Former Pats Cheerleader Brings Fitness Craze to Marblehead

By Adam Swift
Patch Staff

Michelle Nigro is a former New England Patriots Cheerleader, Swampscott resident, and current PR professional who has started a new business, Town Barre, in Swampscott and Marblehead.

Nigro said she is hoping to bring the craze of bootybarre and barre workouts to the area.

We recently asked Michelle a few questions about her background and her new enterprise.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background with fitness and how you decided to open Town Barre?

I feel like I’ve been dancing and working out my whole life! I started dancing when I was 3 years old, as I grew up I started playing sports, learned how to work out in a gym and started trying different fitness classes. I tried out for the Patriots Cheerleaders in 2010 and was on the team for 4 years (took a year off after my 3rd year), my last game was the Super Bowl! Through cheering I had to work out a lot to stay fit – luckily I’ve always enjoyed it. It wasn’t until after I stopped cheering that working out on top of a full time job and commuting became a chore. I tried my first barre class while trying to get in shape for the Super Bowl and it worked – but beyond that it was fun! I fell in love with barre because it was an effective workout that was also enjoyable.

Going to class became an hour I had to myself to clear my head and focus on the small movements. After about 6 months taking classes, I decided that I wanted to bring great barre classes to the north shore because there wasn’t anything like the classes I was taking in Boston near my house. I’ve also always had an entrepreneurial spirit and like staying busy! I took a bootybarre training course and decided to create my own company (instead of teach under someone else) so I’d have control of the brand. I chose the name Town Barre because I want women (and men!) to feel comfortable, welcomed and excited to come to class like they would feel going to their local town bar with friends. I’d love to create a strong community of people eager to work their way to healthier body and mind on the North Shore.

Where are the businesses located and what are the hours?

I currently hold classes out of two studios. A dance studio called Studio 21 in Swampscott (21 Elm Place) and a Pilates studio called Taj Pilates in Marblehead (1 Spring St). I currently have 4 classes available each week. At Studio 21 I hold class Mondays at 7:45pm and Fridays at 6:00pm and at Taj Pilates I hold class Wednesdays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 10:00am. Fun note: The owner of Studio 21 is a former Patriots Cheerleader as well. She was my SHS Dance Team coach and a Patriots Cheerleader while I was in high school. Seeing her experience motivated me to try out for the team and it has been so wonderful to be able to offer class at her studio now! Her name is Danielle Beatrice. She allowed me to practice all summer in her space as I was training for certification.

What will someone who is new to barre fitness discover the first time they walk into a class?

This workout is great for any age or fitness level. The classes consist of small movements that use body weight or light weight making the workout easy on joints and hard on muscles. One of my clients that has become a regular over the past month is older and had suffered from chronic leg pain for years. She recently told me her flexibility has greatly improved and she’s had some days without pain. I was overjoyed. I have to say hearing her say that has been one of the highlights of my first month in business. At the same time, 20-year-old women that come to class are sweating and say they can still feel the burn the day after.

What do you see as the challenges and rewards of opening a small business, and where do you hope to see the business in five years?

My mom has been a small business owner for 20+ years. Her spa (Essential Friends Spa) started in Swampscott and recently relocated to Salem. Through watching her my entire life I have a good sense of the challenges of a small business (not always a stead income, owners having to wear many hats, growing can be difficult etc.) and the rewards (flexible hours, doing what you love, opportunity to develop your brand). I currently still work full-time in public relations so for now, Town Barre is a “side hustle” I am extremely passionate about. Working full-time alleviates some of the challenges of owning a small business, but I do hope to slowly build my clientele and eventually in five years have a full class schedule and my own studio. It has been fun to use my public relations/social media experience for my own business – in my spare time! I’m excited to be using my twenties to find out what I am passionate about and what brings me the most joy! I’m very excited to see where this entrepreneurial journey takes me. I’ve already met so many wonderful people along the way.