Why I’m a ‘pole dancing’ advocate

I am known for occasionally getting up to some unusual hobbies and activities. Partly for the storytelling advantages they might bring, but mostly because I like to try new and different things. I like a bit of fun and adventure and I like to be challenged.

The fact that a casual mention that I was pole dancing might raise an eyebrow or two didn’t dissuade me from trying it out. I figured that people would either think poorly or positively of it, but either way, most would just add it to the list of unusual pursuits they associated me with, and everyone would carry on from there. Now that I’ve been at it for a good 6 months, I’m much more vocal about convincing people what a fantastic ‘sport’ pole dancing really is – and whether or not it counts as a sport at all. I have in fact become a huge pole dancing advocate.

I got into pole for a few different reasons. I had a personal trainer a couple of years ago that used to teach pole and she was one of the strongest girls I have met.  She planted the seed. I had also suffered a few shoulder injuries, thanks to some of my previous ‘unusual’ hobbies, and I felt weak. I had been trying to improve my upper body strength at the gym for a good 6 months but I just didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere.

And I also love to dance. I think it’s good for the soul and I love that you can get a workout by dancing without feeling like it’s an effort or a chore. So all up, I was looking for a new exercise-based hobby, with a particular focus on building my upper body strength, and preferably involving dance. I didn’t get into it to lose weight or improve my muscle tone, but these have definitely been added benefits.

When I first started class I had only two concerns. One, would I be forced to bow out disgracefully after only one or two classes because I just couldn’t get it and two, what on earth would I wear?

Fortunately, in my studio, heels are not obligatory. It’s more like practicing gymnastics with a dance routine thrown in at the end, than a strut around a pole (that most people associate with pole dancing), so you don’t really need them. Heels however, were the last thing on my mind when I first started, because I was far more concerned about bearing my legs! I don’t like my legs... at all. But in the end I, and pretty much everyone else, ended up wearing running shorts and a singlet top. At first I wasn’t comfortable with this but the funny thing is, just about every term later has seen a reduction in coverage on everyone’s behalf. The shorts have gotten shorter and shorter, and most people are in crop tops now. I never thought I would be one of these people but skin contact with the pole is essential and very, very helpful… And plus, after a while you just don’t care that much about people seeing your cellulite or wobbly bits.

There are lots of different women, of all different ages, with all different body shapes that do it, so it’s a very comfortable and supportive environment. This is one of the things I really love about pole.

In terms of my concern about not being able to do it… well, I’ve lasted a good 6 months and I think that’s a fair effort. The teachers are really supportive and focussed on building strength bit by bit and always improving technique and form. And I’ve found that for almost every single move, I’ve seen it and thought, no way I’m going to be able to do that one… but I give it a go, or three or five, or sometimes even ten… and one minute it seems impossible the next it’s like, voila, I can do it now too. I think it’s a good exercise in willpower and perseverance and it makes me feel good about what I can achieve. I for one never thought I would have the strength or the flexibility to be able to hang upside down off a pole doing the (almost) splits… and have fun learning to do it.

I actually find everything about the practice to be really inspiring. I love watching the girls in the higher levels and all the moves they can do, and it makes me want to do more myself. And I think others would be really surprised by what they could do themselves if they gave pole a go. It’s such an empowering activity and definitely worth the investment in time and money.

So here are my top ‘pole’ factoids, given in the hope that I might convert a few others to advocacy too…

What it is:      
A cross between strength training, art and dance. The moves are more like gymnastics or acrobatics, obviously involving a pole

What it isn’t:
A strip-tease… Most people wear running shorts and a singlet top and heels are often optional

Who can do it:
Anyone! My studio has students, professionals, mums, mums and daughters – women of all ages. And the moves start from the basics so that you can build strength as you go.

What’s it good for:
Building flexibility and strength – particularly abs and upper body
Having fun while working hard. Learning new moves and a dance routine will also work your brain and memory
Gaining self-confidence – the things you will learn to do will amaze you!

Where you can do it:
Studios are opening in major cities all over the country.