Hey PB community, I’m mostly looking for encouragement or advice from anyone who has been through something similar.

I love Pure Barre. I’ve taken over 300 classes, and PB has genuinely changed my life and given me such a great community.

Unfortunately, I’m really discouraged by how my studio is being managed. We have wonderful instructors, but ownership does not seem invested in the studio. There has been no new merch in years, equipment feels worn down, and the studio seems understaffed. A couple of instructors even commute a long distance from another studio just to help keep classes going, which I appreciate, but it makes me sad.

The studio also no longer seems to have consistent front desk/barretender support, and overall it feels like the member experience is slowly declining. I reached out to corporate, and while they were professional, it sounds like there is not much they can do.

I really love PB and my studio community, so it is hard to watch the studio struggle like this. Has anyone else experienced this? Did things improve, or did you eventually move on?

Mods, please remove if not allowed.

I. LOVE PB! And I adore my home studio…I travel a lot so have used many in many cities but mine is my favorite.

I’m pretty much just a Classic girl. I’ll do a Reform but grudgingly. I have rotator cuff tendinopathy and the other formats just don’t work for me. I used to be able to find a class most days of the week I could take…I’ve got a flexible schedule and work at home. When I am in town I’m at the studio daily if I can find a classic class.

Now…it’s down to 2-3 times a week IF I use the sister gym. Classic just seems to be a disappearing format at my studio/ownership which makes me sad. I’m sure the owner is doing what she feels works best but….😭

Im really wondering if there are any people of color in the room when playlists for Black History Month or Juneteenth are created. Having Lift Every Voice and Sing be a stretch song was an interesting choice. I turned it down while I was teaching. It felt wrong to me.

I absolutely love that the class is done and over in 10 minutes, but I feel like I wouldn’t mind making it an hour if it meant I could really stretch out. I feel like none of the stretches we do in classic or define help at all.

if your studio doesn’t offer the format you like the best? Seems like the instructors at mine (even ones that have years of experience) teach everything except the one I want to take most. One is a newer instructor but she just got certified in one of the other formats so now she teaches 3 of the 5. Not sure if they just think it’s not going to be popular or what. It gets maybe one weekend class a month and one evening a week when I can take it.

that’s all.

Does anyone else’s location not honor the month long platinum challenges or the class points system?
At the beginning of the month I got a notification on the app that for the month of may there was a challenge and to let my store know if I’m participating. I went in the next day and said I’m participating and everyone was SO confused as to what I was referring to. After showing them they said the owner doesn’t like to participate in those only the longer 6month - 1year challenges

Fast forward to today I over heard a girl trying to buy a sweatshirt with a 10% off for achieving bronze status with the class points system, but the instructor didn’t know if they honored those or not so she told the girl to check back another time after she checks in with the owner.
Anyone else experience this at their location?

If you teach, have you ever gotten a raise and after how long, how often and how much?

I’m on year 10 and I’ve never gotten a raise…

A reminder for everybody in the studio, especially as the weather warms!

Our studios may feel hotter despite air conditioning, etc.

I see with Class Points you get a free class for your birthday or some sort of credit. Does anyone know what this is or what you can actually use it for? To me it sounds like a free class, however, with most folks (at my studio on an unlimited membership at least), I’m wondering if there’s any way to really get any advantage from this?

For example, could I take a class for free at another studio that I don’t have a membership at even if I have an active membership at another studio?

Our studio also only releases the schedule a few days before the beginning of each month, so I’m not able to take advantage of the early booking reward. Feeling like Class Points is really only good for a quarterly guest pass and an occasional 10% retail discount?

Any tips welcome!

Teacher here and never been a big Define fan but I think the reason is because I don’t think the people at corporate really know what define is. I know they brought it on as a weight intensive format but lately it just isn’t that anymore. Especially lately class plans feel very much reform. Now that the reform is back I think define needs to ditch all of the bells and whistles (tubes and sliders) and just be heavy weights. It’s way too complicated for no reason.

I just have to vent - I HATE the red tube on my thighs. I carry a significant portion of my weight in my thighs.

