Becoming a Pure Barre instructor starts with getting hired at a local studio, then completing the brand’s proprietary teacher training program. Unlike some group fitness certifications you can pursue independently, Pure Barre requires you to train through their system, and most studios expect you to pay for that training yourself. The process from first application to leading your own classes typically takes a few months.
What Pure Barre Looks for in Applicants
You don’t need a fitness certification or dance background to apply, though both help. Pure Barre studios are independently owned franchises, so hiring decisions are made by individual studio owners. Most look for candidates who are already regular clients and know the method well. If you’ve never taken a Pure Barre class, start there. Owners want instructors who genuinely understand the workout from a participant’s perspective and can speak to the experience authentically.
Beyond class familiarity, studios look for strong communication skills, an energetic teaching presence, and schedule flexibility. Many classes run early morning, midday, and evening, so you’ll need availability during at least some of those windows. Some studios post openings on their social media or website, but it’s common to simply approach the owner or lead instructor directly and express interest. Building a relationship with your studio’s staff before formally applying gives you a real advantage.
The Training Program
Once a studio owner agrees to bring you on, you’ll enroll in Pure Barre’s official teacher training. This is the only path to certification. You can’t show up with a barre certification from another organization and skip this step.
The training includes at least four days of intensive instruction covering Pure Barre’s specific choreography, cueing techniques, music selection, and hands-on adjustments. You’ll learn the signature class formats (Classic, Empower, and Define) and practice teaching segments in front of trainers and fellow trainees. Expect a mix of classroom learning, physical practice, and evaluated teach-backs where you’re graded on your ability to lead a class segment clearly and confidently.
Training costs around $1,800, paid by the instructor rather than the studio. Some studios refund a portion of that investment after you’ve taught actively for a year. A Los Angeles Times investigation found that Pure Barre’s standard arrangement refunds $550 after a full active year of teaching. That means you’re spending at least $1,250 out of pocket with no guarantee of recouping it if the role doesn’t work out. Ask your studio owner upfront whether they offer any tuition assistance or reimbursement beyond the standard refund.
After Training: The Audition Phase
Completing the training doesn’t mean you immediately start teaching a full schedule. Most new instructors go through a probationary or apprenticeship period at their studio. You’ll likely observe experienced instructors, practice teaching to small groups or empty rooms, and eventually lead a supervised class before getting your own regular spot on the schedule.
This ramp-up period varies by studio. Some owners move quickly if they need coverage, while others take several weeks to get a new instructor fully integrated. During this time, you’re refining your cueing, learning how to read a room, and building confidence with real clients. The better you perform during this phase, the more classes you’ll be offered.
How Much Instructors Earn
Pure Barre instructors are typically paid per class or per hour rather than on salary. Glassdoor data from early 2026 shows hourly rates ranging from $25 to $46, with most reported figures clustering between $28 and $31 per hour. Recent self-reported pay from instructors in several major metro areas came in around $28 to $38 per hour.
Bonuses and additional pay appear to be uncommon. Across recent salary submissions on Glassdoor, instructors consistently reported $0 in additional compensation beyond their base rate. Your total income depends almost entirely on how many classes you teach per week. An instructor teaching five classes a week at $30 per class earns roughly $600 per month before taxes, which is why most Pure Barre instructors treat this as a part-time role or supplement it with other work.
Some instructors eventually take on additional responsibilities like front desk shifts, social media management, or assistant manager roles at their studio, which can increase total hours and pay. Moving into a lead instructor or studio manager position is the most common path to higher earnings within the Pure Barre system.
What the Day-to-Day Looks Like
Teaching a Pure Barre class means arriving 15 to 20 minutes early to set up equipment, greet clients, and check in with any newcomers. Classes run 45 to 50 minutes depending on the format. You’ll spend that time demonstrating movements, verbally cueing transitions, walking the room to correct form, and keeping energy high. After class, you’ll break down equipment, chat with clients, and possibly stay for the next instructor’s arrival.
Outside of class time, you’ll need to prepare playlists, review choreography updates from Pure Barre corporate, and stay current on any new class formats or technique changes the brand rolls out. Most studios also expect instructors to take classes themselves on a regular basis, both to maintain their own fitness and to stay connected to the client experience.
Building Toward More Classes
New instructors usually start with one or two classes per week, often in less popular time slots. Building a following takes time. Clients develop loyalty to specific instructors, and as yours grows, you’ll be offered better time slots and more classes. Engaging with clients before and after class, remembering names, and being consistent in your teaching quality all contribute to filling your classes.
If you want to teach additional Pure Barre formats beyond Classic, you’ll need to complete separate training modules for Empower (a cardio-focused format) and Define (which incorporates resistance training with sliders and a ball). Each additional certification adds to your versatility and makes you more valuable to your studio owner, since you can cover a wider range of the schedule.
Is It Worth It?
The upfront cost is real, the pay is modest, and full-time hours are hard to come by at a single studio. For someone looking for a primary income source, Pure Barre instruction alone probably won’t cover the bills. But for someone who loves the workout and wants a flexible, active side role, it can be a good fit. Many instructors teach at Pure Barre while working another job, freelancing, or raising kids. The perks typically include free classes at your home studio, a discount on retail, and the intangible benefit of getting paid to do something physical and social several times a week.