Pixie’s Pole Gym and Dance Academy: A Unique Approach to Fitness and Community

In Stafford, Virginia, Pixie’s Pole Gym and Dance Academy offers a different kind of fitness experience. Founded by Alvaro Castillo, the gym focuses on pole dancing and aerial arts, providing a welcoming space for people of all ages and fitness levels to explore strength and movement.

“We started this journey to create a space where everyone, regardless of their fitness level or dance background, can explore the empowering world of pole dance,” Alvaro says.

Alvaro’s interest in pole fitness began during a business trip to India, where he discovered Mallakhamb, a traditional Indian sport combining gymnastics and yoga on a vertical pole. 

“Watching the athletes, I was amazed by their strength and technique,” he recalls. This inspired him to look into pole fitness when he returned to the U.S. and eventually led him to start Pixie’s Pole Gym.

Alvaro noticed a need for a more inclusive pole fitness space. “I wanted to create a gym that was welcoming to everyone,” he explains. This vision solidified when he met his business partner, Tabatha Ley, a former ballet dancer who also saw the potential of pole fitness. Together, they opened Pixie’s Pole Gym with the goal of building a supportive community.

Community is at the heart of Pixie’s Pole Gym. “The support and camaraderie here are unique,” says Alvaro. With its focus on inclusivity and personal growth, the gym provides a fresh take on fitness that resonates with its members. 

“I have found, and others who have been pole dancing in the past can corroborate, that the sense of community created by pole is incomparable to anything else,” Alvaro says.  In addition to its regular classes, Pixie's Pole Gym hosts events, workshops, and private parties, making it a versatile space for both fitness and social gatherings. The gym's emphasis on community is reflected in its warm, inviting atmosphere, where members are encouraged to connect, support one another, and celebrate their progress together.

As Pixie’s Pole Gym continues to grow, Alvaro and his team are exploring opportunities to expand their unique approach to other locations. “We are now in talks about franchising Pixie’s,” he reveals, with the goal of bringing their inclusive and empowering fitness experience to more communities. However, no matter how much they expand, Alvaro emphasizes that Stafford will always hold a special place in his heart. 

“Stafford will always remain the first and most special location,” he says, reflecting on the journey that brought him from a serendipitous discovery in India to building a thriving community in Virginia.

Pixie’s Pole Gym is more than just a place to work out; it’s a space where people come together to celebrate strength, grace, and the joy of movement. 

“Our gym is a sanctuary where confidence blooms, friendships are forged, and the joy of dance is accessible to all,” Alvaro sums up. 

Whether you're looking to try something new, challenge yourself physically, or join a vibrant and uplifting community, Pixie's Pole Gym offers a unique fitness experience that inspires confidence, creativity, and connection.

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To learn more, stop in and see Alvaro and his staff during their business hours 7am– 7pm, emailpixie@pixiespolegym.com, or follow them on Facebook.

Mallory Hardgrove

Mallory is a former teacher and coach turned freelancer, deciding to pivot her career when her husband's military career took their family to Italy. She has since begun a career in digital marketing where she enjoys blogging, writing copy, and designing new, creative ads to catch the attention of client’s respective audiences.

Since returning to the States and settling down in Stafford, she's added a few other projects to her plate, including her new role as the content coordinator for Stafford Living and Neighbors of Chancellorsville. As a former sports editor of her college newspaper and high school yearbook editor-in-chief, she's enjoying being "back in the saddle" of local journalism. 

When she’s not working, she can be found controlling the chaos of her #girlmom and #armyspouse life, playing referee, mediator, and short-order cook; planning her next European adventure and reminiscing about her #ladolcevita life; reading the next novel on her TBR list; or cuddling with her 90-pound furbaby, Murray.

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