Sea Barre fitness opens second location

Sea Barre recently opened its second location, which also happens to be the first fitness studio in Long Neck.

“There’s no boutique fitness back this way, so I felt this area just needed it,” said Ellen Spell, Sea Barre co-owner.

The new location is called Sea Barre and Yoga, setting it apart from the Lewes studio called Sea Barre Fitness and Sea Cycle.

The space is bright, spacious and brand new. Spell said they are capping classes at 26, so it is also intimate.

“Different look, different vibe. Some members have memberships at both. They’ll feel comfortable walking into both spaces,” Spell said.

According to Spell, Barre (rhymes with car) is an isometric workout developed in the 1950s by a ballet dancer who was in a car accident and could not do her normal exercise routine. To stay fit, she combined ballet and physical therapy.

Spell describes the 45-minute workout as “physical therapy on steroids.”

“I’m wringing you out, taking you to muscle exhaustion. So, I’m trying to keep you uncomfortable for the entire class,” Spell said.

Spell said barre promotes greater balance and flexibility, and is ideal for older people who play golf, tennis or pickleball.

She said clients are men and women 18 to 84 years old. 

“If you can get yourself up and down from the floor, you can do our classes,” she said.

Opening day in Long Neck was April 15. The people who signed up for classes on day one got a taxing, and rewarding, workout.

“I took the barre class for core and muscles. I’ll try the yoga next,” said Debbie Simeon of Long Neck, who is happy a studio opened right down the street.

Spell has owned Sea Barre in Lewes since 2015. Sara Rowley became co-owner in 2020. 

They are honored to call first lady Dr. Jill Biden a client at the original location.

“It’s the coolest thing ever to work out with her. She is the most gracious, lovely person,” Spell said.

Spell said to celebrate the opening in Long Neck, the first 50 people who sign up for a year-long charter membership will receive 20% off.

Morning classes start at 6 a.m., seven days a week. Evening classes are held four nights a week.

Spell said if things work out in Long Neck, there could be more locations in the future.

“Our customers say, ‘Why don’t you open in Milton or Bethany?’ It’s always in the back of our head, but one [step] at a time,” Spell said.

For more information, go to seabarrefitness.com.