Courage
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Consciousness
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Community
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Courage 〰️ Consciousness 〰️ Community 〰️
About the studio
Pole Playground offers a holistic approach to both general fitness and pole fitness, including to those few who want to compete up to international level. We have two large studios with 4 m poles including flying pole, brass, powder coated and chrome poles. What makes us and our methods different, is that here at Pole Playground progress is possible for EVERYONE, with good fundamentals and a solid foundation. We offer group classes for all levels, private lessons as well as studio hire.
We don’t rush to the tricks or changes, we focus on safe, conscious, and effective training.
We create a space for clear communication and support.
We believe creating a warm community plays an essential role in sustainable and enjoyable growth.
At pole Playgroud we pride ourselves on providing a fully equipped gym designed to meet all your fitness needs. Hybrid strength and performance gym, featuring state-of-the-art machines, is a dedicated areas for cardio, strength and functional training style workouts.
Our qualified trainers are professionals who bring a wealth of experience to help you achieve your fitness goals. Whether you're looking to enhance your pole skills or improve your overall strength and mobility, our trainers offer personalized guidance tailored to your level.
Join us for private or group classes where you can not only train hard but also connect with a supportive community. Discover the joy of movement and the power of pole fitness at Pole Playground and hybrid strength and performance!
About the gym
Meet the studio founder
Daniella Baker is an IPSF accredited coach and judge and the founder and owner of Pole Playground. She started Pole in 2015, and loves creating / choreographing routines and coaching athletes for low and high level competitions.
She has competed and coached many athletes for IPSF World championships, assisting her athletes to achieve four gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal.
She believes in representation and will do everything in her power to help all those she can to achieve their best.
Before Pole Playground, Daniella was a physically expressive and non-stop mover her whole life, and grew up in Blairgowrie around the corner from where the studio is now based. She matriculated from the National School of the Arts with full colours in Dance (2009), and worked for the South African Ballet Company for 2 years. She is an internationally qualified Cechetti method ballet teacher, and has a Higher Diploma in Exercise Science. An experienced personal trainer, she has many special qualifications in various disciplines such as pre and post natal training, kettle bell instruction, group fitness, Pilates and sports conditioning to name a few. Contact us to find out more.
Daniella teaches majority of the classes at Pole Playground. She also designs the studio syllabus and teaching methodology that all the instructors teach.
“I have a passion for teaching, and it truly feeds my soul. ”
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2024IPSF world championships Artistic pole and Pole sports
2024 National Pole and Aerial Championships South Africa - Senior Women - Pole Sport and Artistic Pole - Winner
2023 ISPF International World Championships - Pole Sports -Senior Women - 20th in the world and Artistic Pole - 8th in the world
2023 National Pole and Aerial Championships South Africa - Senior Women - Pole Sport - Winner and Artistic Pole - Winner
2022 ISPF International World Championships - Pole Sports -Senior Women - 15th in the world.
2022 National Pole and Aerial Championships South Africa - Elite Senior Women - Pole Sport - Winner
2023 National Pole and Aerial Championships South Africa - Senior Women - Pole Sport - Winner and Artistic Pole - Winner
Meet the gym founder
Ren has been diligently working in the fitness industry as a personal trainer for more than 20 years now. During this extensive period, he has accumulated a vast wealth of knowledge and experience that greatly enhances his ability to guide and inspire his clients. He is the true heart and soul of the gym and undoubtedly deserves to have it. With his incredible expertise and unwavering dedication, he can help anyone, regardless of their experience level, reach their fitness goals and ambitions.
Meet your Instructors and personal trainers:
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Leela
POLE INSTRUCTOR and HEAD OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Leela is a quirky pole instructor who creates a warm, non-judgemental space for students of all skill levels. With an arty background, her classes emphasise creative self-expression alongside technical progress. She guides students to build strength, flexibility and confidence while making the experience fun and supportive. Leela has also performed competitively as part of a group routine at the IPSF World Championships in 2025
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Vicky
POLE INSTRUCTOR and MANAGER
Vicky started pole in 2021, and joined Pole Playground in 2022. Vicky says; “finding a sport you love and feel so passionate about can already feel difficult enough, but finding a supportive community and friendship in that sport is what makes it irreplaceable. I teach pole because I want to share my love for the sport but also because I want everyone who comes into the studio to feel like they are supported and encouraged at every step of the way”. Vicky took part in her first ever competition on 2025 at RISE, taking home a 3rd place, facing her fears and having fun along the way!
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Kiruna
DANCE TEACHER
Kiruna is a world‑class actress, singer and dancer, with lead roles in Chicago and Mamma Mia. Her wide range of dance styles always inspires and makes every class excellent. We’re truly lucky to have her on our team.
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Owethu
POLE INSTRUCOR
Owethu is a big ball of energy and enthusiasm — your loudest cheerleader. A regular on local podiums, Owethu also had the honour of representing South Africa as a solo artistic athlete at the IPSF World Championships in 2025. A true “flexi queen,” Owethu loves helping others feel strong, confident and shine bright. Her classes are encouraging, high-energy and fun. Expect patient, personalised coaching, big smiles and the kind of motivation that turns “I can’t” into “look at me now.”
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Louise
FLYING POLE INSTRUCTOR
A world champion in artistic flying pole masters 50+ section! Bringing home her gold medal from the IPSF world championships 2025. Louise has been doing pole for a decade! Louise has competed in a local completion in flying pole and come second! She says “The pole community is incredibly supportive, inclusive, and inspiring. I am deeply passionate about teaching and being apart of others’ journeys. Flying pole adds a powerful dimension to the sport, and I am thrilled to share this experience with students”
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Jessica
RECOVERY STRETCH and YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Jessica is a qualified sports massage therapist and yoga instructor. Jessica loves to help people relieve aching muscles and reconnect with their bodies.
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Angie
HEELS INSTRUCTOR
Angelique has years and years of experience both performing and teaching. She is the best instructor to help unless your sassy sexy self and get into your heels diva self. her class is challenging fun and a whole lot of sexy
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DEE
ASSISTANT COMP COACH
Ayodimeji is truely kind to all athletes, with many local wins and even a bronze medal from the IPSF World Championships. Dee is a well-seasoned competitor who understands the physical and mental demands of pole sports, making him our ideal assistant competition coach. He isn’t called “su-Dani” for nothing — his calm confidence, technical know-how and supportive nature brings out the best in everyone.
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Ren
Ren is the Hybrid Gym founder. Personal Trainer and martial arts coach in kick boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitu. Please see gym page and Bio for more
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Daniella
The Studio head Pole coach. Daniella is the founder of the studio syllabus. competition coach, exercise specialist, pole , flying pole, stretch, pilates and more
Bio above for more
