Yes, pole dancing! And no, I don’t mean stripping.
With midterms and assignments piling up, you might be looking for some stress-relief. It’s a well-known fact that exercising reduces stress by producing endorphins, but what if you hate working out?
Pole dancing (also called pole fitness, pole sport or pole gym) is the new fitness trend you need to try. While it still holds a certain stigma because of its negative association with strip clubs, pole dancing has gained a lot of popularity in recent years as a super fun and challenging workout. In fact, there are even national and international competitions organized each year, and many pole dancers are hoping for it to become an Olympic sport one day. I’ve been doing pole fitness for about a year now and I can honestly say that signing up for that first class was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. It has changed the way I feel about my body and brought me so much confidence. I love the sport – yes, it is a sport – so much and I want to encourage all ladies looking for a fun way to stay fit to give it a chance. So, here are five reasons why you must try a pole dancing class:
1. It’s a killer workout.
Pole fitness is a mix of dance and acrobatics, similar to gymnastics. Pole classes are a great alternative for women who hate going to the gym, but want something more challenging than a Zumba class. It’s a fun way to work on your cardio and strength all at once! Pole fitness exercises use your own weight and will build up your core and upper-body strength, while also toning the rest of your body. In a beginner’s pole class, you will learn how to gracefully climb the pole, as well as how to spin and invert. Expect to feel sore the next day!
2. It promotes body positivity.
If you’re thinking you don’t have the ‘right’ body type for pole dancing, you are wrong. Women of all shapes and sizes can pole dance. I see so much variety in body types whenever I’m at a pole class: tall women, short women, curvy women, muscular women, skinny women, and all types and sizes in between. The pole might look a bit intimidating at first, but remember that everyone is there to work out and have fun! Pole fitness takes the focus away from what your body looks like and emphasizes what your body can do. No matter what your weight or height is, you can learn to pole dance. And once you’ve mastered a few moves and gained a little confidence, you’ll look great doing it too!
3. It makes you feel confident.
I still remember the rush I got after my first ever pole class. I’m not even exaggerating, I felt like a new woman. I’m usually shy, but being able to let loose, have fun and spin around on the pole was quite empowering and liberating. Every time you learn a new move, you gain more confidence! Most classes focus on the acrobatic elements of pole dancing, but you will also learn some basic floor work that is sure to make you feel sexy. In addition, I’ve found that all other women in the class are very supportive and make sure to applaud when you master a move you’ve been working on for so long. What better way to boost your ego?
4. It improves your flexibility.
Previous dance or gymnastics background is definitely an asset, as it will help you progress more quickly. However, it is not a necessity and there are many moves that don’t require particular flexibility. A pole fitness class usually includes a few minutes of stretching, so if you attend classes regularly, you’ll notice that your flexibility level increases over time.
5. It’s creative and unique.
Pole dancing for fitness is becoming increasingly popular, yet most people still haven’t heard of it. If you enjoy being different and standing out from the crowd, it’s the perfect fitness activity for you! Plus, it makes a great conversation topic when you meet new people and they ask you about your hobbies.
If I convinced you and you’re interested in trying a pole dancing class, there are a few studios in Montreal just a few bus or metro stops away from the McGill Downtown campus, such as Alternative Fitness and Milan Pole Dance Studio. The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) also offers a minicourse in pole dancing at DG Entertainment, so be on the lookout for that when registration opens for the winter semester.
Images and GIFs obtained from:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/43558321369451488/
http://img.pandawhale.com/41124-body-control-pole-dancer-gif-TSgv.gif
http://giphy.com/gifs/pole-dancing-jenyne-butterfly-vF8hlmXjZDkfm
http://poledancingadventures.com/comic/lines-shapes-and-sizes/
http://i2.wp.com/memecollection.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/itxestp1.gif?w=900
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342132902918302982/
Last image is the author’s own.