay-at-home mom now pays more than twice what her old gym membership cost in order to focus on barre workouts. “The love I have for it and the friendships I’ve made have been worth every penny,” Sullivan said. She's not alone. Cate Ware of Pensacola, Florida had been going to a gym on a military base with her boyfriend. She was "working out with a bunch of sweaty, military men and it just was not motivating to me," she told the Pensacola News Journal. In search of a different vibe, Ware began trying barre classes, became a regular at a local studio, and later trained to become an instructor herself.
Studios like Pure Barre, which has over 300 locations and just announced an expansion to Canada, are popping up worldwide, and traditional or comprehensive gyms are following suit by including barre classes in their group fitness offerings. As its popularity grows, so does the number of fitness professionals that are becoming certified in barre methods — and looking for centers where they can perform their booty-busting magic.
Prepping your center or studio for a barre class requires minimal investment. You need a qualified instructor and a sturdy barre, like one of these Pro Series or Intermediate Series models. Many classes also incorporate a yoga or Pilates mat, but those aren’t essential. Eager to capitalize on this fitness trend? Contact us for help selecting the barre that’s right for your business; you'll thank us later.
