The front desk girl asked to leave as I was walking into the studio room because I showed up at 5:35 PM for a 5:30 PM class. I literally watched the front desk girl close the studio doors in front of me. My shoes were off, all of my belongings were stored away in a cubby, & the top of my water bottle was off, because I was rounding the corner about to fill it up real quick. But, the worker stopped me & either spoke so slowly because she thought I was an idiot or because she doesn’t know how to properly communicate. Either way, she explained to me the “late policy”, which is news to me, since people always show up 5-15 minutes late to classes I’ve been in. But, I just patiently stood & listened to her jumble of words - waiting for her to give me a verbal warning of some sort or perhaps simply request me to be quiet walking in…since I arrived DURING that 5 minute grace period. I’ve never been late to a class, so I just stared at the front desk girl, as she tried formulating sentences & while I assumed I was still able to go in, while she fumbled across her words. By the time the front desk worker was able to properly articulate her thoughts, I was unable to attend the class, as the clock was just turning 5:37 PM - two minutes now past the 5 minute grace period. I literally stood & listened to this girl speak for two minutes as I was maybe less than four feet away from walking into class. So what happened after that? I had to leave. I lost a class credit, charged with a no show fee, & the front desk worker couldn’t move me into a later class. Credits aside, she also didn’t even offer to add me into the later class, which I was more than happy to attend at the time, because my day was just one of those days…& I was so excited for the opportunity to honor my body & show up to class. I don’t need someone to coddle me or hold my hand, but I had a bad day & this class was the only thing I was looking forward to since I woke up. This was supposed to be my happy place. Instead, I was humiliated as I had to go back to the cubby at 5:37 PM, put on my belongings again, walk out, & drive back out. I have a text to my partner explaining what happened at 5:39 PM, after I hit a red light on Metairie Rd & Bonnabel Blvd. Unless I’m an idiot, a five minute grace period means you are not allowed in starting at 5:36 PM. But, the bottom line is Barre3 should at least have front desk workers who know how to properly articulate class policies to clients in-person…even if the execution of the class policies are incorrect (or if they were improperly trained on what the policies are), along with how to treat others like humans. Barre3 is supposed to be a place that welcomes everybody. I understand class policies - but only when enforced correctly. I was BAREFOOT INSIDE THE BUILDING AT 5:35 PM & walking towards the studio. I’ve never complained when instructors were 3-5 minutes late, because everyone deserves respect & grace. I believe your clients also deserve the same treatment. We also deserve Barre3 hiring (or better training) employees who understand policies. It’s such a shame that a studio that touts such positivity cannot practice what it preaches. This cultivated trend of calling boutique fitness classes “safe spaces” or “sanctuaries” only holds true if the staff & owner treats the space as so. Moving forward, I can only hope that Barre3 can move forward & just hold themselves accountable by properly hiring competent workers & better training their staff on policies, along with how to properly use their voices & treat clients with respect. I believe I deserve an apology from either the front desk worker, manager, or owner - because Barre3’s amazing instructors shouldn’t have to suffer at the hands of an incompetent front desk worker.