Owner Stories
BARRE3 OWNER STORIES: KAT DOTY, BARRE3 STUDIO CITY
Kat Doty found barre3 in her hometown of Toronto, Canada, and fell in love immediately. Fitness was not a regular part of her life, but she left her first class feeling successful, energized, and excited for more. Through barre3, she found a healthy relationship with her body that she never had before and hasn’t looked back since. Previously a script supervisor in film and television, Kat is now the proud owner of barre3 Studio City and celebrated the grand opening of her studio in January 2024.
B3 MAGAZINE: How did you find barre3?
KAT: Barre3 found me in my hometown of Toronto, Canada in 2018. The Leslieville studio opened in my neighborhood and a friend pushed me into trying a class. I had never done group fitness before and was very hesitant to start. Immediately, I fell in love with the class. I was astonished by how challenging it was and by how safe I felt in a fitness environment. I soon became a regular client at the 6 AM classes and in Aimee’s incredible Saturday morning classes. (Shout out to studio owner Aimee Ostrander!) Barre3 was truly the only workout I had ever experienced that I loved.
B3 MAGAZINE: What made you decide to open a barre3 studio?
KAT: In 2019, I moved to Los Angeles to marry an American and was floored when I realized the closest studios to me were hours away by car. I drove the distance about once a week until the now infamous lockdown of 2020. Then, the gift of livestream classes came about and I became a member of barre3 San Clemente. I must have taken classes on Zoom every day for about 18 months and felt so taken care of by the instructors. I credit studio owner Nicki Insley and the mindfulness of barre3 for getting me through the isolation of the pandemic. That was so inspiring to me: the idea that maybe I could share this unique fitness concept, the idea that “you are already enough” with Los Angeles. I’ve never been one to shy away from a risk or a challenge, so I was all in!!
B3 MAGAZINE: What do you find most gratifying about opening your studio?
KAT: Barre3 Studio City has only been open for a few months, and the community we have already brought together is unbelievable. Our clients and our team are incredible people with genuine affection for one another. When I was on the journey to open our studio, the idea of “community” was very abstract—I knew I wanted that for our space, but I didn’t know what it actually meant. I certainly had no idea I would care so deeply about each and every person who comes through our door. It has been so emotional in the most lovely way.
Thank you, Kat! Live nearby or visiting Los Angeles? Sign up for class at barre3 Studio City and follow along on Instagram for studio news and updates.
Learn more about owning a barre3 studio in your community.
Kat Doty found barre3 in her hometown of Toronto, Canada, and fell in love immediately. Fitness was not a regular part of her life, but she left her first class feeling successful, energized, and excited for more. Through barre3, she found a healthy relationship with her body that she never had before and hasn’t looked back since. Previously a script supervisor in film and television, Kat is now the proud owner of barre3 Studio City and celebrated the grand opening of her studio in January 2024.
B3 MAGAZINE: How did you find barre3?
KAT: Barre3 found me in my hometown of Toronto, Canada in 2018. The Leslieville studio opened in my neighborhood and a friend pushed me into trying a class. I had never done group fitness before and was very hesitant to start. Immediately, I fell in love with the class. I was astonished by how challenging it was and by how safe I felt in a fitness environment. I soon became a regular client at the 6 AM classes and in Aimee’s incredible Saturday morning classes. (Shout out to studio owner Aimee Ostrander!) Barre3 was truly the only workout I had ever experienced that I loved.
B3 MAGAZINE: What made you decide to open a barre3 studio?
KAT: In 2019, I moved to Los Angeles to marry an American and was floored when I realized the closest studios to me were hours away by car. I drove the distance about once a week until the now infamous lockdown of 2020. Then, the gift of livestream classes came about and I became a member of barre3 San Clemente. I must have taken classes on Zoom every day for about 18 months and felt so taken care of by the instructors. I credit studio owner Nicki Insley and the mindfulness of barre3 for getting me through the isolation of the pandemic. That was so inspiring to me: the idea that maybe I could share this unique fitness concept, the idea that “you are already enough” with Los Angeles. I’ve never been one to shy away from a risk or a challenge, so I was all in!!
B3 MAGAZINE: What do you find most gratifying about opening your studio?
KAT: Barre3 Studio City has only been open for a few months, and the community we have already brought together is unbelievable. Our clients and our team are incredible people with genuine affection for one another. When I was on the journey to open our studio, the idea of “community” was very abstract—I knew I wanted that for our space, but I didn’t know what it actually meant. I certainly had no idea I would care so deeply about each and every person who comes through our door. It has been so emotional in the most lovely way.
Thank you, Kat! Live nearby or visiting Los Angeles? Sign up for class at barre3 Studio City and follow along on Instagram for studio news and updates.
Learn more about owning a barre3 studio in your community.
