Hidden Gems: Meet Kristen Bethanie of Platinum Fitness, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Bethanie.

Hi Kristen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Back in 2016, I decided to try a pole dance class at a studio near my house, simply for fun and out of curiosity. I was completely surprised that I instantly fell in love with it. I bought a pole for my home after only taking one class, and was scouring the internet to learn as many moves as I could. I loved that pole provided creativity, fitness and fun all rolled into one neat package. Each new move I would discover would give me a new challenge to tackle.

That pole studio quickly became my favorite place to be, and I was taking all kinds of classes there, including barre, flexibility, and cardio classes in addition to pole choreography and trick classes. I met an amazing community of people of all ages who were kind, welcoming, and non-judgmental. Sadly, after only a couple of months at that studio, the business had to close their doors for financial reasons. I was completely devastated, and started searching for a new studio to call “home.”

I located a studio about 15 minutes away from my house and started attending classes there. It was there that I met an instructor, De Anne, who had a lot in common with me. We quickly became friends, as we bonded over pole, similar family dynamics and life histories. By 2018 I was teaching pole classes each week, and entered my first pole competition in Los Angeles. I took home a gold medal and from that point became hungry for more! De Anne and I have entered multiple competitions with various organizations, including a National Competition in Charleston, South Carolina, where we both came home with gold medals in our respective categories. I even competed in virtual competitions throughout the pandemic, in order to keep up with my training.

In early 2020, I was working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which allowed time to explore the idea of opening a studio. De Anne and I had talked about the idea of opening our own studio, but we weren’t sure how well it would work, given that so many businesses were closing during that uncertain time. With the financial expertise and guidance from my incredibly supportive husband, we decided to go for it. We signed a 15-month lease, started hiring contractors, and of course, kept our full-time day jobs! Anyone who has ever opened a pole studio knows that it is not a big money maker. Our goal was simply to generate enough revenue to cover rent, payroll, and keep the doors open, so we could continue bringing our passion to our students and the local community.

Right when Platinum Fitness was about to host the grand opening celebration, the state shut down non-essential businesses again, so we started offering online classes until we were able to physically open in August 2020. Platinum has been going strong for 5+ years now, offering approximately 30 classes per week. Our schedule includes everything from choreography to tricks (ranging from beginner to advanced levels), flexibility, pole flips, private lessons and personal rentals. In the last couple of years, we have added Flying Pole and Aerial Spiral to our studio offerings. Our stellar team of talented instructors helps keep things flowing during the day while we are at work, or running kids back and forth to school! We also have such a fantastic community of students who bring so much joy into our lives each week. We couldn’t be more grateful to have found this art form, and this wonderful group of people.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening during the pandemic was a huge challenge. Even after the state allowed non-essential businesses to reopen, we were still faced with nervous staff and customers and many precautions that needed to be taken in order to keep everyone safe. In those early days, we were taking temperatures at the door, requiring masks, and not allowing students to share poles or equipment within the studio. We ran UV lights and HEPA filters and had a very strict cleaning regimen. Students and instructors were required to keep a 6 foot distance from each other, which did not allow for advanced classes that required spotting. Since then, we have removed the requirement for temperature-taking and mask-wearing, although we have maintained a very thorough cleaning schedule since we all enjoy dancing and exercising in a pristine space.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Platinum Fitness, LLC?
At Platinum, we offer a wide range of pole classes to accommodate all ages, skill levels, and interests. Whether your goal is flexibility, musicality, tricks or strength, we have you covered. Our studio has become known for being a great place to go if you are planning to train for a pole competition, although many of our members come each week just for fun, fitness and socialization. We offer a menu of services to assist students of all levels in their journey to the competition stage. Our Google reviews reflect how much our members love our team of instructors, the variety of teaching styles, and the cleanliness of our space.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Every expert starts as a beginner. I have met a lot of people who are afraid to try pole because they “need to get in shape first,” “don’t have the upper body strength,” or for some other reason just feel nervous about “not being good enough.” We all start at the beginning. Our Level 1 instructors make it their goal to ensure students feel comfortable, are able to achieve what is being taught in class (modifications are always provided as needed), and that everyone leaves with a positive experience. Come as you are!

Pricing:

• First class is free!
• New Member 2-Week Unlimited Membership for $79
• 10-Class Pack for $275
• 8-Class Membership for $185 per month
• Unlimited Membership for $325 per month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://myplatinumfitness.com
• Instagram: @myplatinumfitness
• Other: My personal Instagram: @kristen.bethanie

Image Credits
Don Curry, Knockingbird Creative, Ruby X Pole