I've been going to The Bar at 6 am. I wish The Bar was open at 6 am on weekends and I would be there too. I'm talking of course about The Bar Method, which is barre-focused workouts of high-repetition, low impact resistance training. I saw a $49 special for two weeks. I'm a lifelong exerciser and most recently I've been practicing Pilates. The Bar features more cardio and the classes are more high energy, and with more participants. My quads and triceps are sore. The people in these classes are fit! The instructors are very welcoming, make sure to correct form, and are supportive and motivational. There's a bathroom/shower, water, cubbies, and childcare (!!!) available. The studio is large with barres on all sides and one Saturday class I attended was packed. (I'm not a fan of the carpet though) The Bar Method definitely makes an impact quickly. I'm pretty sore (in a good way). Though I won't cancel my Pilates membership, I will consider a class pack. Right now class packs are 25% off. read more

I love this place. The workouts are wonderful. The owner, Sarah Oates, is so receptive. I highly recommend Bar Method Highland Park.

When I say I am meeting my friends at the bar, this is where you'll find me. This studio's owner Sarah Oates is one of the most friendly and charming people you will ever meet. Every instructor I have ever taken here is thorough, helpful and totally kicks my butt. I have never left a class where I haven't felt better than when I walked in. Have been a member for about 3 years and have completely transformed my strength and body. Come here you will love it! read more

Sara Oats runs an amazing community rather than a studio. I have never been skinny, let alone a dancer, so I never thought that I can do barre.This all changed with the bar method. The staff has a true passion for helping all their clients, of all shapes, sizes, ages, and life stages, to become confident, healthy, and strong visions of themselves. This is not just the safest and best workout class I have ever taken, it's a better life choice. read more

I tried Bar Method at this studio for the first time about a month ago through a recommendation of a friend and I'm totally hooked! The owner Sarah Oates and the instructors I've encountered are knowledgeable and so friendly. They always greet me by name when I walk in the door. They correct form which is important to me because I want to do each workout properly and do efficient exercise. I've noticed physical changes in my body that I've never noticed with any other workout. I've exercised pretty much my whole life and am a mediocre sports player. It's really amazing what these Pilates-like moves do when it comes to shaping and toning your body. My core has also seriously strengthened since giving birth 8 months ago! I'm so grateful! Bonus: This facility has childcare! read more

I really can't say enough great things about Bar Method in Highland Park. I've been going for a little over a year, and I love the classes which are as challenging as you'd like them to be or you just do what you are able to. The rooms are filled with happy energy, the instructors give you individual attention and greet you at the front desk by name. I feel stronger and more toned since going, and I feel a real sense of community in the class. It feels like a fitness family there, and that I haven't felt anywhere else. read more

A friend of mine had been raving to me how great The Bar Method is so I finally gave it a shot a couple weeks ago. I was very nervous to begin taking classes at The Bar Method as I am not in the best of shape and was worried that I really wouldn't fit in here. I must say that I love these classes! All of the instructors are so helpful, patient and willing to show or tell you how your body is to be positioned. It is amazing how a little adjustment can make a huge difference in your body. The classes are tough and you can really feel your muscles working, half the time my muscles shake like jello. If you are looking to get into shape or perhaps add a new class to your workout, I highly recommend The Bar Method. read more

I have experience with everything from Bikram yoga to Crossfit. We moved to the suburbs and I had to find new places to work out. Without writing a novel, here's a quick summary of clear issues with The Bar Method in Highland Park (the one in Lakeview was amazing in comparison): Isolating muscle groups for the purpose of toning them perpetuates the debunked idea of spot reduction. We don't lose fat at the location of repeated muscle contraction. Example: exercises like crunches don't reshape our fat tissue around the belly. After several sets of leg lifts, we stretched for a few seconds, supposedly to elongate leg muscles. This is another activity that isn't supported by current exercise science - muscles have fixed origins and insertions, so their lengths don't change. The countless issues these so called instructors have are endless. The staff at this location could not be less helpful if they weren't present, which is basically the case since all they have to offer is their mental patient looking, over the top pep under the even faker constant grin (think of a scary clown mask). None have any business to be instructing anyone on getting in shape, which is obvious at first glance. Their goal is very clear: get as many ignorant suburban housewives in as they can because they know as much about The Bar Method as we do. They probably assume no one will notice their lack of fitness knowledge by covering it up with that strange, fake as the main woman's nose job, creepy grin. Let's hope I don't have to keep driving to Evanston to get a decent work out. read more

I did the new member all-you-can-bar $100 special for the month before my wedding, and y'all, I was FIT. It was such a great pre-wedding workout, I cannot recommend it highly enough. The classes are very structured and focused, so I knew that I would have a full hour when my brain was focused on something other than planning. The small muscle movements are HARD, and I always left feeling pleasantly exhausted -- plus I started noticing results basically right away. My main goal was just to feel like I had good posture and no back pain on my wedding day, and bar method TOTALLY made that happen. Shelby is an amazing instructor, though the entire staff is so friendly and the space is really lovely. It was a great way to wake up! I only wish I could afford to keep going as often as I did all of February, though I know I'll be back eventually. I miss pretzel, round back, and back dancing (though I do NOT miss arabesque. can't win 'em all.) read more

I've gone to Pure Barre in Evanston and abhorred it. This was completely different, even though it was the same general type of class. The community seems to be very mixed as far as experience level, which is a nice change since I'm just now embarking on a better fitness regimen. I didn't feel self-conscious being new and I felt very taken care of since i do have a recurrent lower back injury. I'll definitely be back and I'm excited to see their new studio later this fall! read more

Great workout for the mind, body and soul. Welcoming, kind, knowledgeable staff. Try it once and you will be hooked. Not just for women, I brought my boyfriend and he loved the class. read more

