LA
Linda Amireche
May 31, 2026
I was genuinely excited to join this studio and hoped it would be a positive part of my postpartum journey. Unfortunately, my experience was disappointing.
Communication was a recurring issue. On more than one occasion, I had to send multiple follow-up emails just to receive a response, which left me feeling that my concerns were not important.
One experience that particularly stood out involved the studio’s late-entry policy. During my entire time attending classes, I had never been late before. On this occasion, I called ahead while driving through a rainstorm after a 45-minute drive to let them know I was running slightly behind. I was told I would not be allowed into class because I would arrive approximately one minute (11:33 instead of 11:32) beyond what I later learned was the cutoff time for that particular class.
My concern was never the existence of the policy itself, but that the specific cutoff times had never been clearly communicated to me and appeared to vary by class. Being turned away under those circumstances felt unnecessarily rigid, especially given that I had consistently respected the studio’s policies and had never been late before.
I was also surprised by the studio’s strict no-phone policy. As a mother of very young children, I prefer to keep my phone nearby in case of an emergency. I later learned that this policy is specific to this location and not a Pure Barre-wide rule. Had these policies been clearly communicated before I purchased classes, I likely would have made a different decision.
What I found most disappointing was not the policies themselves, but the way concerns were handled. When I tried to explain my perspective, I did not feel heard. Instead, I was ultimately told by the General Manager that I was not a good fit for the studio because my needs did not align with their policies.
During this period, I was dealing with significant pregnancy and postpartum health challenges, as well as a pregnancy loss. These circumstances had previously been communicated to the studio, including medical documentation during my pregnancy. I was hoping for a supportive environment but often felt that policies were prioritized over people.
To be fair, the General Manager ultimately refunded my remaining sessions, which I appreciate. However, the refund came only after considerable back-and-forth and did not change the overall experience.
What was particularly frustrating was the feeling that, rather than acknowledging communication gaps, the focus shifted toward portraying me as a customer who failed to follow rules that had never been clearly communicated beforehand. A simple acknowledgment that communication could have been clearer would have gone a long way.
In contrast, my interactions with Pure Barre Downtown were much more positive. They were kind, understanding, and made me feel welcome.
I recognize that every studio has the right to establish its own policies. However, clients also have the right to know what kind of environment they are signing up for. My experience was that this studio was extremely rule-focused, with very little flexibility or understanding for individual circumstances. As a mother of young children navigating a difficult period of life, I ultimately left feeling rejected rather than supported.
=> I did not receive a refund for classes that expired. After a medical emergency that resulted in the loss of my baby, I contacted the studio approximately 24 hours after the credits expired after leaving the hospital and was told that nothing could be done. I am happy to provide screenshots of the emails.
Despite references to a “plethora” of emails, there were relatively few exchanges over 2 years, and I often had to follow up for responses.
I was also surprised by the statement that phones left at the front desk are monitored in case of emergency. That was not my experience. During my time at the studio, I observed staff participating in classes, leaving the front desk constantly unattended, which did not provide reassurance as a parent of young children.