'Elbow Stand'

Obviously the term 'elbow stand' derives from its sister the 'hand stand.' As you can see  I'm using my elbows to balance and take the weight of my body, as well as my leg once it connected with pole.
I'l be honest, I've always been a little scared attempting this move (hence the reason I've avoided it in the past) because I had this idea that I'd put all my weight on to my head, which isn't the case at all. My head didn't even touch the floor. I'd say it was at least a good centimetre away from it.
After having no pole in my life all summer, (I went away) I'm glad that it is present again!

Pole Fit is Everywhere

 

Once you've got the confidence, strength and ability then you can take Pole Fit and do it pretty much anywhere. You don't have to go all out and buy yourself a pole costing you a hefty £150.00 (like I did!)

This is pole instructor Faye Chatterley literally upside down on the London Underground. Pretty cool, hey?

I haven't been to an actual Pole Fit lesson for nearly 4 weeks now. They run in 6 week courses, so once you miss a course start date, you've missed the boat. Ah well, I've still got my beloved pole sitting, or should I say standing in the spare room!

Men Do Pole Fit Too

Just to get it out there, pole fit isn't just for women. I keep banging on about how it's great for building strength and improving flexibility. So guys, you should all give it a go too!

Here's a guy I found on YouTube proving men can do it, just as good as women.

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Jenyne Butterfly: Video

In an interview with pole fit instructor Faye Chatterley, she cited Jenyne Butterfly as one of the pole fitty's she admired. Here is a little video showcasing her amazing talent.
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Pole Instructor: Faye Chatterley

I'm missing pole fit. A lot. It's been 3 weeks since my last pole it session, and it's emotional not learning new things. Good job I've had loads of footage to play about and keep me entertained!

Allow me to introduce you to an amazing pole instructor Faye Chatterley. Faye established Staffordshires first pole dancing school Pole Fit.
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Most painful move to date

The 'lady garden' is a move that looks like the easiest of them all, but let me tell you something; this is the most painful move that I've done to date! (Even though, I say that about most moves, this time I really mean it!)

Doesn't take two guesses to work out why it's called the lady garden. From the 'right'/(wrong) angle you'll get a glimpse of the 'lady garden.'

Moving on.

With the leg behind bent, the leg in front straight, your back arched as much as you can, and pretty much your whole body weight resting on the hand under your bum, you might be able to see where the difficulty lies. Or maybe it's just me?!

Staffs Uni Pole Fitty: Laura!

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Thoughts on Pole Fit

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With thanks to the ladies at Pole Fit. 
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Lack of Pole Fit - Emotional

This last week I've had so much Uni work to be getting on with that I had to make the dreaded decision. Pole fit class vs uni work.

Slightly annoying that I had dead lines to meet, so I had no choice but to skip the pole fit session.

I miss it so much! I can't wait to have a spin on my pole tomorrow!!

Pole Fit Society

I began Pole Fit by joining the Pole and Hula Society at uni back in October 2010. Since then we've been arranging to have hoodies made, just like every other society.

After a long wait, we now finally have our hoodies. Just in time for summer!

Great.

Overcoming 'The Plank'

The Plank

Holding on to the pole with only one hand, at height, is quite daunting. But I managed to do the plank, and hold it long enough for the slowest camera in the world to capture the moment!

Today was my final session in the 6 week pole fit course at Studio Fit, and it'll be fair to say I'll be doing the beginner/advance course again! (It'll be my third go once I start it again.)

I suppose it is quite disheartening that I'm not moving up a level, but I over heard someone say that they've been doing this level for almost 2 years!! So I really shouldn't be so hard on myself, I've still go so much to learn!

For the next 6 week course I need to build on my upper body strength and focus on getting on with the class when I'm hurting from pinching skin, burns and bruisers!

Final Destination

Dad finding a joist

In the very short time I've had my pole, it has lived in three different rooms for various different reasons. Unfortunately you can't just stick a pole anywhere, and hope it stays up or that it doesn't come crashing through the ceiling.

Obviously it comes with instructions. I'd say it takes a good 15 minutes to put it altogether, and get it up. But before you do all of that, you've got to find a joist in the ceiling, so presure from the pole can rest against it.

