KCAL 9 LOS ANGELES
9 on the Town, July 5, 2004

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S TOP 9 WORKOUTS
#1 THE BAR METHOD

Our pick for the very best workout in Southern California goes by the name the Bar Method. It’s a system which uses a combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet moves to shape and tone the body.

You’ve decided that it’s finally time to get your body in the best shape of your life, then you’ll want to meet Bar Method teacher Jennifer Cooper: “Your abs go flat as a washboard. Your butt lifts. You thighs shrink. It elongates your muscles, strengthens your muscles, tones your muscles. You drop weight, tone up. You just kind of become this tight little package.”

Mimi Fleischman owns the Bar Method studio on Sawtelle Boulevard. “This has been called L.A.’s newest killer workout. We build muscle the moment we have spent four minutes in a practically holding position, and when our muscle is worn out, giving out, we immediately stretch that same muscle and actually, literally elongate it. And that’s what we do at the Bar Method. We actually stretch the muscle and give it a much longer look.” (Mimi Fleischman)

But don’t mistake this for some walk in the park stretch class.

“When I teach a class I need them to shake or they’re not working hard enough. When I see that happening, then they’re really working out.” (Instructor Jennifer Cooper)

“You work every muscle in your whole body, and you just feel energized and stronger.” (Dawn Papalian, Bar Method student)

“I’m a lot smaller everywhere. My waist is smaller. My hips are smaller. My thighs are smaller, and look at this!” (Flexes arm muscles.) (Debbie Solomon, Bar Method student)

Well, I guess the proof is in the muscles. “This is the next wave of exercise.” (Mimi Fleischman)

“If you want long, lean muscles, this is the place to go.” (bar Method student)

Of course Summer is officially here, so if you’re looking for the best way to get in shape, you might want to consider giving the Bar Method a try. It’s our pick for L.A.’s best workout. But remember, we never said it would be easy.

July 5, 2004 3:42 pm US/Pacific

<Back