KGO-TV, ABC7 News, February 14th, 2005
HEALTH

THE WORKOUT THAT HAS EVERYBODY TALKING:
In San Mateo, Lilian Kim, ABC7 News

They lift, push and hold positions until they shake. “Come on. I like shaking.” (Bar Method teacher during a class)

Painful at times –- “It’s hard. It’s really hard.” (Mary Suchland, Bar Method student) these people can’t get enough of it. “It’s the first workout – and I’m in my thirties – that I’m addicted to, that I actually enjoy coming to.” (Suchland)

It’s called The Bar Method. This exercise routine started out on the East Coast but made its way to San Francisco only a few years ago. Now the workout is really taking off in the Bay Area with new studios in Greenbrae and San Mateo.

“It’s amazing.” (Laura Stein, Bar Method studio co-owner) “It’s mostly word of mouth. We’ve done a little bit of advertising, but in five months we have 600 clients, which is incredible.”

The hour-long class targets every major muscle group alternating small, precise resistance moves with deep stretches. The idea is to make you look long and lean.

“The Bar Method’s signature move is the pretzel.” (Lilian Kim, ABC7 News reporter) “By lifting the knee off the floor, instructors say the move can actually take away inches from the waist.”

And students at this San Mateo studio say they have indeed seen results. “It’s results that you see.” (Lauren Petersen, San Mateo student) “Clothes are definitely fitting a little bit looser.”

The Bar Method isn’t cheap though. After new member specials, classes can go as high as $20. And three-to-five classes a week are recommended.

“It’s really fulfilling.” (Tracey Taylor, Bar Method student) “You get a real sense of satisfaction when you finish a class.”

Plans are in the works to open up even more studios in Palo Alto and Los Gatos, a sign that people here in the Bay Area are willing to raise the bar in fitness.

In San Mateo, Lilian Kim, ABC7 News..

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