Pilates V Willow Glen — Attraction in San Jose

Today marks my final day after a year and a half of membership in Pilates V’s unlimited program, and I must say I feel relieved!

First, the positives: several of the instructors are quite good. This is the sole reason I stayed with Pilates V as long as I did, and why I am giving it a 2-star rating. However, the good instructor classes fill up quickly so you may not get the full benefit of your membership specially if you are limited to after work hours and weekends.

And, the downsides are: Pilates V’s onerous cancellation policy and their strict enforcement of it, and Their unpleasant client-facing communications person.

Be prepared to pay cancellation fees, even if you are a disciplined planner, as same-day emergencies and issues will inevitably arise. While you get ONE waiver they will not care about any emergencies or issues you face thereafter. Woke up with sore throat and flu? Come in anyway or pay $15. Parent hospitalized? Too bad. Have to leave out of town because son in an accident? Pay up the $15. Stuck in unforeseen traffic? Too bad. So, whatever budget you have set aside for Pilates, I would tack on more because no matter how disciplined or diligent you are, life’s mishaps don’t give you 24 hours notice. In my view, a more fair cancellation policy, if there is to be strict enforcement, would be to provide members, specially those with unlimited membership, 3-5 waivers a month.

As for their customer-facing communications person, be prepared for one of the more negative customer service experiences you have encountered (the primary reason I feel relieved that today is my last day). AI-capable robots would respond to your emergencies or issues with more compassion and care than Pilates V’s representative (I believe her name is Katelyn). Can’t blame her entirely - emotional intelligence must rank way down management’s priorities for their customer rep(s).

Exercise is supposed to be for physical and mental health. Brace yourself for a fair bit of...

I’d been searching for a Pilates studio close to home with easy parking, friendly instructors, and chill vibes—and I finally found it! A few tips before you start: grip socks are a must, and I highly recommend taking the free beginner intro class to get familiar with the equipment and Pilates lingo. It can seem a bit intimidating at first, but the instructors are super nice, always ask permission before adjusting you, and tailor everything to your comfort level.

The studio has several locations, so if one is full, you can try another. Just be sure to sign up at least a week and a half in advance, especially for popular morning and weekend slots—they fill up fast! My friend and I started with Groupon, and we’re working our way up to the V8 plan (8 classes a month) from V4, excited for all the health benefits ahead.

This is the only fitness class that’s truly kept me coming back weekly—I’ve never stuck with a routine like this before! A heads-up: they take the 12-hour cancellation policy seriously, so be sure to read it. Also, don’t be more than 5-10 minutes late; classes start promptly and you don’t want to miss the warm-up or fall behind.

The staffs are friendly and quick to respond via text or email, which makes the whole experience feel personal and welcoming. If you want a Pilates studio that feels like a supportive community and keeps you motivated, this...

Mixed Experience—Excellent Instructors, Uneven Accountability

I joined Pilates V last month and was initially very impressed by the atmosphere and several instructors. Classes with Noya, Sheri, Maia, and Morgan have been excellent—clear, encouraging, and supportive of every student’s pace.

However, my experience with one instructor, Alexis, was disappointing. The class felt disorganized and, at times, unsafe. I was corrected repeatedly mid-movement before I could adjust, while other students received little attention. It didn’t feel balanced or professional.

I shared this feedback privately, but the studio’s follow-up focused more on my Yelp reviews than on resolving the concern. The public response on Yelp also reframed the issue as a “difference in teaching style” and a matter of “communication,” which overlooks the core problem: how client feedback is handled when something goes wrong.

Pilates V has some truly great instructors and strong potential as a studio, but I hope management takes this as an opportunity to strengthen consistency, accountability, and care across...