You have always had a dream of opening your own yoga studio, dance studio, gym, or barre fitness location. But where do you start? What are the most important factors to consider? I get these kinds of questions from my customers all the time, so I have decided to write this article with tips and ideas to help you get started on your journey.

I am so happy that my company is helping many of you ‘business go getters’, get started with your own businesses all across America and abroad. Custom Barres are being installed in many start up businesses, gyms, spas and studios. Things to consider when creating your studio:

• 1.Space - When you walk into the space how does it make you feel? What is the energy like in the room? Finding that right space that makes you feel good is the first step in the right direction. For yoga or Barre fitness types of businesses you may want to consider a space that is open and provokes peacefulness, as this is not only exercise for your body but also for your mind. The space should be a place where your customers find a deeper connection with their own body and spirit. For a dance studio, you may want the space to provoke creativity and professionalism.
• 2.Size - How many people will be in your classes at a time? You typically need at least 32-48 inches of barre space per person. Please take into consideration business growth over time, as you may want to start small but leave some room for expansion. Make sure to start with a big enough space so you do not need to reinvest in a new space in the future, which may be costly.
• 3.Measuring your space is key to your set up. Barre fitness for example needs the brackets holding your barre to be spaced at 30-48 inches apart at a height of approximately 36-39 inches (hip height) for classes. For a dance studio you would place barres approximately 40-42 inches high. You may want to consider a double barre to accommodate children or people who are less flexible.
• 4.Safety - The building structure should always be taken into consideration when looking to put in your barres. There needs to be proper support for wall mounted barres such as wood studs in the wall. If your location does not have the proper support and studs are not located in sufficient distances, then you could have your contractor install a backboard support (a minimum of ¾” plywood should be installed) or you could simply consider looking into floor mounted barres.
• 5.Design – Creating your studio look and feel is a part of the whole experience. But sometimes you need to consider the existing features in your space. Your space may have a mirror already installed or the space has a lot of windows. For spaces such as these floor mounted barres are absolutely perfect! See our floor mounted barres, http://www.custombarres.com/shop-floor-mounted-ballet-barres/ !
• 6.Barre & Bracket Uses - When choosing your barres and brackets there are many factors to consider as well. What kind of bracket is right for you? Open saddle or closed saddle? Both have their Pros and Cons. Open saddle allows the bracket to stay out of the way when the barre is in use, so when stretching, your leg can slide past the bracket location. Where the closed saddle might be in the way. However, closed saddle is slightly more secure and can work well to hide the seam of two barres coming together, especially when sections of barres is slightly uneven. Another thing to consider is the different wall brackets which are made to hold a different amount of weight. The Cabriole Single Wall Mount Bracket (http://www.custombarres.com/cabriole-single-158-wall-mounted-bracket/) that we offer can handle pressure up to 350 pounds, and the Sissone up to 250 lbs; assuming you space your brackets in the suggested distance. Also take budget into mind. These are points that must be considered when choosing the best option for you and your new studio. Depending on what activities you will be using your barres for and your budget, this will help you determine what type of barres and brackets are right for your space.
• 7.Quality – At Custom Barres we offer only the finest quality woods: Oak, Maple and Ash. If you’re working on a budget, Ash is a wonderful option. This wood is strong and sturdy but budget friendly. Oak is a more grainy wood typically used at the old schools of Ballet. Oak is a very hard wood that is an excellent option. Maple wood, however is the strongest wood we offer. It is beautiful, lighter in color, and is the top choice for interior designers, due to it’s elegant look. This wood is extremely strong with a high resistance to wear. To compare the different woods we carry click here. http://www.custombarres.com/wood-barres-by-custom-barres/
• 8.Personalization - Give your studio a final touch by customizing your barres or walls. Whether that is your brand (logo, colors) or a color of your choice. All of our barres, can be finished with a stain of any tone. But if the unfinished, natural looking barre is what accents your studio best you can always stick with that as well. We also offer custom wall decals, so if you have any inspiring quotes or a slogan, you can easily display it on your walls using our new custom Decals. Please contact us at info@custombarres.com for more information.
• 9.Our Promise - At Custom Barres one of our main values is professionalism. Because of this value, it is very rewarding to work with our customers, advising them and seeing their dream space become a professional studio. Find your barre and brackets today with the perfect customization for you and your company. We are always here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us today at info@custombarres.com or visit www.custombarres.com!