The Bar Method closing after eight years: ‘I’m just going to think about how great an experience it was.’

August 25, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer

The Bar Method at 99 South St., a popular place for women -- and occasionally a man -- of different levels and ages to get fit in an inspiring, fun way while making new friends -- will hold its last class Aug. 31 after eight years at that location.

But instead of focusing on her sadness, owner Sarah Kuzniar chooses to spend her time thinking about "what it was, not how it's ending. I'm just going to think about what a great experience we all had."

Since Kuzniar announced that the workout studio would be closing, she has received many heartfelt notes from past and present clients as well as staff, sharing how much they have enjoyed and appreciated this "happy space" -- where people talked about funny and nice things that happened to them -- along with supportive messages from local businesses owners," she told the Hingham Anchor. "I'm feeling lots of love right now, which is helping me focus [on the positive]."

The studio was thriving, "but the pandemic hit, and continued for much longer than we thought it would," Kuzniar said. "The longer it went on, the harder it was to reopen. I tried everything, including live and recorded classes online. We even partnered with a local carpenter and made and sold portable ballet barres [similar to the ones mounted on the studio walls] so our clients could work out at home."

The stringent COVID-19-related requirements of operating a boutique fitness studio created an economic gap that was too large to overcome -- the biggest deterrent being the limitation of only 10 clients in a class when there is room for 30, coupled with the amount of time required between classes under COVID-19 regulations. "It was just how the situation worked out," she said. "No one is to blame."

The Bar Method workout -- reshapes the entire body while channeling one's inner strength.

The Hingham studio also offered childcare, making it easy for young mothers to make new friends easily while enjoying a unique form of exercise at the same time.

What made the Bar Method special, among others things, was that some people who didn't ordinarily enjoy "formal" exercise "fell in love with it and looked forward to their classes rather than just checking it off on their 'to do' list," Kuzniar said. "It was the highlight of their day for many clients."

But what was perhaps appreciated the most, she said, is the way The Bar Method staff and clients supported each other, whether "celebrating the good in their lives or helping someone through a tough time."

The workout studio also attracted women in their 60s and 70s, mother and  daughter and husband and wife "teams" who enjoyed working out together, "bridging the generational gap to include all ages and abilities -- feeling challenged but that it was doable," Kuzniar said.

The Bar Method had hundreds of active clients, and "thousands of people who walked through the doors since we first opened," she explained. "Some would just drop in, others were on an unlimited monthly plan. Some worked out for a time before moving out of state, while others brought visiting family and friends with them. It's been eight years of people coming and going."

Kuzniar, a Hingham resident, said for now she plans to focus on her children as the new school year begins, then "figure out what's next."

Hingham Downtown Association Executive Director Lynn Barclay was saddened by the news that the Bar Method is closing it’s doors permanently. "This marks the fourth business closing in our downtown due to the pandemic,"she said. "I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to support our downtown businesses during this time. Our downtown area is the soul of our community, and it’s critical that we emerge on the other side of this crisis with a healthy and vibrant downtown.”