The Anti-Diet Dietitian
Aerial Fitness with Angela Houck, owner of
Pure Power Studio
How did you get started in the fitness industry?
I have always loved fitness. I was a gymnast as a child, became a "gym rat" as a teen, and taught fitness classes in college, but it wasn't until after I had my kids (now 10 and 12 years old) that I tried and fell in love with pole and aerial fitness. I had never had so much fun while working out, and I had never felt better inside and out after working out. I will turn 41 in September, and I feel like I am in the best shape of my life.
What led you to your current position as owner of Pure Power Studio? And more specifically, what led you to pursue aerial fitness?
As I mentioned above, I have always been someone that enjoyed working out, but I have never enjoyed the gym setting, and was always looking to try something new and different, an alternative to the normal workout regimen. As a critical care nurse and a mom of two small children, I had little time to work out, and I also wanted to enjoy the little time I had to myself. Oprah had just aired an episode of celebrities that swore by pole fitness classes, and I was instantly intrigued. I had to venture off the Eastern Shore to take a pole class, but when I did, I was hooked! If was fun, exciting, a little sexy, and even though I was nervous and intimidated to take my first class, it was nothing like I thought. All of the women were supportive, friendly, really normal (lol), and the next day, every muscle in my body was sore, ones I didn't even know existed. And, I didn't care; I wanted to take class again and again. So, with that I took classes, trained, and became a Master Pole Trainer. I opened the studio in 2007 and over the years, the gymnast in me began to cross over into other aerial formats. Now I teach several aerial fitness formats--pole, aerial flygym, aerial silks, and aerial lyra (aerial hoop), as well as POUND rockout workout, a full-body cardio jam session using drumsticks and a fusion of fitness moves that will make you feel like a sweat dripping rockstar. I am always looking for alternative and fun ways to challenge my body, and to inspire others to want to do the same.
How would you describe aerial fitness to a newcomer?
Aerial fitness can be so many things! It fuses yoga, pilates, barre, dance, strength, flexibility, and acrobatics into one unique total body workout that is FUN! It is like being a dancer, a gymnast, and a circus performer all in one. Fit or not so fit, everyone is in the same boat when they start because it is a completely different way to workout. All of the classes are taught with options and progressions for all levels.
Some of those moves look pretty intense! What is the range of fitness abilities you see at your studio?
Some moves certainly are intense, but safety is our first concern, so we teach moves in progressions and therefore, on your first class, you will not be flipping upside down and hanging on by a toe (but someday, you WILL!). Everyone starts from the floor and once they can do “x” and “y”, they then can do “z”. We have had women from 18-80 in the studio. Women of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels; women of all backgrounds, professions, and abilities, and we have made them feel comfortable and confident, and given them the power to succeed, both mind and body. Everyone moves through the progressions at their own pace and on their own time, but the move once thought impossible almost always becomes possible quicker than they thought, and that is why I love teaching aerial fitness. If I can get someone to step out of their comfort zone, try something they never thought possible, watch them challenge their body and then watch them succeed, it is a powerful and beautiful thing to watch, and I love being a part of it. When they experience the "I really CAN do it" moment, they always want to see what is next and next and next....they are hooked and they are excited.
What muscle groups/parts of the body are targeted by aerial fitness routines?
Probably the most frustrating thing I hear is, "I don't have any upper body strength so I can't take your classes.” This is so not true! You do not need to be strong, flexible, or even coordinated to take a class. That is my job! We will work together on strength and confidence in every class, and over time, you will be able to lift your own body up the pole, the silks, and more. Aerial does require upper body strength, mostly back and shoulder strength, but it also requires a lot of core strength and grip strength. With every class you will work your body in ways you never have, with equipment you never have, and in doing so, you will gain the strength needed to progress through all sorts of fun tricks and combinations. In our classes, you will not just do a bunch of squats, pull-ups, or sit-ups. You will do a combination of amazing tricks that work your entire body, but the best part is that you are having a blast, so you don't even realize you are actually working out until you get out of bed the next day (or really about 2 days later!). Our classes sneak in strength and flexibility for every muscle, plus your body never gets bored with the same workout because each class is different and as you progress, each movement and trick changes. You are lifting your body in all directions, always in motion, never still, using all your muscles at once to try and create and control that beautiful new combo you want so badly to nail. Then, you finally get comfortable with the moves, your muscles have memorized the movement, your body has done the work and succeeded, and then it is time for a new combo, new tricks, and you have to start all over again. Aerial fitness is never boring, never lets your body get bored, always challenges your mind and body, but stays exciting.
What types of classes do you offer at Pure Power Studio?
Our unique and alternative approach to fitness is PURE POWER for the mind and body. We offer small group classes for beginner through advanced students in pole & aerial--FlyGym/aerial yoga/aerial barre, lyra (aerial hoop), and silks. Plus, we have dance and fitness classes--chair, conditioning, flexibility, POUND fitness, and more. Our professional fitness instructors welcome women of all ages and sizes, and offer options for all fitness levels. Burn calories, gain POWER (strength and confidence), and feel fabulous with every class. Our small group classes (only 6-8 per class) are open to all levels, no experience necessary, first-timers are always welcome. We value the more one on one atmosphere of our small group class setting.
CLASS TYPES
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Beginner through Advanced Pole Fitness-- This is not the exotic dance class everyone thinks it is. Gain strength and confidence while learning to climb, spin, and dance your way fit.
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Aerial/FlyGym-- This class uses a multi-piece fabric apparatus that fuses aerial yoga, pilates, barre, strength & flexibility moves with anti-gravity and instability training that will let you "fly" your way to fit. The fabric can be adjusted to be more or less supportive for each client’s needs.
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Pure Power--Challenge your body in our aerial playground. This class uses a variety of aerial equipment for strength drills, progressions, and tricks for all levels. (Pole, Silks, Lyra, FlyGym)
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Pure Dance--This all levels class uses pole and floor dance inspired moves that will make you sweat! Work your body head to toe! Work your core without a single crunch!
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POUND Rockout Workout--This calorie torching class is a full-body cardio jam session that uses lightly weighted drumsticks (Ripstix) for simulated drumming. Rockout to your favorite music with this fabulous fusion of cardio, pilates, plyometrics, and strength moves.
We also offer private lessons and private group lessons/parties.
In your opinion, what's the best part of aerial fitness?
Defying gravity! In more ways than one! Yes, it is certainly fun to spin, climb, flip and invert, but I feel so strong and powerful when I can make something that is so hard look so easy. The studio is like an adult playground and it is keeping all of us women looking and feeling young!
Why is exercise a priority in your life?
It makes me feel strong and fabulous and I never want it to feel like exercise or to ever dread working out or teaching a class. I love challenging my body and pushing myself to see what my body can do, and I am still amazed that at my age, I can do the things I do, and I hope to do so for a long time. I am amazed by my students and what they can now do. Working out should be fun, it should make you feel good both inside and out, and when you find something that you love, it no longer feels like work. We have fun in classes and my clients enjoy coming to the studio. My kids enjoy all of the aerial equipment too and I have taught kids workshops---all just trying to inspire others to make fitness fun so it is forever a part of their life. It’s is all about balance, and when everything is right, you can enjoy your glass of wine and that bowl of chocolate ice-cream.
I came across this quote the other day and loved it because I spread the same philosophy... "It is a shame for a woman to grow old without ever seeing the strength and beauty of which her body is capable of" ~ Socrates
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You are never too old, too out of shape, or too busy to try something new. Find the time, step out of your comfort zone and let your body amaze you. You deserve it!