RSS FeedThe Bar Method Makes You Work (Out)
We thought we’d start off the new year by accepting an invitation to try a class at the DC outlet of The Bar Method (750 9th St NW – entrance on H St between 9th and 10th St NW). There’s a whole lot of shaking going on but we’re not talking about dancing. You’ll see what we mean.
(All photos courtesy of The Bar Method DC)
When we first heard of the The Bar Method and walked by, we though it might be a spin off of a DC lounge but as we learned, it is something quite different. It is a body sculpting studio – the website describes it best:
The Bar Method™workout creates a uniquely lean, firm, sculpted body by combining the muscle-shaping principles of isometrics, the body-elongating practice of dance conditioning, the science of physical therapy and the intense pace of interval training into a powerful exercise format that quickly and safely reshapes and elongates muscles.
To the soft beat of pop music, the full sixty minutes is spent working and isolating one muscle group at a time. The arms get exercised first (shoulders, biceps, triceps – including push ups). Then come the thighs followed by the seat (i.e. your tush) exercised at the bar that runs around the perimeter of the room. The group moves to the floor for core work including working the abs and more seat work. Stretching takes place after every muscle group.
We found that the short repetitive motions and paying attention to form as directed are instrumental to getting the most out of each exercise which isolates a single muscle at a time. The instructors keep an eye on you and redirect you back to the right form if you slip away. The motions are deceivingly short in gesture but doing enough reps will bring whatever muscle(s) is (are) being worked to exhaustion. In fact, it makes it (them) shake. The exercises struck us as a balanced blend of yoga, pilates, and ballet.
The just under 3000 square foot space is nicely lit and has two studios. There is a women’s changing room (sorry guys, you’ll need to essentially arrive ready to go), bathrooms, and free lockers available to store your belongings during class. Kate Arnold, the owner and founder, came back to DC from Chicago where she enjoyed BarMethod so much that she decided to start a studio in DC. There are five instructors delivering just over thirty-five classes per week morning, midday, and evening. Pricing varies by package purchased.
There’s no doubt that if you want to tone targeted areas of your body, this regimen will do the trick. So remember that when everyone’s talking about shaking, it’s about the twitching your muscles will do during (and maybe after?) class. We were sore for a few days after so we know it worked. The Bar Method injects a calm, precise approach to exercise and that we find most welcome.
Bar Method
750 Ninth Street NW
(entrance on H St NW between 9th and 10th St)
Washington, DC 20001
Website | Twitter | Facebook
Phone: 202-347-7999
E-mail: dc@barmethod.com
Foodie Radar
Here are a few things on my foodie radar this week.
Yesterday, the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists in the 2012 Restaurant and Chef Awards. Congratulations to the Penn Quarter chefs and restaurants that have been selected!
Best New Restaurant: Fiola (601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW)
Outstanding Bar Program: Columbia Room (1021 7th St NW)
Outstanding Restaurateur: Ashok Bajaj (Knightsbridge Restaurant Group)
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic: Scott Drewno (The Source, 575 Pennsylvania Ave. NW) and Vikram Sunderam (Rasika, 633 D St NW)
The shortlist will be announced in late March and the finalists in May.
As noted in “Heard in the Hood,” Red Apron Butchery, a whole animal butchery and small batch producer of handmade charcuterie, will open at 709 D St. NW in fall 2012. This will be a great addition to the neighborhood and my go-to spot for party nosh.
From March 5-18 enjoy special cocktails, menus and mixology sessions at Oyamel (401 7th St. NW) during their fifth annual Tequila & Mezcal Festival.
In other ThinkFoodGroup news, the much-anticipated food truck from Jose Andres is supposedly launching before the end of the month, meaning sometime in the next week if they are on schedule. Keep an eye out and please let us know if you see Pepe around the ‘hood.
Also, in response to diner demand, Minibar (405 8th St NW) is now open on Sundays. Good luck getting a reservation!
Finally, before Jaleo DC (480 7th St NW) closes on Sunday for renovations, you can take a photo with the mural of the flamenco dancer, post it to Facebook and tag Jaleo Tapas Bar to win a pitcher of sangria when the restaurant re-opens and the possibility of an all-inclusive Sunday brunch for 50 of your closest friends.
Graffiato (707 6th St NW) will now offer brunch menus on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 3 p.m. A $20 weekday lunch special is also being introduced.
Doron Peterson of Sticky Fingers fame is speaking next week at Sixth & I. With vegan diets becoming all the rage, I’m certainly curious to know how she makes something healthy taste good.
DC Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood *video*
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Here’s what we were reading recently about neighborhood news in DC. Have something to add? Leave it in the comments!
Penn Quarter – Ford’s Theatre opens the Lincoln Center for Education and Leadership on 10th Street NW across the street from Ford’s Theatre. A 34 foot tower of books about Lincoln graces the center of the building’s spiral staircase. [NPR] & [Fox News (video above)]
Penn Quarter – Penn Camera on E Street between 8th and 9th Streets declared bankruptcy but Calumet Photo will be buying them out. Our neighborhood photo store may stay! [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – Tom Sietsema reviews Elisir on 11th Street NW. We’ve tried it and enjoyed it. [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – Jaleo at 7th and E St NW is closing on February 26 for renovations and will reopen in the spring of 2012. To be clear, the other Jaleos will remain open during this time. [Jaleo website]
Penn Quarter – The Red Apron Butchery will take over the soon to be opened space at 709 D Street NW, the long time past Union Hardware building. [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – BASIS, a charter school group from Arizona, will open a 5th to 8th grade campus this summer on 8th Street opposite the CVS. This building has been used for many schools before including serving as a branch of UDC (University of District of Columbia). [WaPo]
Penn Quarter – LivingSocial opens its non-web property (i.e. bricks and mortar) at 918 F Street NW to host all manner of events from cooking to cocktails to dance to music. [UrbanTurf]
Trump Waxes Magnificent About The Old Post Office Building *video*
In case you missed it, Channel 4 (NBC) recently interviewed Donald Trump, head of The Trump Organization, about his company’s winning bid to redevelop the Old Post Office Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, and the clip is shown above. You can’t hear the reporter’s questions but you’ll get the idea. The Donald’s done magnificent therefore it will be magnificent.