Greenwich Lifestyle

Tyler Ingram and Mabel Modrono purchased Forme Barre Fitness in June of 2022 when an opportunity came up to buy the Greenwich and New Canaan brick and mortar studios, as well as the digital studio. 'As we were already working at both studios as directors and very much enjoying our clientele, amazing staff and supportive communities, the transition just seemed to make sense,' the pair, who happen to be husband and wife, explained.

As former professional classical dancers as well as former fitness professionals in New York City, to Tyler and Mabel, Forme Barre represented an organic extension of who they individually are as artists and teachers of both fitness and ballet.

For those unfamiliar, the Forme Method is a dynamic, 60-minute class that combines elements of classical ballet, yoga, pilates and strength training. The entrepreneurs explain the class mixes intense muscle training with stretching which results in a 'long, lean physique with gorgeous muscle tonicity.' They declare the method is 'constantly evolving,' and actually has its own syllabus to adhere to, not unlike a premiere method in any discipline.

'We consider the benefits of this upper-echelon fitness to be as much mental as physical – literally a panacea on so many levels,' they state. 'When practiced regularly, the method improves posture, bone density, core strength, muscle density and flexibility," not to mention the injury prevention that is built right into this most effective method. "We actually think of our method as physical therapy, but on steroids," they declare.

Tyler and Mabel, along with their certified team of instructors, offer both in-studio and digital classes. Their digital library is approaching 1,000 classes of all modalities including cardio, mat pilates and cross-training classes. Equipment needed for classes include hand weights, special abdominal support mats, playground balls, resistance bands and static bands which are designed to enhance the stretching that is intrinsic to every class. "Going back to the pandemic, we always offer prop options when teaching the digital classes," the owners say, encouraging their clients to use daily household items for their props if they don’t have studio equipment handy.

Every instructor a part of their teaching staff has had a minimum of 10 years of training and teaching experience. "And at Forme Barre," the couple says, "This is an ongoing process so as to maintain the highest quality of barre teaching."

The business owners recognize Barre as "the perfect blend of physical therapy and fitness," as their whole emphasis is first on proper alignment, then proper positioning, and then the movement. "This leads to less injury and targets muscle groups in a pragmatic progression that challenges the muscles more, and lends itself to a much greater result, and in turn, a much greater workout," the two clarify.

Speaking on a more personal note, midway through her career, Mabel suffered a string of serious dance injuries. It was through barre that she "healed those injuries, recovered, became stronger and went on to have a wonderful renaissance in the second half of her career," Tyler spoke of his wife.

As relatively new business owners, Tyler and Mabel have really enjoyed connecting with their clients and students. They intentionally designed offers that allow for a new member to "figure things out" without too much of a financial outlay, including reduced rates for teachers and students as well as one-week and one-month special offers for new clients.

"We consider ourselves a wellness facility," they explain. "Not just a boutique fitness studio. We strive to enhance the mind and body through wellness and connection in our beloved community of Greenwich.