Barre classes - squeeze, tuck and flex in these body-sculpting sessions

What’s On teams up with Good magazine to review barre classes in Dubai, a new fitness trend. Find out about new fitness classes in Dubai.

More…
– Bootcamps 2015 guide
– Romeo et Juliette
– Dance classes
– PoleFit classes
– Boxing gyms
– New Flywheel studio

Squeeze and flex your way through these body-sculpting barre sessions…

FLYBARRE

WHAT? Developed as the “perfect” complement to Flywheel indoor cycling classes, FlyBarre combines elements of yoga, dance, circuit training, Pilates and strength building to lengthen, tone and sculpt the body. Just like with Flywheel, the music is all-important, so you’ll get pounding playlists to power you through all that squeezing and pulsing.
WHERE? The original studio is in Burj Views, and Flywheel has now opened a second location at the Gold & Diamond Park.
GO FOR An intensive workout with people who are serious about their fitness. Many regulars head for the barre fresh from a 45-minute Flywheel session.
HOW MUCH? Dhs110 per class.

Tel: (04) 4232544. dubai.flywheelsports.com

SWEATSHOP STUDIO

WHAT? Hoda Sazegari and Siham Salloum opened this eco-friendly, unpretentious studio in March. The barre class is an intense cardio and toning session targeting the core, legs, inner thighs and glutes using weights, a ball and hitting the floor for mat work.
WHERE? Sweatshop is in Cluster H, JLT, and there’s plenty of parking available.
GO FOR All over body conditioning. Sweatshop also offers five different yoga classes (three hot and two not), Zumba, pole dancing, barre and even a kids’ dance class.
HOW MUCH? Dhs80 per class.

Tel: 050 4399432. facebook.com/sweatshopdubai. 

PHYSIQUE 57

WHAT? Founded in New York by former Wall Street hotshot Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi, Physique 57 has quickly built up a loyal following since arriving in Dubai. Expect the usual weights, “playground” balls (funny, we don’t recall school break times being this exhausting), and resistance bands used to push your every muscle group to its limit over 57 minutes.
WHERE? The Physique 57 studio at City Walk on Al Wasl Road.
GO FOR One tough workout. These mind-bogglingly lean instructors mean business, especially once you’ve progressed to mixed level classes. The ease with which they drop into the splits at any given moment is your first clue to the effectiveness of P57.
HOW MUCH? Dhs125 per class.

Tel: (04) 3448757. physique57.com/dubai

XTEND BARRE

WHAT? Xtend Barre is a combination of ballet and pilates introduced by this popular JLT studio. Real practices Stott Pilates, described as a contemporary approach to the original exercise method that incorporates the principles of sport rehabilitation, making it a super safe option for the injury prone.
WHERE? Real Pilates is in JBC2 Tower in Cluster V, JLT.
GO FOR Real Pilates doesn’t have the same bells and whistles as some of the newcomers on the scene (you won’t find Dermalogica products in the bathroom here), but the instructors are warm and welcoming, the studios are spacious, and it’s a lot more reasonably priced than many other workouts as a result.
HOW MUCH? Dhs75 per class.

Tel: (04) 3453228. real-pilates.com

FLOOR BARRE

WHAT? Devised by the Dubai Dance Academy, this barre workout promises to get you closer to the kind of long, lean body sported by prima ballerinas, courtesy of strength and agility building moves coupled with a cardio boost.
WHERE? The Dubai Dance Academy studios are at the Yassat Gloria Hotel Apartments in Internet City.
GO FOR An experience rooted in dance. Founded by former prima ballerina Reiko M-Cheong, who perfected the art of fine French ballet during her time at the Opera National de Paris, this studio specialises in – you guessed it – ballet classes.
HOW MUCH? Dhs90 per 90-min class.

Tel: (04) 3818888. dubaidanceacademy.com

NYLA METHOD

WHAT? American Andrea deBellis used the barre workouts she followed in the States to develop the NYLA Method, hand-picking an elite team of instructors from New York, LA and Australia to help her bring the concept to the Middle East. Expect beaming staff, pop-filled playlists, and shaking limbs – let’s just say the word “pretzel” will take on a whole new meaning.
WHERE? NYLA House, a bright and spacious villa at 675 Al Wasl Road, Umm Suqeim.
GO FOR A holistic approach to your physical wellbeing. As well as fitness studios, NYLA’s sunny HQ is home to a healthy café (with free WiFi), a spa, a blow dry bar, and a lounge stocked with magazines and stylish workout gear. It’s like a sorority house for sporty girls.
HOW MUCH? Dhs125 per class.

Tel: (04) 3212662. nylamethod.com