Why do I love barre, let me count the ways.... so many, many ways.... I feel so blissed out after a good barre workout. Peaceful, limber, sweaty, all good things. I love that it's low/no-impact, it's intense, it's stretchy, it's challenging, and (depending on the workout) you can hit everything in an hour.
Barre has done so much for me. I experienced dramatic results when I started doing Physique 57 DVDs religiously. Everything got better, esp. my stiff, wonky parts. I saw significant results within the first month.
While I have some mixed feelings about Pure Barre, I'd encourage your SIL to try it out, even if she just goes for a few classes. Taking a class with a good live instructor can be incredibly helpful. I have found that PB instructors can be a bit of a mixed bag. Some can be very good, many are not (in my experience.) I would suggest that she introduce herself to any instructor from whom she takes class, them them she's new and wants form pointers. PB instructors can be way too hands-off, but if you invite them to correct you, they might do better.
If there are any other studios in the area, she might want to check them out, too. There are many different iterations of barre. They are definitely NOT all the same, so getting a sense of what else is out there is a good idea.
As for videos, my favorites remain Physique 57. I just really click with their style. I love the fast-pace. I'm also really liking barre3, but I have been taking live classes. I've never really gotten into the videos. B3, like P57, intersperses large range-of-motion exercises in with the little up-an-inch/down-an-inch that you see at other studios, so it makes it more fun, more cardiovascular, and for me, just more comfortable. They also emphasize neutral spine vs. the exaggerated tuck you see at PB and Bar Method.
Speaking of Bar Method, they are definitely the best at form corrections. I tell people going to Bar Method is like going to college for barre. While I don't love the tuck, they are just really on you for good posture and good form in general. I went there for about six months and I really improved in my form during that time.
HTH!
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