Barry’s Bootcamp (now simply referred to as Barry’s) has a reputation for being notoriously tough, but it’s really up to you to decide how hard you want it to be.

While I may have difficulty remembering to wear nightly my retainer, other habits come fairly easy to me. I’ve been a regular (4-6x weekly) at Barry’s for the past seven years. I’ve attended locations across multiple countries and have worked out with over 40 different instructors. In the earlier years, the classes focused on intensity – some may have called it aggressive. Dynamic sprints (self-propelling the treadmill with your own strength), side and backwards running, and 15 plus mph sprints were a regular occurrence for me. Since then, there has been a cultural shift towards a more inclusive and encouraging environment (albeit shorter 50 minute classes vs. the former 60 minute classes).

The Workout

The class is a 50 minute HIIT-style format split between treadmill (Woodways) work (or spin, if you’re in New York City like me) and weighted floor work. The treadmill portion consists of a 2-3 minute warm up, after which there will be blocks of work (i.e. running at various speeds without rests in between). The instructor will call out a gradient of speeds (often classified as a beginner, intermediate, or advanced speed) which you can choose to partake or modify for your own comfort level. Incline can be embedded in the treadmill work – I find incline helps train my running form, especially sprints. The first treadmill round is typically 10-15 minutes, after which the class switches to the floor.

Floor work consists of high repetition weighted exercises. There tends to be an “EMOM” component (every minute on the minute) where a sequence of exercises are performed for x number of reps, then rest for the remainder of the minute.

Amenities

Self locking lockers, showers, shampoo, towels, face wash, body lotion, Dyson hair dryers

The Ambience

20s-40s, athletic, weekend warrior/corporate. Crowd veers on trendy – think Alo/Lululemon/Bandier matching gym sets. Some say Barry’s is akin to higher intensity Orange Theory class. While the formats may be similar, the vibe is different. Location dependent, but I wouldn’t expect to make friends here. For most, this is an in-and-out type of deal.

The Good

I’m fortunate to have access to a wide range of boutique fitness classes (or my trusty Peloton for days I don’t want to leave the house) as I live in fitness-obsessed NYC. Despite my multitude of choices, Barry’s remains a constant in my rotation for a few key reasons:

Efficiency  The ability to train endurance/cardio AND strength training within the same workout.

Impact  I consistently walk out of class feeling like I broke a sweat and always feel energized after a class.

Locations There are over 12 locations in NYC/Hamptons (including the brand new Brooklyn Heights location) I can attend depending on whether I am coming rushing from work or working from home. It also helps that there are over 70 locations around the world and throughout the US and Canada that I can rely on during vacation or work trips.

Variety For the days where I cannot fathom putting on running shoes, it’s convenient to be able to attend a spin class instead. There are designated muscle group days (e.g. Wednesday is chest, back and abs) so you can be selective depending on what you want to work on.

The Not-So-Good

Legacy Some OG Barry’s fanatics may notice a decrease in the amenities over the years, including the removal of Oribe products (at certain locations) or cold face towels offered after class. Personally, I am in and out after workouts so this has not been a concern.

Class Duration  While you will still get a good workout in the 50 minute class, I do miss the 55/60 minute length previously offered especially if the instructor offers a cool down stretch which can eat into the active class time.

Difficulty The difficulty level has decreased compared to the previous formats (remember the dirty 30s?). My humble opinion? You can make it as easy or difficult as you’d like by upping your speeds or weights.

Consistency Some studios are …cozier than others with crowded change rooms (looking at you, Tribeca) but that is to be expected in NYC. Additionally, certain instructors have that it factor that can motivate and push you beyond what you thought possible, perhaps through their choice of music or words of encouragement – but not all.

The Results

Barry’s has been a transformative part of my fitness journey. It can be hard on the body, so I incorporate rest days and restorative movement (reformer Pilates 2x per week). I consider myself above average on the fitness scale – a lot in part due to Barry’s. I have lost weight and gained muscle compared to when I would do my self-directed workout routines. While it may no longer be as challenging was it once was, I can still rely on Barry’s to provide a solid workout. And in terms of efficiency? Can’t be beat.

A more in-depth write-up of Barry’s Spin to follow.