A Littleport fitness business founded on a passion for pole training is expanding its offer with a dedicated Reformer Pilates space and plans for additional wellness services.
Emma Wallman, owner of The Pole Shed, has introduced the new low-impact training area alongside the studio’s established aerial and pole sessions.
The move follows a period of rapid growth and national recognition in the UK Small Business Awards, where the studio placed fifth in the gym category.
“The current Reformer area is temporary while we are waiting for our new space to be available,” Emma said. “We are also going to expand this year with a wellness space, so we can offer more of a rounded approach to our clients.
“It will include a sauna, steam room and ice bath, so we can really help with their recovery as well as offering a space where they can get a massage or physio, and we are looking at red light therapy and infra-red saunas so we can make sure we can do all the activities we love for longer!
“From 30 members in June, we have now got 138 members and that is growing every week. We now have over 80 classes on our timetable ranging from belly-dancing to pole and aerial, Reformer Pilates and mat Pilates.
“Basically, if you haven’t found a thing at the shed that you enjoy, then you haven’t been to the shed.”
Emma’s interest in pole fitness began when she attended a class after seeing a local advertisement.
“I went and I was rubbish. I couldn’t lift myself up, couldn’t do anything – but I loved it, I loved the community and the way everyone rallied around as soon as you got the tiniest bit of success.”
When her instructor moved overseas, Emma took over the sessions to maintain provision in the area.
“I live in quite a rural area so there were not a great deal of these classes available locally,” she said.
“I loved it, I had told all my friends about it, everyone wanted to try it, but there was yet to be a space for beginners to start their pole journey. I built a shed in my back garden, which is why we are called the Pole Shed. Before I knew it, I had 20 sessions a week and needed a bigger space, so I rented a studio by the hour.”
The business adapted during the pandemic by offering online classes and equipment hire before reopening at its current premises.
Emma added: “Now we have 15 instructions working part-time. They all have other jobs, from lots of different backgrounds. We also have personal trainers working for us now.
“We have instructors who are young, we have instructors who are older, male and females’ teachers from all different backgrounds. There is always someone you can relate to – we have a class and an instructor for everybody.
Information about classes and bookings can be found at www.thepoleshed.com.