It's that time of year again. Those lazy summer days are coming to an end and the kids (and teachers) have to go back to school. Not only that, but it's the time of year where people realize, "Oh wow... I guess I didn't get much exercise lounging around on the couch all day watching daytime television. Well, this extra five pounds isn't too noticeable, right?" Of course, once the kids are back in school and a normal routine is established once again, we begin to realize... we need to go back to the gym (hey, don't blame us for skipping out of the gym this summer! It was our vacation... and we were gone a lot... and it's always too hot in there... and I needed to watch my talk shows...).
I will be the first to admit it: I HATE going to the gym! I don't enjoy changing into workout clothes, searching for clean socks, and driving all the way to the gym. I don't have much fun sweating myself silly in a room with large, bodybuilder-esque men. I hate the monotony of using the same machines over and over again, and I don't have the money to hire a personal trainer to make it "fun" for me.
So what's a woman got to do to get fit around here?
Two words: pole dancing.
Now, I'm sure that when I mentioned pole dancing, you immediately thought of skinny little women in skimpy outfits twirling around a pole in clubs you don't want to admit to knowing about. But you know what? That's not what pole dancing really is. Yes, it is used to arouse certain primal feelings in men, but it's also used as an art form, a beautiful type of dance, and, most importantly to this article, an enjoyable way of getting in shape.
Pole dancing is no longer viewed a despicable activity, at least not by many. Its popularity as a quick, fun, and somewhat erotic form of fitness is growing nation-wide. Many larger cities have pole dance clubs, and a growing number of health clubs offer some sort of aerobic pole dance class. But don't fret! If you can't find a class near you (or you're not comfortable swinging around a pole in front of a group of strangers), you can learn in your very own home.
Portable pole dance poles (and permanent ones, for those who are really dedicated) can be found with a simple internet search. Yes, they seem a bit pricey, starting at about $200 new, but in the long run, it can be cheaper than learning in a group setting. You won't have any monthly dues to pay, you don't have to waste gas driving anywhere, and you can practice at any time - without trying to conform to hectic gym schedules.
Okay, so you have a pole, and you've successfully learned to set it up, make sure it's steady, and make sure you can take it down without damaging your place of residence. Now what? There are two options here, neither of which is better than the other: you can either buy an actual pole dance instructional DVD (many poles come with some sort of instructional video), or you can surf the internet for a vast library of pole dance information. If you can, why not check out both those resources? After that, it's really just a matter of getting comfortable with yourself on your pole.
Pole dancing is a great fitness and lifestyle activity. It helps build muscle, and an hour of pole dancing can burn approximately 400 calories! Just imagine how long you'd have to be on a boring elliptical to burn those kinds of calories... Not only that, but pole dancing helps build confidence. The transformation of your body will most likely boost your self-confidence a bit. But, as you pole dance, you realize things about yourself. You may not think so, but you are strong. You're strong enough to hold up your own body weight as you do various swings around the pole. You have the self-confidence to strut your stuff like you own that pole, even if you feel silly in the process. And, for those with a significant other, you realize your love life has gained a bit more of a spark, for many pole-related reasons.
If you can, I encourage you to give pole dancing a try (yes men, this includes you. Pole dancing isn't just for women!). Many clubs will let you sit in for a class or two free while you check it out. Or, just take the leap and search around for a pole in your price range. There are a lot of invaluable things to be gained. What have you got to lose?