Looking for a low-impact exercise routine? Pure Barre studio opening west of the Narrows

Fitness company Pure Barre is opening a new Gig Harbor location at 6932 Kimball Dr. this fall.

The company website says that Pure Barre is a “low-impact, high-intensity workout” with influences from yoga, Pilates and ballet.

The Gig Harbor gym joins others in Pierce County, including locations in Tacoma and Puyallup. The brand has more than 600 studios across North America, according to the company website.

Owner KJ McNamara said she grew up in the Gig Harbor area and is excited to bring her second Pure Barre location to her hometown in September or October. She doesn’t have the exact opening date yet. She owns the Puyallup location, which opened in 2020.

McNamara, who got into Pure Barre when she started doing the workouts, described Pure Barre as a gift for her physical and mental health. She said she likes it because it runs contrary to the mentality that in order to get good results from your exercise routine, you have to beat yourself up.

“I love it because it’s a tough workout, for sure, but you’re not required to do really intense movements,” McNamara said.

To encourage people to jump in, she said the Gig Harbor location will offer a limited number of discounts to “founding members” who sign up, first come, first served. The first 100 people to sign up as founding members will get 45% off a lifetime membership, the next 100 will get 30% off, and the next 100 will get 25% off. Founding members also will be the first to hear about the location’s opening dates and will get first access to classes.

McNamara said she will begin hiring employees for positions, including at the front desk and in teaching and sales, after the July Fourth holiday.