OurÂ
Story
In March 2023 in a coffee shop in Birkenhead, a property expert, an engineer, and a financier got together. This isn’t the start of a bad joke - this is the beginning of Icarus Pole Fitness.
The studio we had made our home for a number of years was set to close, and we sought a way to keep training and teaching the sport we love. Between us, a flame was ignited. What if we set up a studio to take its place and offer the supportive and inclusive classes we knew and loved? Somewhere along the way, the rabbit hole of dreams started morphing into reality. Soon, agreements were signed, websites were built, and inquiries were being taken.
Less than a month after that fated coffee-shop catch up, Icarus opened for its first day of trading on 03/04/2023. Now, we look forward to offering classes to anyone, from the beginners taking their first flight, to veterans of the industry wanting to try a new space.
We are Icarus Pole Fitness, and we’re so happy to join you on your journey.
Steph - Co-Owner/Instructor
Steph has been attending pole classes since early 2020. Starting pre-Covid, she made it halfway through the Beginner Block Course two separate times before having them canceled due to lockdown restrictions. Steph finally got to complete the course on her third attempt. With zero dance or sports background, she was a bit nervous to head to her first pole class, but with Alex and then Eleanor as instructors she discovered the love of pole and is now addicted, attending classes three times a week. Steph particularly likes the strength aspect of pole, and hopes that grace will follow. The supportive community at the studio is a big part of why she loves pole and why she was determined to keep a studio going in Birkenhead.
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Eleanor - Co-Owner/Instructor
Eleanor teaches a number of classes throughout the week, from beginner through to advanced. She has been a dancer most of her life, but didn’t start pole until her sister reluctantly dragged her along to the Beginner Block Course at the end of 2020 (taught by Alex). She enjoyed the confidence, strength and freedom it gave her. Eleanor became an instructor at the start of 2022. She loves watching her students’ confidence improve through pole and encourages everyone to develop their own unique flair. At the end of 2022 Eleanor successfully choreographed for and coached the National NZAPP Expert Level winner. Eleanor is very excited to be a part of Icarus Fitness and wants to develop a studio that supports continual learning and improvement and provides the opportunity for students to compete and perform.
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Alex - Co-Owner/Instructor
Finally, you will most regularly catch Alex teaching the ongoing Beginner Block Courses, as well as other classes or Feature Courses. Her favourite part of pole, after slithering like a snake in flow classes, is watching passion ignite in beginner students. With prior competitive experience in both gymnastics and dance, Alex had struggled to find something to keep active that also remained engaging. On a whim in 2014, and not realising the path she was setting herself on, she started attending her first pole classes. She accepted her studios’ invitation to begin teaching in 2015 and hasn’t looked back. Now, helping Icarus Pole Fitness become a reality brings a dream to life.