If you're looking for high end boutique fitness, this is it. The first location in Canada, Barry's at Richmond boasts a smoothie bar, towel service, a stretch room with vibrating foam rollers and a basic supply of personal care products in their change rooms (gendered only).
COSTS
Trying them for the first time at the start of the year, I was able to maximize a 3-class deal, where you pay $60 for the 3, versus $32 for a single. After you do try you first class, they also send you a promo for another deal so long as you redeem it with 48 hours.
SPECIALTY
Now for the actual workout: Barry touts itself as one of the most intense workouts you'll ever complete, because, instead of doing interval training with dumbells or body weight, you alternate with jogs, runs and sprints on the treadmill to get the heart rate way up and work up a sweat.
REGISTRSTION
How do the logistics work? When you sign up online and reserve your class, you're given something like a workout stations chart. There's a row of treadmills to the back of the fitness studio, and risers everywhere else. To reserve your spot, you select whether you'd like to begin with sprints or with weights. If it's not your day for cardio, there's also a row of risers that are designated as "double floor", meaning, no treadmill.
Whatever you choose, if you're alternating, you start at a riser marker F3 for Floor 3 and when the time comes, you alternate to T3 for Treadmill 3. To get oriented, first timers should show up early to check in at the desk, where staff will also walk you through an illustration of the treadmill controls.
WORKOUT
Due to the high intensity, the sprints ARE as challenging as advertised. If you get lucky, your instructor may also ask that you use "Dynamic Mode" where the treadmills move via manual power, aka--yep, you guessed it, your legs!
The good news for your burning legs is that sprints usually last 30 seconds, which is very tolerable. So while the sprints are tough, it may not be the toughest workout out there if cardio is your jam.
If you're intimidated by the sprints and the jog, I'd recommend that you talk to your instructor about modifying the prescribed speed range--jogs are 4-6, runs are 7-9 and sprints are 10+, and start where your comfortable, increasing your pace by 2 levels each time. This is something I've done in my first two classes, because I have a fear of flying off the treadmill and bowling someone over on the riser.
When you're on the floor, expect to do anything from leg raises, squats, burpees to resistance training. The moves vary depending on the day of the week, and all classes that day will target lower body for example, with the instructor's choice of moves.
Since I became aware of Barry's by way of Asics' free HIIT class taught by Steven Bole, Asics Ambassador and Barry's instructor, I only ended up attending his classes. Out of the three classes I tried, my favourite was his Friday total body.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Unfortunately, the only thing I wasn't a fan of, is how squished the changeroom is, proportionate to the volume of folks using the facilities---i.e. someone's glass water bottle was shattered during my first visit because there's one bench in the changeroom and it was doing double duty as a storage and sitting surface. Then again, it's winter, so the squished sense I got will likely vanish in warmer months, when people are not carrying twice the amount of gear around.
If you plan on visiting soon and you don't need to change into your gym clothes, there are lockers right outside the fitness studio that are less crowded.
Or, since Barry's has a stretch room full of foam rollers etc. try taking your time cooling down and stretching while waiting out the crowd.
BONUS
If youre a fan of gym selfies, Barry's branding game has got you covered. There's wall decal and gold carpet by the entrance, a mural upstairs plus props for all your gram needs.
Finally, if you can't find a class on a stat holiday, chances are Barry's will be open---I've been to an 8am class this past Family Day and someone told me they've visited Christmas day. So next time you don't know what to do on a stat, consider spending part of it at Barry's! read more