Maybe if you get Carli your experience would be different. I was really hoping to start a routine of private lessons to address several personal objectives I had that I felt Pilates could really support me in achieving.
This was my first class and a private. I had requested Carli per a recommendation and the very specific needs I wanted addressed, which is clear from the reviews and word of mouth she is a great instructor. But she pushed me off on to another instructor only to be replaced again by another instructor at the last minute. If the quality of the lesson was good, this would have been fine. However, it was clear the information in the form I filled out wasn't read in addition the instructor didn't bother to introduce herself let alone talk with me in the beginning about my goals, expectations, experience, objectives, etc...
The private class felt like I was in a class with 10 other people. It wasn't personal and it was clearly just a regular class routine, not customized to my needs or objectives (obviously because she had no clue and didn't care to know). It was very similar to group lessons I've experience in gyms, the instructor didn't even look me in the eyes when talking at me.
My lesson started late. The prior class was late to finished, but the replacement instructor showed up late - so either way it would've started late. Had this been the only issue, then I wouldn't be writing this feedback. However, then I waited while the replacement and Carli to have unrelated small talk while ignoring my presence.
In addition to starting late, the next private student arrived early and was obviously annoyed by our class still going. She was allowed to pace around the classroom during the final 10min of mine... which paying for a private lesson this was extremely uncomfortable. Especially when she began to comment on my workout and I tried to give the teacher some thoughts on my experience... which was minimal because either she didn't get it or didn't care.
Between the late start and being cut on time, I only received a 40-45min lesson with the last 10min being paced around by the next student.
At the end I was hoping to get a few takeaway notes I could start to practice daily at home to help with the issues I was trying to address and be ready for a next lesson. But well... you can see a trend here... this didn't happen nor was there even a moment to discuss.
On top of this, there was zero follow-up from Sunset Beach Pilates on my experience to allow me to give feedback privately. So here I am writing a public review.
Other observations:
1. Their online booking portal is confusing and extremely difficult to navigate when trying to simply book a lesson. You have toggle between screens, if you can find them, to see what you are actually signing up for (example appointment with time on one screen while the instructor availability is on another screen). It's also very unclear if you are getting any of the videos they are suggesting to you? Still didn't understand after paying.
2. In-consistency in quality of instructors, I assume. At least per the word of mouth information I received vs. my experience. Perhaps internal training is possibly needed.
3. They should have buffer times in-between classes, this would've solved two of my issues above.
It seems like maybe they are complacent. Perhaps they have more than enough students at this time and do not need or have space for additional members or students.
If you want an impersonal experience, I suggest looking into cheaper options elsewhere. read more
