Pole Dancing

PrincessTinyheart

Has anyone ever taken pole dancing lessons? They look like a lot of fun and a great way to tone your upper body. I'm already studying bellydance and going to the gym, but I've been itching to try something different that's not sports (I am not even close to being a sporty/competitive person).

What are your experiences with pole dancing? It it a challenging workout?

mom23mangos

@Mouse_Potato , you in here? I asked her once how pole compared to silks and she said it was easier to get started and harder to progress. So I would take that to mean the point of entry should be pretty low which is good for beginners so you don't get frustrated if you lack upper body strength. Then as your strength progresses, you will be able to progress easier.

JeepHair77

Several years ago, I took one of those classes with some friends of mine, at the "S Factor" studio.

I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it's a "challenging" workout, though, at least not at the beginner level. The warm-up exercises were the hardest part of the class - the actual dance moves were pretty easy and I never really broke a sweat or felt sore the next day.

It really was fun, though, and I had hoped to take more classes, but my schedule didn't really permit it and the studio wasn't that convenient for me, so I never got past the first level.

sardelsa

I did it once a long long time ago.. it was hard but fun! Now that I am more fit, leaner and stronger I would love to give it another go. Too bad I can't do the splits or anything, maybe I will get there one day.

Also a pole fitness place opened up right around the corner from my house, so I think that's a sign I should try it!!

MostlyWater

It's a fun hobby. It's not your entire workout.

PrincessTinyheart

I'm always looking for something that might make me just a little sexier, so I'm enthusiastic about trying this out.

KelseyRL

I took an intro class before and really liked it. I found it really worked my upper body and that's not an area I usually focus on so it was challenging for me. It was also just a lot of fun!

I've been thinking about getting back into it as we have a local place that teaches, but I'm a bit short on cash right now for extra classes and stuff. When things level out I'll look into it again.

JeepHair77

PrincessTinyheart wrote: »

I'm always looking for something that might make me just a little sexier, so I'm enthusiastic about trying this out.

Well, while I can't endorse the class as the most effective workout ever, my husband was VERY appreciative, so you know, there's that.

joallana

I did it for a year or so. I had a pole studio that also offered conditioning classes to get you strong enough to do the more advanced moves. If you end up liking it and want to be good at it, you're going to end up training for it like any other sport. By itself it can be a pretty good workout, I definitely had more arm definition just from the pole classes.

I highly recommend it. The people who participate in competative pole and burlesque are uniformly pretty great in my experience, and learning new tricks is a lot of fun. Fair warning it can be pretty painful when starting out before your body gets used to it, and you will get bruised, so buy some arnica cream to help. If you can, don't use grip aids when you're a beginner, it will help you build grip strength. Good luck and have fun!

jesspen91

I did an introductory class as part of a hen party and I was so sore the next day! Saying that, my upper body and core strength was pretty poor at the time. I think I would be better at it now that I am stronger.

RMC1995

I have always been interested in trying this, and there are 2 great locations near my house that offer it was well as offer discounted class packages, but I am terrified to go alone! I think next time I see a class being offered at a discount I'll see if one of my girlfriends wants to try and go with me.

annaclose123

I do pole fitness at Uni, once a week and adore it! It's a lot harder then it looks, and takes a lot of strength. Our instructor always sets us strength building work outs to do during the week before trying something new with us. It's a really fun way of exercising, and I know for me being part of a close group really helps it does give you bruises, but its worth it

PrincessTinyheart

I went to my first class last Saturday... and everyone who says you'll be sore afterwards wasn't kidding at all. I had my class at 10 am, and by 7 pm the same day I was feeling a lot of soreness in my shoulders, the back of my upper arms, my lower back and even in my lower calves (from trying to grip the pole). And the next day felt like I'd been beaten with a bat... WOW.

But it was a LOT of fun!! I have bruises on my inner thighs from gripping This might be something that will encourage me to beef up my strength training.