Ex NHS nurse opens new pole fitness store in Poole

Zea Lann owns Polz Apart, a pole fitness and aerial yoga studio based in Dorset.

The mother of four juggles the multi-gendered fitness company with voluntary work helping children with learning disabilities.

Zea, who has extensive experience in the pole industry, said: "17 years ago I was nursing, and a friend asked if I wanted to go to a pole dancing class.

“And I thought about the connotation straight away, especially when the idea of pole fitness wasn't around. I thought, oh, god, we’re going to have to get our boobs out.

“We didn't, luckily it was okay and I was really rubbish. But I already liked it and ended up getting a pole in my lounge.

“And next thing I know, I started to teach my friends and then I got a little studio in my garden and Bournemouth University asked me to teach there, and then it just grew and grew.”

Zea taught at Bournemouth University for 17 years.

The classes are available for anyone aged six and up.

Children's classes include activities such as aerial hoop and trapeze.

Speaking on the location, Zea said: “Ashley Road is an area where I think they could probably do with something a bit positive.

“I mean, no disrespect to the nail bars and the barbers, but I think we've got enough of them.

“It's such a busy, wonderful road, trying to get your name known, and advertising these days is very expensive.

“I designed the front of the studio after a couple of glasses of wine one evening, and someone said, 'gosh, it's very bold, isn't it? I said, yeah, I love it.'”

Zea wants to reinforce the importance of misinformation surrounding pole fitness, she added: “We want people to understand that we are a pole dance school, but we're also an aerial school.

Polz Apart is holding an open day on February 10 at its new Ashley Road store that opened on January 2.

This event will offer potential new customers a taste of the classes they hold.

The fitness company has studios across Dorset in Ferndown, Parkstone, and at Bournemouth University.