1:1 online coaching

Strength & conditioning, built for aerialists.

One-to-one training, nutrition and mobility coaching built around your goals, whether that's pole, hoop or silks, or simply getting stronger for everyday life. Delivered 100% online, wherever you train.

Not an aerialist? You're so welcome here too.

Apply now See what's included
Coached by Nicola Ghalmi, founder of Aerial Arts Academy. Apply to see if we're a good match.
Nicola Ghalmi in the gym, training for aerial strength
Weekly video check-insPersonal Loom review
The Elevate MethodA phased, ongoing programme
Anywhere, any time

Your studio, your living room, or wherever you can fit in a session.

Training comes to you. No commute, no fixed timetable. Your plan lives in the app, your check-ins happen on video, and your programme flexes around your class schedule, your rig and your goals.

Nicola lifting a barbell in the gym Nicola inverted on the pole at home
Who it's for

Aerialist-first. Open to everybody.

My coaching started with aerialists, because that's where I've spent 20+ years. But the same smart, controlled approach to strength, mobility and nutrition works for anyone who wants to feel stronger and more capable in their body.

Aerialists

Pole, hoop and silks at any level. Training that complements your apparatus work, so you progress faster and stay injury-resilient.

Climbers, swimmers & yogis

Pulling power, grip, shoulder health and mobility that carry straight over into your sport or practice.

Total beginners

Never lifted a weight? Perfect. Structured, step-by-step strength from scratch, at home or in the gym.

Mums & mums-to-be

Pre and post-natal qualified, with safe, sensible programming that fits around real family life.

Not sure if it's for you? If you want to get stronger, move better and finally have a plan you can stick to, honestly, it is. Apply and we'll chat it through.

What's included

Everything you need, one monthly plan

Training and nutrition support in one plan, so your strength keeps pace with your goals, on the apparatus or off it.

Personalised training plan

Built around your discipline or sport and your weekly schedule, not a generic template.

Personalised nutrition plan

Support for strength, recovery and the energy you need to train and fly.

Full app access

Your whole programme, plus logging and progress tracking, in one place.

Weekly video check-in

A progress form plus a personal Loom video reviewing your week, every week.

4-weekly adjustments

Your plan and macros are reviewed and adjusted every four weeks as you progress.

Priority messaging

Direct support between check-ins whenever you need a question answered.

Ready for a plan built around you?

Apply now
The programme

The Elevate Method

A phased strength and flexibility programme, designed for aerialists and adaptable to anybody. It's the framework every plan is built from, and it keeps growing with you.

Time in the air builds skill, but it's the work you do off the apparatus that builds the strength, control and injury resilience to keep progressing safely. The Elevate Method complements your apparatus training, so gains on the ground translate into cleaner lines, safer drops and easier transitions in the air.

Every plan is tailored to your set-up, whether that's a full gym or training at home, and built around your specific goals, whether that's the aerial tricks and shapes you're working toward or a stronger, more capable you outside the studio. Strength and flexibility are trained side by side throughout, not bolted on at the end.

01
Phase 1

Foundations

Movement and nutrition screening, injury-proofing shoulders, wrists and core, and a mobility baseline (shoulder range, splits, back flexibility). We also start building the foundations of healthy eating habits you can keep for the long term, so training, stretching and nutrition progress together from day one.

02
Phase 2

Build

Progressive overload for aerial-specific strength: pulling power, grip endurance, hollow body and inversion prep, paired with targeted flexibility work toward your goals (oversplits, back bends, shoulder extension for shapes).

03
Phase 3

Peak & Apply

Strength and flexibility gains applied directly to your tricks, sport or everyday goals, with a full reassessment covering both strength benchmarks and range of motion.

04
And beyond

Keep Elevating

New goals, new phases. We set your next vision together and keep building, so your plan evolves as you get stronger. There's no finish line.

For effective results, the first three phases usually take around 12 weeks. That's not an end point: we reassess, celebrate your progress and keep building from there, month to month. No cliff edge, no re-signing up.

Ready to start your programme?

Apply now
More than solo coaching

You're joining a community, not just a plan

Training alone can be isolating, but it doesn't have to be. Alongside your 1:1 plan, you become part of a squad cheering each other on.

Team calls

Regular group video calls to train together, ask questions live, and swap tips with other members on the same journey.

Team events

Workshops, challenges and meet-ups through the year, chances to train, perform and celebrate progress alongside the squad.

A squad, not a solo journey

Share wins, get encouragement on the hard days, and connect with aerialists who get exactly what you're working towards.

Want to train as part of the squad?

Apply now
Nicola Ghalmi, founder of Aerial Arts Academy, in the studio
20+years in dance
& fitness
Your coach

Nicola Ghalmi

Director, Aerial Arts Academy · Qualified PT & Pilates Coach

With over 20 years of experience in dance and fitness, Nicola specialises in personal training and conditioning built specifically for aerialists: the strength, mobility and control work that supports pole, hoop and silks training at every level. She also coaches climbers, swimmers, yogis, busy mums and complete beginners, because a strong, well-moving body is for everybody.

