Curious to try a Mess Method workout class? This review gives you everything you need to know before your first class!
Mess Method is a boutique gym located in Hoboken, NJ that offers a variety of barre-inspired classes. Almost all of their classes are low-impact and let’s face it, the older we get, the more we find ourselves craving a good low-impact workout. Whether you are a total barre beginner or a barre addict, you are sure to love the classes at Mess Method!
This review of Mess Method is part of our Boutique Gym Review Series!
Mess Method - A Full Review
What Exactly is Mess Method?
Mess Method is a barre studio in Hoboken, NJ that was created by Amber Hirsch in 2019. This studio offers a barre/pilates/yoga fusion through its classes. Every instructor is upbeat and encouraging, some even have a few quirky jokes to put a smile on your face as you’re working out. You can find their studio located above the Pilsner Haus Biergarten on 14th and Grand Street!
What Classes do they Offer?
Mess Method offers a variety of barre-inspired classes! The class you’ll find on the schedule the most is their Mess Signature with Sculpt and Conditioning. This class fuses together elements of barre, pilates, and yoga to give you a total body workout!
You’ll also find a variety of other classes on their schedule like Hot Mess (heavier cardio focus), Ass + Abs + Arms (targeted barre), and a few classes that incorporate recovery.
One of my favorite classes here is Floor Barre and Stretch! It has more of a mat pilates vibe and comes with a longer stretch at the end. Your body will be thanking you after this workout class!
What Do I Wear to Class?
It’s recommended to wear more form-fitting clothing to class so that the instructor can check your form more closely. You should wear whatever you are comfortable wearing to work out! I LOVE a good pair of PowerPress leggings from Old Navy! They seem to have more of a cotton feel and aren’t as great at wicking away sweat, so my other favorites are CRZ YOGA leggings. They offer great compression, aren’t see-through, and definitely don’t roll down when moving!
For tops, I love a good longline tank! If you like the fitted look, but want something a bit longer than a good Lulu dupe, I highly recommend Old Navy’s PowerChill Longline Sports Bra! Similar to their leggings, they are a bit more cotton feeling but you definitely don’t see the sweat on any of the three colors that I have (and I sweat a lot when I work out LOL). Best part is that Old Navy is often running a sale for a sweet deal on your gym clothes!
Most importantly, you will need a pair of grip socks for class (unless it’s a cardio class). I always order mine from Amazon! If you forget a pair, don’t sweat it, you can always buy them at the studio!
F3 Workout Must-Haves
Tell Me About the Studio!
Mess Method just upgraded its location at the start of the year, and let me tell you, the studio is stunning! If you had previously been to a class, you know that Mess Method used to be a tiny room that only fit about 10 people comfortably- and even that was tight!
Their new studio is just around the corner on the same floor. It is now a beautiful space with plenty of room for almost 20 people. I have never felt like I was on top of anyone at this studio! The studio has new hardwood floors, exposed beams, and a couple of columns that don’t get in your way! It has a modern industrial feel, creating the perfect ambiance for an evening workout.
When you first walk in, you’ll find a narrow hallway with hooks to hang your jackets. You can leave your shoes on the floor below your coat or outside on a small shoe rack. As you continue in, you’ll find a cute sitting area where the instructor will check you in, some Mess Method merchandise, along with some extra hair ties and tampons. Continuing into the studio, you’ll see some cubbies for your personal belongings and a short white bookshelf that acts as a divider between the “welcome area” and the “class area”.
The white shelves house all of the props you’ll need during class. The instructor will let you know what you need when you arrive!
How does a Mess Method Class Go?
Every class starts with a quick warm-up to get your body primed for the workout. You’ll hear upbeat music as you move through different sequences targeting your legs, glutes, arms, and core. I’ve been to quite a few classes here and I haven’t noticed any pattern or routine when it comes to the order of what part of the body you are working out.
One thing that I love about Mess Method is that the classes are prop heavy in the best kind of way! They use everything from pilates rings to balls, weights, booty bands, Bala Bangle Weights, yoga straps, sliders, and yoga blocks. In most classes, you’ll be using multiple props which helps spice up your workout!
For every class, all you need is a water bottle and grip socks– unless it’s cardio, then you’ll need sneakers! You also don’t need to worry about bringing a yoga mat, Mess Method has very comfy mats for your use!
Pro-Tip: Arrive a little earlier than you usually would to pick your spot! I have arrived twice this week 5 minutes before class and been one of the last people there (aka I’m getting the spot next to the instructor).
My favorite class is Floor Barre and Stretch with Donielle! It’s the perfect way to wind down the week on a Thursday night. The class starts with a little 5-minute stretch and then moves into 30 minutes of barre followed by 15 minutes of full-body stretching. You should make the most of your express workout since it’s only 30 minutes and then really enjoy every second of the full-body stretch! The
I love that Mess Method always encourages a challenge. If you are new to the studio, they will encourage you to stay at the base level of each exercise. The instructor will then suggest variations to add onto the base move. Most studios will offer modifications. The slight difference in their structure provides a more welcoming and encouraging environment for the class. Not everyone is at the same fitness level and Mess Method is truly made for everybody.
Let’s Talk About Form
As someone who is a stickler for good form when working out, I am ALWAYS looking to the instructors to see if they are paying attention to the form in the room. At Mess Method, they tend to take a look at the room and make generalized comments to get everyone to fix common errors they are seeing. This method is definitely less intimidating for new clients, however, sometimes some big form issues get missed.
Now, it’s hard when an instructor is teaching a class because they are doing the workout with you. They can’t do everything! Try to follow the instructor’s positioning and listen for their cues about how certain exercises should feel or what slight position changes you can make to protect your body from injury!
Break it Down for Me
PROS
- Beautiful Studio
- Very Nice Quality Equipment
- Very Spacious
- Nice Views
- Upbeat Instructors
- Challenges in Exercises for Every Fitness Level
- Low-Impact
CONS
- No Bathrooms
- No Water Fountain
- Paid Street Parking (although a little easier to find in this area)
- Rarely Fix Your Form Individually
- Sometimes songs do not bleed into the next and there is a slight silence while working out
Would I Take Another Class with Mess Method?
Absolutely! You can be sure that I will be signing up for every floor barre and stretch class that I can make it to! In part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, it’s important for me to move my body a few times a week and I find Mess Method to be enjoyable! I will say, I am usually one to get there just a few minutes before class starts, but everyone else seemed to already be there so I will definitely try to be earlier in the future- which is definitely not my strong suit HA!
How Do I Book a Class?
You can book a class at Mess Method directly through or through Classpass!
Right now, they are running a new client special that is 2 classes for $28, definitely a steal!
This review of Mess Method should have given you all the info you need to book your first class!
As someone who has been obsessed with Bar Method for years and was sad to see my local studio close, I have definitely taken a strong liking to Mess Method! I find every class here to be more of a surprise in how it flows as opposed to classes that have a very routine structure. If you love barre or mat pilates you will likely fall in love with Mess Method too!
Be sure to check out our other Boutique Fitness Reviews below!
1 thought on “Mess Method – a Full Review”
Pingback: /IMPACT/ Group Fitness - Everything You Need to Know - Fearlessly Fit and Free
Comments are closed.