On our endless quest to find new and exciting workouts to challenge ourselves, we stumbled across Nicola Cher Geismar. You may have seen her hanging off a lamppost near you. She’s small but mighty and this B girl turned street poler may just be onto the next big thing in street exercise. We caught up with her to get the low down on her background and her mission to build a streetpole empire.

- Name

Nicola Cher Geismar AKA NCG

- Age

33

- Occupation

Pilates and pole fitness trainer/ teacher/educator

- What’s your sport?

B-Girl by background, Street Poler by fate

- How did you get into it?

I injured my ACL ligament in my knee last September. Unfortunately this meant breakin’ training was out for me. At the same time I was teaching pole fitness classes round studios in London. I found that I was still able to push myself physically on the pole as it was air bound rather than ground based, meaning there was no impact on my knees. So I started pulling more breakin’ inspired moves on the pole and I started to show my friends my new moves. It was a natural development, due to my love for hip hop and street culture, to take my training from the studio into the streets. That’s how Street Pole was born.

- What’s been your best moment in your sport so far?

Just working with all the amazing artists that I have and collaborating with some fantastic peeps such as Normski and DJ Vadim

- What motivates you?

Motivation comes from within for the most part. Staying disciplined with my training and keeping on top of my A game spurs me on. I believe in holistic health so feeling good from within is everything to me. I’m also motivated by the amazing community of friends I have around me all of whom, for the most part, are all creative. Music is also a massive motivator, I love my funky beats and classic hip hop.

- How do you push yourself when you don’t want to train?

I always want to train but as I mentioned music is a massive motivator. When I need to push through but not quite feeling it, I turn to my headphones.

- What’s your favourite motivational quote?

Achieve, believe, conceive

- What events do you have lined up for this year?

There are a few events in the pipeline. I’m in the process of confirming details, but I’ve been speaking with B Supreme about an event in September and of course I’m out and about doing Street Pole all the time so holla if you spot me! I’ve just come back from NYC where I was shooting and I’m looking into releasing photos from that trip through a duel exhibition both here in LDN and NYC, so if anyone would like to help with that then get in touch!

Aside from that I will be continuing to build and grow my NCG Clothing line and will be setting up NCG signature style training and classes from various venues and studios around London.

- What role does fitness play in your life?

Fitness is everything to me. Physicality and the expression of is my world. It’s a lifestyle, a way of being. I couldn’t  imagine any other way.

- Do you draw inspiration from any other types of sport?

Yes indeed. I am inspired by the way Parkour embraces the street, the rawness of skateboarding culture and I keep myself zen through yoga and Pilates. Above all hip hop and street cultures are my main inspirations.

- What’s your top training tip?

I would say cross train as much as you can. I only learnt this in the last few years and the hard way by getting injured. Also it’s a myth that you will get a six pack by doing a zillion crunches. Come do class with me instead!

- What do you do in your down time?

When I have it I like to go out for a good ol’ boogie with my friends, drink a glass of red and possibly try to read a few pages of a book – although I’m finding less and less time to do that!

Find out more about Nicola over on her website www.nicolachergeismar.com and follow her on Twitter @ncgstreetpole

[Picture Credit: 'Can You C Me NYC' by Laurie Markiewicz www.ladybirdlaurie.com]