My coaching is holistic and personalised, because everyone's journey is unique. Expect me to keep you accountable, and to be your daily cheerleader.

Aerials Elevated PT brings that expertise online: a plan built around your discipline and goals, weekly check-ins to keep you accountable, and adjustments every four weeks as you get stronger.

Level 3 PTPilatesPre & post-natalStretching & mobilityPole · Hoop · Silks
Nicola on the aerial hoop Bent-over row in the gym Pole work in the studio Standing flexibility in the gym Back and shoulder strength training
Why Nicola

Why you need an aerial-focused coach

In their own words, from clients who've trained with Nicola on the pole, in the air and in the gym.

I always thought Nicola was amazing at pole because she did so much of it; however, having spent over a decade as her student, I have come to realise that it's because of the strength and mobility training she does alongside pole.

I have been privileged enough to be coached by Nicola in pole, strength and mobility. I took part in Nicola's first programme, Core Inspires, which combined strength training, mobility and nutrition to support her students' efforts on the pole. I have also undertaken Nicola's six-week flexibility workshop, which focussed on a different area of the body or split variation each week to improve mobility on and off the pole.

I was fortunate enough to be one of Nicola's first clients when she started her online PT business; she created a bespoke training and nutrition programme for me, again focussing on strength and mobility to support my pole journey. She knows the basics upside down, inside out and back to front, which enabled her to construct a programme which took into account all of my needs as someone with ME (which is by no means easy!).

Nicola has dedicated many years to developing her knowledge and skills; she is incredibly adept, highly supportive and motivating, and practices what she preaches. All I can say is, you would be very lucky to be coached by Nicola. Xxx💜

LLaura WoodagePole & PT client

Having a plan built specifically around my goals and where I'm at right now has felt so supportive. There's clear information and a plan I can actually follow.

I'd been progressing in pole for a few years and working on my strength alongside it, but I felt like I had limited knowledge to achieve the goals I wanted, and I was wary of performing exercises correctly after previous injuries. This felt like the perfect way to support goals that are actually tailored around pole.

Having Nicola leading the coaching has been so positive, we have very similar experiences, so my boundaries and goals are being so respected. There's a real community focus, which is a big part of why I love AAA already, and it's been so helpful to understand how everything I do at the gym connects back to my pole training.

If I had to describe my first impressions in one sentence: it's felt mindful, empowering, and sensitive to me, my needs and my goals.

MMeriel ColenuttElevate Method client

Nicola has been so receptive and attentive from the start, really listening to what I need and adapting things so I can keep progressing safely.

My first impression of the Elevate Method: thoughtful, personalised coaching that makes you feel supported, understood, and confident in your progress no matter where you're starting from. 💛

AAriana FazakasElevate Method client

What makes Nicola such a special coach is her ability to meet you where you are. She takes the time to understand your goals, adapts her coaching to your individual needs, and helps you progress at a pace that builds both your skills and your confidence.

I've had the privilege of being coached by Nicola in various aerial arts over the last 10 years. She was the first coach I saw that introduced me to pole as a complete beginner, and I never looked back. Even when I took breaks and returned, she welcomed me back with the same encouragement, patience and belief in me as she did on day one.

She has a gentle, supportive approach, but also knows exactly when to challenge you to achieve more than you thought you could. Through Nicola's coaching I've become stronger, more confident, and achieved things I never imagined were possible when I first stepped into the studio.

Nicola doesn't just teach aerial skills, she empowers people to believe in themselves. If you're looking for a coach who genuinely cares about every individual's journey, I couldn't recommend her more highly.

CCleo HadfieldAerial arts client

Ready for results like these?

Apply now
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FAQ

Before you apply

Do I need to already train at Aerial Arts Academy?

No. Aerials Elevated PT is open to anyone, aerialist or not, whether or not you currently train with Aerial Arts Academy.

Do I need to be an aerialist?

Not at all. The coaching is aerialist-first because that's where my expertise started, but the Elevate Method works for anyone who wants to get stronger, more mobile and more consistent. I coach rock climbers, swimmers, yogis, gym-goers, mums (including pre and post-natal) and complete beginners building strength from scratch.

How does the online coaching actually work?

You'll get a personalised training and nutrition plan in the app, log your sessions as you go, and have a weekly progress form plus a personal Loom video check-in reviewing your week.

Do I need a gym?

No. Every plan is built around your set-up, whether that's a full gym, a home set-up, or your own rig.

What if my plan needs to change?

Your plan and macros are reviewed and adjusted every four weeks as you progress, and you can message me any time between check-ins for priority support.

Is there a contract?

No lock-in. Coaching is monthly and you can cancel any time.

How much does it cost?

Pricing is discussed on your intro call once we understand your goals and schedule. Apply below and we'll be in touch to book yours in.

Ready when you are

Apply to see if we're a good match.

Tell me what you're training toward. No pressure, just a chance to find out if Aerials Elevated PT is right for you.

  1. 1Fill in the application
  2. 2Book your intro call
  3. 3Get set up in the app
  4. 4Start week 1
Apply now