Radcliffe's first aerial and pole fitness studio open on Lord Street

Vanessa Braidwood, 34, and Sheryl Ingham, 42, made the “scary” decision to open their own studios despite saying the dream seemed “a bit ridiculous” at first.  

Asteria Studios, situated on Lord Street, opened on November 11 and aims to bring a new means of fitness and confidence building to people, no matter their size or gender. 

Before and after renovations, Vanessa Braidwood, 34 and Sheryl Ingham, 42 (Image: Public)

Although scary at first, the pair said this was their dream. It took 12 weeks from getting the keys to opening as the duo did most of the renovations whilst juggling work and home life. 

Part owner Sheryl, who lives in Bolton, is a full-time carer for her 21-year-old son, who is non-verbal and autistic.  

She discovered pole fitness and found that it became an “outlet” for her to use and means of building her confidence; something she wants to share with others at Asteria.  

Vanessa Braidwood, 34 and Sheryl Ingham, 42 outside the new venue (Image: Public)

She said: “It had intrigued me and after trying pole fitness, I absolutely loved it- it gives me an outlet because having a disabled son can be very stressful. 

“I wouldn’t usually have the chance to interact with people on a regular basis but coming into a studio environment with people from all walks of life has really helped my mental health.”  

Vanessa Braidwood, 34 and Sheryl Ingham, 42 during renovations (Image: Public)

Vanessa, who was initially a high school teacher and head of department, similarly used pole fitness as an outlet, finding it balanced her work life and improved her mental health.  

She said: “It's just so much more enjoyable and exciting than going to a gym.  

“I'm not a naturally sporty person but this helped me improve my fitness and my confidence, especially over the last couple of years when I started teaching pole.”  

Vanessa Braidwood, 34 and Sheryl Ingham, 42 celebrating the opening (Image: Public)

With classes priced at around £10 an hour, the pair want to encourage people from all walks of life to give it a go regardless of body type or gender.  

Vanessa added: “The main goal is to build people's confidence through fitness, we focus on becoming stronger, improving people's confidence and you don’t need to go to the gym beforehand or lose weight, all you need to do is come in and try it.” 

Wanting to encourage others to give it a go, Vanessa added that they also teach children's classes.  

Fully renovated studio (Image: Public)

Two of their 12-year-old students will be going to Italy in April to compete and recently-placed second and third in their categories at the British Pole Sport National championships in Bristol earlier this year. 

Sheryl said: “The children's world of pole sport is actually amazing and it's so good for them, it is like another former gymnastics. 

“It can be something that people don't usually understand, they think it's something children shouldn’t be doing. 

“Pole sport for kids though is all about building up their strength, flexibility, incorporating all the fun side of gymnastics but using a vertical pole...that's the only difference.”  

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