Meet The Team
Gemma
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Hi! I’m Gem and I am the owner and dance teacher for GemsTone Fitness. Dance was instilled in me from birth, I think! From ages 4 to 16, I was dancing and competing in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Street Jazz and Ballroom. I fell pregnant and the weight piled on, the stretch marks grew, and my confidence fell. If it wasn’t for a friend of mine, who wanted to try every new class that was going, I would never have even dreamed of starting pole dancing lessons!
I was a little wary, mainly of my weight, but more of what it involved. Well, after the first class, I was hooked! I had a lovely first teacher, who encouraged me, even though I wasn’t as strong as the other girls. I had the pole bug – and I was determined to become stronger, and more graceful, and more daring.
It was pointed out that I had a knack for helping others from the start and could offer alternatives, as I had to do moves differently because of my weight. I even bought a pole to have at home so that I could practise. That was it then – I was on a mission to get fit. I started attending classes more than once a week and made time for all the extra fitness sessions and pole workshops I possibly could. It took a while for a fellow pole teacher to convince me that I had the power, the confidence, the know-how and the skill to start teaching my knowledge to others. So I started the ball rolling with training, certificates, insurances and courses in order to become a reputable teacher/school. I started working for a local pole school in order to gain even more confidence and experience then, being the career-minded person that I am, I set up my own pole school.
I achieved my PDC 3* instructor level achievement and 4* level dancer in the official PDC Grading, which displays the highest level of professionalism amongst the pole industry. I am a member and on the map of the PDC pole schools. This, for me, is a major achievement in itself! I have met SO many pole dancers in the four years that I have been dancing, and have to say, have not come across one of them who hasn’t been friendly, encouraging or gracious. I love being a part of the Pole Dance Community, in every sense of the word and can’t wait to continue and promote the journey of GemsTone Fitness Ltd. Here’s your chance to become a member of that same community…
Kristy
Hi I’m Kristy Gunning
I have been polling now for over 5 years. I love everything about pole it has given me so much confidence and strength that I never knew I could ever have. My very first day i got home after my lesson and purchased a pole! I wanted to practise everything I did in class. Pole just makes you forget about what’s going on in your life and you can just focus on you.
The passion I have for it is like no other, that’s why I wanted to become an instructor. I wanted to share my passion and love for it with others. Being a mum of 3 children I love to inspire other people that you can be anything you want to be if you put your heart, soul and mind into it.
I also love everything about training so I took the time to qualify as a level 3 personal trainer with other qualifications such as ante/post natal specialist, gp referral diploma, group studio cycling, boot camp and circuits and advanced fitness tester. Also have other courses lined up to. I love learning and becoming the best I can be to help others.
Kelly
Hi I’m Kelly, by day a physio and by night an aerialist. How it all started was because myself and a friend always loved trying something new so we went to a pole class and loved it we then found a local studio which in turn allowed me to meet Gem where she introduced me to hoop which was about 8 years ago now. As much as I liked pole hoop was my big love. I started teaching approx 4 years ago and love seeing people progress. Gemstone is like one big family, a safe haven, a place to de-stress and forget the world. There is nothing better than popping on a good song and just planning a routine or just making up a flow.
Ruth
Hi, I'm Ruth and my pole journey started in 2007 when a friend suggested we try it. Back then, it wasn't as big as it is now. I quickly progressed to authentic pole (stripper style) and have experience of dancing in a club. I've been at Gemstone since 2017. I'm qualified in pole to teach Beginners and Intermediate. Qualifications are Level 2 ETM and Gym Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer (includes anatomy & physiology and nutrition). My passions are pole dance / exotic, chair and floorwork and I love teaching how to dance in heels and bring out that inner confidence. I also take part in the hoop lessons, and have competed in Hampshire PCA Bikini Masters. Gemstone rocks!
Nolwenn
Nolwenn left France after her Masters Degree and is now finishing her final year of PhD at Royal Holloway University.
Nolwenn discovered the aerial world through Gemstone Fitness learning hoop, silks and pole. She has competed several times and proudly represents Gemstone Fitness. She loves creating routines and flows to music, and believes that we do not let our creativity run freely enough in our day to day lives, and would like to inspire people to do that, as it is so liberating! :)
Adrianne
Adrianne
Hello I am Adrianne! Aswell as being a member of Gemstones, I am also one of the Pole Beginners Instructors.
I started pole in August 2022 & I have loved it ever since -
I love doing strong beautiful shapes & I absolutely love to spin so I will also be teaching Spinny Pole!
Pole is an amazing form of exercise & I recommend to anyone who wants to gain any fitness benefits along with the a great social element! Another great thing about Pole is the confidence you gain from it.
I am Spin City certified & also first aid trained.
I am looking forward to meeting you!
Beth
Hey! My name is Beth and I have been training aerial since 2014. I am now fully obsessed and couldn't imagine a life without it. I adore watching the way shapes can be made, flow can be created and dynamics executed. Prior to this, I was a semi-professional dancer training in ballet, jazz, tap and modern. I enjoy combining my two passions of aerial and dance now and making sequences that flow. Since starting, I have been obsessed with aerial and it gives me great pleasure to share my passion with others now.
