About US
THE BARRE STL
difference
At Barre STL, we strive to be more than your average barre studio. Our barre-based method combines isometric strength-training, energetic bursts of cardio, and rejuvenating stretching into a challenging full-body workout.
We are more than simply a workout.
You can expect our instructors to meet you right where you are; providing the motivation to push you past your limits, all while encouraging you to be attentive to what your body needs. With continuously evolving routines and upbeat playlists, our passionate instructors will leave you feeling accomplished and challenged, yet grounded and empowered. It is our goal to make health and fitness a priority and lifestyle!
Hey there!
We are Tori and Jim Foster, the duo behind Barre STL. We are so honored to have you here with us!
We dreamt up the idea of Barre STL in 2019 after our local barre studio was going through transitions of its own. We had seen just how powerful the barre community was in supporting and lifting up the studio. We knew right then and there that these were the people we wanted to surround ourselves with on a daily basis!
We have drawn from both of our personal experiences in competitive sports, training and injury recovery to build the Barre STL method. The movements are built around intuitive muscle-functionality and mobility. Our method rotates exercises in each class so that no two classes are the same, giving your body adequate time to recover and build sustainable strength. The low-impact workouts are designed to challenge you both mentally and physically, while providing options that work for EVERY BODY at any stage in the fitness journey.
We built this community for you, because of you. Thanks for being a part of our barre family!
Now, let’s get movin’!
– xo –
Tori & Jim
Instructors
Here for you, always.
Tori
Tori discovered her love for Barre while looking for a new way to shake up her workout routine. As a former competitive gymnast, swimmer, and diver, she craved the intensity of competitive sports and training, but after years of wear and tear on her body, needed a low-impact form of exercise. She loved how Barre incorporated rhythmic, challenging movements with fun + upbeat music. You can expect your inner athlete to be pushed and motivated in Tori's classes. Often heard in her class is "spicy", which is a perfect description of her class style. Her classes are known to be a challenging, musically driven experience with an emphasis on form, alignment and supportive individual attention.
Tori co-owns Barre STL with her husband, Jim. She is our lead instructor and director of new instructor training. While not at the studio kicking your booty, you'll find Tori working hard in the financial services industry, enjoying the St. Louis outdoors: hiking with her dogs, Berkeley + Maci, playing Pickleball, swimming and boating in LSL, and exploring the city where she resides with her hubby.
McKinley
McKinley was first introduced to Barre STL in 2019 when a good friend invited her to tag along to one of Tori’s classes. She was instantly drawn to the music + the challenging, yet low-impact nature of Barre. It was love at first workout! Before Barre she struggled to find her perfect workout routine. She didn’t realize she needed the structure of a full body workout, with the fun-factor, and supportive community that Barre fuses together. You can expect her class to be focused around music, music, music! McKinley meticulously hand-picks songs that are familiar to many people as she finds motivation from the pace & tempo of the playlist. She likes to say Barre does not get easier, your body simply gets stronger. Her favorite muscle group to focus on? Arms! She has a appreciation for her upper body strength brought on by Barre.
Outside of the studio, McKinley is quite the adventurer, entrepreneur, and prefers to keep busy. She works in yearbook sales and owns the wedding planning company, Elegant Impressions. She swears she will never leave STL, where her hubby, Kevin, and their dog, Mia, call “home”.
Kerry
Originally from Southern MO, Kerry has always gravitated towards the more active side of life, hitting up the boxing gym, running, or TRX. Kerry is always game for trying something new, especially if she is going to get a good sweat. She took her first Barre class 3 years ago, and after a year of taking Barre STL classes she made the leap to become an instructor because she loved the challenge + variety she got in each class. Fitness has always been a passion of Kerry's and she even flirted with becoming a fitness instructor right out of college (*shh our secret*)! Her motto is "challenge equals change", and that is the truth with her classes. She can always guarantee a killer playlist and we can guarantee you will receive the sweetest words of encouragement and motivation throughout class. Kerry is known for her creative choreography and usage of Barre props -- her favorite prop is the loop band (spicy!)
Kerry has a passion for helping others. When not at the studio you can find her working hard as a Financial Planner and playing Supermom to her two kiddos, Harleigh and Miller. She and her husband, Steve, currently live in Arnold, but are soon breaking ground on their dream home near Sunset Hills!
Jamie
Born and raised in STL, Jamie is no stranger to exploring ways to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Growing up, she either took lessons or competed in every sport under the sun. After college, she had struggled to find a consistent workout routine that gave her the accountability and motivation to keep coming back. Enter: Barre! Jamie loves the intense, yet low-impact nature of Barre STL classes. After years of competitive sports, she brings experience in form + alignment techniques to make sure you are working safe and comfortably in your own body. You can expect to leave Jamie's class feeling accomplished, challenged, de-stressed and with an instant mood-boost. A natural leader, Jamie will be your biggest cheerleader and guide you all throughout class providing movement options that are best for you in your body, all while having a blast! Her favorite section of a Barre STL class is ... BOOTY! She loves the endurance focus + mind-body connection that it requires.
While not at the studio teaching, you'll find Jamie flying the friendly skies as flight attendant, loving on her dogs, Berkeley + Maci, playing Pickleball, refinishing and refurbishing furniture and exploring all things STL!
Jessy
bio coming soon!
