Burr Leonard launches The Bar Method program at Rancho La Puerta

Burr Leonard, Founder of The Bar Method and author of the popular Bar Method Exercise Blog, announced the launch of The Bar Method program at Rancho La Puerta, the famous destination spa located near San Diego. The Bar Method, named "Best Workout" in every major city where it operates, leads the new genre of ballet bar exercise systems sweeping America today.

Rancho La Puerta will start its The Bar Method Intensive Program the week of February 20, 2010. Burr Leonard, along with Bar Method Chicago exercise studio co-owner Catherine Wendel, will officiate during this inaugural week. Bar Method devotees will join with The Ranch's clientele for Bar Method classes as well as ongoing activities such as hiking, yoga, Pilates, HydroFit, and circuit training.

The Bar Method has expanded rapidly since it opened its flagship studio in San Francisco in 2001. Fueled by the enthusiasm of its students, strong attendance, and excellent press, it has spawned more than 30 thriving exercise studios in and around San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Boulder, New York, Chicago, and New Jersey, most of them franchises. New studios in Vancouver, Dallas, Miami and St. Louis will open later in 2010.

The Bar Method has garnered much praise: The New York Times wrote, "Bar Method workouts are so effective that the term bar butt has entered the local dialect"; EXTRA called it, "The best of the best when it comes to star workouts"; The San Francisco Chronicle wrote, "The Bar is the new Pilates"; and Glamour magazine dubbed it, "The Hollywood exercise trend of the moment." People magazine's 2008 cover article on an amazingly fit Drew Barrymore explained, "Barrymore has become a devout follower of the ballet-influenced Bar Method..."

Rancho La Puerta is the original fitness resort and health spa in North America. Condé Nast Traveler's Spa Poll named it one of the "Best Spas" in the world.

Burr Leonard says, "We are thrilled to have found in Rancho La Puerta the same passion for excellence that we possess." Catherine Wendel adds, "We often hear from our clients when they go on vacation that they hate to leave Bar Method behind. Now they can have a healthy get away without missing their Bar Method exercise classes."