Alright - my pole story ;-)

I "discovered" pole many years ago watchin Teri Hatcher demonstrate her pole moves (S Factor) for about 3 minutes on an Oprah episode. That was about 2004/2005. I didn't take any lessons, or even attempt anything until May of 2012. Now, it's all I want to do for exercise. I can invert and I adore it when we get to put the poles on spin(it's only happened twice) and I can combo spin to my hearts content, it makes me feel like I am flying.

I currently have a lil'minx static pole at home, but I'm not enjoying it as much as the xpoles from the studio. I am looking into either an xpole, 45mm with spin or going all out (my boyfriends suggestion) and getting the platinum stages star stand alone, 45mm steel. For extra help in the humid summer with grip, I use Dry Hands, which is sold at the studio I go to.

I love being on StudioVeena.com for the forums and the images as well as the user uploaded videos. I haven't tried the online lessons there, but I did watch one of the samples and I found it to be very comprehensive. The studio I attend is awesome, everyone is supportive and helpful. I also have a thing for the shoes - love them!

Overall, I truly feel like pole is something that will be a part of my life for many years, especially since there is so much to learn!

Hi!
Im back on MFP after about a year (and even then I wasn't very committed). I've been poling for over a year and actually now work as a studio assistant at the studio I attend and just got a pole for Christmas!!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE pole! It is actually plays a very large part in why I'm losing weight. I'm sporting some pretty bad *kitten* muscles that no one can see under the fat, so I'd really like to work it off. After a year at it I still can't invert without assistance, which I blame my weight for (at least partially), but a lot has to do with fear too. Actually I think the majority of stuff I have problems with is fear, but I think my pole at home is going to help a lot with that!
So excited to be apart of this group!!
Jillian xx

Hi guys! I'm starting pole soon and very excited! Not exactly new to fitness pal app but new to all the friends stuff so please add me I'm from Adelaide AUSTRALIA oh and I love raving ))

Hello, everyone

My name is Colleen and I have been taking pole dance classes at the S Factor studio in Houston since last January. I absolutely love it and I am so excited to see a pole dancers group here on MFP! Pole dancing has become my favorite workout as well as an amazing confidence booster. I look forward to being able to talk about my passion with people who won't give me "the look" (you know the one)!

Hi everyone, I'm Katie and I was doing pole regularly from Feb-Nov until I broke my wrist. I still am not back as my wrist was badly broken and I can't put much load on it. But I miss pole so much and am thinking of going to a class to see how I go.

It sucks that I'm back at square one, but it's my passion. I know dropping kgs will help me too.

I even got the mister doing it too

My name is Kelly and I just took my 5th pole class today. I am now going to be doing personal lessons twice per week one-on-one and then working out by myself on the pole once per week. When I was a kid, I took ballet and gymnastics and as I got older I realized I lost a ton of flexibility and functional upper body strength. I will be 40 next month, so it was important to me to find some kind of functional fitness. I like the one-on-one classes I take and I find them to be excellent body weight workouts and fun cross-training. I run a couple of times per week, lift a couple of times per week, swim once per week and do yoga or pilates vids about 3 times per week as well. I also like hiking and would like to get more into cross country skiing next winter.

I can't do much of anything now, as I am very uncoordinated. Even simple sit spins make me feel all tangled up. LOL. The pole dancing has been interesting for me since I lift really heavy but can't even climb the pole right now. That's why I think I need functional fitness. I am starting to see increased flexibility already and think I will be climbing soon. I am digging it! I am so bruised.

I would love to get my own pole since it costs me $15 to work out on the pole at the studio here, even alone, but I live in an old Victorian cottage with false ceilings, as well as lathe and plaster and I don't really see that happening. :grumble:

Hi I'm jacques. I just started pole dancing recently to try and work on my cross training. I have always played sports and strength has not been an issue but flexibility has been so I figured what better way to try and improve that.......So far I can swing around it holding on with one hand and hang upside down by my legs but I am hoping to learn more quickly.