Finding a joist in the ceiling at my dads house was a bit like playing a game of Where's Wally. It took 15 holes in the ceiling, to find the joist for the pole to rest against.
Dad didn't seem too bothered after I said I'd reimburse him for the cost of covering the holes back up, which now I've been reminded, is still on my list of things to do!

Tackling Stereotypes

Pole fit is about having fun, getting fit and it even helps build confidence for a lot of people. The only thing that might hold some women back from it is the perception. The perception being that only young, toned and attractive women do pole fit. When in actual fact, just like any other hobby it's for everyone regardless of shape, size, attractiveness etc.

A massive thank you to everyone who took part in this picture to show that pole fit is for everyone, and not just the stereotype. 

Pole fit girls at Longton, Stoke on Trent

Grow Your Muscles

Using the pole you can build on your strength and actually get muscles. Not that they're the most attractive thing, but you know it might be your thing. Check out the video!

Less is More

The other day I was having a conversation about pole fit with one of my best friends, who happens to be guy. After seeing a picture of me on the pole he asked; "Do you really have to wear so little clothes?" As though he was concerned that I was flashing my flesh a little too much.

My reply was "Yes! Of course." He went on, "Why?"

Now it would be a good time to point out that 9 times out of 10 anyone on a pole ought to be wearing vest top, shorts, or even underwear. It's not because we think we're wannabe pole dancers and are hoping to go down that route one day!

I explained to him the simple fact, that the less clothes you have on, the more flesh you have on show, and the more grip you have on the pole. Simples.

Now I bought these trainers/plimsoles a while ago from the Adidas shop for a bargin. £13!!! But I can't help wondering whether I've been 'cheating' with the whole pole fit thing. If you look at the back half of the shoe, the material is kind of plastic/rubbery. It helps me stick to the pole MUCH easier, so I DON'T need to put as much effort in!

Hmmm. It's a thought to be considered, but I wont be losing any sleep over it in the near future.

Fear of the Pole

I knew it wouldn't be long before my fear would begin to set in! When you're up there on the pole you really have just got to believe you can do anything, because if you don't - you wont. Like most things, once you start to over analyse what you're doing, it starts to get messy. I know that when I'm upside on a pole I'm not going to part my legs so I drop on my head (lol sounds funny!), but I won't even though FEAR has got me thinking I could/might.

Despite FEAR raising its tiny face I did manage a few new moves in tonight. Yay! These were my first attempts, so take that into consideration & turn up your volume - I speak!

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation!

Annoyed is NOT the word; seething with anger is possibly a better description!!!

I’ve just got back to my house in Notts with thoughts of; “ I cant wait to have a spin on my pole” and “Ohh, I can practice the Rude Boy routine…” etc.  

I walked into the spare room where my pole now lives to find it’s been turned back into a storage room!!! I don’t remember anyone consulting me about this! Worst thing is SOMEONE has put some JUNK on the base of  my pole!!! Gone are the days of it being all pretty and shiny!!! It would've have taken FIVE minutes to take it down; oh no, far too much effort!!!

My poor pole is going to have had more homes, than I’ve had hot dinners (and that’s no joke!) Looks like it’s being relocated again this time to my room at my dad’s house.

Great!!!

Conquered The Side Climb

My left shin and the skin behind my right knee hurts, but that's irrelevant because I conquered the side climb!!!

Actually doing it, you feel like a chimpanzee climbing a tree at the zoo, because it's not classy and definitely doesn't look nor feel sexy - trust me!

Ignore my sweaty face and messy hair, let's focus upon the upper body strength and determination it took to get there. I remember a few weeks ago I tried this and it just wasn't happening at all. I couldn't even get off the ground! The muscles obviously weren't there.

Tonight's pole fit lesson was the start of a new 6 week course. Still on beginner/advance stage (probably will be for a while) but it seems that at the start of a new course I just go for everything. Tonight I conquered 'the plank' and a couple of other dancing spins, I'm so bad at trying to remember their names! All in all, a good night.

Never Underestimate The Pole

Last nights pole fit session was the last in the 6 week course, and we learnt a dance routine to Rihanna's Rude Boy. For most of session I felt physically sick, and I'm still not 100% sure what I'm putting it down to. Could either have been the KFC playing tricks in my tummy, dancing around the pole more than usual or seeing Kat catch her knee doing a practice spin and having to spend the whole session sat out!