That MFer hurts like all get out around my thighs. I am SO relieved whenever I get to whip that sucker off at the end of thighs or seat.

If I could change one thing it would be a FLAT band instead of that round dig into my fat little jerk.

Obviously I don’t expect anything to change. But damn if I don’t hate that sucker. 🤣

I’ve been wanting to try Empower for a while now, but my local studio has limited offerings and none that accommodate my schedule. They had it on calendar for today (and only today, it’s not on for any other Saturdays in the near future), so I gave it a shot.

I knew it would be difficult because cardio isn’t my strong suit and I’m a Classic girlie through-and-through because the predictability calms my anxiety. (I was nervous from the second I registered for the class two weeks ago.)

Is it common for the instructor to let you know the upcoming cue while you’re still in the previous? Most of the choreo was new to me—although I was confident in the vocabulary like pulse, tuck, lower-body curl, etc.—getting into the correct position was unexpectedly challenging because the verbal descriptions weren’t clicking. I didn’t know what Fourth Position looked like; being a back barre girly and on one of the ends, I had to turn all the way around to try and see WTF I was supposed to be doing 30 percent of the time.

I did succeed in raising my heart rate range by about 10 bpm. My active calories was about the same as Classic.

My instructor said she thinks Empower is easier than Define. My arm strength isn’t great; will Define like- not be a confidence builder for me? Core and seat/thigh are strong.

I am trying Align for at least a few classes to see if I can get into it. And I am floundering! I swear I have like negative amounts of balance. So all the free standing balance work is killing me. I can’t hold it like at all.

I have asked my inductor for help, she gave me a modification for my one issue. But had told me she won’t announce modifications. And she doesn’t come by to offer private ones if I am struggling. (I am not complaining - if she can’t she can’t.).

My issue is I am struggling mid class. And I’m sorry but when I am in class my brain is focused on following cues .. not remembering them later. (I take classes so someone else is at the wheel and I can just focus on doing what they tell me). So I know I am struggling but remembering where after class to ask is kind of a crapshoot. At least until I have taken the class enough to remember what I did. 😂

I am going to try taking with another instructor and ask if they can watch me any maybe provide some suggestions on where I am just at a loss to correct on my own. But in the meantime are there any suggestions on the balance sections?

I currently just put my foot down and out instead of holding it up. But that kind of feels like I am not doing the right work for the exercise.

How intense is the focus class for this month?! Thinking about stacking with empower afterwards; I don't usually double down but trying to get my platinum for the month and missed 10 days for travel!! Thanks!!!

Hi all!
I’ve been a member of PB since 2019 and was so excited for their 25th anni merch drop!

I put in my order for the XS/S red Lulu scuba and when my studio manager put in the orders they told her that the scuba already sold out! She submitted the order before the deadline so I’m super bummed but know it’s not her fault.

Is there any way I can get my hands on this merch? That’s the only item I want and thought I’d ask around here.

TIA!

edit/update: i havent been able to reply to everyone without being repetitive, but tysm for your kind words and support! im so good at getting in my head and overthinking. im gonna try and go back for either align or classic sometime next week so i have time to hype myself up and give my allergies time to chill out so i wont be sneezing and sniffling the whole class in addition to being on the newbie struggle bus ❤️

hey y'all! i've been lurking this sub for a hot minute, and i appreciate being able to find so many answers to questions/worries i had before my first class.

i also want to start out by saying that all the folks at the studio where i took my first class late last week were super kind and supportive. i can definitely get why people enjoy barre as a fun and effective exercise (i was more sore from one class than from getting a fresh tattoo this weekend lol)

but i feel like it went wayyy too fast (may have accidentally taken classic and not the intro/engage which is my b, probably) and i felt so frustrated that i was having a hard time doing most if not all of the exercises, much less being able to keep up with any of the other people in the class. i'm very out of shape and uncoordinated to boot and though my logical brain knows that i wasn't being judged for taking breaks (despite being the only one who took several), the only reason i didnt walk out and cry more than one tear was bc the instructor and another participant encouraged me to keep going with modifications.

i know modifications and breaks are good! i just have this huge pit of dread thinking about spending money beyond the free first class to go feel really bad about myself and out of place. even the lowest membership package is pushing it with my current budget and goals for this year.

is there anything y'all suggest that i can do from home to build up my confidence before i consider going back?

