Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Bar Method

    4.6 (80 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Services - The Bar Method

    The Bar Method Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Bar Method

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Women's changing area
    Jimmy C.

    Lakeshore Ave. has historically been a very fashionable street. It hasn't been the talk of the town as other busy Oakland streets such as Piedmont Ave. or the Rockridge District, but personally, I've preferred it that way. In the '70s and '80s, boutique clothing stores lined the avenue. Then shopping habits changed, the identity of the street in the '90s was a little confusing--or was that just the '90s itself? Nowadays, it's not about what you're wearing, it's more about how you look wearing it. Some schmo walking down the street in a bath towel will look out of place, while the same towel on someone with a chiseled body looks like they're going to a modeling gig. To serve the health and image conscious locals who want to look good in a bath towel (or lack of), new exercise businesses are popping up on Lakeshore. The big gyms have had their heyday and many of us got tired of going to the air conditioned warehouses filled with rows of dreadmills, electronic music blasting while CNN plays on the flat screens. For a while, I didn't know what Anderson Cooper sounded like, but I associated his face with a heavy bass track that went oonce oonce oonce. The new exercise studios are very specific in their offerings. This is better for the community, it encourages people to join many different places rather than one place that tries to do it all. The latest addition to Lakeshore is a branch of The Bar Method franchise. They made a beautiful remodel of what was Ken Pitt's martial arts studio (he moved around the corner to Santa Clara Ave.). The exercise mostly attracts women since it focuses on strength without building a lot of mass; its origin is with dancers, so you won't see many cutoff sleeve t-shirts and bros getting all swollbraham lincoln. Because of the mostly female clientele, the women's locker room is significantly nicer than the men's. The guys get a toilet at the end of the hall with a spacious shower opposite it, across the hall. There are plenty of lockers with locks on them for customers to use. There is even a small daycare room with a beautiful sunlight overhead. The studio is on the 2nd floor, I believe stairs are the only option to enter. But if someone can't walk up stairs, there's probably nothing for them in the bar method series of exercises. The bar method is like pilates, yoga, ballet, and a Catholic school posture clinic rolled up into one torturous salad with frisee. It's hard to cheat in the bar method, which is what makes it so challenging. There aren't many (any?) exercises that use momentum or any kind of body swing to pass time while you dream about what to eat at Top Dog afterwards. You're either doing it right, or working towards it, no cheating yourself here. It's an exercise that's easy on the joints too.

    Thanks, Yelp Fit Club for introducing me to The Bar Method!!

    See all

    Photo of K S.
    0
    25
    0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M H.
    49
    16
    0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Meg C.
    222
    14
    2

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Galina Y.
    211
    27
    26

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of The Bar Method E.

    The Bar Method E.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Yo M.
    183
    561
    38

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alma W.
    13
    178
    17

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kelly M.
    97
    728
    160

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tomasa M.
    195
    33
    0

    11 years ago

    I went a few months ago as a free session from one of my friends. Loved it. Now I just need to sign up and make it work in my schedule.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R P.
    0
    3
    3

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Niki H.
    0
    122
    2

    11 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Bar Method

    Review Highlights - The Bar Method

    I've been going to Bar Method Oakland since July 2013 and I've been hooked since then!

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Barre Classes 807 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Vita

    Vita

    4.8
    (27 reviews)
    2.7 mi

    VITA has changed my life! I started out only going to "VITA on the go" outings (hikes,…read moremeditations), and then I started going to classes. I also did health coaching with the owner, Katy, and went to a talk offered by one of the Barre teachers. With these offerings, VITA has changed my relationship with my body for the better. I appreciate the holistic approach to health/exercise and the sweet community VITA has created. Every community needs a VITA in it. I'm so grateful that mine does!

    No one warned us that it was power barre! But somehow we survived. Perhaps it was that promise of…read morecheese and wine at the end of the line. 6 of us friends attended Katy's "barre, wine & cheese" night at vita and enjoyed ourselves. It's always a plus when you can combine torture with pleasure. I love one-off workshop type events vs regularly scheduled programming so when I saw this event on the newsletter, I recruited my friends and off we went. Payment online is a little confusing as is finding and paying for the special events Vs the scheduled on their website. These are under the "soul" category. We did not have to bring anything to class, but towel and water were optional. The sticky mats were provided along with weights and stretching bands. There's even a water dispenser on the wall like they have in airports. The unisex restroom in the back is large and clean. It sits opposite of a daycare room. Parking is street parking or you can park at or take the BART and walk up a few blocks. I had been to vita when they first opened 6+ years ago for a Pilates/yoga/barre class. I remember it being hard, so katy, the owner, who teaches the power classes must have been teaching, and I hadn't been back until now! Make sure to wear your tank top because the room is heated and only gets steamier with the huffing bodies. Otherwise the studio is bright and clean. There is a little merchandise to buy at the front and cubbies for your stuff. We all wiped down our mats after class with the wipes provided. The acoustics are terrible so when the music is on, and people are talking before, and after it gets very that you have to shout. After the 45 minute class, a foldout table was set up in the middle of the room with cubes of cheese, bread, crackers, salami and cups of wine. There was plenty of wine and some nonalcoholic, but the food was wiped clean. The tasting was educational and Katy is as passionate about her cheese pairings as she is about her exercise.

    Photos
    Vita
    Merchandise
    Merchandise
    Wine

    See all

    Wine
    Truve

    Truve

    4.9
    (197 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    I won an auction for 3 Pilates reformer classes last year and I haven't stopped going! I knew I had…read moreto start building strength for my health, but was having trouble motivating myself to go to the gym. Alison's classes are fun and challenging. I can tell I'm so much stronger than I used to be.

