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The Bar Method

4.8 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · Barre studio in San Mateo, California

Part of Bar Method

Barre studio Teacher training Beginner-friendly

Low-impact workouts using the ballet barre in an upscale fitness facility with showers & lockers.

Plan your first class

  • Drop-ins drop-ins around $9.95 — many studios discount this heavily on your first visit, so ask about the new-member rate
  • Memberships monthly memberships and unlimited plans available — ask how intro-offer classes credit toward a membership
  • Showers showers on site — handy if you're heading somewhere after class, so bring a change of clothes
  • Teacher training offers teacher training — ask about upcoming instructor cohorts and prerequisites
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (650) 573-3330
  • Website & schedule barmethod.com — book classes and see the live schedule

Hours

Monday 6 AM–7 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–7 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–7 PM
Thursday 6 AM–7 PM
Friday 6 AM–5 PM
Saturday 7 AM–12 PM
Sunday 7 AM–12 PM

Hours shift for holidays, workshops, and class schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they teach

Barre formats on the schedule at The Bar Method, confirmed in members' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🩰 Classic Barre 21 mentions

“For me, Bar method has given me the best results compared to any other type of exercise I have done (Pilates on reformers, yoga, gym workouts, etc).”

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🛗 Reformer Barre

“For me, Bar method has given me the best results compared to any other type of exercise I have done (Pilates on reformers, yoga, gym workouts, etc).”

All studios teaching reformer barre →

What's on offer

Amenities members name in their reviews of The Bar Method — the fastest way to tell what to expect before you book your first class.

🚿 Showers 3 mentions

“The studio is really nice with nice locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers too (very important).”

Other studios with showers →

🛗 Reformers

“For me, Bar method has given me the best results compared to any other type of exercise I have done (Pilates on reformers, yoga, gym workouts, etc).”

Other studios with reformers →

🚪 Changing Rooms 2 mentions

“The studio is really nice with nice locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers too (very important).”

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🛍️ Retail Boutique

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🤝 Community Events 4 mentions

“The classes are really tough and the instructors push you to challenge yourself but it’s okay to go at your pace and no one makes you feel bad.”

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Amenities are mined from reviews and the studio's own info — they tell you what members have experienced, not a formal guarantee. If something is a dealbreaker (childcare hours, grip socks, showers), confirm it with the studio before you go.

What members say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 68 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🧼 clean & well-kept 5 mentions

“The location is very clean and airy and the equipment is well maintained.”

🔥 great full-body burn 2 mentions

“The Bar Method is a great workout!”

🤝 strong community vibe 7 mentions

“Instructors are all really friendly and are super helpful to ensure you get the best out of your workout!”

💪 good results & toning 9 mentions

“For me, Bar method has given me the best results compared to any other type of exercise I have done (Pilates on reformers, yoga, gym workouts, etc).”

🚿 clean showers & amenities 5 mentions

“The studio is really nice with nice locker rooms, bathrooms, and showers too (very important).”

From the reviews

To find the best workout style for myself being a sassy over 50 gal was a process. I even tried ballet, that was bad plan. When I discovered Bar Method San Mateo, I found my tribe.

★★★★★ — Addison, May 2023

The Bar Method San Mateo is my workout home! I've been attending class regularly at this studio for 7 years. No other workout that I've tried (from weight training to running, yoga to cycling) has EVER made a dent in my body. Now I'm 2 clothing sizes smaller and stronger than I've ever been. And, I've got a booty!

★★★★★ — Gennis, Nov 2015

My wife has been taking the Bar Method at the San Mateo studio for more than five years and it has changed both of our lives for the better. She eats well and works out consistently at both the San Mateo and the Palo Alto studios, so now I work out harder and eat better than ever.

★★★★★ — Siavosh, Aug 2015

The staff and instructors at the San Mateo are some of the sweetest people I have met! Not only is the environment so pleasant, but the workout itself is very exciting. After a month of bar method, I can't imagine a week without it. The Bar Method has changed the way I workout for the better!

★★★★★ — Ash, Oct 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 68 reviews →

Teacher training at The Bar Method

The Bar Method comes up for teacher training — confirmed on their own site. If you're thinking about becoming a barre instructor, a few things are worth asking up front. First, which certification the program leads to — many boutique studios run a proprietary, method-specific training (Pure Barre, Bar Method, and barre3 each certify you in their own format), while others offer a more general barre certification you can teach anywhere. Second, the schedule and prerequisites — trainings often run as intensive weekend blocks or over several weeks, and most studios want you taking classes there regularly first. Third, cost and payment plans, and whether tuition includes an unlimited membership for the training period. Teacher training is a real commitment of time and money, so it's worth a call or an info session before you enroll.

See their teacher-training info

Your first barre class at The Bar Method

New to barre? Almost everyone is their first time, and a good studio expects beginners to walk in the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: barre blends small isometric holds and tiny pulses at a ballet barre with light weights and mat work — it's low-impact and joint-friendly, but it works muscles you didn't know you had, so a little shaking in your legs is the point, not a problem. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: fitted leggings and a top you can move in — nothing baggy, so the instructor can see your form. Grip socks: most barre studios require grip socks — bring a pair or check whether they sell them at the front desk; the grippy soles keep you steady during the pulses. What to bring: water and a small towel — there are showers on site if you need one after. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet your instructor. It clicks fast — most people say their third class feels completely different from their first.

Barre is low-impact, so it suits most bodies and fitness levels — but if you're pregnant or working around an injury, check with a doctor and let your instructor know so they can offer modifications.

Where to find The Bar Method

Crystal Springs Shopping Village, 128 De Anza Blvd, San Mateo, CA94402

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.