Vertica Fitness: Every BODY Can Go Vertical
With a mission of creating a space for every BODY to belong and feel beautiful, Vertica Fitness encourages people to step outside their comfort zone and “go vertical.”
“You don’t need a background in pole fitness or dance, and you don’t have to be skinny. Come as you are,” said Kelsey Lopez, ‘Pole Boss’ and franchise partner for the Las Vegas locations. “We want people to see that when they walk through our doors, every BODY can go vertical—and leave feeling like they can do anything, both on and off the pole.”
Moreover, in delivering that energy, Vertica Fitness celebrates difference by offering space for people to feel safe, welcome, and appreciated no matter what. Per their website, they assert that “We believe the world should be a safe place for all people regardless of their race, gender, orientation, age, and abilities.”
“I’ve been to plenty of pole classes where no one acknowledges you—it can feel nerve-wracking and awkward,” Lopez said. “At Vertica, we want people to feel welcomed, reassured, and safe—like they can trust us. We don’t want anyone stressing about how they look or how well they perform. Our goal is to help transform that nervous energy into confidence, so they leave feeling strong, beautiful, and sexy.”
What Vertica Fitness Offers
Vertica Fitness offers multiple opportunities for people to get on the pole, from group classes to private lessons and parties.
Group Fitness
For group classes, Vertica Fitness keeps it simple and offers three overarching categories of classes: Fit, Flirt, and Fly. Offering different options for different types of people, these classes allow you to work within your abilities and do what’s right for you and your body.
FIT
For the Fit category, people develop strength and flexibility by conditioning their bodies on the pole with the ‘V-Fit Max’ class. Using gravity and your body weight, you will challenge your muscles in ways you have never done before.
The ‘V-Flex’ class allows you to “stretch, lengthen, and strengthen your muscles to improve your range of motion and stability to effectively do the poses on the pole.”
FLIRT
For the Flirt category, people get to learn sexy dancing choreography on the pole. Within this category, the ‘V-ography’ class incorporates dance and choreography to enable you to connect with your body, feel beautiful, and reclaim your passion for life through sensual movement.
With the ‘Flirty Fitness’ class, people experience a “cardio dance party in heels!” This signature course “recreates a nightclub atmosphere of disco lights, pumping music, and uninhibited movement. Follow along to fun choreography while you work up a sweat.”
FLY
Lastly, the Fly category incorporates tricks and spins on the pole with ten levels to work your way through. These leveled skill classes take you from the basics to advanced spins, tricks, and poses. Vertica Fitness Fly classes are “offered in beginning to advanced classes and work off [their] signature curriculum that will teach you how to DEFY gravity.”
Whatever class you take, Vertica Fitness makes this promise: “Give us three times a week for three months and you will be doing things you never thought were possible. That’s all it takes to create massive change and unleash your highest potential – on and off the pole.”
Vertica Fitness invites people to try a special trial class for free to see these benefits for themselves firsthand.
What a Typical Class Looks Like
Lopez explained that each class is about 55 minutes long and starts with the coach taking attendance and getting to know new students. They then open the class by providing space for people to share recent wins, like something personal that students want to share with the class to celebrate in their lives. Afterward, the class begins with a warm-up for about 10-15 minutes that’s full of high-energy movements to get the body flowing.
“This is very important so that you don’t injure yourself,” Lopez said.
“In each class, the coach will also give different options for beginners up to more advanced students, ensuring that all skill levels are kept in mind.”
For the regular Fit and Fly classes, the teacher will show and teach the class how to do a movement and then do it together with the class while ensuring that different learning styles are accommodated. Then, they’ll put all the movements together as a combo. Students will then practice the combo with music. At the end of class, students do cooldown exercises for a few minutes and then end with a positive intention and a moment of appreciation.
For the Flirt classes, students will learn choreography to a specific song for the entire class, incorporating specific moves and adding on new ones as the class progresses.
“The coach will teach the choreography for about six weeks as the class learns more of the song,” Lopez said. “At the end of the six weeks, the class does a big performance of that song. Some will dress up for it, we’ll film it and post it. It’s super fun!”
Class Membership
For those interested in taking the classes, Vertica Fitness offers monthly, recurring membership options or the ability to pay upfront. Memberships include all three types of classes and just depend on your budget and how often you want to come.
