Active nzgirl: I want to try Pole Dancing

So because of this swinging around a pole was never high up on my ‘must do’ list. UNTIL NOW! In the last few year’s pole dancing has transformed into pole fitness and has gained more credibility as an exercise form, it’s even featured on reality TV shows so it MUST be cool! It’s supposed to be tough on the abs and a real challenge so I thought I’d give it a go.

 

I’m a web girl so I’m on the internet (google ‘pole dancing’ for an interesting experience e- not!). Lucky for me I find a couple of studios, and settle on ‘The Studio’ in central Wellington as their website looked the least intimidating. Essentials to have when you go to a lesson are shorty shorts and un-moisturised legs for best ‘stickability’ to the pole. Drag Queen shoes are optional. OK, so now I’m scared.

 

Confession time, I went for the one on one lesson option
 rather than braving a class, I know, I’m a big girl’s blouse. Lisa was my instructor, she teaches ‘trick based’ pole fitness, so instead of having to learn a choreographed routine you learn individual moves that you can interpret in your own way.

It reminded me very much of being at primary school and having fun swinging on the monkey bars, though I’m pretty sure the moves we did as kids had different names.

It was the upper body workout like no other, my arms and
shoulders are in shock.

 

The shame, the shame! I REALLY enjoyed that. I’m going to be expelled from the sisterhood if I’m found out so don’t tell. Grab a couple of friends for moral support and give it a go, I’d be wanting a friend or two for moral support if I was heading into a class. And I am heading back!

 

On the upside, you need no special gear and the odd bruise
in interesting places made a great work story for the rest of
the week. It does require some upper body strength for some of the advanced moves but there are plenty of moves you can do regardless of your fitness. The studio I went to focused on the fitness side of it rather than the ‘performance’ side, which suited me just fine.

 

Pole Fitness studios are popping up everywhere, so go on an internet search (key word pole fitness NOT pole dancing -  you have been warned!)

 

I went to “The Studio” in Central Wellington. If you let them know you read about them on nzgirl your first lesson will be just $15 or you can get a five trip concession for $60. Check out their website at www.polefitness.co.nz.