Barre & Soul, Harvard Square Yoga and Barre Studio in Cambridge

UPDATE (4/1): The owner of the studio reached out to me and explained how she plans to make Barre and Soul’s website more accessible so people know what to expect when attending classes. I do appreciate that so I’m adjusting my review. As of this writing they have not made those changes, but I look forward to seeing them come through. As a disabled person I did not enjoy this environment. I am still very mobile on most days, but the fast paced nature was too much and extremely overwhelming and overstimulating. Barre and Soul needs to say on their website and in class descriptions how fast moving classes are, how loud the music is (like so loud you can’t hear the instructor). Class was super tight, lots of people. And while it wasn’t a “hot” yoga class it was still extremely warm. That should also be included in class descriptions. For a studio that says they try to stand with different marginalized groups, I did not feel included.

I have been going to Barre and Soul on and off for the past 5 years. Every time I walk into the studio I am met with the warmest welcome. Every instructor brings their own special sparkle to the class but you will always leave burning.

I always get an amazing workout! The teachers are so attentive and help a great deal with form and technique. Not to mention the studio is beautiful!

Same with Lauren down below- I was a few minutes late and the door was locked. I booked the class using classpass, where there is not a single word that speaks to the strict starting time policy. This is also not common among any gym classes. I request a refund of the penalty for no show- I am here, not allowed to go in, and never been informed beforehand.

I am here for a reserved class, but the door is locked. I am a class pass user, and a policy of locking the door exactly at start time (I was 2 min late) was not adequately communicated. I will now get stuck with a missed class fee even though I am here. People have jobs, and there's traffic. I left work early for this to only get hit with a locked door and a cancellation fee. I will not be coming back to this studio as I do not give my money to fitness businesses that don't have any allowance for normal adult life.

LOCATION: Inside The Garage off the ramp to the second floor. Easiest to enter through entrance off of JFK to the left of Tasty Burger; go up ramp on right side, turn right into the walkway to the front door. SPACE: Small, one- or two-room studio (have never been in the smaller space for a class). Main studio has barres on the sides and back of the studio on the second floor with full sunlight. • Depending on instructors that day, the space is usually kept anywhere from 67-78°F (19-25°C). • Feel free to adjust blinds during your class sessions, if needed; no judgement will be given. • DO NOTE (front-facing) left side of studio with barre has a space that is not recommended for tall people (over 5'3") as you might hit your head and or your arms when on your toes and/or stretching overhead. FACILITIES: Two gender neutral bathrooms (toilets with sink) AMENITIES: • cubbies and a lockless locker available to store personal belongings in (*Note: bring your own lock, if you choose to lock, but relatively safe, so not really necessary so far) • water refill station (sometimes with cups) available next to bathrooms • all workout necessities provided as part of your class experience (i.e. weights, pilates ball, mini bands, mats, yoga blocks, straps, etc.) • bathrooms have helpful items inside to help keep you fresh during and after your workouts (i.e. dry shampoo, deodorant spray, tampons, pantyliners, hairties, etc.) STAFF: • friendly, sometimes clique-y when there's a few of them there; they will ask your name to check you in and sometimes call you out by name during class to praise you CLASSES (I usually do Vinyasa Yoga & Barre): - Barre: There's Method and Express. Method takes things at a slower pace, with more instruction and focus on your form (instructor may come around and adjust your form). Express to me seems very rushed and sometimes I JUST understood what exercise we were doing before we switch to the next "choreography". Classes work on muscles in groups (upper body, abs, gluts/thighs) plus warm-up and cool-down. - Yoga: instructors are often much more non-judgemental and offer options for variations for those of us who are less bendy - MOST of the time i don't feel like I'm dying from sore-ness after workouts despite how challenging they are. When I have, it's the unexpected small muscles that keeps my tendons flexy and/or not major muscle groups. - Some sessions do get PACKED (especially yoga), so coming 10+ minutes early is recommended, if you want a good spot. ***Warning*** • ESSENTIAL OILS are often used in the studio. Only peppermint is permitted in their diffuser, but different instructors may choose to use other ones during a yoga session • Some sessions include a "TOUCH" component; the few times I've experienced it it's only working the shoulders a bit while facing up during a yoga cool down or adjusting your posture to prevent injury during barre. You can opt out by letting the instructor know ahead of time (or during a session) or GENTLY swatting them away when they come around to you during yoga practice. • Oftentimes, classes start ON TIME and the front entrance will be locked before class begins (i.e. come early or on time!)

Staff are friendly and encouraging. There's a mix of classes to choose from but not so many that it's overwhelming. Decent membership prices (not cheap but not unreasonable). They did an amazing job pivoting to online when the pandemic hit and maintaining that as an option even as limited in-person classes returned. Barre & Soul is an awesome community and I'm so glad that I found it.

Great studio! Teachers are wonderful and are very consistent. I never walk in thinking that one teacher is harder than another - you always get a great workout in Barre. The yoga is really great too and it's great to have both options. I love that the studio has a focus on empowerment rather than body obsession. The only two small down sides are: bathroom configuration is limited so there are always lines to change and use the restrooms, and the teachers don't correct as much as they do in other studios. Sometimes I've looked around the room and people look like they have different body positions but the teachers don't always correct. This is a great home studio with lots of locations and a varied schedule! Love it!