BODY BAR Is Open!

"I don't like to work out!" says Shannon Renegar, owner of the new BODY BAR Pilates studio near downtown Alpharetta! “But… I love pilates. I discovered it in the early 2000s and have been doing it ever since.” Opening BODY BAR Pilates is the perfect match between her love of pilates and her background in corporate marketing. She used to joke that she was going to retire and open a pilates studio. Well, it’s no joke, although she’s far from retiring!

What is it about pilates? 

Her dance background drew her to pilates with its focus on core and flexibility. “Anyone can do pilates”. You can do it for life because it’s low impact, not hard on joints and the risk of injury is low. “It really is the only type of exercise I like!”

Was there ‘a moment’ that you knew you were done with corporate America?

“It’s my mid-life crisis,” she laughs. “Really, I was just ready to focus on good and to feed my creative, energetic side.” Shannon states she is lucky to have had significant, smart, energetic, bold and creative women as mentors in her career. She was most excited to work for one woman in particular who hired her. “I was there four whole months and she left.  That’s when I knew.”

Opening a new studio in the middle of a pandemic?  Seriously?

 “Crazy, right?”  Shannon signed on the dotted line in February 2020, just 3 weeks before the shut-down.  She searched for space, built it out, and opened, all in the last year!  She will tell you that the confusion of the pandemic actually allowed for an opportunity for success.  She was able to be more proactive than reactive.  She prepared and built the studio for COVID safety.  “We have enough space to place the reformers so that members are always 6 feet apart.  We clean the equipment  and invested in a medical grade air purification system that cleans the air every 30-45 seconds."  It is safe to say it is safe to work out at BODY BAR.

We just wanted everyone to feel safe coming to work out.” Shannon gives much credit to her General Manager, Jen Isaac, who has been a huge part of the process.

What makes BODY BAR different?

The BODY BAR Reformer is more responsive and versatile in the range of resistance it allows as well as using the  box, tower and split chair.  The BODY BAR Method uses core pilates principles as the basis while incorporating a component of HIIT to keep the heart rate more consistent, which burns more calories.  They offer classes for every level, beginner to seasoned.  The BODY BAR Method also completes all exercises for each side before switching instead of switching sides for each exercise.  Think more burn and more shake to build that muscle!

What’s next for BODY BAR?

“I want BODY BAR to be not only a fitness center, but also a place where people find community, where they meet others in class that turn into friends they meet for class or after, to chat or do something social.”  She’s not stopping here, though.  Shannon plans to open BODY BAR Milton/Cumming by the end of 2022 and BODY BAR Buckhead/Brookhaven (try saying THAT 3 times fast!) by the end of 2024.

We welcome BODY BAR to Alpharetta!  BODY BAR Pilates increases flexibility and muscle strength, improves posture and boosts overall health and well-being. They are in the new Maxwell Building.