NI
Nikolett Ivanyi
Dec 10, 2025
I rarely write negative reviews, but after my recent experience at Pure Barre Princeton, I felt it was important to share. I signed up about 2 month ago and, even at my very first class, something felt off. As someone who had never taken a barre class before, I expected at least a brief introduction or some guidance. The receptionist did not explain anything, and the instructor didn’t greet me or show me any of the basic movements. I spent the entire class facing the wall with my back to the instructor, who understandably due to pregnancy, could not fully demonstrate many of the movements, so I was simply trying to follow the people beside me. It was confusing, but I got through it. After class, I asked the receptionist if someone could quickly show me the foundational movements to help me prepare for next time. She dismissively said, “No, we don’t do that here,” and simply told me to try different instructors next time.I did come back and tried Alexis’s class, and the experience was completely different. She was kind, helpful, and actually took the time to teach me. Because of her, I began enjoying the classes. Unfortunately, the situation that prompted this review happened last week. My class began at 9:30 AM, and I arrived at the studio door at 9:33 AM—only three minutes late—after driving 30 minutes through morning traffic and paying to park in a garage, because Princeton never has available parking at this time. When I got there the door was locked. I knocked repeatedly and even called, but no one let me in. After about 10 minutes of heavily knocking and calling the place, the receptionist finally came out of the class that she decided to attend and opened the door with an annoyed expression, and said, “We don’t usually let anyone in after 9:30, but come in,” in a very condescending tone. I had already missed a significant portion of the class and was very annoyed but I stayed and completed it. Afterward, I asked her why I had been locked out, her response was the same dismissive attitude:
“We don’t let people in after class starts.” I explained to her that I was only three minutes late, and I know this for sure because my parking ticket even showed 9:30 arrival, and when I asked her how come no one had informed me of this strict policy, her response was: "it was in the thing you signed" I told her that this is unacceptable and I asked why couldn't she take the time to pick up the phone and ask me if I'm running late, knowing that I literally booked this class that morning. She said," oh I don't call people. People no-show all the time and this is just how we do things in here" When I asked her aren't you a receptionist here, and isn't your job supposed to be taking care of clients instead of attending free classes for yourself? She said yes, I'm a receptionist but we also attend classes, again with an attitude. It seems to me that she is more concerned about attending free classes for herself than actually taking care of the clients who pay to attend these classes.At that point, it was clear that customer care was not a priority in this studio. She eventually told me to “call next time” if I’m running late so she can keep the door open, which contradicts her earlier comments and makes the entire interaction even more frustrating. If it weren’t for Alexis, or the fact that I just purchased a class package during their Black Friday sale, I would not return. The way paying clients are treated at the front desk is unacceptable, and the overall lack of communication and professionalism needs serious improvement.