“Memberships are designed for busy people on a budget with classes for everyone, seven days a week. We offer morning, afternoon, and evening options throughout the week, and are open on weekends in the morning and afternoon,” Lopez explained. “Some memberships are set up for two to three classes a week, and some are unlimited. You can come to any of the classes, pick a category you like the most, or try them all. Each class gives different benefits.”
Vertica Fitness Pole Parties
People wanting to do a class with their friends can also book a Vertica Fitness pole party!
Only $497, this option is perfect for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, girls’ nights out, divorce parties, and more. For an hour and a half, everyone at the party gets a group class experience full of “fun, choreography, spins, and bonding.”
For the first hour, the coach instructs people on how to do tricks and spins, and sexy dance choreography. “Everything is beginner-friendly unless everyone in attendance has pole experience,” Lopez said. “We tailor the class to your needs.”
For that half hour, people get to do their final performance of their sexy dances. Then, it’s time for pictures, playing around, and having fun with your friends.
Per the VF website, “You can invite as many people as you would like (within reason). Check with your location to see how many poles are available. We suggest having up to 2 people per pole.”
Private Lessons
Vertica Fitness also offers private lessons to people, whether they’re nervous about doing a group class or want to work on something specific.
“Private lessons are tailored depending on the student, their goals, and if they are beginning or have experience. The class is an hour, with a 10-minute warm-up before going into instruction based on their needs and what they want to work on,” Lopez said. “We’ll work on specific skills they are struggling with, and the coach will work with them on different exercises and progressions. Total beginners will learn the basic spins and gain confidence on the pole.”
Lopez added that many clients join with no experience at all. “Many start with private lessons because they’re nervous about group fitness right away,” she said. “It gets them feeling good and confident enough to come to a class.”
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The Inspiration Behind Vertica Fitness
What Led the Founder to Pole Fitness
Vertica Fitness was originally founded by Katrina Wyckoff. After walking past a pole studio one day, she watched what was happening inside.
“She felt incredibly called to it, and felt like this is where she belonged,” Lopez shared. “She openly talks about her own past struggles with body image and self-love. After starting pole, her life changed. It transformed her mental and physical health and introduced her to an incredibly beautiful community.”
Wyckoff went on to compete in pole competitions and even won national championships, with first place in the USPSF National Championship in 2017.
Eventually, she opened her own pole studio in 2014, which grew into what is now Vertica Fitness in 2022. Drawing from her background in professional dance, she had personally experienced the damaging beauty standards and psychological pressures often tied to the industry. Determined to create a different kind of space, she built Vertica Fitness around the empowering belief that “Every BODY belongs, every BODY is beautiful, and every BODY can go vertical.”
Wyckoff’s Mission
“It’s my mission to create a complete revolution in the fitness industry: a revolution where mental health is an important part of physical health; working out is actually fun and people actually want to do it; [and] there is a complete judgment-free zone,” Wyckoff says in her bio on the Vertica Fitness website. “Most importantly… the revolution doesn’t stop on the pole. When people become confident, they become empowered to do really cool stuff. They realize their potential and are willing to go out and make a difference. This empowerment leads to cultural shifts, political change, [and] global improvement. … This is more than a business; this is a mission. I’m here to change the world. One spin at a time.”
“She wanted to create a space that felt deeply welcoming, loving, and inclusive,” Lopez said. “Vertica Fitness brings that energy, giving people the opportunity to experience transformation—whether physical, mental, or emotional. It’s a fresh experience for many to feel beautiful and sexy in their own skin, to grow stronger, and to lose weight if that’s their goal, though that’s not the primary focus. We want people to come in, have a blast, and take away whatever they personally need from it.”
How Kelsey Became a Franchise Owner
From Passion to Business
As one of her many passions, Kelsey Lopez has been a dancer her whole life, doing all kinds of dance.
“I learned to pole dance in 2018 while living in the mountains in rural New York. I bought my own pole and practiced in my house watching videos, and loved it,” she said. “And I did it like that until I moved to Vegas and then started attending classes out here.”
