When we first found out Barry’s was coming to Australia, we were pumped. Not only because it’s the go-to workout Hollywood A-listers swear by, but because you’re estimated to burn around 1000 calories in one class. Yes, you heard correct.
And whilst we can’t promise you’ll spot the likes of David Beckham and Kim Kardashian in their newest Surry Hills location, you’ll sure as hell work up a serious sweat, and that’s good enough for us.
Ahead of Barry’s launching in Australia, Amodrn staffer Ally Williams flew over to LA to experience Barry’s Bootcamp firsthand:
“We had a fully decked out itinerary that encompassed all things Barry’s; outdoor adventures, beautiful dinners and of course killer Barry’s classes,” says Ally. “Barry’s was born out of passion, and I quickly learnt that at the heart of it was a family (known as #barrysfitfam) who lives and breathes the Barry’s ethos.”
“This is the whole attraction to Barry’s for me—their community of down to earth trainers who love what they do, care and understand the importance of balance (and aren’t afraid to have a cocktail when the hardcore training is done!).
As for the class itself? “Honestly, it was brutal! For someone (like me) who doesn’t love running, I was nervous! But being the competitive soul I am—I gave it all I got and let me tell you, I’d do it again!”
“What constantly impressed me was the trainer’s ability to effectively manage both sides of the room (one being the weights/resistance portion, the other the treadmills) without missing a beat. I wasn’t unsure where I was meant to be at any stage—which meant I was maximising my time burning calories.”
“Hot tip: Don’t be fooled by the dark rooms—you can’t hide at Barry’s!”
Here, we chat to Blake Bridges, Head of Curriculum at Barry’s about their entry into the Australian market and why the Barry’s training method is second to none when it comes to getting the body you want.
Congrats on Barry’s opening in Syd! What are you most excited about?
One of the most exciting elements is that we are bringing a new and exciting fitness concept Down Under—the combination of a luxury studio environment and service with an unrivalled workout proposition.
Barry’s is such a big hit with celebs, what are some aspects Aussie’s will love about the Barry’s concept?
Barry’s is more than a pile of equipment. It’s truly a magical combination of X-factor instructor, mood lighting, night-club music, and the group of people in the room. The interval training stimulates neurons in your brain and endorphins in your body, so the high you feel is like no other. Curated, killer music for you to run and work harder than you ever thought possible. The signature red-tinted studios enable you to lose yourself in the primal rush of the workout. Stress falls away, and the room becomes an ecosystem of collective accomplishment! We pride ourselves on providing the most exceptional customer service in the most luxurious and premium studios.
An estimated 1000 calorie burn in a 1 hour class is crazy! To what do you credit the effectiveness of the Barry’s training method?
Barry’s original concept (which has stood the test of time for 20 years) is a mix of running and weights. We combine weight training with cardio and alternate bursts of intense anaerobic exercise with recovery periods to keep the heart-rate elevated throughout the workout. You’ll burn more calories and increase your lean body mass, which in turn will raise your resting metabolic rate by up to 15 percent.
Not one workout at Barry’s is ever the same! We are constantly shocking the body—in the most effective and fun way possible—to keep the calories burning up to 48 hours after class. We focus on slower muscle building and toning on the floor and then alternate between work and recovery on the treadmill to spike the heart rate. This will create the highly sought after “Barry’s Body”.
What advice do you have for those who are not the biggest fan on running on treadmills?
Have you ever ran on a Barry’s Woodway? Once you do, you’ll re-think your relationship with running! I too am not a runner normally, but the shock absorption and ease of the Barry’s treadmill makes running feel effortless. We find that even people with injuries who can’t run outdoors or on a basic treadmill can run on the Woodways. The way we design the treadmill portion of class takes clients on a journey, keeping you interested, and staying away from monotony, which is why a lot of people aren’t big fans of running. Another option is that you can just skip the treadmill altogether and do Double-Floor and still get a killer cardio workout.
For those just getting into training and may shy away from the intensity of Barry’s—what is your advice to them?
Barry’s is all-inclusive, catering to all fitness levels. We instruct beginner, intermediate and advanced levels when it comes to speed on the treadmill. When it comes to the strength conditioning on the floor clients are given a range of dumbbell weights, again catering from beginner to advanced. We also pride ourselves on the experience and knowledge of our instructors to modify accordingly for varying fitness levels and injuries. No need to shy away!
Favourite workout songs that get you pumped?
Anything with a good beat, around 130BPM. There’s nothing quite like sprinting at the exact second the beat goes off. I try to plan all of my classes and runs to my music to keep the energy going and clients motivated to push harder than they thought possible. The power of music! My ultimate two tracks are Al Pacino and Rock This Place.
Which smoothie would you recommend from the Fuel Bar for post-exercise recovery and why?
‘Body by Blake’ is my go-to, no guesses why! Ingredients include: Unsweetened vanilla almond milk, strawberries, banana, honey, peanut butter, spinach and vanilla whey protein. Adding spinach to your smoothie is an easy way to get add to your daily green quota. Finish with a tablespoon of honey to add sweetness and curb sugar cravings. A few of my other favourites are the Mochalicious (coffee in a smoothie for the win), Muscle Up and Green Latifah.
How would you describe Barry’s ethos? Ally goes on about #barrysfitfam!
I like to say that people come for the fitness and then stay for the community and family vibes. The #barrysfitfam hype is real! It’s more than I can put into words, it’s the entire experience. The only way to feel it is to jump in and check it out.
We’ve officially hit spring here in Aus. If there is one thing you’d recommend to women to fast track to their summer bod, what would it be and why?
The ultimate way to get that summer bod is the combination of strength training and cardio, to burn calories and tone and define. Consistency is key. It doesn’t happen overnight, so it’s GO TIME! Set realistic goals that are achievable and get them locked into your weekly schedule. Start slow and ease your way into a routine to avoid drop off!
The Surry Hills studio is located at 66-72 Reservoir Street.
Visit www.barrysbootcamp.com for more.
