Shops / New Openings
New pole fitness studio opens in Bristol
A new pole fitness studio has opened in a former charity shop in south Bristol.
Soul, Pole & Fitness has moved into a unit at the Oatlands Avenue shopping parade next to Asda Whitchurch.
The site is owner Laura Challoner’s third in the West Country, with the other two being in Chippenham and Bath.
is needed now More than ever
“I feel like I’ve really accomplished something managing to start up a business in Bristol,” she said. “So I’m just hoping it will do as well as the others.”
A new pole fitness studio offering beginner and intermediate classes has opened in south Bristol – photo: Soul, Pole & Fitness
Laura, who lives in Bath, goes from working with domestic violence victims during the day to teaching pole fitness in the evening.
She has been running classes for about 12 years and opened her first studio, in Chippenham, in 2012.
The site in Whitchurch is currently open on Monday and Thursday evenings – but Laura hopes it will eventually be open at least four days a week.
As well as pole, she also has plans to teach aerial and other types of fitness at the space – which can even host hen parties.
The studio in Whitchurch is owner, manager and pole fitness teacher Laura Challoner’s third in the West Country – photo: Soul, Pole & Fitness
Laura continued: “It’s not like other fitness classes – with pole, it’s a real confidence booster and there’s a real sense of community.
“Our main customers seem to be mums because they just like to get out the house, have a bit of them time and build their confidence.”
Charlie Watts is reporting on Whitchurch as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo: Soul, Pole & Fitness
Read more: Gym closed ahead of shopping centre redevelopment
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
