Dublin Gets Barre Fitness Boost

South Dublin Welcomes New Studio Focused on Popular Workout

A new fitness studio dedicated to barre, a popular hybrid of ballet, pilates, and yoga, has opened in Churchtown, Dublin, addressing a perceived gap in the market for the increasingly sought-after workout.

Bridging the Gap

Chloe Middleton, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, identified the lack of dedicated barre classes after moving to Dublin with her husband, Justin Middleton, in 2019. “When I was living in Cape Town, I used to do barre every single day and there were beautiful studios all around Cape Town,” she explained. “It was just a thing that was so part and parcel of my life.”

Upon searching for classes in Dublin, Ms. Middleton was surprised by the limited availability. “When I moved to Dublin in 2019, I went onto the Mindbody app and searched for a barre class. There was like one class offered at a studio in town,” she recalled. “I couldn’t believe it was something that was so unheard of.”

Recognizing this unmet demand, the couple decided to launch their own barre-focused studio.

Barre: A Fun and Inclusive Workout

Ms. Middleton is enthusiastic about introducing more people to the benefits of barre. “This year I just said to my husband, ‘listen, I think we should start this’,” she stated. She emphasized its beginner-friendly nature, assuring potential clients: “You don’t need to be at a certain fitness level. You’ll get stronger and be able to do more things.”

Describing the class atmosphere, she added, “It gives a little bit of a different vibe to a pilates or yoga class. It’s more fun because there’s cool, upbeat music playing.” The exercise itself involves small, controlled movements inspired by pilates and ballet, performed while holding onto a ballet barre for support.

“I really want to bring it to Ireland and make it more of a thing, so people can see it’s not just yoga, it’s not just pilates,” Ms. Middleton expressed her ambition.

Breaking Down Barriers

Furthermore, Ms. Middleton believes the stereotype of barre and reformer pilates being exclusively for women is fading. “It really is a holistic practice that is inclusive of so many people. It’s not just for women either,” she commented. “There are rugby players now even doing reformer pilates. I do think there is a change where men see the benefits. It’s not just about picking up super heavy weights or running.”

Addressing common misconceptions about needing prior ballet experience, she clarified, “We’ve gotten messages that are like ‘oh my gosh, like do I have to do ballet before in my previous life?’ And no, not at all,” Ms. Middleton reassured.

Despite the growing popularity of barre and similar disciplines, a challenge in establishing the new venture has been the scarcity of qualified instructors in Dublin. Ms. Middleton acknowledged, “Getting a bar instructor is difficult at this point in Dublin. Just finding them, reaching out to them, going to their classes,” but expressed optimism: “But I do feel there is so much space for growth and to really introduce something new to the market.” She hopes to offer instructor training in the future.

Barre workouts have seen a global resurgence, with participation in group fitness classes increasing by an estimated 15% in the last two years, according to a report by Health & Fitness Journal.