Where It Started
Before Barre Was Everywhere,
There Was Cardio Barre.
2001
Cardio Barre Was Born.
In 2001, dancer, choreographer and fitness specialist Richard Giorla created a workout unlike anything else being offered at the time.
He combined the precision and body awareness of dance with resistance, cardiovascular movement and high-energy music.
What began in one studio quickly developed a devoted following. Cardio Barre expanded to multiple locations and introduced thousands of people to a new way of training.
But what made Cardio Barre special was never simply the barre.
It was the experience.
- The music.
- The movement.
- The instructors.
- The community.
- And the feeling when you walked out of the room.
Cardio Barre — the workout that started one.
Richard Giorla — Founder · Creator · Instructor
The Next Chapter
Richard Is Back.
FIT by Cardio Barre isn't about recreating the past.
It's about taking everything that worked and making it better.
The method has evolved. The training has evolved. The studio has evolved.
But the philosophy remains:
Intelligent movement. Great instruction. Incredible energy. Real results.
Welcome to the next generation of Cardio Barre.
Welcome to FIT.
The FIT Team
Meet the Team.
Incredible instructors are at the heart of FIT. You'll find each of them on the schedule next to the classes they teach.
Richard Giorla
Founder & Creator
Creator of Cardio Barre and the US barre fitness movement. 30+ years of classical training and professional instruction. Inspired over 100,000 clients.
Laura Perry
Instructor & Instructor Trainer
A certified Cardio Barre Instructor and Instructor Trainer since 2007, Laura brings nearly two decades of experience and a genuine passion for fitness and wellness.
Leslie Kawai
Instructor
NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach, Weight Loss Specialist and Senior Fitness Specialist. A former professional dancer, Leslie has taught Cardio Barre for over two decades.
Marita Sobel
Instructor
A former professional ballerina whose work spans Broadway and HBO, NBC, ABC, FX and Apple TV+. 20+ years of experience and a Cardio Barre instructor since 2004.
Micki Duran
Instructor
Micki started dancing at the age of 8 and professionally by 12. She fell in love with Cardio Barre and became an instructor over 10 years ago. She loves helping students feel beautiful and confident.
Kaylie
Instructor
A dancer turned fitness instructor, Kaylie is active in the dance industry and brings a deep appreciation for movement and how the body works, helping others build strength and move with confidence.
Carmen Miranda
Fitness Coach
A fitness coach with over 20 years of experience helping people build strength, stability and confidence from the inside out — core-focused work, mindful alignment and functional strength.
Lillian
Instructor
With over 14 years of teaching experience, Lillian believes a teacher must always remain a student. Expect intentional sequencing, a playful attitude and a mindful approach to movement.
Cardio Barre · HIIT · Barre HIIT
The Original Is Back.