If you didn’t take ballet classes as a kid, “barre” is the French word for the hip height stationary handrail used by dancers to maintain balance during practice – and the key element of the popular barre fitness movement.
Pure Barre is the nation’s largest barre exercise franchise, and owner/instructor Lindsay Wolf has planned a soft opening for her new location in Hyde Park at 5239 S. Harper Avenue (across from the Harper Theater) the week of July 20, 2020.
The studio will preliminarily open for members Monday through Wednesday, July 20-22. Non-members may visit the studio and take classes Thursday through Sunday, July 23-26. To learn more about the COVID-related health and safety measures currently used at Pure Barre, please click here.
With 500+ studios across North America, Pure Barre offers a workout technique inspired by elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates, focusing on low-impact, high-intensity movements that target strength, cardio, and flexibility for people of all fitness levels.
Wolf previously worked as a medical social worker at the University of Chicago, and is excited to be back in Hyde Park to reconnect with her UChicago Medicine friends and coworkers. As a retired figure skater with Team USA, fitness has always played a key role in Wolf’s life. She recently opened a Pure Barre location in the South Loop and is happy to open the first studio on the South Side, mentioning “After working in Hyde Park for years, I am so excited to bring Pure Barre to the neighborhood. Hyde Park’s sense of community is great and I can’t wait to introduce everyone to Pure Barre!”
Former Hyde Park resident Roy’el Hill will serve as general manager/instructor for the Hyde Park studio. Hill earned her black belt in karate at the age of 14, graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in Dance in 2015, and was a member of Chicago’s hip-hop Boom Crack! Dance Company. She commented, “Managing Pure Barre Hyde Park has been a dream come true. I lived in Hyde Park for two years and I am ecstatic to be back! It feels just like home.”
Pure Barre features four group class formats (Foundations, Classic, Pure Empower, Pure Reform) that deliver an effective total body workout focused on low-impact, high-intensity movements that lift and tone muscles to improve strength, agility, and flexibility.
To learn more about the Pure Barre Hyde Park location, visit their website, Instagram, and Facebook pages; or contact them via email or phone at 773-441-1585
