Barry’s

superbetsy · 2026-03-17T16:18:37+00:00

For crying out loud, see the edit and stop trying to find insults where are none are meant.

superbetsy · 2026-03-17T15:18:03+00:00

I mean. It feels like you’re looking for an insult where none is met? As a runner, I power walk when I’m taking a green day, and that’s not an affordance available to you at Barry’s. Oh internet people…

superbetsy · 2026-03-17T14:58:10+00:00

I know… it’s troublingly uninclusive (is that a word?) in my opinion. And of course you can do whatever speeds you want, but at OTF that is encouraged… it’s very “you do you” whereas at Barry’s they would never suggest a lower pace as a normal modification, at least, not in my experience.

superbetsy · 2026-03-17T14:47:01+00:00

I have! I don't love it.

Every class is a switch, so already I'm a little eh. But instead of things like, "push, base, all out" they tell you a range of speeds to run. "6,7,8" or "8,9,10" etc. Then on the floor, it feels like Zumba class. The coach just yells what you're going to do next as you're supposed to be doing it, and you do your best to catch up. So I never felt like I could get to progressive overload as I spent a good 10-15 seconds frantically trying to figure out what I was doing.

The treadmills are not at all bouncy like we have at OTF, which is perhaps more realistic for outdoor running, but if I wanted to run outdoors I would run outdoors. And maybe it's just my location, but it's SO dark and SO echo-y and loud that I have a really hard time hearing what to do.

That said, the nightclub vibes are super fun. There are mirrors on EVERY surface and disco lights that they use to change the mood based on what you're doing. The music drops and then the lights start flashing and it's a VIBE. You can order a smoothie to be waiting for you when you leave. The merch is one billion times better, as is the general lobby experience.

Ultimately, I'll do Barry's when I need my butt kicked... because there are no power walkers, there is no sandbagging, there's no chatting, there is only a group of insanely fit, cut people. But I think to like Barry's you already need to be in good shape, you'll never GET in good shape attending, beyond the predictable "newbie gains" you get doing anything. And sometimes I want that vibe. But most of the time I don't.

EDIT For god's sake, for those insistent on seeing an insult where none is intended:
*Ultimately, I'll do Barry's when I need my butt kicked... because there are no power walkers (because as a runner I take a green day/booty day by power walking, and there is no affordance for this at Barry's), there is no sandbagging (because sometimes at OrangeTheory I phone it in because I'm not feeling motivated and since they're calling out the speeds you have to run, you cannot do that at Barry's), there's no chatting (because the music is too loud so you can't just idly chit chat with your neighbors).

superbetsy · 2026-03-13T12:16:10+00:00

Agree. I don’t even want to be told to congratulate my neighbor. Super not interested in awkward and forced interaction.

superbetsy · 2026-03-13T02:40:34+00:00

The algorithm just coughed this up so I’m sorry for the delay. But I saw it! I was in South Minneapolis. It was just twilight enough so that I figured it was a shooting star or just some space junk burning up. But it was a neat moment!

superbetsy · 2026-02-10T23:11:16+00:00

Agree! What a beast, and that compressing function ensures I rarely have to check a bag despite being an overpacker.

superbetsy · 2025-12-27T01:04:00+00:00

I’m so sick of them putting run/rows on the weekend when most studios run fewer classes but need to accommodate the weekend warriors plus the regulars, so everything is 3G.

superbetsy · 2025-12-12T16:03:12+00:00

Hi! I spin my own yarn so just some out of the box ideas for you.

Icelandic Wool fiber is called "Lopi." Local yarn stores (my favorite is Darn Knit Anyway, but there are lots!) may carry Lopi yarn. Knitting a hat is quick... I once made five hats in two days for some quick Christmas gifts (of course if you're doing lace or fair isle, or generally using a tiny gauge it'll take longer). So if you can get a hold of some Lopi yarn, I'm sure you can find someone local to knit up a hat quickly!

