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!