Pure Barre — Local services in Washington

I feel so lucky to have found Pure Barre when I did. With a strong recommendation from my best friend, and without having ever taken a barre class, I ambitiously signed up for the Bride to Be package prior to my wedding. My first class was a total blur, and I woke up the next day feeling sore in muscles I didn’t know existed. I kept at it for 3 months, growing stronger and more hooked with every class. As an avid soccer player when I was young, I have tight hamstrings and little to zero flexibility. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, or get a good workout with this ballet-based exercise (I am NO ballerina), but I was so wrong. With every micro-movement, there’s always a way to dig deeper and work harder, regardless of your flexibility. My instructors regularly push me out of my comfort zone (and into my shake zone!) and I’m so grateful to them for constantly showing me what my body can do. By the time my wedding rolled around, I had to take in several inches off each of my outfits because they no longer fit! I couldn’t believe the results and I was in the best shape of my adult life. Afterwards, I unfortunately fell off the fitness wagon for a bit, but eventually got back on and back to the barre, back to the instructors who welcomed me back to my second home. I picked up right where I left off and remembered what an incredible high I would feel with each class. Over the past four years, Pure Barre has shown me that I am so much stronger and more capable than I ever thought – both mentally and physically, which applies to so many aspects of my everyday life. Whenever I’m in a tough situation, like giving a presentation, or going running, or whatever gets my heart pumping, I just break it up into 90 second intervals - because if I can hold a plank for 90 seconds in Pure Barre, I can literally do ANYTHING. As our drill sergeant-like instructors say, "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you!" - and I'm so lucky to have found a place that empowers me to do both, and in the best ways.

COVID Update The PBDC instructors are still killing it every day - teaching through Facebook Live and Zoom every day, offering a variety of classes and still finding ways to safely instruct and provide effective workouts. I'm amazed every day by them and am so happy to continue my membership and take classes with the best PB team of all time.

2025 Update PBDC has the absolute best instructors - they are all top-notch and really know how to challenge clients in the best ways. They're supportive not just in the studio, but also outside of it. The new DC Regional Manager sets such a supportive tone. When I was laid off from my job earlier this year, she was constantly checking in on how my interviews were going, and literally cheering me on as I navigated such a tough time - and that meant the world. I've been a client of PBDC for almost 10 years and it's the caliber and kindness of the instructors that have kept me a loyal client for so long - from being a Bride-to-Be, to having two children (and tucking my way to the end of two pregnancies!), and now a mom trying to squeeze in workouts/me-time whenever I can. I cannot recommend the DC studios enough - the Dupont location is my happy place! I walk through the doors, the world turns off, the music turns on, and I know I'm in for a...

I love coming to barre at the DuPont studio and can’t recommend it highly enough. The classes are challenging (there are multiple formats) but inclusive of people of all ages and fitness levels. When I first started barre, I didn’t anticipate big changes in my body because the motions are low-impact, but when I go to classes consistently (3x a week) I notice muscle definition, better posture, a smaller waistline, and even better sleep. (And that’s not just my opinion - other people noticed too!) I know there’s no such thing as a quick fix in fitness but after a month of barre I felt so much stronger and more confident in my body. I owe so much of that to the kind and helpful instructors, who are supportive and encouraging while offering correction. I love...

I have been going to Pure Barre (Dupont Circle location) for about a year now. All of the teachers are so lovely in both the classroom and out! Usually they will ask you before class how you're feeling (I have a left hip labral tear that acts up sometimes so I specifically appreciate this) and give you modifications if need be. Classes are super challenging (my friend that goes to OrangeTheory joined me once for Jessica's class and she was like WOW this is hard!! But so good!!!) so if you're a gym-addict like me you'll always be learning and be challenged. If you're not so much gym-inclined, pure barre is a go-at-whatever you feel like-- so you can start and end whatever you feel comfortable with. The teachers are there for you and...