Galentines Spotlight: Abi & Daria
Welcome to our ‘Gym Besties’ series where we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing friendships we’ve seen blooming among our members in celebration of Galentine’s Day
How did you become friends?
Abi says: We met at alt in Monday pole class! We both talk quite a lot and make a lot of funny expressions so I think we slowly bonded over that.
Daria Says: We met at a pole class last spring/summer? We didn’t become friends right away for no particular reason (actually for me being shy 😂), but then I got my courage and invited Abi and Vikki to film some TikToks for my photo studio business, and then our friendship evolved. So now we send each other daft reels and memes a million times a day. Besides that we found out that we have a lot of similarities, so Abi says that we’re the same person but with a different font.
What ways has training at ALT has improved your friendship?
Daria Says: Hahaha, I think it’s reciprocal between friendship and training/doing pole-related stuff. First of all, it motivates me to take my ass to the class, but also you need that person who will support you mentally and physically (thankfully Abi cross-trains with weights, so she can just throw me on a pole with her pinky) in doing weird extracurricular things, trying different shapes, dancing styles, etc!
Abi says: it's a nice way to ensure we see each other most weeks. We always have stuff in common to talk about from training together, and often bruises in common too 😂
What benefits have you seen from training at ALT?
Abi says: Personally I've just seen my confidence grow, both in my skills but also just my body and the skin that I'm in. I never tried pole before alt despite wanting to for a long long time, and its given me a new passion that has become a major part of my life! I had been weightlifting just under a year before starting pole and i still love it, but i love being able to combine my fitness with a creative flair and fun!
Daria Says: Since most of our work is being done from home, it’s, first of all, socializing with other cool like-minded people, then getting physically stronger!
What's your favourite thing about ALT?
Abi says: It's such an uplifting and positive space that doesn't feel intimidating to someone starting pole or aerial for the first time. Faces are always friendly, everyone always willing to chat whether youve never met before or have been going to classes together for ages!
Daria Says: People and having this space to be creative and not to be too serious.
What would you say to someone thinking about trying Aerial/ Pole/ ALT?
Abi says: Everyone is a beginner at some point. Don't expect to be perfect your first time trying soemthing, or even your second or third time. Practice makes progress. Everyone at alt wants to support you and cheer you on!
Daria Says: Go for it; try different apparatuses and teachers. Even if you think you’re an absolute potato, think of your journey as a marathon, not a sprint. And during this journey, you’ll find your own perks this activity gives you. Personally, I noticed how my perception of my own body changed, I became more relaxed about it in a way. Having suffered from an eating disorder in my teens and later, I’m finding the current system of workouts kind of healing, putting health priorities first, and seeing myself getting stronger.