Pure Barre

While their barre classes are a great workout, the instructors here are so SALTY. Before moving to San Diego I used to go to pure barre studios in NYC, and I never got the kind of attitude there that I get at this studio. Luckily I recently discovered pop physique in north park, where the staff is not only friendly, but the instructors are hands on and really pay attention to your form… super important for barre. I don’t know where these girls got their bad attitudes from, but I will likely not be returning to this studio. Tuck off!

I came here while in town for the holidays and will be back. I live in San Francisco and go to Bar Method up there. This Pure Barre location was only a 5 minute walk from where I was staying so I decided to give it a try. The tricky part about these reviews is if you’re reviewing just the studio or in comparison to other studios you go to… Here’s my lowdown:
Overall: good studio, hard workout, and hit the general bar class style sequences. Classes are reasonably priced. My legs trembled, I sweated, and got what I wanted out of the class. The class was pretty small when I went which was nice. Staff was nice enough.
Downsides: they do less stretches for longer but I prefer Bar Method’s practice of little stretches after each sequence. The carpet is a thin, low grade carpet and not plush and soft like at Bar Method. The music was good and upbeat but not as sequenced as Bar Method. I didn’t see any showers and there are just cubbies in the room where you keep your stuff as opposed to lockers in the main area or locker room like most workout studios. They corrected me a few times but not as much as Bar Method, who is known for being pretty hands on with corrections. I much prefer to be called out and corrected rather than performing an exercise incorrectly.
All in all, it was good and I’ll be back. Despite the downsides I mention, I’m sure it’s still better than lots of other barre classes and it’s a great spot for when I can’t get to a Bar Method.

I have been a member for 5 years and has been the best experience and I have reformed by body and get compliments every day on my tone. The location is convenient, parking easy and I recommend tremendously! It’s with the work!

I moved from Alabama where I had previously taken Pure Barre for years at several different studios. This Pure Barre is even better than some studios that I had taken at back home! Every instructor knows their stuff and stays up to date on the new choreography! They all take the time to know your name, and REMEMBER who you are, which is great. They keep you motivated during class, and sweating from start to finish.
I totally recommend this studio if you’ve taken before, or trying it if you never have! They are very welcoming to newcomers, and make you feel completely comfortable before, during, and after class!

I just tried my first class last week and it was incredible. Christina was my instructor and she was an absolute delight! She was fun, energetic, and encouraging. The class was a fun combination of yoga, pilates, and ballet! I’ll definitely be returning!

You can’t tuck with us should be their slogan.
I’m sorry, but after trying out multiple barre studios, I just had to revisit this review. I have never felt welcome at any of the classes, the instructors (especially the super ripped brunette) and the front desk girls have always given me the mean girls level of hate. After having such an incredible experience at Pop Physique and realizing that not all barre studios treat their clients like bumbling bafoons not cool enough to dance with them, I felt so ripped off at all the time and money I invested in this studio. The workout is good, but the people there need some people skills when it comes to new clients and ones who aren’t natural ballerinas. And the studio kind of smells like stinky feet… all the time. Probably has something to do with that funky carpet that’s super easy to slip on? I appreciate the other studios that have hard floors and nice thick mats for floor work, way easier to keep your grip and more sanitary for obvious reasons.

I’ve danced professionally (ballet), and I know what a good workout feels like — and this is the best workout I’ve ever had. It is *very* tough, but leaves you feeling good, rather than half-​dead. If you keep with it, you are going to see results within 4 — 5 classes.
Fantastic workout, great instructors, excellent space — but you have to come about 40 minutes early to find a parking spot. (Hillcrest!!)
From either the north or south, you want to take 6^th ave to Upas. Right onto 5^th, and the next left is Walnut. You can usually find street parking on Walnut. There’s even a commercial, covered garage at 306 Walnut, though I haven’t tried it yet.
Also, going up 5^th *from* Walnut, towards Pure Barre, there’s a parking lot: $ ⁵⁄₂ hours.
Anything closer than Walnut, and you’re going to be driving in circles trying to find a spot.

Great Instructors and large class size. I’ve taken Pure Barre in many cities across the US and this is one of my favorites. The teachers are serious and will give you a great workout, plus everyone is super friendly. There is also ample street parking (metered before 6PM), but that is a hard find in this city.