    If you are one of the many of us, trying to get back into shape after Covid, Truve Fit should be…read moreyour first stop. A key factor of whether you will stick with an exercise program is the having a frictionless environment. Truve has validated parking at the Hive so you do not have to be driving around in circles trying to figure out where you can park safely and get into the class on time. When you walk in through the front doors, the vibe is very chill so you do not feel anxious walking into class. Most importantly, the other people working in the gym are extremely supportive and will become your community quickly. Having all these things in place makes a fitness routine so much easier to establish. There are even free community classes if that's how you prefer to give this place a try. The instructors are excellent. Classes are capped at 10 for general fitness classes, and three for Pilates. As a result, their instructors can give you abundant corrections and attention so you avoid injuries and develop great form. If you are worried that you don't know how to use a Pilates Reformer, you can hire a private trainer for three classes to learn the ropes like I did. This is the premier gym in Oakland for rehabilitation from injuries. I am a 7 year cancer survivor who has had numerous surgeries. Each time, I've had to fight back to regain my health, strength and flexibility. My last surgery was major, set me back the farthest, and happened during the height of the pandemic; recovery felt close to impossible until I walked through these doors. Not only have I converted fat into muscle, lost weight, gotten so much stronger and gained so much range of motion over 5 months, but I can keep trying new things like TRX Bootcamp that turned out to be fun. Truve's got a wide range of things you can try to keep from being bored. Also, you can go buy fresh baked bread and pastries at Firebrand Artisan Bakery next store or empanadas at Javi's Empanadas caddy corner after you finish your workout. Truve's location is fabulous.

    Photos
    Truve founder Alison Roessler running
    Truve founder Alison Roessler running
    Buddy personal training session
    Buddy personal training session
    3 person Pilates reformer class

    See all

    3 person Pilates reformer class
    Hipline

    Hipline

    4.7
    (121 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    I was going through a breakup over the summer and what better way to get over a man than to keep…read moremyself busy? I did the 2 week intro class pass because it was the same price as a single drop-in. I really took advantage of it because I was taking classes back to back every single day for those two weeks. One Saturday I took all their morning classes. That's like 5 in a row. It was amazing. I had so much fun! There's like a 15 min break in between classes. I love every single class that I took! The only downside to this is I live so far (South Bay) so to beat traffic on weekdays I would come super early (around 2-3pm) and sleep in my car parked at the Trader Joe's parking lot and wait for their 4pm class. I even considered moving to Oakland just so I can start taking their classes again and be in a closer vicinity. I love what they stand for (body positivity). I love the staff. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. If you try one instructor and don't like their vibe or playlist, I encourage you to try another! There's always someone out there for you that fits what you're looking for. I cannot recommend this place enough and wish they had options for day passes. I wish I could come in for one day and take back to back classes again. Hoping they open a studio in the South Bay!!

    First time dancing (in a studio) post-baby and what a great comeback with Hipline and warm welcome…read more FYI the entrance to Hipline is not street facing, there is a walkway next to Top Dog if parking on Lakeshore and signage pointing you in the right direction. I took an early morning class (Shimmy Pop, Indoor) with Nadiah. Upon entering there was a sign welcoming the newbies to the studio (including me!). After check-in, I received a newbie studio tour and joined the class shortly after. Absolutely loved the space, what the studio stands for, and the class format. SO fun! Great class and instructor. Would love to explore the other class type/styles, and incorporate into my schedule. To note, there is a newbie pass ($24) for unlimited classes for 2 weeks from start date. Can't wait to come back and explore Hipline more, thank you for the awesome experience!

    Photos
    Hipline
    Entrance
    Entrance
    With Evie. She's awesome & fun!

    See all

    With Evie. She's awesome & fun!
    Rise Bodyworks

    Rise Bodyworks

    4.6
    (214 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    This review is long overdue. I've been coming here since September 2025 -- first for pilates, and…read morenow also a gym member. Pilates: I love attending the reformer classes, particularly Alba's and Jessica's, but I've attended most if not all of the instructors' classes and they've all been great. The weekend classes do get kind of quick so it's better to book in advance. Gym: Clean, never packed (at least when I go). I always find space to stretch with no issue and have never had to wait for what I need. People put their weights back. There are spray bottles and cloths to wipe what you use after. The bathrooms are clean, and the red light sauna is a treat (honestly my deciding factor for adding the membership lol). I've yet to use the cold plunge or the showers. You get $10 off when you have more than 1 membership. I had a billing issue in the beginning and they were very responsive and helpful. All together I pay $164/mo for both. The lack of a parking lot is a mild inconvenience, but street parking is hardly an issue with all the residential streets with free parking around Park. Great gym!!

    This gym is hands down one of the best I've been to. It's always clean, well-organized, and…read moreequipped with everything you need--plenty of machines, free weights, and space to work out comfortably. Even during busy hours, it never feels overcrowded. The staff is friendly, professional, and genuinely welcoming. You can tell they care about creating a positive environment for all fitness levels. The atmosphere is motivating without being intimidating, which makes it easy to stay consistent. I can't recommend my personal trainer (Katherine) and Rise highly enough! From day one, they've been professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in my progress. Every workout is well-structured, challenging, and tailored to my goals and fitness level. They push me just the right amount while always making sure my form is correct and that I'm training safely. If you're looking for a trainer who is reliable, encouraging, and results-driven, this is absolutely the one. Worth every penny!

    Photos
    Cardio Kickboxing with Catina!
    Cardio Kickboxing with Catina!
    Rise Bodyworks
    Bootcamp Class with Norbert!

    See all

    Bootcamp Class with Norbert!

    The Bar Method - barreclasses - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...