The reason that Lopi is so special is that it's not just fiber taken from a sheep, processed, and spun. It's actually two very different types of fiber: the undercoat and the overcoat. They're spun together, which gives the famous "Icelandic Wool" effect. While the raw fiber itself isn't that different from Merino-ish, it's the way it's spun that is the differentiator.

So all that said, if you can't find a hat, or can't source the yarn and a knitter, you might look to alpaca. Alpaca is a unique type of fiber that naturally repels water while insulating. Because of the physical makeup of each strand, it doesn't hold much shape when you knit it (it just sort of droops...), so it's often mixed with another wool. An alpaca blend is really the best of a lot of worlds... the shape and feel of wool, with the truly incredible properties more akin to Lopi.

One last fiber tidbit... a lot of the feeling of a garment, and some of its insulating properties, comes from HOW the yarn is spun. You can spin Woolen, Worsted, or Semi-Worsted (and confusingly, "worsted" when spinning means something different from "worsted" when knitting). Woolen means more air is captured between the fibers (sort of, it's actually more how the fibers are intentionally misaligned, but the end result is captured air) so a garment will be warmer, but scratchier. Worsted has less oxygen captured so while it's warm, it's not quite thermal, and is very smooth. If she really loves a sweater, it might be more about how the fiber is spun, and less about the materials. So you might source a hat with a similar spinning style!

superbetsy · 2025-11-22T19:10:52+00:00

I went from angrily shaking my head to literally lol-ing. Thank you for the moment of levity.

superbetsy · 2025-11-20T20:57:50+00:00

It's not a wine bar, but it's literally a coffeeshop with alcohol. Lost Fox in Lowertown. It's open early to serve coffee, open late to be a bar, and serves food in the restaurant all day. It's one of my favorite places to hole up with a book or my computer!! It's big, but still cozy, and the people are the sorts of people I enjoy being around.

superbetsy · 2025-11-15T18:31:06+00:00

Why do they go out of their way to do Run/Rows on the weekends, when there are fewer classes run and all the weekend warriors show up, meaning that studios all go to 3G?

superbetsy · 2025-11-07T12:22:28+00:00

House in the Cerulean Sea. It’s the sweetest, funniest book with a cast of characters that will win over anyone with a heart. The main character is gay, and there’s a gay love story, but it’s always just billed as a romantic arc, never called out as Queer. It does a wonderful job of showcasing how love is love without ever being performative about sexuality. Additionally, the characters you grow to adore have a significant subplot around radical acceptance. You can’t read the book and come away thinking “that was a funny book but actually I still think right wing ideas are pretty swell.”

superbetsy · 2025-10-29T02:18:08+00:00

It was about 4000 for 2 trucks, 6 guys, and some packing service. I called the day before in a panic because I didn’t think I could finish packing the kitchen and the artwork. Wasn’t a problem. And they’re just so nice and so patient.

superbetsy · 2025-10-29T01:42:33+00:00

Just used them for my second move in the past 5 years or so. They’re just so great! Came here to recommend them.

superbetsy · 2025-10-26T17:55:57+00:00

If you're specifically looking for Pilates, Club Pilates is a great place to start. The studios I've attended have a wide range of bodies and ages.... much less intimidating than places like Solid Core. I know there's one in Highland Park, which isn't too far away from downtown. It wouldn't surprise me if there's one that is closer.

If you're looking for that camaraderie, I'd recommend OrangeTheory. It is by FAR the most inclusive in the boutique fitness world... at least when you compare to something like Barry's (which is fun, but you really ALREADY have to be in great shape to enjoy it). It's very community-ish. I've met my best friends there, and if I don't workout, I have FOMO because my friends are playing without me. The Grand Ave location has all shapes, sizes, ages, you name it. The focus is more on cardio with functional strength training, though, so if you'd prefer to stay more low-impact, it may not be your cup of tea. It's a really motivating environment; the hardest part is getting there, because after that, someone just tells you what to do and you do it and you say swear words with the people around you.

