Let me recap the past few months with Club Pilates.
I had been a member for months, and I had gone to over 50+ classes. I started at the 1.0 level and worked hard to reach a 1.5. I was also interested in pursuing the teaching program.
I asked an instructor about the teaching program, and I was dissuaded by this instructor after being asked if I had a full-time job. They told me it wouldn't be worth my time to pursue the certification if it wasn't for full-time work, despite it being a personal achievement I would have liked. This started the negative experiences with Club Pilates.
I was then on the waitlist for a 1.5-level class I had taken multiple times before. I was placed into the course despite not feeling well, and I attended to do my best. The instructor then noted that despite being a 1.5 class, most of the people there were a 2.0 and that we would perform 2.0 moves. There were few 'modifications' given (using 'modifications' sparingly here as it was what the class was intended to be), and I received minimal corrections in the class. However, at the end of the course, the teacher pulled me aside and told me that I should be in a 1.0 for her class because the 1.5 was more of a 2.0, as the others in the class were "much stronger" than I was. I felt humiliated and embarrassed as this was in front of everyone else in the class. I had been told I was doing well in 1.5s, not to mention that the instructor did not correct me, upped the class level without prior mention, and never asked how I was or why I was possibly underperforming.
After that experience, a student in the class came up to my car and told me she had similar experiences with this instructor and left crying and feeling humiliated. I asked another instructor if I could not perform 1.5 movements, and they said I had done just fine, but this instructor tended to level up the movements. When I called the studio to cancel my membership and explained how these situations contributed to my leaving, along with the fact that this instructor taught the majority of the classes after 5PM for working hours, the front desk staff told me that this was just how this instructor was, and most people liked that. I did not feel supported, especially for the price I had paid and the time spent in the studio.
Not to mention that, months later, I am still being sent emails about a past due payment, although I had already paid my last month upon cancellation and received an email confirming it. I had to block the merchant from my credit card to avoid constant charges, but at least I don't feel horrible while working out! And, of course, some instructors made slightly triggering remarks during class, making statements about "earning" food by holding planks, coming to class, or working harder to "make up" for Thanksgiving/holiday meals. While these may have the intent of being funny, they are genuinely harmful and concerning to be made by professionals and made me feel uncomfortable about how I presented in class. read more
