I've been doing JAR Barre for more than a year, so it's time to share some opinions…read more First off, barre itself is a serious workout. Or it _can_ be, depending on your effort. This makes it fairly easy for beginners: the basic positions and movements are manageable by anyone, but intensity ramps up by dipping down a little lower, raising a leg a little higher, stretching a little farther, etc. If you really dig in, it can work you harder than any weight room session -- but you're always in control of that burn. As for Judy, she's vivid proof of barre's benefits and a constant inspiration. She's encouraging, observant, and provides discreet feedback/correction when form starts to stray. She's also terrific at keeping things interesting for regulars: maybe three-fourths of any workout will be familiar, but new challenges are always being introduced, which keeps us on our toes (sometimes literally). JAR Barre was the best thing I did for myself last year.

There's barre class, and then there is JAR barre!! For the past year I have faithfully practiced…read morebarre with Judy and I am thrilled with the results. What makes Judy's class different from other barre classes is that she is a professional body builder. She knows exactly which movements will make the muscles defined and how the body needs to look balanced from head to toe. She has the ability to tailor the exercise to all skill levels, so everyone feels welcome no matter the abilities. Judy is also skilled in differentiating the exercises so we never repeat ourselves, no plateauing! She is motivating through leading by example, along with her very friendly demeanor. For many years I ran long distances, supported this training with yoga and boot camp, then added JAR barre a year ago. After just a few weeks I noticed the legs and glutes were more defined than ever before. I'm a believer! I throughly love her classes, will continue to practice with her 2-3xs a week and will join her to any studio where she teaches. Thank you JAR!

Even after coming to new hope commons for years I am only just finding this hole in the wall!…read more I did the Sculpt class with Bridget and boy was it tough. It was a full body work out in 50 mins and I think it was pretty fast paced but got in some burns. I think my preference would be slower paced work outs but the choreography was interesting and made sense for a full body session! The place is a little hard to find but thankfully I followed others who were in fitness clothes and made my way upstairs ok. The studio used was clean and I loved that all of our supplies were set out with a mat all ready to go. I do wish the classes orientation (the room itself) wasn't so narrow and long as it was hard to see the instructors movements around other people but she did her best to go on each side of the room for the exercises and did them all with us which was also nice. Can't speak on price since I found this place through class pass but I do think if you are looking for a hard, fast paced, heart rate up, and well rounded class this one was a good one

The Sweat Lab is awesome! You will dance, you will drop it low, you will shake it, you will flex it…read moreand most of all you will SWEAT! The instructors are not only fun and spirited, they push you to keep going whether your cycling, holding a plank or doing repetitive arms. I appreciate the challenge in the classes as well as the different studio wide challenges that they encourage everyone to partake in! I also appreciate how welcoming and personable everyone! Thanks Sweat Lab!

I LOVE THIS STUDIO!!!! They have such amazing instructors and the classes are so much fun!! COME…read moreHERE !!!

Did a couple classes here while visiting the area this Fall. (also tried barre3 nearby). Impressed…read morewith the very experienced and well trained instructors. Knowledgeable staff!

Really enjoyed a difficult but fun Barre Chisel class!…read more I believe the instructor was Anna. The parking is a little strange being behind the building I'd recommend entering through the front (I accidentally came in via the back door and therefore was a bit confused where to check in and the board has all the info you need)! Great class and loved the 90s playlist - lots of energy and worked all aspects of the body in one go. I cannot speak the the price of classes as I was introduced to the studio via class pass but it was a great experience and I'd love to drop in occasionally

Discovered this gem via ClassPass and decided to give it a try! Riley taught our mat Pilates class…read morein a beautiful, airy, and welcoming studio space. The vibes were great, the playlist was awesome, and the workout was even better! I do lots of barre and yoga, so I figured this would be in a similar vein, but I was so wrong. I was sore (in a good way!) in muscles I didn't know I had! Riley's teaching style was super approachable and she gave lots of options for modifications to accommodate any injuries or discomfort. Honestly, I liked my experience here so much that I'm thinking about getting ClassPass just to add The Cube into my regular rotation.

Love OTF.... but current Meadowmont OTF studio customer service sucks…read more After 18 months loving my OT Beat Link (Apple Watch heart rate monitor), I recently lost it. It was a great option for me so I bought a replacement OT Beat Link ($140) on Monday at Meadowmont which is currently my home studio. I finally *found* my lost OT Beat Link on Tuesday night (of course ;-), and then proceeded to return the never-used-still-in-the-box-with-all-the-parts new OT Beat Link on Wednesday morning at Meadowmont. I was informed there is a strict no return policy for all heart rate monitors... doesn't matter if the device is still in the box and has never been used. I hate to give the Meadowmont OTF studio a negative review. I have been an OTF member based at Meadowmont studio for over 8 years, and overall OTF is awesome. I wish current Meadowmont OTF management had better customer service, IMO they used to do much better. Luckily there are several OTF studio options in the area and I would highly recommend trying those over Meadowmont.... I have found the MLK OTF studio in Durham to be a superior option and there are a couple other studios in the Chapel Hill/Durham area.

