Paola Di Lanzo, the founder of BodyBarre by Paolais an OG wellness guru. If you are not familiar with PBB, a concept way ahead of its time, it is a unique method of low impact that fuses the best of Pilates, bars, yoga and functional training. Founded in 2008, Paola has come a long way in the wellness industry, with studio launches and collaborations with stellar gymnasts under her belt. The fundamentals of the PBB method stand the test of time, hence the consistent flow of classes it follows. Paola is full of infectious energy, which may be the real secret behind her success. If you attend one of his classes, you are sure to be left with a renewed sense of joy and, of course, a serious burn! As part of our ‘Why I Move’ series, we caught up with Paola to delve into her fitness journey, how she stays motivated, and some great tips too!
Why are you moving?
The answer is simple! I “move” to feel physically strong, physically able to move in a functionally efficient way for everyday life! At age 53, I can still move and teach the way I did when I was in my 20s. The old adage applies… “use it or lose it”.
I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life (like most people), and movement has always balanced me mentally. It gives me the feel good factor every time I teach or attend a class. The power of endorphins!
What are some of your earliest memories of physical activity as a child?
I grew up in Western Australia near the beach. We were water babies from a very young age. If we weren’t swimming in the pool or the ocean, we were climbing trees. Australia has always been a sporting nation; it was the norm to get involved in all sports and outdoor activities. Throughout primary school I played tennis, netball, softball, ballet and gymnastics classes and had a passion for athletics and running. As I had in my teens it was Volleyball, boogie boarding, water skiing and everything we could do on the beach!
Can you tell us the story behind Paola’s BodyBarre? How has it evolved since its beginning 10 years ago?
Paola’s BodyBarre studios started 10 years ago, but the method has been taught by myself at Harbor Club Chelsea, KX Life and studios in Fulham since 2008.
How has your approach to fitness evolved since you first became a PT?
I have been a personal trainer since 1990. As it was the beginning of the 90s, I also taught Aerobics (in a thong leotard I might add), however, my training style has evolved, as my fitness outfit!
After my first child was born in 2002, I realized that the hard and fast approach wasn’t working for my body. He was lifting heavy and running like a maniac for hours which took its toll on me. I was working in a high-end boutique studio in Knightsbridge when I fell pregnant. There were many celebrities and “it girls” at this particular gym talking about Pilates and how wonderful it is for pre/postnatal training. I had never heard of it but I was curious.
In 2003, I signed up for a teacher training course with Michael King (then known as the Pilates Institute). I hadn’t even tried a class before and I have to admit that I was in shock with the method because it was foreign to me. I grew to love it and started playing with the traditional method adding my more dynamic approach. I started to merge my fitness training, yoga pieces, functional training (from my courses with Paul Check) and later ballet techniques.
As an instructor, what have you noticed most about people’s relationship with exercise? Is there anything you’ve learned in your years of teaching and working with people on their fitness journey?
As I have been teaching for many years, I have definitely seen a change in mindset towards fitness training. I had to say that the beginning of my career (1988) was all about aesthetics! Women wanted to be cut and toned. Men want to be “big” fat and look muscular. Think Baywatch…they were the inspirational body types back in the day!
There are also “trends” in terms of what we will adhere to. The 90s were all about the overly thin look she showed on the catwalks (aka Kate Moss). They went so far as to call it “heroin-chic” – it was obviously irresponsible to promote such a look! Then came the Kardashians with the “implanted” and “full” curves. Times have changed and fortunately so has our mindset and ways of educating our audience and customers.
I would say that most people who come to PBB want to exercise not only to look good, but to feel good. We know that with regular exercise comes mental clarity, stress reduction and overall happiness. It boosts your mood when you’re feeling down, boosts energy levels and improves cognitive function. There is a lot of stress with the progress of technology and our ever-fast-paced lives. Fitness studios have become our hub for local communities to feel good and connect with each other!
What do you hope people gain from attending a PBB class?
Our PBB clients gain not only strength, flexibility, tone and core strength, but also postural improvements. Our clients rave about the results they get not only physically but also mentally!
One of the greatest rewards of my job is hearing clients say that me and the PBB team have transformed not only their bodies, but their lives as well. PBB is a community! I see close friendships and bonds made through our classes. We are a welcoming community that gives so many men and women a place to flourish.
When you indeed I don’t want to work, where do you get inspiration and motivation?
Teaching my classes is physically demanding, so when I go to a class it has to be in line with my mood and how my body feels. I love yoga when I need more mental grounding, which is usually when I’m juggling business, kids, and teaching. When I feel that I need to improve my strength, a good class at KXU is my choice because they are super motivating and the best trainers in London. For Pilates (some from PBB Pilates) it is undoubtedly Lagree at Studio Fix and MAD on Kings Road.
Are rest days important to you, if so, how are they spent?
Hahaha! What is that? I’m not good at resting. All kidding aside I’m the type of person who needs to keep moving, which I know is not good for me as I get to the point of “crash and burn”. However, I make sure I have at least one day off from teaching to rest my physical body and to stay 100 percent focused on my family time. My family are my energizers and downtime. I also went to bed super early (9 hours for 5.30 starts). I’m obsessed with getting enough sleep, so that’s my rest and recovery!
Nutrition plays an important supporting role for movement…how do you use food to fuel your long teaching days?
As for my food intake, it must be fresh produce. Try and avoid processed foods. In general, my breakfast is eggs with avocado, tomatoes, spinach or beans. My studio in Fulham is attached to Nati’s Wholefoods and makes the best egg dishes with an Italian side dish. Delicious and nutritious.
If I don’t have eggs it’s Greek yogurt, muesli and fruit and ALWAYS a coffee. Lunch is a protein with vegetables or salad. On the go, I rush for a bowl of prepared acai because they are tasty and super nutritious. Dinner is what the “masters” at home ask for. The leaders are my husband and 3 children. We all love to cook and love to cook a variety of healthy nutritious meals. I have a very healthy relationship with food and I encourage the family to have the same passion as me in terms of enjoying a great meal with family and friends. Don’t deprive me. If I want a treat, I have it. In general, I’m not a snacker, but if I feel low on energy, it’s either good protein shakes or a green juice from the studio that I can be in teaching that day.
I am a stickler for my supplements! I don’t go a day without Kollo Health which is a liquid collagen. I have 1000mg of Vitamin C a day and Multivitamins from JSHealth.
If you have friends visiting London, where do you send them for the best brunch?
My favorite places for brunch are Farm Girl Notting Hill, The Wolsey, Acai Girls Fulham, Black Penny Chelsea and Granger and Co on Pavilion Road.
What are the fitness essentials you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my Apple Watch, Spotify for playlists, Nike for trainers, Alo, Belsize, Vuori and Lululemon for fitness clothes. My favorite classes (besides me) are at KXU Chelsea, Studio Fix Kensington, MAD Kings Road and Heartcore Fulham. I even bring my Bala ankle weights with me to all my PBB Sculpt classes!
words of Isabelle Shury