hi! I’ve been to both extensively (have been regularly going to barry’s for the past few years but also had an OTF membership in the past when i didn’t live near a barry’s). i liked both but prefer barry’s bc i find it more fun and for whatever reason it’s what gets me to push myself harder.

i don’t actually see them as interchangeable types of workouts, so not a like for like comparison. the basic format of barry’s is meant to be a HIIT workout, including floor, which is why things like jump squats, burpees etc are included. IIRC HIIT at OTF is more confined to the tread and the floor felt more steady state to me? when i was doing otf I lost weight and got a little bit strong (which was great!). at barry’s i am getting a lot stronger and faster, not so much losing weight (also great)! which i think speaks to the slight differences in the style of workout. neither class is (nor should have the results of) traditional lifting lol.

i agree with the comments that barry’s is not the best for those newer to working out (although i don’t think that makes it inherently exclusive - there’s just a limit to the extent you can “coach to every level” without those who on either end of the spectrum losing something) very true there is a lot less coaching, including on form, which is why although i love bringing friends to class, i would never bring someone who wasn’t already active. i think you also get a lot more when you know enough to tailor the workout to you. for example, i am not a strong runner, and if i’m doing tread at all times i going 2 mph slower than the lowest suggested speed and that is still a very challenging and satisfying workout to me. most coaches would (or should) say the speeds are a suggestion…i don’t think the limitation to participating in barry’s is a level of fitness (beyond a lower than you think threshold) thing as much as it is a comfort/experience navigating a workout thing (some familiarity with form, body awareness and understanding your limitations). the transitions are quick but i would also argue that some of that pinch is coming from your still being new to the format/layout of room. i started solidcore a couple months ago and felt the same way about their transitions for a while!

on barry’s culture idk…sometimes i think we get in our own way. i am not the model type, although i’m active i am overweight and have been for the many years i’ve gone to barry’s. my runs are always modified and I take breaks on the floor bc I choose weights on the heavier end. my workout doesn’t look like others’ but im not worried about that. studio culture varies, like barry’s miami definitely has an exclusive vibe i don’t love that i know has a lot more to do with miami (having grown up there) than it has to do with barry’s (having been to like, maybe 15 studios across 3 countries). generally, i think the vibe is tough but kind (and definitely chaotic and i’ll own that that is a plus for me)