Having just moved to San Diego, I of course had to find the closest Pure Barde studio. I usually go 5 – 6 times a week, & was thrilled to find a studio close by that offers class times which work with my schedule! The instructors are knowledgable, and have done a great job of making me feel welcome! Three years into Pure Barre and I swear I get a better workout each class I attend! Pure Barre to me is definitely the best Barre workout by far :)

I think Pure Barre Hillcrest has gotten a bad rap from some of the other reviewers. I’ve taken ten classes here, from four different instructors. Here’s my $ 0.02:
The studio: A little smaller than the Pure Barre I went to over the holidays (visiting my parents out of state). It gets warm in the afternoon when the sun is pouring in — there is a small fan on the floor but they should lower the blinds — it gets hot! Of course I could speak up about this but I’m too polite. The carpet is on the floor for a reason, so we don’t slip and break our tailbones. Another reviewer mentioned it was unsanitary — it appears to be as clean as carpet can be, IMO.
The staff: The instructors I’ve had have all been very pleasant, and three have been downright delightful. I arrive a little early, let all of them know about my limitations (a fairly recent orthopedic surgery), and ask them to correct my form as they see fit. They have all obliged. Some of them call out people’s names during the class «Nice, Becky! Good, Lisa!» and some don’t, which is fine with me. I appreciate the comment if I’m doing something well but if they don’t comment, that’s ok too.
The other participants: can be a little clique-​y or standoffish but it’s a bunch of 20 – 40 something year-​old women, what do we expect? I generally smile and say hello, sometimes introduce myself to someone. If I don’t go out of my way to be nice, I don’t expect anyone else to.
Finally — the workout: for me, is very challenging. Like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. I do find that the instructors vary a little in how difficult their workouts are. However, I always feel it later and/​or the next day. Ten classes in and I am seeing more definition in my arms and thighs. My «seat» is not quite as good of friends with the back of my thighs. Ultimately this is why I go. It is never the same workout twice, and we don’t spend as much time against the wall on the mats doing the «tuck» work, which I fear I may not be getting at all. I love this studio.

I moved to San Diego at the beginning of November. I used to do TRX in San Francisco but was looking for a new challenge for my body in addition to getting to meet new faces within the fitness community.
I am SO happy I joined Pure Barre Hillcrest. I was immediately welcomed into the community and felt comfortable coming to class. I love the physical adjustments and the personal attention received during class. Everyone who works there is so friendly!
My body changed after regular attendance and I have found myself walking with more confidence in everyday.
The classes are challenging and so rewarding at the end.
I continue to bring visitors from out of town with me. Each one has left and joined a Pure Barre from where they live now too. :)
I highly recommend this studio!

I lived in San Diego from Aug. 2013 — Aug. 2014 and attended Pure Barre regularly primarily due to the proximity to my home. I returned to the studio over Thanksgiving and Christmas when I was in town visiting my boyfriend and because I had a few classes left on my class pass.
I have been taking barre classes for almost 5 years. The Pure Barre workout is among the most intense I have seen and is one of my favorites. The instructors here don’t offer a ton of corrections which I find frustrating because form is so important to getting the maximum benefit. However, if you’re familiar with the form, it’s not a huge deal.
The studio definitely lacks a friendly, welcoming vibe. I’m pretty sure I have taken at least 50 classes there and I believe only one instructor knows my name. Many instructors don’t seem to try to learn the names of students, and it often looks like when they are giving out «compliments» in class, they are doing so by reading names off of the attendance sheet and not even looking at you. I have found that either no one talks when I’m at the studio or the instructors talk to a small group of their friends.
I also really dislike that they often do these challenges and promotions where the goal is to take 40 classes in 50 days or something similar. I know they are not the only studio to do things like this, but I personally think these promotions are very irresponsible. I do not believe it is healthy to recommend that clients exercise 6 days/​week, especially doing the same exercise each day.
Overall, the place is fine, especially if you live nearby. The prices are reasonable and they often have specials. I have found Cat to be the most friendly and is probably the best at teaching. Tina and Meg tend to have the most challenging workouts.

This was my first barre class, and the workout was HARD, but I’m not giving my rating based on that. I’m giving it based on the overall atmosphere and the way the instructor made me feel.
I signed up through ClassPass, and was excited to try my first barre class at this studio after hearing good things about Pure Barre. The woman at the front was very friendly and helpful, and as the instructor walked in, she told her that we were new. Our instructor couldn’t care less. When we were introduced, she immediately proclaimed that she was going to get coffee before class began and then left. Not quite what I’d hope for when being new to a class, and new to a studio.
This negative vibe continued into the class. The instructor wasn’t friendly, and as someone else mentioned, she corrected my form in a way that I actually got frustrated and annoyed. I also didn’t feel that the instructor explained things well to new students. It seemed as though she expected us to know what we were supposed to be doing, and I found her lack of instructions confusing… and let’s be honest, I still have no idea what «tucking» is.
I’ve never thought about walking out of a class before, but after twenty minutes in, I considered it and went back and forth about this decision for the rest of class.
I didn’t feel comfortable at this location, and I won’t be returning.

