I Tested Barry's Activewear in a 50-Minute "Abs & Ass" Bootcamp — Here's My Take

Fit Check is a series where host Sarah Wasilak tests fresh activewear from brands while trying out a new fitness class, from the latest Pilates hybrid creation to the hot yoga class everyone is talking about on TikTok. For the latest installment, she reviews Barry's apparel, along with gear from Alo Yoga and On, while working out at a Barry's bootcamp class in NYC.

While I was a member of Orangetheory for many years, I'd never tried Barry's, a similar bootcamp-style class that actually has 12 years seniority on OTF. Of course, there are key differences — the most notable being the signature Barry's "red room" lighting with the absence of a rowing segment, plus a class runtime of 50 minutes versus 60 — but HIIT bootcamps are my favorite way to effectively burn calories and have fun while doing it. So when I had the opportunity to try out a Barry's class on behalf of Lemme, Kourtney Kardashian Barker's supplement company that partnered with Barry's Fuel Bar on a limited-edition Lemme Tone shake, I jumped. (Literally and figuratively — burpees were unfortunately involved in the Abs & Ass-themed class I attended.) Of course, I also got the chance to sample the shake at the Fuel Bar afterwards, which is an added perk of being a Barry's client.

As for my workout set, I figured why not test out Barry's own product line? I constructed what I like to classify as a dopamine gym outfit to motivate me in the red room, consisting of the Barry's Optic White Legend Tank ($58), Barry's Black High Neck Bra ($68), and Barry's Sprinter Socks ($12), all complemented by Alo Yoga Alosoft High-Waist 7/8 Highlight Leggings ($98) and On White Cloudboom Echo 3 Sneakers ($290) to match the text on my top. After a warmup followed by several class rotations from the treadmill to the floor, I was drenched in enough sweat to know I got in a solid workout. But how did the apparel hold up? Read on for my full Fit Check and thorough review of Barry's activewear line to find out.

About Barry's Activewear

What I Like About Barry's Activewear

In my opinion, the most standout aspect of Barry's apparel is the aesthetic tie to its famous classes, which have been around since 1998. Along with the recognizable logo imprinted onto the waistband of leggings or the racerback of a sports bra, the taglines across the breathable tees offer a wink to bootcamp devotees. "You look f***ing amazing," "If only sarcasm burned calories," and "Sorry I can't I'm at Barry's," are just a few of the phrases that provide that "something extra" touch, exciting fans to wear the gear beyond the studio to showcase their brand love. If you do take Barry's classes often, then you know that the instructors are down-to-earth, high-energy, and enthusiastically motivational, which aligns perfectly with these kitschy slogans.

But beyond that, the apparel is actually functional. The high-neck bra I wore in class is moisture-wicking and double-layered — it wasn't even fully soaked through after a high-intensity 50-minute class. It was also extremely supportive yet comfortable, with no underwire digging into my ribcage or adjustable straps loosening as I lifted dumbbells above my shoulders. The sprinter socks are thick but breathable, with the built-in lip at the ankle doing its job to prevent blisters as I ran intervals on the treadmill.

What to Consider Before Buying Barry's Activewear

Since the lightweight tees and tanks are a selling point of Barry's apparel, it's important to note that I personally didn't love working out in mine throughout the entire class. In the future, I'd probably wear my tank to class, but take it off before hopping on the treadmill or getting started on the floor. After one round of intervals, my tank was damp and slightly clinging to my sports bra at the top, which ultimately just made for a heavier feel during movement. Even though the fabric is mesh and the tank stayed light and airy at the hemline, I find that I prefer working out in very fitted clothing for optimal performance. Of course, this opinion is all relative to the athlete.

As far as socks go, if you prefer a thin, barely-there feel for running (or you have orthotics in your sneakers like I do), you might want to go with another option for a roomier feel — these sprinter socks are thick! And finally, I'd be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that this apparel is not universally affordable and there are other great options when it comes to high-impact sports bras that get the job done at a fraction of the price. (That being said, the Barry's high neck bra was my favorite piece from a performance perspective out of the whole set.)

Where Is Barry's Activewear Available to Shop?

The Barry's activewear line is available to shop on the brand's site and at most Barry's studios worldwide.

Rating

★★★★☆

Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.