Where: Barry's Bootcamp, 135 W. 20th Street, New York, NY

Why Go to Barry's? For a Good Old-Fashioned Butt-Whooping

Barry’s Bootcamp is a studio offering ~12 classes per day, each consisting of segments of interval treadmill training interlaid with weighted floor work. Each day focuses on a different body part: shoulders/back, arms/abs, butt/legs, etc. I love this idea of isolated muscle work - because it BURNS the next day.

On the method.

The Barry’s method is INTENSE. When you come to Barry’s, it’s borderline impossible to slack off – especially when you’re being told exactly which pace/elevation/weight you should be using at all times. Of course you can modify, but the method is geared towards the strong.

This is one class where you really need to have a certain fitness level before you hop in. Sometimes you shuffle sideways or jog backwards on the treadmill – it gives me the heebeejeebies thinking about my dad trying to do this and falling flat on his face. If you have a competitive personality but are out of shape, maybe this is not the best place for you.

From the perspective of someone who is fit and generally injury-free, I LOVE this place. Touting themselves as “the best workout in the world” – Barry’s knows that their method gets you results fast. If I had an event coming up, I would just go here 6 days in a row. 

Packages/pricing

Barry's is right up there with the other high-end studios of NYC - around $30 a pop. The packages help you bring that cost down significantly. When you buy your first class pack, you get one class free.

They also offer addictive packages like a weekly unlimited (go to Barry’s every day for a week and tell me you don’t see a major change in your body. Seriously) and a package that includes a class at the same time every day, 5 days a week, for a month. I love programs like this. Since the same instructors tend to teach at the same times each day, when you get a pack like this you're essentially committing to working out with the same 2-3 instructors for the duration - which keeps you accountable. They'll know when you don't show.

Staff

The staff at the front is usually super nice, though I caught them being a little attitude-y once or twice. Overall, you're likely to catch someone who's friendly and accommodating. One oddity is that they don't seem to really know the packages they offer. I inquired a few times about the options and got different answers each time.

Cafe

I never got a shake here, but boy are they ready accomodate all of your post-workout protein needs. The people at the cafe were always super nice - and chatty. They also have a fridge full of salad-y type foods. The food here is more "muscle milk" style than "kind bars" style, if you know what I mean.

Clothing

Don't freak out... but they don't carry any Lululemon. I would say 50% of the clothes they sell are Barry's branded gear, but they also have a few other brands - and they stock everything you'll need in case you forget your workout clothes. Except sneaks.

Favorite things

Here's what I love about Barry's, and why I'll be back:

• It's one of the most intense workouts I have found. Next time I feel like I need to just crush it, you know where to find me.
• I saw crazy results in my body just from going to 8 classes over 2 weeks. Holler.
• There are some sick instructors here. Keoni, Natalie, Todd, Patrick, Noah - to name a few... and honestly it's hard to have a not-awesome class here.
• I like the place itself, and the vibe. I like how the staff all loves one another, and I dig their goofy meathead antics. It's definitely a cult-y place, but without the exclusive attitude. I never felt like an outsider when I went - they don't play up that vibe like some other high-end studios.
• It is inspiring that every Barry's employee has the rocking-est bod of time. Seriously it's crazy.
• I love that it's totally man-friendly...and I love bringing manfriends here because it kicks their ass wayyyy more than they expect. Sadistic much?
• The lighting is great - it's an orange hue, and they keep it pretty dim - which makes you feel SEXY while you're working out. Especially on the treadmill - it's really motivating. It's like looking at a skinny mirror while you work your butt off - except it makes you look toned, not skinny (even better).

Drawbacks

During my time reviewing classes at Barry's, the only qualms I had were as follows:

• The instructors never asked about injuries. For such a high-intensity class,  I thought this was a big mistake.
• The full classes made me feel extremely unsafe. See here for more details.
• I thought it was odd that Barry's did not communicate when a class was being filmed by the news - this bothered some people in the class. See here for details.

Conclusion:

Go on, give it a try! Just make sure to communicate any injuries. And take it a little easy the first time to get used to the equipment.

From the Barry’s Bootcamp website: For over a decade, New Yorkers have been asking when Barry's Bootcamp would finally open a store in the Big Apple. We are excited to announce that time has finally come. Welcome to the June 4 opening of Barry's Bootcamp NYC! The New York studio is our largest, featuring 3500 square feet of beautifully designed, Barry's Bootcamp themed spaces, full locker rooms with showers, Malin + Goetz beauty products, our first FUEL BAR offering the best protein shakes in the City, custom designed Woodway Treadmills (known as the finest commercial treadmills on the market) and free towel service for all clients. If you live in Manhattan or plan on visiting, you owe it to yourself to check out The Best Workout in the World!.

Find out more about Barry’s Bootcamp at www.barrysbootcamp.com

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