Pure Barre — Attraction in Atlanta

Pure Barre Virginia Highlands is a special place. I take class there everyday. The workouts are different every time, although they follow a broad pattern. They are body toning, building strength using small dance-related movements (the fact that I lack a dance background does not matter at all) rather than using gym machines. I have lost 10 pounds, have a flat stomach, and have new friends as a result of coming to the studio. The owners are friendly, polished, knowledgeable, and well integrated into the neighborhood. The instructors are very well trained (they provide corrections quietly and praise publicly) and there are friendly people at the front desk to help you get started. The studio regularly offers something fun to do every month including parties (bar-ties), fashion shows, joint classes with other local fitness programs, outings for drinks, and special classes called "intensives." The studio has great parking right outside the door, which isn't always the case for an in-town location. The studio sells cute activewear and accessories. New folks can try the class for free for a week, and special pricing for class packages is frequently offered. All age ranges, shapes, and sizes of people (mostly women, but a few men) take the classes. The minute I walk out the door, I can't wait to return for my next class.

Update September 3, 2018: Two new classes have been added: an Empower classes, which uses a platform and high intensity interval training cardio moves such as mountain climbers and skaters in between the more barre oriented choreography, and a Reform class that is being rolled out this week. I still like the classic class but the others add...

BUYER BEWARE! Happily paid for a drop-in fee for a class and when leaving got talked into a month at $79. Great motivation to come enough times during the month to make it worth it, I thought! Had a nice chat with the lady about me moving to California and discussed how I wouldn’t be around more than a month anyway. All good except that I get a $179 charge on my credit card the next month. While she did tell me to let them know I wanted to end the month to month, with the overwhelming cross-country move I forgot. No problem I thought. I haven’t been there in weeks and when she remembers our convo about my move I’ll get a credit and all will be well. To my surprise and disappointment, that request for a refund was met with responses like, “there is nothing we can do” and “our policies and system limitations are set on a national level” and the final insult... “we recommend that you always read what you are signing”. Ladies - we can do better than this. Let’s give our business to local business owners who value reason and logic over national policies and contractual fine print. Take your business to Fit: To Be up the street. Fit: To Be is a small, local, woman-owned fitness studio and Julie and her instructors are the bomb. I should have never strayed. I did so only because this studio was 1 mile closer to my interim housing. Big mistake. When you find a business with the values and ethics you share, stick with them. This was an expensive...

I’ve been taking pure barre classes at this studio for about nine months and I absolutely love them! I take class every day and each class is different so I’m not repeating the same moves each day. This studio offers three classes: classic, empower (cardio-based), and reform (muscle toning-intensive). There are a variety of instructors who are all great and supportive before, during, and after class. They will help to fix your form during class to make sure you 1) don’t hurt yourself and 2) work the correct muscles. The classes are also offered at various times throughout the day, which is great for a student since my schedule...