Co-Founders Sadie and Chris Lincoln reflect on the last 15 years, the moment they knew barre3 was something special, and what they hope for the next 15 years.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: For those that are new to us (or might not know!), why did you start barre3? What was your driving inspiration?
SADIE: Give this How I Built This interview I did a listen! In a nutshell, we started barre3 to solve the problems we directly experienced as leaders and consumers in the fitness industry. Chris and I were lonely as a couple and knew that relationships mattered just as much as exercise, so we started by designing a space that fostered authentic connections and community. We also wanted to create a workout that helped people redefine what success in fitness meant to them. Instead of working out to get to an imagined ideal in the future (which often leads to injury and body image issues), we wanted to create a place where clients exercised as a practice of being honest and present in their bodies, which builds body wisdom and a healthy, sustained commitment to self. It’s been an absolute joy to watch this reframing of exercise take off and become a full blown movement!
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: When you look back on barre3’s initial years, what memories come to mind? (Two kiddos in the studio!)
SADIE: I call those first years my “busy years,” and to be honest, it’s a bit of a blur. Raising a company along with two little ones is no joke! We added a baby gate in our lobby to contain our two toddlers and that’s how we launched our Play Lounge, which we have in the majority of our studios to this day. I also have fond memories of some of my early and wonderfully eccentric clients. I had one client who would show up to class in a jean mini skirt with a Starbucks in hand and truly “make it her own” at the barre. I remember a client walking into class late with tears in her eyes while breastfeeding. I was teaching and took her baby from her and kept teaching! Most of my fondest memories are like this. It’s the very human, real, in-between moments that bring me the most joy. And of course, our very first clients who became team members and my first franchisees. They believed so much in what Chris and I started that they left their careers and dedicated themselves to growing barre3 with us. They know who they are, and I am grateful!
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: Do you recall an “a ha” moment with barre3, when you realized how special it was and would become?
SADIE: Right from minute one. August 12, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. teaching my first class. It was electric, and I knew in every cell in my body that something magical was happening. I was following my purpose versus chasing success.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: Over the last 15 years so much has changed at barre3, yet the company’s core values have remained true today. Can you speak to how they have consistently played an integral part of the company’s journey—from the workouts to the culture, studio locations, and community?
SADIE: Our core values are a direct reflection of our unique approach to teaching, and because of this, they haven’t changed one bit in 15 years. They aren’t just words on a wall or ideas we aspire to be. Our core values are HOW and WHY we teach barre3. “Stronger Together” is a value around the power of collective wisdom, diversity, and our “anti-guru” approach to fitness. This value is why we say things like “You are your own best teacher.” A direct expression of our core value “Practice Authenticity” is when we modify in class. This is a practice of moving in a way that is congruent with what your authentic needs are at that present moment versus copying what others around you are doing. “Love of Learning” is our growth mindset value that drives innovation and why we start every training with “The one thing that never changes at barre3 is that we are always changing!” “Give Generously” is about how energizing it is to take care of each other in generous ways—big or small—like taking a baby from a tired mama’s hands, or having props ready for someone running late, or taking the time to meditate before our shift so we show up present and ready to give. “Make it Happen” speaks to our entrepreneurial spirit and unbridled optimism in the ability of each stakeholder at barre3 from clients to owners to be empowered to create meaningful changes in body and in life.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: Through fitness fads, a global pandemic, and many other twists and turns, why do you think barre3 has stood the test of time?
SADIE: The past three years have been a ridiculous test of our resiliency. Having a premium digital platform certainly helped sustain us. But mostly I am beyond proud of our barre3 franchisees and our entire team who supports them. Sadly, 30% of boutique fitness studios permanently closed during the pandemic. We have actually grown from 156 studios in 2019 to close to 170 studios today. It wasn’t easy by any means, and we did have some losses, but overall our barre3 community showed up and supported all our studios, even during closures, because they had a real and meaningful connection to our people and their personal barre3 practice. Today we are all so honored to be able to help people get back into their bodies and self-care routines. We need it more than ever and will never take working out together to a killer playlist for granted again!
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: What has been the most fulfilling part of your 15-year barre3 journey?
SADIE: Right now, in this very moment as I sit here and reflect on 15 years, I feel the most fulfilled. Truly. I am so proud and in awe of our barre3 leadership at all levels and the warmth and aligned commitment to redefining fitness amongst our client base.
BARRE3 MAGAZINE: What do you hope for the next 15 years of barre3 (and beyond!)?
SADIE: I hope that we have made a huge impact in changing the entire fitness and wellness industry. I hope babies are born into a world where they learn from day one to be in awe of their bodies—and even as they enter the years of becoming self-conscious teens, they know they don’t need to conform or compare themselves to an ideal. I hope we never hear in class “I am the oldest person in this room” because you certainly are not. I hope it is the norm to exercise in a way that is challenging and enriching and even addicting because it is an honest expression of being present and practicing body wisdom. I hope that fitness is a wonderful expression of diversity in all forms. I hope there is no one image or association that’s conjured up when we think about the fitness industry. I hope we can enhance our clients’ experience by delivering meaningful and accessible wellness programs, support, and products beyond our studio walls. And I hope that we continue to empower and grow the next generation of female-owned and -designed fitness and wellness products, services, and programs. We have made great progress but still have work to do. Time to make it happen!