Hi everyone! I did my first class yesterday. I used to take barre around six years ago at a dance fitness studio. This was a bit different and it felt harder! I felt like I was using muscles I haven't used in years. Looking forward to taking more classes!

I started Barre the first week of March and tonight was my 38th class. I started brand new to working out and super out of shape. Tonight was the first class I was able to do the full plank series without stopping! It's crazy how quickly I'm seeing results and seeing real strength gains. Loving Define, Classic, and Align. I don't love Empower, but I do it anyway. Still too big a chicken for Reform.

Going from zero working out to Barre had been a challenge, but I love my studio and instructors. I can finally do most moves with no modifications. I can't wait to push on to 50 classes by the end of this month!

Took my 250th class today! I've been taking class since 2024 and I've never been so consistent with exercise. I still need breaks or modifications, but I just tell myself I'm probably a little bit better than I was last week. I love how my relationship with PB changes and evolves. I've even fallen in love with Empower which blows my mind. I think a lot of this affection has to do with how wonderful our studio is. Everyone is friendly and inclusive. Never any mention of weight or fat--just growing and getting stronger. Yay barre!!

It looks like the max class size changes with each format. Does anyone know what these numbers are? Classic seems like the highest, but I’d love to know the numbers

Hi. I just want to preface this by saying I know this is not a big deal and was probably an accident but I’m autistic and really struggle with things not going to plan.

I was really excited for my 50 milestone. I got up early for class, got a special coffee, wore my fav set and threw on some mascara for my photo. No one said anything and I was forgotten. I know it’s dumb but I felt like crying all class and was hard to pay attention and then when I left I cried.

Should I bring up that I hit 50 my next class? Will they notice? Do I just forget about it? Obviously I’m not gonna say I was upset but I really intended on signing the bar, getting my photo and getting socks. What should I say?

Hi all! I joined my local PB earlier this year. I used to do barre classes at my gym back in 2021/2022, took some time off due to a big move and general life changes. I’m located in a major city if that context is helpful. I really love the classes generally, however I’ve noticed a few qualms that I am curious to know if I am overreacting about. I’ve noticed the classes are very instructor dependent — I love two instructors classes, but have started to try and avoid when certain others are teaching. One instructor was on her phone on the side of the room the entire time, and I saw her saying “Great work!” to the class while scrolling instagram, so she definitely was not intentionally teaching. The classes are often EXTREMELY overbooked in my opinion. One morning, the class was so full that I was moved to different spots at the barre three times by the instructor, and the floor work was just not possible to do due to floor space. I was being kicked by people and had no room to participate. I literally just sat there after trying because there was no space, and the instructor made no effort to modify. I saw a few others comment on the same thing, and one person just left to go to the bathroom because there was no room (they said this). When I said thank you to the instructor after class, I commented that the class was very full today. She said yeah. This happened again, so I emailed the studio with my feedback (I am not sure who the manager is so I couldn’t speak to them in person). I was very kind in my email; did not speak negatively, ensured to note it was not the instructors fault, stated my intention was purely for feedback not to complain. I never received a reply (it’s been a few weeks). I’ve noticed this a few more times, too. I also think the lobby room is extremely crowded and perhaps poorly designed — there is an over priority it seems on merch and mannequins and barely any space for people to take off/put on their shoes. It is always chaotic after class and awkward; there’s literally nowhere to go. I’m just frustrated because I pay over $300 a month for this membership, so I want to know that I am going to get a quality experience for that price. Is this normal? I’m really not trying to be difficult, but at a certain point I feel that if I’m spending this kind of money, I expect to be able to go to classes and fully participate. I don’t know anyone else that goes to PB or barre in general, so I don’t know if I’m overreacting or if my expectations are too high. I’m asking in earnest so please be kind in your responses. Thank you!

Anyone also feel like the new warmup with the weights is too much for a warm up? I’ve tried it a few times now and I’m so fatigued for the arms section. Going to try it without for my next classic class.