I'm putting it down to seeing Kat catching her knee on the pole! I could see it hurt, never mind what she must have felt, poor Kat! It's easy to forget how dangerous pole fit can be, especially when you're having so much fun. 

There's videos on YouTube of different things going wrong. On this one (the fact it's not in English is irrelevant; we can still see what happens!) The instructor is showing the pole fitty how to do a move, which as you can see, goes horribly wrong. This next one shows what can happen if your pole isn't installed properly. Ouch!

Last year I attempted a one handed spin, basically spun around the pole one-handed, and pulled a muscle. It hurt, ALOT.

So this is my word of warning:- Be careful! 

Battered And Bruised From A Pole

I know they only look like three tiny bruises, but they're the kind that hurt when you touch them, ouch!

I'm guessing that these were from climbing the pole, and because the picture doesn't give much away, i'll tell you:- they're on my left shin.
I missed a pole lesson last week, which meant I had two to catchup with this week.

I've been doing pole since October 2010 and the level that I'm at now is beginner/advanced (still a long way to go to greatness...!) But the class I went to tonight was a beginner class with a few people in there having a taster session.

The thing I love about pole is that, no matter what level you're at, you genuinely want other pole fittys to conquer the one move which is driving them crazy.  It's great.

My Very Own Pole

A few thousand pennies later and I've bought my very own pole. Took a little longer than the expected 5 minutes to assemble; but it was worth it.

Mum wasn't impressed with the 'test' holes in the ceiling to make sure the pole was against a joist. Oops!

It isn't completely at home yet, it's going in the spare room once it's been decorated; but for the time being it'll have a little holiday in my room. Clearly I'm too impatient to wait a couple of weeks to get it up.

Now I can spin, climb and dance around it at my pleasure!

I will not be giving up the pole classes either! Where else am I going to learn new moves?! Plus it's too much fun!

Pole + Cramp = OUCH!

Obviously cramp is something you never have a sudden urge to get, it hurts.  Especially when you're upside down on a pole trying to get your hands, which are trapped between you knees/thighs to move down so you can slide down the pole. It isn't the best situation to be in, trust me. The cramp itself was in my right foot, my toes.

Anyhow, this is the second week this has happened. Not me being stuck upside down on a pole, me getting cramp whilst upside down on the pole! It hurts.

I'm no doctor, but I'm seeing some sort of correlation between being upside down and cramp. Hopefully I can overcome this, or I'll be developing "inverts" at the pace of a snail. 

Something else I learned today at pole fit: If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right.

Great! 

Buying A Pole

After taking up Pole Fit in October 2010, I've been quite obsessed with the thought of having my own pole. Downside to bringing that thought to life; they don't come cheap at £150.00. I've finally been able to justify spending that much money on a piece of metal, (let's be honest that is what it is.) My justification - I deserve it.

Who'd have thought that buying a pole would be so hard. There are so many different types: theres a choice between 45mm or 50mm tube size, whether you want chrome or titanium gold, if you want it static or spinny (spinny meaning it spins around whilst you're on it too), or if you what the XS, X-Pole Sport or the XX X-Pole Xpert. Yes, lots of factors to consider! (The different types of pole)

Eventually deciding on a static, 50mm XS X-Pole Sport and with my thoughts of  "I deserve it" I managed to bag myself a bargain, and bought brand new pole off eBay.
Yipeee! 

Connotations of Pole Fit Vs The Truth

When I tell anyone I do Pole Fit (which is pole dancing for fitness, not financial gain), I can see his or her little brain ticking. Generally speaking, people automatically associate the words sleazy, seedy and immoral to the hobby.

Prancing around a pole in next to nothing gyrating against it, is what springs to mind, and is usually the case, but let me tell you something; it is so much more!

Incorporating both exercise and dance along with the use of pole equals Pole Fit. It’s a great way of improving muscle tone, flexibility and general fitness, and unbelievably boosts self of esteem and confidence. Rather than going to the gym and sweating my way through a workout, which is my idea of hell, Pole Fit is so much fun! 

Not only is it a test of physical strength, it’s a challenge for the mind too. Mentally you have to build yourself up to just go for moves, which if done wrong, could be dangerous. You learn to trust yourself and your capabilities.

Over the next few months, I’ll be bringing interviews with fellow Pole Fittys, videos, photos and my experience with Pole Fit!