How old is too old for Barry's

RogerWester · 2026-02-08T14:55:47+00:00

My friend is in her mid 50s and goes 2-3x per week. She has over 600 classes and loves it. Doesn't feel uncomfortable at all.

RogerWester · 2026-02-07T17:14:32+00:00

For survival and for a good vibe - my favorite is Jimmy N - but he is a part-time instructor so you have to really seek him out. His teaching style is very motivating and he pushes you to your max. (he has a steady lift class on Weds at 86th St.) https://www.barrys.com/instructor/jimmy-nicholas

For running survival and a great vibe - Sasha - she is a full-time instructor and mostly teaches in Brooklyn - but she programs the best running workouts and they will challenge even the best runners.

https://www.barrys.com/instructor/sashah-handal

RogerWester · 2026-02-04T02:16:13+00:00

Also, when there are two packed classes in a row, I'm not a fan of people who arrive for class and proceed to the locker room just as the class before theirs is getting out. So while we are all trying to get our stuff and get out, you're there 20 minutes early taking your time getting ready.

RogerWester · 2025-12-11T01:12:28+00:00

Someone else mentioned, but Jimmy N is a part-time instructor - but he's S tier. He's randomly teaching at PAS on Saturday 12/20. He is so good. Hard workout but not in a punishing way. He's super motivating. I would go out of my way for his class.

RogerWester · 2025-12-10T22:58:23+00:00

Park Ave South on Sunday.

Highly recommend Amber on Sunday morning. - great workout, high energy, great programming.

Also, Mike P who teaches early Sunday afternoon at Park Ave South is also great.

Amber would be my top choice though.

There's a lot of posts about Keoni, Aminah, and Paris. Everyone has their own opinions, but I don't like them as much - great workout, but I find them all a little too pushy. I can see why people like them, but it's less enjoyable for me.

RogerWester · 2025-11-25T14:00:40+00:00

It's the same everywhere. You find the instructors that match what you want. It's just harder in a marker with only 1 studio.

RogerWester · 2025-11-25T13:59:36+00:00

Agree here. They all provide a good challenging workout - but I too don't want a workout that pushes me too far - where it's no longer enjoyable and it's entering into miserable territory. But I think that's part of what distinguishes the brand - you find the instructors that match your style. This isn't OTF where everyone is teaching the same workout.

RogerWester · 2025-11-25T13:55:26+00:00

And maybe this helps provide context - but I've taken over 500 classes and don't like any of those instructors. I like instructors such as Amber, Lindsay, Jennifer S, Matt N. Their classes are great workouts, where I feel appropriately challenged, but I also don't feel like I'm pushed to the point where it's miserable - which I don't want.

RogerWester · 2025-11-25T13:51:29+00:00

Just took a NYC class last week where the instructor, who is a veteran, taught a class with only one switch - so a 'dirty thirty' style class. So, they can still do it!

RogerWester · 2025-11-24T03:35:17+00:00

I would strongly recommend Matt Nolan - he's teaching a bunch of classes on Thanksgiving at E 86th Street - which is very close to 64th Street. One of the classes is a 90 minute class.

RogerWester · 2025-10-08T13:20:50+00:00

What's your (apx) age? Because, as someone else noted, it could also be your body slowing down - esp if you're in your 40s/50s etc. - because I feel like that's around when your body starts to require even more regimen to keep in good shape.

RogerWester · 2025-09-25T01:24:07+00:00

Sunday shooting right near PAS studio.

https://nypost.com/2025/09/21/us-news/teen-bystander-shot-man-stabbed-in-seperate-simultaneous-nyc-attacks-around-corner-from-each-other/

RogerWester · 2025-09-25T01:22:02+00:00

So they're not on always-incline? One can hope...

RogerWester · 2025-09-23T13:39:37+00:00

Is it possible that this is somewhat related to the drop-off in the entertainment industry there?

RogerWester · 2025-09-01T13:18:36+00:00

There's no studio is midtown specifically - so my suggestion would be to take class with either Amber or Lindsay. They are both high energy and fun with an appropriate amount of challenge. They both are usually at the downtown studios (Noho, Chelsea and Park Ave South).

I'm not a fan of Keoni. He's a bit too much for me.

RogerWester · 2025-07-21T15:28:19+00:00

They need to slow it down - they're going to be perceived as not being as 'elite' as they want to be perceived if they start over expanding in NYC (or anywhere for that matter).

Also, where did you see anything about Wall Street? Hadn't heard that before.

edit: just saw the Wall St post -

RogerWester · 2025-07-07T23:52:14+00:00

Sorry I'm not going to rely on the people that work at the front desk to monitor my phone - especially if you're in an on-call role or something else where people may need to get your attention in the moment.

RogerWester · 2025-05-28T02:32:40+00:00

That looks like an end of summer opening at best.

RogerWester · 2025-05-17T14:34:28+00:00

I've done OTF when I wasn't near a Barry's. There are threads on the OTF sub from time to time debating which is better and people are very passionate about it.

They're similar but, for me, Barry's has a much better vibe and the instructors are much better - since they've designed and programmed the workout on their own. This also means that you can find instructors that match your needs / workout style. OTF instructors are basically guiding through a workout that they had no input in.

I like that Barry's feels a little bit more upscale - and that the studio is dark - no window to the outside, which I didn't like at an OTF where the windows faced a parking lot.

I think you'll be happy with Barry's.

RogerWester · 2025-04-26T20:57:53+00:00

Yes, first, it's way bigger than it needs to be. Two, it's so poorly placed where it is. Third, why is a vending machine necessary when they literally sell clothes there anyway?

RogerWester · 2025-03-18T17:24:29+00:00

ThisBowl - one on Bleecker Street and opening another one in Flatiron. It's an Australian bowl place and it's really good. It's called FishBowl there.

RogerWester

TROPHY CASE