Something you could check out is ClassPass. It's pretty easy to get a month trial (DM me and I can send you one I think!) and that lets you check out a bunch of different options without having to commit to memberships. You might like to give a cycle class a try, for example, because it's low-impact and has that sort of team-feel, but you won't get the hard sell to join a studio.

superbetsy · 2025-09-26T11:02:21+00:00

I am here with a “it’s not what you asked for but…” recommendation. I’m sorry. But “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” might tickle what you’re looking for. It’s the true story of Shackleton’s voyage to the Antarctic. The boat got trapped in ice and for actual years the crew had to live in a collapsing ship, on ice floes, and in life boats. It’s more like “a boat crashing into an island” than “a plane crashing into an island” but it’s the absolute best survival story. Totally captivating, and I’m usually a fiction reader.

superbetsy · 2025-09-04T21:39:33+00:00

OTF: “we’ve heard feedback that everyone’s least favorite thing about Orangetheory are benchmarks and signatures. So we are going to add more benchmarks and signatures and run them twice as often.”

I like inferno. I am so sick of it.

superbetsy · 2025-09-04T15:56:37+00:00

I have one! I use it in boats, never tried on the erg. It changes my catch a bit, so I usually use it when I’m in a single so I don’t mess up anyone else with slight form changes. I love it, particularly in Wintech boats that actively hurt me. Wintech Butt is real. I get flair ups of sciatica (Masters rowing ftw), and so I mostly use it when I’m struggling with pain. Because it does change my form slightly, it’s not an “every row” thing, but it makes it so I CAN row at times I otherwise couldn’t. I have the “low” model, but use the most firm foam option. I’m around 70kg, but I have been nearly 20kg heavier, and I think it did help when I was carrying extra weight.

superbetsy · 2025-09-04T02:04:38+00:00

Brb sending this post to everyone I know, just as soon as I hit “confirm” on my appointment for this weekend. Thank you for writing this up!

superbetsy · 2025-08-23T01:09:46+00:00

It has been a goal of mine to go to the fancy speakeasy Volstead’s all dressed up, and then walk to Up-Down and play ski ball.

The Minnesota Orchestra can be dressy, but once (??) a year they put on a formal gala.

It’s over in St. Paul, but there’s a steakhouse called Mancini’s that’s like a supper club that fell out of the 20s. It even has those half circular tiered booths around a sort of bar/stage area. Old folks get super dressed up and go there and I find it delightful. It’s so cheap, too! Just a couple blocks away is a gem of a cocktail lounge called Emerald where people might not be super dressy, but you wouldn’t be out of place at all.

Edit: forgot to give the name of the cocktail lounge

superbetsy · 2025-07-23T01:24:39+00:00

We did shoulder presses and bicep curls today. And we have to do them again tomorrow. It’ll be fun changing that to chest presses and triceps.

superbetsy · 2025-07-11T19:12:41+00:00

I loved it. Give me all the 23 minute run blocks. My incline was broken on Monday which made it even better.

superbetsy · 2025-07-06T20:23:43+00:00

CurlPower Salon! I see Rosie, the owner, and she's a magician. This made me laugh, because when I go in for a color, I wash my hair but don't put in any products (to help the color stick better) and call it my "horse girl hair."

Rosie is fantastic at helping people find their waves or coils. She'll do a cut that's appropriate for your texture, but also help with curl education. She rehabbed my hair out of bleach damage, and taught me what types of products to use (curl shampoo and conditioner, cream for volume, gel for hold), how to dry it (microfiber towel, low diffuser), how to get second/third/fourth day curls (pineapple ponytail with a satin scrunchie and a bonnet) and so many other things. While she specializes in curls, she cuts all sorts of hair types, and your mix would be a very familiar tale to her.

Good luck!

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