Pure Barre instructor training vs. an independent barre certification

Published October 18, 2026

Pure Barre is one of the largest barre franchises, and many people who love its classes start to wonder about teaching them. This guide explains how Pure Barre hires and trains instructors, what instructors report earning, and how an independent credential such as the IBBFA Certified Barre Instructor (CBI) compares. The two are not rivals for the same job: one prepares you to teach one brand's classes, the other gives you a credential you can take anywhere.

How you become a Pure Barre instructor

Pure Barre is a franchise brand, owned by Xponential Fitness since 2018, with more than 600 studios. Each studio is run by a franchisee, and hiring happens at the studio level: Pure Barre's careers pages ask you to apply at the studio of your choice, and applications go directly to that studio's franchisee. Studios often prefer applicants who already take the classes, and they may ask you to teach a short sample before they hire you.

New instructors then complete Pure Barre's own teacher training in the brand's class format. The length, cost and terms of that training are set by Pure Barre and the hiring studio, so ask the studio for the current details before you commit.

What Pure Barre training qualifies you for

Brand training teaches you to deliver that brand's classes: its structure, its cues and its choreography, in its studios. It is the right path if you want to teach Pure Barre at a Pure Barre studio. Whether another studio, a gym or an insurer accepts it is up to them, because the training is built for one brand rather than as a portable credential. If you leave the brand, teach another format or start your own classes, you need a qualification that stands on its own.

What Pure Barre instructors earn

Pay is set by each studio. PayScale reports a median of $24.76 an hour for Pure Barre instructors, with most between $14.90 and $45.95, based on 537 salary profiles last updated in October 2024. What you take home each week also depends on how many classes the studio gives you. Our barre instructor salary guide compares Pure Barre, barre3 and independent pay in more detail.

How an independent certification compares

The CBI is a 35-hour online course at your own pace, with 12 months of course access and 2 years of Active status. Most students finish in 6 to 12 weeks. Read what the barre teacher training covers, or see how foundation and method certifications differ.

Already trained by Pure Barre?

If you already teach barre, you do not need to repeat a course. The CBI Certification Exam is an exam-only path for $299: you take the same 60-question written exam (70% to pass) and live practical evaluation by video call as course students, and if you pass you earn the CBI credential with 1 year of Active status and a listing in the public registry, which any studio can check at ibbfa.org/verify. Continuing education credits come with the full CBI course, not the exam-only path. Every retake is $49.99, with no limit.

Which path fits you

• Pure Barre training if you want to teach Pure Barre classes at a Pure Barre studio and the studio near you is hiring.
• An independent certification if you want to teach barre under your own name, at independent studios, gyms or online, or alongside Pilates and other formats.
• Both if you teach at a brand studio today and want a credential that goes with you wherever you teach next.

Frequently asked questions