I really didn't want to leave a negative review, but after some reflection, I feel other…read morefirst-timers and newcomers should know about my experience.
I initially took a free intro class here and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Pilates always seemed intimidating, but I found that, while it's a tough workout, it's not as scary as I thought. The sense of camaraderie in class and the challenge of improving my strength was fun!
After the intro class, I continued to attend Level 1 classes to get more comfortable with the routine and the machine. My third class was with Laura, and unfortunately, it was a turning point for me.
I'm aware that I'm not the fittest person in the room--strength training is new for me, and I've never shied away from acknowledging that. I run half marathons but wanted to try Pilates for overall strength, so I stick to Level 1 classes for now.
During that class with Laura, she stood at my machine the entire time, correcting me in front of everyone for nearly every move. While I appreciate correction, especially for hands-on learning, it felt overwhelming and discouraging to be corrected constantly in such a public way. At the end of class, she told me I needed to focus on getting fitter and that I'd "get there" eventually. I tried to brush it off, but it definitely made me hesitant to return.
A few weeks later, I joined a friend at another location--much further away--and had a completely different experience. The class was still challenging, but I felt supported and was able to keep up much better. I've even seen physical improvements, like toning in my arms and legs, which is exciting!
After a 1.5-month break, I returned to the original location, only to find myself in another class with Laura. I'd forgotten why I typically avoid her classes, but this time, I was determined to show up as my strongest self. I felt confident, especially with my progress. Despite my efforts, Laura again singled me out multiple times for corrections, even when I felt I was keeping pace with the class.
During a particularly tough sequence, I couldn't do many reps but pushed myself to do as much as I could. Laura came over, told me I was doing fine, and reassured me not to worry about keeping up with the others. I felt relieved. But when she turned to the other new student, she spent much more time correcting her, and then, in front of the entire class, said, "Sorry, everyone, we have some newbies here, and it's taking a while."
At the end of class, Laura complimented the other new student, telling her she just needed to "listen and she'll get the hang of it." When she got to me, she said, "You'll get there, you need to get fitter." In that moment, I felt mortified. I had thought I was keeping up, doing my best, and challenging myself just like everyone else. A few of the other students even stopped me in the parking lot to tell me I did great and weren't sure why Laura said that. That's when I realized it wasn't just in my head.
While I'm trying not to let her comments discourage me, I've decided I'll be attending classes elsewhere in the future. It's important to me to feel encouraged and supported in my fitness journey, not singled out in a way that leaves me feeling worse about my efforts.
