First and foremost, I always have a good time at the Tanjong Pagar outlet. Special shoutout to Michelle, Benita and Rydell for making the class fun, fruitful and comfortable.
However, I have had multiple unpleasant experiences at the Orchard, Palais Renaissance outlet.
The first unpleasant experience was with instructor Mira. She was chummy with a few of her regular customers, but to me, she was rather cold and distant during the class and was hesitant to correct my posture physically.
Giving the studio the benefit of the doubt, I did not write a review previously as the other instructors did a good job for the rest of the classes I attended until the following, which is my second unpleasant experience with another instructor.
As advertised on the website, the prerequisite for the 'Strength' class is 5 to 10 x Level 1. It was my mistake to think that the basic class was considered a Level 1 class when I made the booking online. However, I have been with off-duty pilates for a year and have been to at least three Level 1 class.
Everyone was struggling during the 'Strength' class as it was challenging. I may not be the strongest in the class, but I was trying my best and going through the class at my own pace as long as I didn't get hurt.
To my dismay, the instructor approached me at the end of the class and told me, "This is a level 2 class. Only come to the level 2 class once you're ready. Maybe you should take more level 1 classes."
As much as this comment might not be of bad intention, I was utterly discouraged by the encounter and was in doubt of my ability. For a studio that promotes the values of 'Get strong/ work on injuries/ feel good', I definitely did not feel good walking out of the studio. I feel that the instructor would have handled the situation more tactfully.
Will I still patron the studio? Not sure.
Hopefully, the studio would view this review professionally and continue to improve on the service they delivered to their customers.
Shermaine Quek
5
I really enjoyed my class (posture & stretch) with Zoanne! She was really patient with me and took the time to correct our posture and also come out with alternative to cater to our different flexibility. Will definitely come back again for another good stretch! 😊 …
Lydia K
2
This studio is pretty and clean, and well situated in Orchard, a short walk from Tangs Marriott. I only removed 3 stars because they are not very flexible about their expired packages - understandable I suppose, but not very good customer service. I bought a large package and didn't finish it in time - they refused any means of renewing the expired classes, which I feel is not right considering the large amount I paid for the classes. I will not come back again.
Update: Emailed them as they instructed and the answer was still no.
RR
1
Was a fan of Offduty Pilates until today. I have never had a bad lesson here before, which is why this experience was so disappointing.
My session with Mira was extremely uncomfortable and felt entirely unprofessional.
Safety & Physical Adjustment: At one point, she pushed my head down with unnecessary force and rudeness a few times. Rough and un-empathetic physical correction is unacceptable in a Pilates class and raises serious safety concerns.
Lack of Clarity: Her English was slurring, which made her instructions difficult to follow. When I struggled to understand, her tone became extremely condescending. The entire lesson felt rushed, and the communication barrier created a very frustrating environment.
No Empathy or Options: She showed a clear lack of attention to students' varying levels. She made zero attempt to provide modifications or gentler options for those who were struggling. Every person has a different physique and experience level, and her failure to check in or adapt the lesson is a major failing of professional instruction.
Overall, her entire attitude was dismissive and uncaring. I always experience Offduty Pilates as a positive environment, and today’s session with Mira was the complete opposite. Hope the studio takes this seriously and address it immediately as it falls far below the standards I have come to expect from this studio.
Nicole Ling
2
Edit: Updating my review in response to Off Duty's reply
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Initial review:
My experience with Off Duty as detailed in the screenshots of my emails to them.
If not for the kindness of their receptionist, I would've given them one star less for this review.
Never heard back after my last email to them.
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Updated response:
1. There was indeed a last line to thank Off Duty for not dismissing my feedback as another complaint, as I had previously appreciated Off Duty's reply to my initial email. However, as I've not heard back since, despite my last email clearly not fully agreeing with Off Duty's take on the situation, that sentence no longer holds true to me, hence it was redacted.
2. I appreciate no gaslighting and stongly reject any gaslighting of projecting this review as a lingering personal dissatisfaction. This review was posted a month after the last exchange as I believe a month is a good timeframe to expect/wait for a reply.
3. The whole point of my initial email and this review was to highlight my entire experience, and not that if I was granted late-entry or not. Late entry or not, that is beyond the point; the focus of my initial email was on the treatment I received, and my posting this review is to share my experience. It is very unfortunate I was made to feel as such, and I do not wish the same for anyone.