At the time, Lopez was looking to open her own business and researching the type she wanted to do. “I knew I wanted to do a franchise because they tend to have a proven model,” she said. “One day, I wondered if there was such a thing as a pole fitness franchise. I giggled inside at the thought because I didn’t think there was such a thing.”
Finding Vertica Fitness
The first time she searched for a pole fitness franchise, only one showed up in Michigan. Searching again, she then found Vertica Fitness.
“I saw the website and knew it was a really great brand, incredibly professional. I called the number on the website and said, ‘I need to be a part of this.’ Something inside told me this was the thing – the right path I needed to follow,” she shared. “I connected with their mission and vision of self-love, inclusivity, and supporting mental and emotional well-being. And with my background in personal development and health, and experience as a CrossFit coach, I knew it was a perfect fit for me.”
Starting the Franchise
With her background experience lending itself to this venture, Lopez spoke to founder Katrina Wyckoff and began the process of becoming a franchise owner of Vertia Fitness. After signing in January 2022, Lopez searched for locations for a few months.
“There were lots of requirements for the space, size, and ceiling height. It was another two months to build it out and took extra time for permitting since the structures aren’t standard,” she explained. This led to a unique challenge: the inspectors don’t usually see the type of structures used in the studio, so permitting was a hurdle to overcome. “We had to delay the grand opening because the fire department wasn’t sure about the permitting.”
Once approved, Vertica Fitness hosted its grand opening of the Centennial Hills locations in August 2022. She later opened the Henderson location in July 2023.
Vertica Fitness studios are located all over the U.S., with Lopez’s two Las Vegas locations adding to the current total of 9, with 15+ more on the way. Lopez is currently working on three more locations herself, so there’ll be a studio in all areas of town, with the next being built in Summerlin.
Goals for Vertica Fitness
For Lopez, her goal is to grow membership and introduce more people to the Vertica Fitness experience and its unique value.
“By 2026, we hope to have both Las Vegas studios thriving and be well on our way to opening our third location in Summerlin that spring,” she said. “We also plan to keep hosting amazing events and workshops.”
Lopez also said she wants to see more students leveling up in the Vertica “Fly” curriculum.
“We have a structured, leveled curriculum for our Fly course, which focuses on tricks and spins,” she said. “There are 10 levels, and students are encouraged to progress by mastering specific moves that coaches check off along the way. We also use an app to track their progress as they level up, and we celebrate their achievements on social media as they advance.”
For Vertica Fitness itself, Lopez shared that the founder is working hard to get pole fitness into the Olympics.
“It’s a real sport, and we encourage our clients to compete in various regional competitions if it interests them,” she said. “Hopefully, we will see it as an official Olympic sport in the next several years!”
Recent and Upcoming Events
Vertica Fitness occasionally offers fun events and workshops for the public to attend every month.
In March, they attended First Friday and let people try out spins on the pole. They also hosted an open Pole Jam that was a free party for the public, VF members, students, and their families, where they played music and played on the poles. And they hosted a March Masquerade where people wore masks and had fun on the poles as well.
In April, Vertica hosted a four-week ‘Twerk-shop’ series with Twerk Team USA. This workshop series will be on Saturday, April 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 4 – 6 PM at the Henderson location. Members pay $99 and non-members pay $125 for the series.
For BFF Month in May, Vertica is celebrating with a ‘Doubles Workshop’ on May 18th from 4 – 6 PM at the Centennial Location! Led by Coach Juno and Adrina, attendees will enjoy a 2-hour class where they’ll learn doubles tricks, spins, and creative combos while bonding with their best friends or pole buddies. This workshop is $45 for members and $55 for non-members.
They are also hosting a clothing swap event on the 24th at their Henderson location from 2 to 5 PM!
Vertica Fitness in the Community
Vertica Fitness, with its deep commitment to body positivity and mental health awareness, is rooted in a philosophy of community care. Founder Katrina Wyckoff is currently establishing a nonprofit organization called the Every Body Belongs Foundation, dedicated to suicide prevention. The foundation aims to provide support, guidance, and access to vital resources for individuals who are struggling, providing a path forward and reminding them that they’re never alone, and that THEY MATTER.