I tried out Pure Barre today with my ClassPass membership and I was highly disappointed. I’m a beginner at Barre and have only done 2 classes, both of which were at Studio Barre. I loved my experience at Studio Barre and enjoyed my workout so much! But ClassPass offers so many barre studios I thought I would try out Pure Barre for something new.
Pure Barre is nothing like I expected and is very dismal. The floors are carpeted which in my opinion is unsanitary and also very uncomfortable when doing floor workouts! Also quite slippery even though I had on the anti slip socks. Also, the mats were very dirty looking and worn down. Same for the balls and straps. I just didn’t get a quality feel to their studio.
The studios didn’t have mirrors all around which made it very hard to be aware of your movements. It was hard to follow along when you are facing a wall on the barre and unable to see the instructor.
Also parking is tough! I lucked out and found a (tiny) spot in the parking garage but you definitely need to get there early!
Overall, I was not impressed and definitely won’t be returning to Pure Barre.

I had an excellent experience at Pure Barre Hillcrest today! It was my first visit to the studio, and my first ever Barre class… and I am walking with confidence that I had a great workout, because I am having to really TRY to walk after the class! Lol.
I walked in, and was immediately greeted, and acknowledged as a new face. While I signed in and filled out my waiver, I was introduced to today’s class instructor, Nicolette, who gave me an overview/​intro into how she teaches class. She also took the time to tell me some of the terms and techniques she uses, to help me be more familiar once we started. I was really grateful, because I’ve been to a lot of boutique fitness studios, and usually felt unwelcome or completely outcasted.
This class is HARD… but I read an interview on the Pure Barre Hillcrest FB page with the owner that said it takes 10 classes to get it down… and that the first class is never perfect. That encouraged me! Nicolette also goes around the class and checks out how everyone is doing… which helped me, because she’d correct my form, without criticizing or calling people out.
I have lost 130 lbs, and look forward to tightening and toning with these ladies on my Monday lunch breaks. I was challenged, but genuinely motivated and inspired by the atmosphere, the intensity, and the feeling of accomplishment I had walking out of there!

This place kinda sucks. The classes are hard and that’s good but the instructors were borderline mean. I’ve done lots of barre classes and this was the first time I really disliked it.
I showed up in shorts bc I was unaware that there is a dress code and was basically asked to leave. They let me do the class but I was told not to put the ball between my legs… bc of how unsanitary it was. I found that to be bizarre.
The second time I tried the instructor was just rude. No smiles and kept correcting my form in such a way that I became annoyed by it.
Overall not a good vibe at this location. I wouldn’t come here again and I told all my friends to try a different studio.

The receptionist is very polite and greeted me as soon as I walked in the door. I was there to attended the «Bring on the men» class with Meg as the instructor and it was AWESOME! Meg came around and gave tips to all the attendees about the different movements. Afterwards, we had some light appetizers! This was my first time ever attending a class like this and I can’t wait to go back again! If you want to try something different that involves very little movements and is extremely challenging I would recommend Pure Barre!!! I was sore for days!

Parking sucks
Ladies that work there are not nice
Class was boring and not very challenging
Teacher was just okay, not the best instructor… Acted like she hated her job.
I’ve taken barre classes before including Xtend Barre and I have to say if you’re going to take any type of barre class take Xtend Barre… There’s one in Carmel Valley and Carlsbad. You’ll get a great workout and really «feel the burn» and the instructors are super nice and worth the money (unlike this place)

Wow. Very rude, unprofessional, and unfriendly.
I love working out and was looking for something in addition to yoga and pilates. I tried out two other barre studios using deal sites to get an idea. This studio was very close to my house so I was excited to check it out. I tried out three separate instructors and none of them smiled or were at all welcoming before class. One barked at us to get in to class ASAP even though we were still two minutes early. After class she didn’t even bother to say anything to us as we were leaving!
The manager/​owner is by far the rudest. I don’t understand why she’s so unfriendly… it seems like you’d lose a lot of new customers and money that way. My advice to her would be to greet people in a welcoming way… it might work!

My favorite Barre Studio. The workouts here are more intense than the other studios that I’ve tried in LA and NY. I am sore for so much longer and although it’s painful, I’d like to take that as a sign of a good workout. I definitely notice results and I love it.
The studio is on the smaller, more personal side, so I would definitely suggest signing up for classes on the website to ensure your spot. The teachers are great at motivating you to stay on your toes and to tuck for just one second longer. I’ve never had an instructor that I didn’t like at this studio.
Management is also super nice. I had a Groupon for 10 classes that I never got to use and I was just planning on using the promotional value to purchase three classes, but the lady who runs the place said I could just use the Groupon so I was super excited!
I have to agree with one point someone else brought up. They aren’t always the best at instructing newbies. I remember when I first started, I didn’t understand the portion where you are sitting down against the wall. I was just grateful for the break, but I guess that isn’t the point of the workout class.
Be sure to park in the structure right behind the studio. You have to go down kind of a weird alley way. I’ve never had trouble getting a spot in there and it’s way better than circling around looking for parking in Hillcrest. Before I knew about the structure I would circle around the block and I have definitely missed a class or two because of this.
Love Pure Barre!