Consider Other Options:
Good afternoon to all (if any) readers,
I appreciate you taking time and reading my review of the aforementioned business practices. It is my opinion and my experience only, but it may give you one more perspective prior to making your choice of attending a pole fitness studio in Cleveland area (Berea), OH.
I have signed up for the pole-fitness lessons in the Expression Fitness studio, several months ago. The owner and, simultaneously, the primary pole-fitness instructor seemed to be a very pleasant person and a good instructor. At some point, I purchased an unlimited monthly pass in an attempt to visit a variety of classes and see which ones I would like the most.
While attending classes, I have never had conflicts or arguments with anybody in the studio and/or its respective owner. I have never posted any/or private information about classes or people attending those on any of the social networks.
Out of the blue, the owner texted me several times inviting to have “a yogurt and a talk” prior to attending any more of her classes. She mentioned that texting or calling on the phone may give a wrong impression, so she would rather talk in person.
This message had a shock value to me, because at no point I saw this kind of development coming. I was unable to come for classes that particular evening which happened to be the election day or, the next day, due to 2 months in advance scheduled dental appointment. I let the owner know that I am unable to meet right away. I also suggested her letting me know what issue(s) she might be having with me: possible talkative while in class, attending too many and/or above my level classes issue, any information, really, so that I can adjust accordingly, if her constructive criticism has a merit.
The lady has never indicated what issues she had had or might have perceived. Next day, after my apparent failure to show up for the yogurt-talk, I received a refund with a statement along the lines : “Sorry for not being happy with our management style, here is your money back.”
If situation was strange before, it was ridiculous by that point in time, because the only person who seemed to be unhappy about anything and, literally, “looking for an excuse of any kind to apparently dismiss my attendance”, was the instructor-owner.
Being an adult and acting like one, I texted and emailed the owner-instructor out of respect and consideration to her feelings about "possible issues" whatever issues might have been from her point of view. I received one reply email along the lines: "There other pole dance studios in Cleveland, OH".
My conclusion and warning are the following to all people who consider attending this studio: carefully consider your alternative options. Although owner is smiley and polite, but she apparently has some major issues which occasionally surface. What she did is impolite, immature, disrespectful and basically fits a definition of bullying people and/or exercising power-of-abuse to treat them with disrespect without even explaining reasons behind it.
I had my unpleasant moment, and I chose to warn other potentially interested individuals as to what they are up against. As the email has accurately depicted, there is no shortage of other pole fitness facilities, where I hope, owners and/or instructors act in a more adult fashion and present conduct towards their clients that is not dismissive, power-abusive, and flat out rude. Respect yourself, you can do better!
by Svetlana M Kazakova on November 06, 2014