The impulse you get to sign up to random sports at fresher’s fair is unmatched. When you strolled past the Pole Exercise Club’s stand with your bag full of free pens, enough leaflets to make a solid doorstop and your cheeks filled with dominos what were your first impressions? Did you immediately think negatively of it or were you simply curious?
Along with copious articles suggesting that it is purely exploitive, recently, the negative perceptions of pole exercise was brought to light in Swansea, where the university banned their classes as it was ‘inextricably linked to the sex industry’. I was however intrigued to see what it was all about so gave one of the classes a shot… I waited outside the door, the nerves were building and I began to question myself: what were the other girls going to be like? Would there be any bitching? Would it matter how fit you were? My nerves however quickly disappeared when I walked in and was surprised at just how welcoming everyone was, and how my perceptions of ‘pole exercise’ were… well…wrong. The class was filled with bubbly girls of all shapes and sizes. I certainly did not see any ‘grinding’ nor did I see any ‘sexualisation’. Instead, I saw gymnastics, demonstrating the impressive core strength of these girls.
Why then is there such a stereotype surrounding this class? After the class I managed to corner one of the coaches who said that ‘people who do not attend a class know nothing of pole exercise and make links to media and to pole dancing’. Indeed this was certainly apparent in the class where the word ‘sexy’ was used few and far between…our moves were rather ‘pretty’ and ‘beautiful.’ The emphasis of going to a class prior to making a judgement cannot be overstated, oh and the floor routine left me aching for days – always a good sign! You certainly get out of it what you put in. One of the members explained to me that the class gave her a confidence boost, I mean what can be better? She explained that she had strengthened her core massively and found the whole society empowering. It’s certainly clear that despite what some people argue, the empowerment does not come from being ‘sexy’ ‘you can make pretty much anything sexy, but as with the class, it’s only if you choose to do so’. It seems that in a lot of ways, some of us collegiates have a hard time picking a sport that isn’t attached with a preconceived image. I left the class with an intention to go again, there is no element of ‘bitchiness’, it gave me a confidence boost and I met some great people. Full credit to the coaches, they really are a credit to this society.
So girls, if you want a way to get fit, this class could be for you. Forget what people think about it and give it a try, as I guarantee you will be whisked off your feet!