I was only a member for a few months. The staff was very nice and always helpful. The only thing I…read moredidn't like was that not all coaches ensured members were wiping down equipment after they used it. I was used to coaches hand out wipes at each station between transitions. Other than that it was a great experience!

For all you cardio junkies out there, it is in your best interest to check out PopUp Workout ASAP!…read moreI have attended a couple of classes now and they have literally kicked my butt and left me feeling terribly tired in the best of kick-ass workout ways. {This is a good thing!} Katie Corley, owner and founder of the PopUp Workout makes the experience! Her energy, excitement, music list and full sixty minute workout will leave you feeling addicted. The great thing about the PopUp Workout is you can literally do it anywhere! Make sure you wear clothes you are comfortable working out in and getting sweaty in {also wear tennis shoes!} as well as a: yoga mat {Katie usually has some extras just in case you forget!}, water bottle and towel {this is not make or break but I highly recommend if you're prone to sweating!} PopUp provides you with all the other essentials including "gliders" {paper plates}, a small rubber ball and two types of fitness bands. One thing I love about these workouts is that you could replicate everything at home, most of us have the "materials" around our house! PopUp now has about fourteen classes a month around Durham/Chapel Hill area including yoga, pilates, HITT, PopUp Tone and "Tighten 'n' Tone". The classes I've had with Katie have been full body: arms, legs, butt and abs. These classes do cater to a slightly older crowd (late thirties to early fifties range, women only), although I'm in my mid-twenties and I love these workouts! Plus, their rates are very reasonable for the workout you receive! So get out there cardio junkies and try at PopUp Workout!

From the owner: * Cardio and Toning Full Body Workout * High Intensity…read moreInterval Training * Yoga * Pilates * Kids Fitness Classes * Childcare Offered * Private Event and Corporate Fitness - We will bring the workout to you!

We have been taking our child here for years. It's a great place to learn dance. It's a low…read morepressure place that focuses on the joy of movement.

Amazing place! Great teachers and so many fun classes I want to try!…read more Unlike so many people I know, I never took dance growing up, However I have always enjoyed movement and wished I could dance actual steps. All that to say I was super intimidated to take the plunge now, in my late 30s. I started with a Saturday afternoon line dancing workshop. I was immediately put at ease by the friendliness and the diversity of ages, sizes, and shapes of people that I found taking the class with me. After my wonderful experience at the workshop, I signed up for beginning modern jazz. Tracey Durbin is an amazing teacher! I was up-front with her about my lack of experience and nervousness. She put me at ease by reminding me that everyone is here to have fun, period. I have now signed up for my second session and I have no plans to stop!

I love this studio! It is in such a great location. It is near a harris teeter, panera, burger…read morebach, and a lot of other really good food places and stores. I decided to try barre because I am not a fan of high impact workouts. Don't be fooled by the minimal movements - these classes are no joke. But, the instructor was so friendly and encouraging the whole time and I didn't feel embarrassed or out of place. The studio is clean and everyone is very energetic and welcoming! It really is a fun and positive environment.

I was really excited when the new Pure Barre Durham opened in the new Shops at Erwin Mill shopping…read morecenter. I've checked out other barre places around the Triangle, and this one was right by my house! The class is exactly what you'd expect from a Pure Barre class (scripted, a routine you would know). You enter the studio, sign in, and set up inside the room. Barre socks are a must, so bring some with you. There are bathrooms both outside and inside of the actual room, and only one wall has a mirror - so you aren't forced in front of one if you don't want it. Both classes I took started late, which is annoying, but it was the first week they were open. I definitely think it takes more than once class to feel the workout - you'll spend the whole first class just understanding what's going on, so if you have the opportunity, a class package is the way to go. I purchased the 4 classes for $40 newcomers special (14 days to use). Unfortunately some of the days the studio was closed due to snow, but the owners were more than accommodating about adding a few days back onto the pass to cover it. However, it was nearly impossible to get into a class! Even a full week ahead of time, I could not get into a class or on a wait-list - AT ALL (I'm talking the entire weekend was full). So despite the owner's accommodation with adding a few days on to the package, I was only able to use two classes anyway. My suggestion: If you have time to take class during the off-peak hours (mid-day? I have no idea) then it's worth it, but otherwise, any kind of package that can expire might not be worth your money. This might be due to the fact that they just opened a few weeks ago, so hopefully as they hammer out a better schedule, include more classes, etc. this won't be an issue.