The Bar Method: Celebrating More Than 13 Years of Fitness, Community, and Growth
The Bar Method Winter Park has been a beloved fitness studio in the Winter Park Village for more than 13 years. Over the years, it has become a local staple, not just for its innovative workouts but for the tight-knit community it has fostered. Owner Karen Moreno, who has poured her heart and soul into the studio since day one, reflects on her journey with a sense of pride and gratitude. "I love it even more now than when I started it. I love teaching now more than ever, and I especially love the community that we’ve built here," she shares.
A former elementary school teacher and a mother of three, Moreno’s path to entrepreneurship wasn’t straightforward. After taking time off to raise her children, she began to feel the itch to return to work or find something new to channel her energy. When her oldest child entered high school, she was ready for a new chapter. During a business trip with her husband 15 years ago, Moreno met a woman who introduced her to a barre workout that would change her life.
Having always been passionate about fitness and growing up as a dancer, Moreno was immediately intrigued by this unique workout. She started experimenting with barre exercises through DVDs at home and quickly became hooked. Impressed with the workout’s philosophy and its ability to offer a full-body, low-impact strength training session, she began to research how she could open her own barre studio. That’s when she discovered The Bar Method.
The Bar Method is a barre-based workout that blends high repetition, low-impact strength training with elements of yoga and Pilates. The method incorporates light weights, a ballet barre, exercise balls, and resistance straps, creating a full-body workout that tones and strengthens. After visiting several other barre studios and exploring different programs, Moreno chose The Bar Method for its professionalism, commitment to safety, and the high standards of its workout. It was a perfect fit for her passion and vision.
Soon, she found herself auditioning and interviewing at The Bar Method’s headquarters in San Francisco. After being awarded a franchise, she dove into the challenges of starting a business from scratch. From finding the right space to lease to navigating the logistics of running a business, the learning curve was steep. But she persevered, and her dedication paid off.
From implementing virtual classes to happy hours and social events outside the studio, the Bar Method team has built a loyal following and supportive community of self-proclaimed barre babes who like to workout and socialize together.