When I was the only half-willing able-bodied female on the editorial staff to volunteer to try my hand at pole fitness classes for a gonzo journalism assignment, I stalled as many weeks as I could until finally caving.
It’s not that I wasn’t interested in the trend, or the culture, it’s just that I was honestly terrified of bringing my classically trained ballet booty into an establishment where the sweet sounds of Debussy, leotards and ballet barres were replaced by shiny floor-to-ceiling poles and tunes you’d most likely hear in a club attached to a strip mall. I mean, no one likes to be laughed at and my burlesque dancing skills are well, obsolete.
But after sucking it up, embracing my task and conducting some good old Internet research, the days approaching my beginner’s pole fitness class at VIP Women’s Dance at 2419 3rd Street South triggered some girlish excitement.
I was told by Lynn Maxey, part owner and instructor of VIP Women’s Dance the day before my scheduled class, to wear tight-fitting, skin-baring yoga shorts that revealed as much thigh as possible (for gripping purposes of course) and a top that did the same in the revealing department (once again, for gripping purposes). Sure, I
Next I was instructed not to wear any lotion, as that may compromise my gripping ability, and lastly, she said to go ahead and bring a pair of heals to try out towards the end of class to see how it makes me feel. Oh my stars, what was I getting myself into? I don’t even wear heals recreationally when I’m not trying to manipulate a metal pole.
Class started promptly at 6 p.m., and after being handed a complimentary bottle of water and a cloth spritzed with alcohol, I was told to wipe down my pole (which I was allowed to choose like a bumper car or something) and remove any excess oils or grease.
We began with some simple stretches, where all of them involved the pole as a steadying device. I think this part is first intended to warm up your muscles and stretch the body, but secondly to get to know your pole, to talk to it and to develop trust with it.
Next came the pole crunches, which involved pulling your legs up to your chest and off of the ground by using your upper body strength by gripping the pole with both hands and pulling yourself up. This, seeming not too difficult, kept my confidence chugging and I was quickly ready to be a major pole-dancing spectacle, or so I thought.
Getting into the more tricky stuff, we were taught a leg wrap move first on the floor and then moved it up to the pole. The other six or so women attending the class were slightly familiar with this move, and, with the aid of our handy spotter Maxey, they each flipped completely upside down, were hanging from the pole by gripping their thighs around it and then eventually removed their hands from the pole entirely!
Now, most of my classmates weren’t in top-notch shape, but there was no way I was about to try that if my life depended on it. But, feeling slightly defeated and loser-ish for not stepping up to the plate, and after deciding that if I die from doing this that it wouldn’t be so bad because it would be an entertaining story for all, I said, OK, I’ll do it.
After trying out the mounting technique a few times, I gave it some gas as my world turned upside down and I was literally hanging from a skinny pole, practically in my underwear, with no hands! As the whole class began to applaud me for my accomplishment, and more importantly my bravery, I began to feel all warm and fuzzy. Then it dawned on me that now I had to get down — which did not look as graceful as the mount, trust me.
The next move consisted of hopping up on the pole with a leg on either side and holding yourself up by gripping the pole between your two thighs. This hurt worse than the most crucial chafing you can imagine. The other more experienced gals didn’t seem to be phased by it, so I imagine you’ve got to toughen up that skin and build up some sort of calloused surface. Gross I know, but it’s better than pinching, burning thigh-hell.
Following a routine involving hip popping, butt-to-floor action and a few of the more technical moves we learned, I was drenched in sweat, could feel the sore muscles quickly about to expose their wrath and looked down at my poor inner thigh region to find popped blood vessels on either side. Needless to say, the class kicked my butt.
Pole dancing fitness is relatively newly accepted form of fitness, and is now regulated by the nationwide Pole Fitness Association, where Maxey serves on the board.
While it may have a taboo connotation to the masses, my unfair judgment disappeared right when I entered the black curtain-backed entrance door. I not only had a blast, but it was something that I’d never even thought about doing and actually did, not to mention how good of a work out it proved to be.
The women in my class were all shapes and sizes, and the atmosphere was encouraging and seemed to breed confidence. It’s not so much about turning a man on by dancing up and down a pole; it’s about getting healthy, feeling sexy and having fun for an hour.
"I started in February, and since attending regularly, I’ve lost weight after recovering from a back injury," said Jocelyn Zittere. "Pole fitness has helped me build up my upper-body strength, my core and most importantly my confidence, you’d never catch me in these clothes before."
New classes to look forward to in the near future are a mommy-to-be class that doesn’t involve any intense flipping but does help keep new mommies keep fit and feeling sexy, said Maxey, and a stiletto strut class that focuses more on burlesque technique using heals. I’d fall, but I suppose some of those freak girls that do fine in heals would like this.
It’s up to you whether you’d like to shed the pounds and maintain a healthy lifestyle by swimming, running on a treadmill or pole dancing, but this was the most fun I’ve had working out in a long time. It’s been one whole day and I’m sorer than I was yesterday. I guess there really is proof in the pole.
Visit www.vipwomensdanceparties.com to RSVP for a class, schedule a private special events party, or take a look at their weekly schedules, prices and packages.
(904)285-8831
July 28th 2010 - 4:14PM