I am not a fan of group exercise. Given my lack of perfect physique, I tend to seek out solo fitness pursuits. After a friend hounded me to try this, I am shocked to admit that I'm a convert! Every instructor that I've encountered are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. The classes are super challenging but allow for modifications to suit varying fitness levels. I've done 10 classes so far and I truly am noticing a difference in tone and strength. Sarah Oates runs a tight ship and is a very involved owner. Highly recommend! read more

i exercise a lot and decided to check this place out to see if it would be a good addition to my toning routing. Well, the 1hr workout was so great, I hurt all over and can't wait to come again. The routine includes toning of all major areas that one would be (potentially) insecure about: arms, legs, butt, abs. I expect it to be a great way to enhance my vinyasa yoga practice and increate my core strength. The space is clean, well lit, the changing rooms are spacious. There are plenty of classes scheduled throughout the day to fit into most people's schedules. read more

The Bar Method is hands-down the best workout I have ever tried. In fact, it's the only one I have stuck with because I continue to see results and continue to enjoy the class and I've been going for 8 years now! read more

I wish I could give it a higher rating. The classes and studio are fantastic. The teachers, amazing. The owner, Sarah is the absolute best and encourages us kindly, no matter what our fitness level and goals, and she makes it fun and a no-judgement zone. With Covid, they have significantly decreased indoor class size and have added mask only classes and outdoor classes, plus there are virtual classes available. Their responsiveness to everyone's needs are so appreciated. They keep me on my toes, literally and figuratively. read more

BAR method in Highland Park has been my favorite exercise place for the last few years. They have great teachers, a great schedule of classes, a beautiful space and a great community. Sarah Oates the owner is awesome and has added so many wonderful elements to the studio and offerings in the past few months. Love it! read more

I have been doing Bar Method for over 7 years now and still love it. It is the perfect balance of strength and flexibility exercises. I leave feeling I have worked out every part of my body. The instructors are great! There is always attention to form, so I never feel like I am doing an exercise "wrong." They are energetic and positive, and get the whole class motivated to do their absolute best. The studio has a great leader in Sarah! read more

If you are interested in adding an amazing workout to your routine which is focused on strengthening and stretching, then Bar Method in Highland Park is perfect for you. The instructors are knowledgeable and are able to create a class that challenges all fitness levels. Your body will thank you. read more

Great work-out experience combining ballet/bar, yoga, Pilates, ab work by very well trained and exceptionally nice instructors. Everyone is warmly and enthusiastically welcomed and the instructors are very good at working with people of all strength and athletic levels. Be prepared to concentrate and clear your mind. Very nice studio and an very collegial environment. read more

An amazing workout in a great facility. Wonderful teachers who guide their students through technique, all while challenging students to push themselves. It's fun and a complete workout. read more

Sarah at the Highland Park Bar Method location is a seasoned instructor with more than a decade of Bar Method teaching experience and a lifetime of dance proficiency. Being a male, it was challenging to step into a class predominately filled with women where I felt inexperienced and awkward. The burning sensation created by a three-pound weight when performing the activity with proper form was impressive. Each of the exercises develops flexibility, isometric strength, and conditioning that provide a significant advantage for a cross training athlete or as a primary workout. Additionally, persevering through the isometric holds helps to develop a mental fortitude that will leave you feeling wonderful post workout. After decades of training other sports, it feels incredible to reap the benefits of Bar Method by correcting the imbalances generated from sport specific training. I was amazed at how sore I was in the smaller muscle groups such as my calves, triceps, and abdominal muscles and pleasantly surprised to see improvements in my physique after only a short period of time with the Bar Method exercises. read more

I'm still loving The Bar method. Incredible instructors, never-boring workouts, and I continue to get leaner and stronger. I did years of high intensity cardio and heavy strength training, but never got defined muscles until I started here. My arms look great, my abs are pretty flat, my posture has improved, and my thighs are strong and toned. I'm 54, so if it works for me, it will work for you, too! read more

I decided to take advantage of their New Client Special (30-days of unlimited classes) and am so glad I did! The classes are challenging and the high rep format of the class fatigues your muscles to the point that your limbs are shaking. The instructors are really good at providing real-time feedback to ensure proper form so that you are getting the most out of the class. The express class (45 minutes vs the typical hour) flies by, especially when you are trying to squeeze in a class during a busy work day :) read more

I have just hit my 100 class mark since January. By far the best workout, instructors and facilities. I have never felt better....more energy, flexibility, leaner and stronger. Highly recommend these classes! read more

An excellent and challenging toning and stretching program. Warm, attentive instructors to help you achieve maximum benefit. Good value.

Great workout. New, clean facility. Awesome instructors. Great for all levels of fitness

The Bar Method in Highland Park is a great, full body workout. The owner, Sarah, is encouraging, kind, energetic, challenging, positive and incredibly motivating. I leave her classes feeling terrific. All of the instructors are well trained, knowledgeable and really care about the clients. It's a wonderful workout and a great community. read more

I love the Bar Method HP! I used to be a cardio junkie before I found barre. But none of my intense cardio workouts (tabata, running, insanity workouts) re-shaped my body the way barre workouts have. This studio is beautiful and very welcoming. The new owner, Sarah Oates, runs an incredible business and is very client oriented, with a great business mind. When you spend time and money somewhere, you want to feel valued and that is exactly what she does. Very client focused and she has added some very cute, new perks around the studio. (previous owners were fantastic too) I know some reviews have commented that the clients here are all north shore mothers. Well, I did not grow up on the north shore or anything close to it and I am not a mom. But I still feel at home here and have found everyone to be super friendly. LOVE bar method HP. read more