A YOUNG woman who has achieved her ambition of opening her own pole fitness studio hopes to help others build confidence through the sport. 

Elise Fawcett’s passion began some years ago and she has gone from strength to strength in that time, even winning awards in recognition of her talent.

She now hopes to pass that passion on to others through her new studio in Bradford.

Elise said: “The main prompt for me to open my own place was based on how pole fitness made me feel and wanting other women to get the same thing I did. 

“Before, I was really shy and didn’t have much self-confidence.”

She credits pole fitness with changing that.

“I really wanted other people to flourish in the same environment,” she said.

“Teaching is my life and passion, I love seeing other people achieve from what I’ve taught them.

“It’s my life and soul, I absolutely adore teaching, I always knew I wanted to do it, I’ve got a pure passion for it.”

While there may be a certain stigma and perception around pole fitness, Elise is undeterred and her love of it lies in fitness and the many benefits it can bring. 

These include strength, flexibility and confidence.

Elise said: “One hundred per cent it’s about self-empowerment, it’s such a rewarding sport. 

“It’s a really extreme form of workout, you are using all of your own body strength - it’s almost like an art form.

“It really, really helps with self-confidence and making you feel amazing.

“It’s really rewarding being able to lift yourself on the apparatus using your own body weight - that in itself is absolutely amazing.”

She thrives on seeing how those who take up pole fitness come on as they get more into it and said people from all different walks of life enjoy it - and do it for different reasons. 

The studio, In2 Pole and Fitness, opened just over a week ago and Elise is delighted with the reception so far. 

“The response has been amazing,” she said.

“We’ve had lots of girls joining, really enjoying it, we’ve had amazing feedback.”

And you don’t have to be experienced, as classes run for beginners. 

“The main thing is just to give it a go,” said Elise. 

The studio is on Factory Street, off Tong Street. Find out more at www.facebook.com/in2pole