In the heart of Aggieville, a brand new studio brings alternative fitness options to Manhattan. Elevation Studios opened its doors Aug. 4 and offers a wide variety of class options that include yoga, strength training and dance.
Owners Misty Opat and Amy Ketchum-Wallace, who boast that their studio is the only one to offer pole fitness in the state of Kansas, said they are passionate about creating a space where individuals can come to pursue whatever fitness goals they may have.
Their staff, made up of a handful of Kansas State students and alumni, completed a safety in pole training curriculum designed for foundations in pole fitness and injury prevention.
Gabrielle Long, who has been attending classes since their opening, said she has learned a lot about herself.
“You are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for,” Long, senior in park management and conservation, said.
Ketchum-Wallace, primary pole instructor, said she first fell in love with pole fitness in the coastal regions of the country where the distinct physical activity option first became popular.
The bloom of popularity of the fitness phenomena is rooted in the phenomena of feeling strong, sexy and empowered, she said.
“We’re body positive, body friendly,” Ketchum-Wallace said. “That’s what we wanted to found this on; the idea was not so much to teach women how to pole, but to create an environment where women could come and feel safe, let loose and do something to help build their confidence.”
While it is still a challenging fitness exercise, women and men of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to come and see what the pole fitness is all about, Opat, a K-State alum, said.
“I just want people to know that pole fitness is for everybody — anyone who wants to try it can do it,” Opat said.
Those interested in checking out a class at Elevation Studio can stop by to read the weekly schedule on the front doors of the studio at 1125 Laramie St., Suite A or check out their Facebook page.