Lopez also shared that Vertica Fitness has supported various causes. Most recently, they hosted donation-based classes to benefit victims of the LA wildfires. Attendees could either show a donation receipt to a reputable LA-based charity or donate on-site to join the special classes.
“Although we are a new business, we’re always exploring ways to contribute,” Lopez said. “We’ve hosted several sound bath events to help the community calm the nervous system and support mental health. It’s a way to offer clients deeper relaxation—something especially needed with how stressed most people are these days.”
A Space For All Bodies and a Light in the Dark
In today’s social climate, where conversations can often feel divisive, creating a space where everyone feels genuinely welcome and accepted is more important than ever.
“It’s hard to criticize love—and we strive to lead with love and appreciation for everyone,” Lopez said. By creating this kind of space, Vertica Fitness naturally attracts people who align with its mission of inclusivity.”
“I think, despite everything happening in the world, our studios offer a heart-centered refuge. We’re not just a pole studio teaching tricks—we’re also a safe space to practice self-love and loving others. No matter what challenges are going on globally or in someone’s personal life, coming to class can be their sanctuary—a place to breathe, feel held, and reconnect with themselves.”
Kelsey’s Favorite Part About Her Work
Sharing her favorite part about her work, Lopez said that she loves to see clients experience personal transformation.
I love that part—hearing client feedback, from their very first class to where they are now,” she said. “When they share their transformations, it’s so powerful. One client mentioned with tears in their eyes that during class, it was the first time she’d ever looked in the mirror and actually liked what she saw. That kind of moment is truly impactful.”
Lopez also takes pride in the environment she’s helped cultivate within her studios.
“I also really value the culture we’re building among the coaches and staff. And I love the love that exists between everyone,” she said. “I want both clients and employees to feel appreciated, heard, and seen. When that happens, everyone feels safe to express themselves, find new parts of who they are, and experience their own unique transformation.”
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Lopez shared that in this line of work, she’s learned how to help people overcome their fears.
“People are often really scared to come in, and I had to learn how to adapt to that,” she said. “They’ll show interest, fill out the form, but then get cold feet and back out before their first class. So we do our best to reach out personally and reassure them. We let them know they’re going to be okay—that we’re going to love on them the moment they walk through the door.”
Through this process, Lopez said Vertica Fitness is actively redefining what pole fitness means by asserting that “this is for every BODY.”
“We’re working to shift that initial fear or perception people have about pole. We want to break the taboo—it shouldn’t feel weird or off-limits,” she said. “All of our classes are professional. Yes, there’s a sensual element in our classes, but we’re not selling sex—we’re helping people reconnect with their sensuality and strength. Pole is for anyone with a desire to get fit, have fun, and be part of a community that supports and inspires you to show up and tap into your most confident self.”
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
For those feeling nervous about attending a pole fitness class, Lopez encourages stepping outside of your comfort zone.
“I always say—don’t judge yourself in the beginning; we all start somewhere,” she said. “That’s a message we share with every new client. Focus on what you are accomplishing and celebrate those wins. That kind of mindset gives you the energy to keep going. That’s when progress happens—and transformation follows.”
Lopez noted that many people come in worrying they’ll look silly or won’t be strong enough, often comparing themselves to others in the room.
“People tend to focus on the negative,” she said. “So we work on gently rewiring that, helping them shift into a more empowering and compassionate perspective.”
#GetinMotion and “Go Vertical” with Vertica Fitness
If you’re ready to take that step outside of your comfort zone and get on the pole, visit their website to learn more. You can sign up for a free trial class or attend a free community event to get to know them. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook, and check out videos on their YouTube channel to see what classes are like. Vertica Fitness also sells swag like workout attire and more. They also offer guidance on purchasing poles for at-home fitness through X-Pole US, helping with the process.
“Sometimes we even give out free poles during our 90-day challenges,” Lopez said. Members who participate by attending class at least three times per week and post a weekly progress picture in the app for three months are entered for a chance to win a free home X-Pole at the end of the challenge.
To support Vertica Fitness, Lopez encourages people to spread the word and share the experience with friends who might be interested.
“Talk to friends who are looking for a supportive, like-minded community—especially those feeling stuck in their usual fitness routine, needing something more fun, or craving a real shift in their lives,” she said. “Come try a class, and bring a friend along!”
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