I enjoy learning about new developments in fitness, so when I heard about Barrecore, I was keen to know more! Having browsed their beautiful website and seen photos like the ones on their Instagram, I first worried that I wasn’t enough of a dancer to pull Barrecore off! But I was fascinated by how Barrecore came about, and keen to know if it would be suitable for me, so I asked the founder and CEO of Barrecore for an interview, to find out!
Barrecore’s Founder Niki Rein gave me the lowdown:
- What is Barrecorre for people who haven’t heard of it and why should we be doing it?
Barrecore is a type of fitness that is inspired by Ballet, Yoga and Pilates. The heritage of barre fitness actually started in London in the 1950’s by a German ballerina named, Lotte Berk. She (along with an osteopath) created her own method based on using your own body weight as resistance in a balletic way to create a lithe, toned and balanced body with an aim at healing back pain. The Lotte Berk Method was then taken to the States by one of her students and was ‘super-sized’ by physiotherapists and dancers to create an even smarter and stronger full body workout. Now called Barre Fitness, there are many different variations of the technique in the US and Barrecore is the first to take over London. Barrecore focuses on the intelligence of the technique Lotte Berk created many years ago.
Barrecore exercises work the body in a way that encourages better insulin uptake in the cells so you become an efficient fat burner beyond workouts rather than just calorie burning during. Poor insulin uptake tends to show in the waistline but barrecore is known for creating perky and toned buttocks and a slim waist, which is believed to stem from better hormonal metabolism. We slim these areas by performing high repetition, isometric and eccentric contractions across the whole body.
When insulin is under control all other hormones work more efficiently as well. This hormonal process doesn’t just last during the time that you are in class but works over the following 4 days. There is also the theory that during these 4 days post workout you actually create more energy producing, fat melting mitochondria in your cells. Added bonus, when you do at least 2-3 workouts a week you are keeping this process going and so will see unbelievably fast results.
- How did you come up with the idea for this business?
When I arrived to the UK in 2009 I was shocked to see that barre fitness didn’t exist here. After working for Tracy Anderson in LA and then falling in love with barre fitness, opening a London studio was a natural desire as there was such a clear need.
- What is your career background?
From 1999-2008, I worked as a Holistic Health Practitioner in California at spas and detox resorts and with private clients. In 2000, trained as a yoga instructor to work along side the healing work I was doing. Below are my certifications:
Niki has achieved certification in Primal Blueprint Certification, Poliquin BioSignature Modulation Levels 1 and 2, REPS Level 3 Advanced Fitness Instructor, REPS Level 3 Personal Trainer, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Garuda Apparatus Certification and holds a barre certification with esteemed veteran instructor Debbie Frank, the US-based International Instructor Trainer for Exhale Core Fusion.
- Do you have to be super fit to do Barrecore or can anyone do it?
All fitness levels are welcome in our SIGNATURE classes. Everyone will be encouraged to push themselves to their max and instructors give modifications and advancements in every position, so each individual can adjust the exercise to their level of fitness. We do have a beginner’s class called FOUNDATIONS for those interested, as well as advanced classes (SIGNATURE ADVANCED). Plus, we have HIIT and CARDIO for those wanting more cardiovascular training as well as flexibility classes such as ASANA, SCULPT, EXPRESS and STRETCH. Clients tend to take a few SIGNATURE level classes and might add a specialty class in once a week to mix things up.
I was encouraged by these answers, and especially as Barrecore has just opened a new studio in Harrogate which is not far, but they have a Leeds studio nearer to me too!
Now I know what Barrecore is, I wanted to ask about the business, and CEO Peter Woods was kind enough to answer my questions:
- I note you are located over Sweaty Betty stores – is there a relationship between the brands and how did this come about?
We have had a long and successful relationship with Sweaty Betty as both businesses share many of the same values and customer base. We started our first Sweaty Betty Barrecore Studio in the Wimbledon Village store in London and due to the overwhelming success followed that up by opening in the Leeds store. We most recently opened a studio in the Harrogate store and early signs are very positive.
- Do you have any plans for future expansion?
The opportunities for Barrecore are primarily in increasing our portfolio of Studios, across the UK and into Europe, as well as broadening our current product offering.
We are just about to open our latest studio in the heart of the city of London in Moorgate. We are also exploring a number of potential Studio locations in London and across the UK in areas that mirror our key core demographic profile. We expect to expand significantly over the coming years.
So there you have it! The latest name in fitness is slowly taking over the UK! To learn more about Barrecore, visit the website.
Have you ever heard of Barrecore or done a class? Let me know in the comments!