Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Pridgen.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in Charleston and got into fitness in my early college years at the College of Charleston. I started off running (walking mostly being super out of shape!) small distances and slowly increased. By the end of my college career, I had a minor in Health and Wellness, was running half marathons and got into group fitness as well. I started teaching group fitness classes at local gyms in Charleston and was introduced to barre in 2010. I was very skeptical at first of a workout being Pilates and ballet focused but after one workout (and a pair of VERY wobbly legs) I was hooked. After being professionally trained in New York City, I returned and taught at a studio for nearly a year before going out on my own using my fitness background and the traditional ballet barre training I had received to start Raising the Barre. I began small teaching three days a week and sharing a space with other entrepreneurs, fitness and otherwise. After seven years, my husband and I took a leap of faith and began to build a full-time studio in Summerville. Summerville had no barre studios and when we opened in 2021, people could not even pronounce barre, much less know what it was. I had to be very intentional in educating the community, creating awareness and removing barriers. Sharing my love for barre and sustainable fitness has been so rewarding as we’ve built a community at Barre Nation. I’m passionate about impact businesses and have created a foundation of giving back that’s woven in to all that we do at the studio. From our tanks and shirts (made by TurnNinety in North Charleston who employ men out of prison to give them a second chance) to donating a portion of our profits back to nonprofits and others in the community, nation and abroad. Giving back and pouring into our city and nation is a huge part of who we are, hence our name, Barre Nation. Helping individuals feel stronger to lead injury-free lives is our passion as we workout. We believe barre is for ALL fitness levels, body types and ages. Come try a workout with us!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
When we opened as the first barre studio in Summerville, people didn’t even know what barre was. I had to be very intentional in the way that I shared who we are and what our workouts are like. I set up at local events like the Farmers Market, Third Thursday and races not to sell anything but just to talk to people and share what barre workouts were. I created a First Week Free package so people could come in and see the studio, meet our instructors and experience several workouts for themselves. I had to be so consistent in getting out into the community to create awareness and brand recognition. Not being a franchise has had its share of challenges as well. This is a flagship studio, the first of our brand. I really wanted to have freedom in things that mattered to me like the foundation of giving back and also affordable pricing which are both very important to me. It’s had its fair share of challenges creating your own studio, and your own brand all the while being the first of your sort in your town (and did I mention that I opened during Covid?!). However, I can already see a love of barre developing quickly in Nexton and the city of Summerville as a whole. Being a business owner comes with struggles but the reward of investing in your niche population and seeing them come alive as they discover and share your passion is priceless. It’s a gift from above!
We’ve been impressed with Barre Nation, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
If you’ve never tried barre before get ready to be pleasantly surprised by a low-impact, high-intensity workout that strengthens, shapes and tones in an environment fit for any fitness level and all ages. Barre is an athletic blend of Pilates and resistance training with a ballet base. Every class is exciting and combines athletic movements with ballet barre positions to provide a class that is challenging but not overwhelming. You’ll be hooked by the way these tiny movements bring big change. Focusing on proper alignment, a strong core, increasing flexibility and feeling stronger with each class, we believe your workouts should provide an overall great quality of life!
All of our instructors are trained to offer a wide variety of modifications so that you can truly come as you are! Our passion is to bring you a top-notch workout that is challenging but not overwhelming. We recommend you try one of our traditional barre classes as your first class. They are 1 hour in length and provide a great experience of what our full-body barre workouts offer.
We offer your first week of workouts for free AND your first month of unlimited workouts for $79. We believe barre is for all fitness levels, body types and ages. Working out with multiple generations in a room is normal for Barre Nation and has been since we opened. Come and try a workout with us! We can’t wait to have you at the barre!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Love what you do and do what you love! I believe you must be completely committed and passionate about what you do to be truly successful. Success isn’t a full class or outgrowing your space. Success is seeing a client become confident in who she is because of her time with you. Success is hearing a member share where they were and how far they’ve come, watching a member smile at herself in the mirror as she’s realized it’s not about looking a certain way or being a certain size. It’s about feeling strong, capable and healthy so you can do all that you’ve been called to do. This to me, is the definition of success!
Pricing:
- First Week Free
- First Month Unlimited $79
- 12 Month Member $129/month
- 6 Month Member $149/month
- 10 Classes for $200 / 5 Pack for $115
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barrenation.us/
- Instagram: barre_nation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarreNation
Image Credits
Sally Lund Photography
