“Sexy” and “corporate” are words that don’t often go together. But Provocative Fitness begs to differ.
Provocative Fitness, located in Woodbrook, north-west Trinidad, is a unique boutique fitness studio in which women use novel fitness workouts to sculpt and tone their bodies, improve strength, fitness and flexibility while increasing their self-confidence and heightening their femininity.
Having been approached by department Heads in various organisations to customise private sessions for staff, owner and co-founder JC Blandin has designed corporate programmes to improve the performance of employees within work units, departments and organisations.
Fun is key — and it is the heart of the business“Our programmes focus on team building through group exercise and communication,” JC says. “It gives an opportunity for interaction on different levels, and the atmosphere is one of camaraderie, friendly competition, and above all else: fun.”
Fun is key — and it is the heart of the business that is Provocative Fitness.
Provocatively Fit: Transform your Body, Mind & Spirit
Provocative Fitness emerged in 2010 as a new approach to fitness, health and overall wellness.
Whereas most other fitness establishments use weights and bulky equipment, Provocative Fitness uses minimal equipment and focuses instead on working with body weight, movement and flexibility.
We’re making sexy fit and healthy“We’re making sexy fit and healthy — using sexiness to achieve fitness, as well as making fitness ‘fit’ into women’s lifestyles,” JC says.
A fitness enthusiast since early childhood, JC decided to try a pole-dancing class to celebrate the milestone of her 40th birthday, and she was hooked.
“It requires a lot of core strength, upper body strength and flexibility,” JC explains. “My first class engaged muscles I didn’t know I had — it was such an intense full body workout, and it was also so much fun!”
My first class engaged muscles I didn’t know I hadShe became certified to teach pole dancing levels I-IV by Pole Fitness Miami, and was later also certified by OC Pole Fitness — the home studio of Felix Cane who headlines in Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity and was featured in Cirque’s Michael Jackson IMMORTAL World Tour. JC also explored other artforms such as trapeze, hammock, aerial, silks and aerial hoop in Miami, Atlanta and Huntington Beach in the United States.
Classes & Corporate Team-building Sessions
In customising a programme for an organisation, some classes (e.g. floor classes) can he held at the workplace, whereas others would be better suited for the Provocative studio due to the setup (e.g. pole classes). These programmes can include but are not limited to:
- Floor classes that focus on building strength, toning and tightening: Hot Bod and Booty Camp
- Floor classes that build condition and explore sensuality: Winercise and Sexy Chair
- Pole classes that build both strength and self-confidence
- Suspension Training to build strength and overall body conditioning
- Aerial Arts that bring out the inner children in us as we explore Circus Arts
For individuals who are not part of a corporate wellness programme, but simply want to ‘fall in’ to the regular classes held at the Provocative Fitness studio in Woodbrook, the weekly line-up of classes offers:
- Winercise
- Booty Camp
- Hot Bod
- Sexy Chair
- Flexibility
- Pole Flow
- (Pole) Climb & Invert
- Pole Mix
- Aerial Hoops
- Aerial Silks
- Suspension Training
- Zumba
While the above list is targeted to women aged 18+, there are also classes under Aerial Sky Kids (A.S.K.), a performing arts company for children aged 4-16, that provides gymnastic training for hoops, silks, contortion and acro balance.
On Being Sensual
Despite the focus on exercise being fun and sexy, JC has experienced challenges.
“We have faced criticism in the past,” she says. “Two days a year (for Carnival), it’s a ‘free-for-all’ atmosphere where being sensual is acceptable as part of our culture — but it’s a different matter altogether when it comes to an establishment with a pole. But we have to break down those stereotypes.
“We have worked very strongly on developing our brand. There will be some things we do, or offer our clients, that are more risqué. At the same time, we have our standards and we are not afraid to say no.”
JC notes that our Trinbagonian and the wider Caribbean society walks a fine line — we are not as open as other societies, but at the same time Caribbean women in particular are known for beauty and sensuality.
Furthermore, she notes that women the world round are so affected by body image issues and conflicting ideals of what they should be and how they should act, that they are not comfortable in their own skin.
Tapping into that sensual side of yourself“Provocative Fitness is not just about the exercise, but about tapping into that sensual side of yourself. It’s amazing how many women are not comfortable with themselves… you tell them to caress their bodies, and they physically find that difficult,” she says.
“We are about fun, sensuality and fitness but at the same time even the words ‘Provocative Fitness’ are a celebration of femininity, we are catering for feminists — and we make no apologies for it.”
Further Information
- For the corporate world: a Provocative Fitness event is a great idea for a team-building exercise, a fun staff party or a fitness event. Costs will vary based on the nature of the request, so please contact JC directly at (868) 339-9496 to discuss your company’s needs and to get a quotation.
- Members and non-members can choose to drop in for classes instead of a monthly fee. The costs vary per class, and are differently priced for members and non-members. Apart from reduced costs, members also benefit from receiving two free guest passes per month — so bring your friends!
- Private lessons are also available — so if you really want to learn but only with your closest friends, this is a possible option.
- Private Aerial Sky Kids parties for children and teens are available.
- Lastly, have no fear! While the general age range of clients ranges from 20s-40s, there are even ladies in their 60s who come to get provocatively fit!