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The 7 BEST Barre Classes in Manchester for Getting Fit with Poise and Grace
Barre, the eclectic mix of ballet, Pilates, and yoga, is a workout that has taken the fitness world by storm these past couple of years, and for good reason.
This well-rounded workout is a unique yet effective way to build one’s strength, stamina, and flexibility. Barre also doesn’t discriminate between beginners and seasoned practitioners, since there are moves suitable for every skill level.
We spent buckets of sweat to bring you the list of the best barre classes the Manc has to offer. You’ll never be too late to the barre party, so read on and discover your new favourite workout spots!
BContours (Ballet Contours)
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Address: 3 Smithy Ln, King St W, Manchester M3 2PN,
Contact details: 7871 033240
Operating hours:
- Monday – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Thursday, Friday, and Sunday – CLOSED
Pricing: £££
Ballet Contours is a dance studio located a few streets away from St Annes Square, specializing exclusively in barre workouts for both men and women.
The classes are taught by skilled coaches and cater to all levels, from total beginners to those with prior dance or ballet experience. Each session lasts an hour, providing ample time for beginners to upskill and improve their general fitness quickly.
In addition to being a workout studio, Ballet Contours is also an excellent place to fully immerse yourself in learning the art of ballet dancing. The studio offers a supportive environment where you can develop your skills and enjoy the graceful discipline of ballet.
Pro tip: BContours also offers virtual barre classes, allowing you to stretch and sweat it out in the comfort of your own home. These online sessions are designed to provide the same high-quality instruction and effective workouts as the studio’s in-person classes, ensuring you can maintain your fitness routine no matter where you are. |
RESET by FORM – Manchester
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Address: bloc, 17 Marble St, M2 3AW
Contact details: 7852 617295
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Pricing: £££
RESET is a great place for barre classes, especially if you live or work around Market Street or the Arndale area. Its luxurious Manchester space is spacious and perfect for all the sculpting stretches you’ll be doing.
RESET offers barre classes in two intensities. The regular class is low impact but combines Pilates, bodyweight, and ballet moves. The “strong” class increases the difficulty of the whole body barre workout with heavier weights and resistance bands, but still doesn’t bulk you up.
The instructors provide a kind guiding hand throughout your session and are always ready to modify your workout for special conditions.
Pro tip: Online pre-booking for barre classes is required at RESET. Be mindful of your travel time, as the studio doesn’t allow latecomers to participate once the session has started, ensuring that classes run smoothly and without interruptions. |
BLOK Manchester
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Address: BLOK Warehouse, Ducie Street, M1 2TP
Contact details: 0161 249 6777
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: £££
You can now get yourself toned up with barre even if you’re in one of the busiest places in Manchester, the Northern Quarter. BLOK is a gym with group workout classes that we highly recommend.
BLOK’s barre classes can help build your strength and flexibility, which is perfect even if you’re just starting your fitness journey, or are coming back from a long hiatus. The minimal weights used in these workouts won’t strain your muscles and joints, but your cardio will still improve.
No need to worry about class availability—barre is offered almost every day of the week!
Pro tip: BLOK offers a 10-session trial, perfect for those who are still deciding if barre is the right workout for them. Getting this trial will allow you to experience the classes and see if they fit your fitness goals and personal preferences. |
RYDE Studios – Manchester
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Address: Unit 15, Barton Arcade, M3 2BB
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Pricing: £££
RYDE Studios at Deansgate isn’t just for spin classes; it also offers fantastic barre classes that you shouldn’t miss! The music here is always banging, even during the graceful barre sessions.
The barre classes typically lasts for 45 minutes, giving the energetic and skilled instructors enough time to lead the day’s exercise group through well-calculated stretches and movements (with weights and without) that strengthen and sculpt the body.
The moves taught by RYDE’s barre instructors are fairly easy to learn even for total beginners, but still challenging enough to fully deliver the fitness results most people are looking for.
Pro tip: If you cancel your barre class slot within 12 hours of the session start time, you will still be fully charged. To get your money’s worth or save it, be mindful of your schedule and plan ahead to avoid last-minute cancellations. |
The Health Lab NQ
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Address: 32-34 Dale St, M1 1FY
Contact details: 0161 960 0067
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: £££
The Health Lab, founded by wellness and health enthusiasts Kanika and Nikita, offers a variety of engaging fitness classes in the Northern Quarter. These include barre, reformer Pilates, and infrared-enhanced healing sessions.
For the 50-minute barre class, participants are required to wear socks, with grip socks being highly recommended.
The knowledgeable and kind barre instructor will guide you through various moves and stretches that target all muscle groups, ensuring a thorough workout. You’ll definitely work up a sweat!
In addition to the diverse class offerings, The Health Lab provides a supportive environment for improving your overall fitness and well-being.
Pro tip: Refresh your worked out body with food and drink from The Health Lab’s neighbouring cafe, The Green Lab! It offers a variety of healthy options, including smoothies, salads, and protein-packed snacks, perfect for replenishing your energy. |
RE:TREAT at the Lowry Hotel
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Address: 50 Dearmans Pl, Salford M3 5LH
Contact details: 0161 960 0067
Operating hours: Daily – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: £££
The Lowry Hotel offers a holistic relaxation and rejuvenation spot right on its premises. In addition to the usual spa and massage services, RE:TREAT also features a gym facility and a wellness studio for fitness classes, including yoga, Pilates, and barre.
As of this writing, the barre classes at RE:TREAT are held every Tuesday, while barre Pilates classes take place every Thursday. These classes are a welcome amenity not just for hotel guests, but also for people living and working around The Lowry.
Each session takes around 45 minutes per session, and is carefully designed for a low-impact yet effective whole body stretch and workout.
Pro tip: The best way to guarantee your spot in a RE:TREAT barre or barre Pilates class is to book online. This ensures you have a reserved place in the class and allows you to plan your visit without worrying about availability. |
Body Barre Boutique
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Address: 6a Station Rd, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle SK8 5AE
Contact details: 07961 879 061
Operating hours: varies, check Facebook regularly for updated schedule
Pricing: £££
Body Barre Boutique (BBB) may be located in Cheadle, a tad far from the city centre, but it’s still well within the Greater Manchester area. This fact and its excellent barre fitness classes make it a worthy inclusion in our list!
The Cheadle studio offers a welcoming environment for all fitness levels, making it a great choice for anyone looking to improve their overall fitness while indeed still looking elegant.
BBB’s barre & sculpt classes are largely inspired by manoeuvres from the New Your City Ballet workout and Lotte Berk’s signature core stability-building dance moves. These classes are fast-paced, ensuring a good cardio workout while also focusing on strength and flexibility.
Pro tip: Body Barre Boutique is also a training facility, offering a comprehensive Academy Instructor Training course. Hone your workout teaching skills and earn certifications that will help you enhance and advance your career in the fitness industry. |