Step into Barre-Licious, led by the incomparable Kru Ken, and it becomes clear why regulars keep coming back. His energy is unmatched: sharp-eyed, infectiously kind, and somehow able to correct your posture with a smile while absolutely obliterating your glutes.
The class focuses on sculpting, lifting, and strengthening your core and glutes through low-impact, high-rep movements. But what elevates it beyond the burn is the way real ballet-inspired elegance weaves into every sequence – no surprise, given Kru Ken’s extensive background in ballet, flexibility and movement arts. There’s an ease to his approach, a graceful intensity that pushes you without pressure. As someone who works out regularly, I don’t say this lightly: I was sore for days – and I loved it. Delayed onset muscle soreness never felt so rewarding. What truly sets Kru Ken apart is his integrity. When he counts reps, he means it. No sneaky extra rounds, no fake-outs. It might sound small, but that kind of integrity makes you want to push harder, because you trust the person leading the way.
The studio itself is a stunner: tucked inside One Bangkok with a Mediterranean-meets-modern aesthetic that feels transportive. It's filled with natural light, beautifully curated details, and a sense of calm that makes the chaos of the city melt away. Even the changing rooms and hallways are thoughtfully designed. There’s a touch of luxury in everything – from the minimalist aesthetic to the carefully curated equipment, like the sleek weighted circle dumbbells and the Xformer machine (the first and only one in Bangkok). Formalab’s philosophy goes deeper than aesthetics. It’s a space where motivation, connection, and growth are shared – where luxury fitness meets emotional intelligence. Their goal? Make expert-led workouts more accessible, while celebrating every body’s unique journey. Here, your ‘best self’ isn’t the skinniest, strongest, or most Instagrammable version of you. It’s the happiest, most balanced one. That, to me, is the future of fitness.