Hi,
I'm Amanda and I am 23 years old. I just started taking pole lessons and I love it! I have had 3 classes so far and my next class is tomorrow. I also plan on purchasing the summer student package I the studio I practice at that will allow me to take unlimited classes and I'll do the same for fall and spring semester! I plan on taking 3 level1/beginner classes a week. I'm hoping to build strength, tone, and most of all gain confidence!

I am Dakota from MN. I joined a while back but haven't made it around to even lurk much less introduce. I started teaching pole dance this year at a local pole dance studio. I teach beginners-advanced pole tricks, floorwork, dance, spin pole, and strength/conditioning. More than anything right now I'm always working on how to be a better instructor. Teaching, as it turns out, is an art form and skill all in itself. Trick wise, I'm gearing up to transition back into a shoulder mount from a fongi and my nemesis of consistent splits. I don't teach flexibility and have horrible stretching discipline.

I've become more concerned with my physique than ever before. I have also come to feel additional, self inflicted as it may be, pressure to be a good example for those searching not only to FEEL great but to look their best as well. That's how I came to find and rely heavily on myfitnesspal. I'm a late night snacker, a junk food junkie, and recently sobered drinker and this program has helped me to gain and maintain control of myself, my diet, and my fitness.

Hello all,

I did my first pole dancing class last week and I suck at it, but it was fun! I want to keep doing it so I'd like to work on my strength and lose some poundage to make it easier. I bought a pole and signed up for a pole dancing for virgins workshop on the 12th. Hoping to improve quickly and stay motivated!

I'm really hoping you guys are still active... at least a little.
I have been going to a Pole Fitness studio on and off for about a year and a half, but I am just now realizing that I can do this. I can be the thing I see in my head when I close my eyes. I'm working on dance in general, but I'm doing pole, aerial silks, aerial lyra... and really anything else where I can get my sexy groove on.
I also have Multiple Sclerosis, and very little muscle mass, sooooo this is a really big step for me. I'm loving my journey

Hi all,

New to MFP but not to pole! I've been learning pole dancing for nearly 18 months and I'm still loving it as much as when I started. I'm amazed at how quickly I've managed to progress just by putting in some hard work once a week and not letting fear get the better of me. My most recent pole achievement was nailing my handspring! For those who don't know the move this is it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9vthU853rk - that's not me, nor is my handspring that pretty, but I can get from standing to upside down and that's all that matters to me

As for fitness stuff, I did weight watchers last year and lost almost 25kg (~50lb) then stopped because I was happy with my weight and not losing any more. In the past six months I've put on about 7/8kg so I want to lose that again and maybe see if I can get right down to my original WW goal weight (which I never quite managed). So, here I am at MFP!

Dani

Hi, I'm Emma and started pole in March. My cousin has always been the same shape/size as me, then suddenly she went really slim and was posting amazing photos of her hanging off of poles. She teaches it now too. I thought well if she can do it, then so can I!

I've never been fit, never really enjoyed exercising, but in March I bit the bullet and tried a new class. On the second lesson I did a head stand for the first time in my life. By the fourth I could touch my toes with my legs straight. Now I'm totally addicted

I've just started inverting and am getting closer every day to doing the splits. My scales have only tipped two or three lbs but I noticed at the weekend while filming, suddenly I have one less roll of back fat :laugh: . My calf muscles are awesome and I'm getting some nice tone to my arms. Now to tackle the dreaded spare tyre!!

I've never met nicer or more supportive people than the pole community!

Hey I'm Wilma 23 from Ireland. I'm interested in starting so any advise would be welcome

Hi,

My name is Li-Ying and I started pole dancing 2 years ago. At first I started with a groupon, but found out I like it a lot. In my first half year I did a Shownight with another girl. Then within one year; 1 competition on beginner and 2 on intermediate. I won the second time on intermediate. This year I'll participate in a acrobatics show with my poledance school, participate in a show competition, then another competition on professional this time, 'pole evolution' show and by the end of the year an international pole arts competitition. Looking forward to it

It really changed my life. I'm still not confident and shy, but it's less than before. I used to teach aerobics class and such, but I stopped doing that to focus on pole dancing. I do eat a lot more than before and since I've hurt my back I gained some weight, so need to get back on that