Pole Dancing – not just for exotic dancers anymore!

The “fireman spin”, the “falling angel” and the “hair flip” – not the usual names for work out moves, but there is nothing usual about pole dancing. As a form of aerobic exercise, pole dancing can burn up to 250 calories per hour. It also increases flexibility, improves body awareness and posture, builds confidence, and strengthens muscles. Pole Dancing classes have been compared to Pilates with cardio and they are steadily growing in popularity. Where else can you tone your upper body, legs and core and also get in touch with your “sexy side”.

Pole dancing, also called pole fitness and vertical dancing, has not only become a new form of fitness, but also a fitness event, with competitions held worldwide. There is also a push for it to become an Olympic Sport, but it has a long way to go yet.

Hong Kong-based Ania Przeplasko, the founder of the International Pole Dancing Fitness Association, the sport's fledgling supervisory body, believes Olympic recognition is only a matter of time and would be a victory for underappreciated sports worldwide.

KT Coates, a leading pole dancer in Britain and director of Vertical Dance, is leading the effort to make pole dancing a "test" event in 2012 and foresees a more formal pitch in 2016, when the Olympics go to Rio de Jeneiro.

Not all pole dancers agree with the Olympic push however. Standardizing the scoring and consistency with the naming of moves would be necessary in order for pole dancing to progress on this root, many feeling that this would remove its “rebellious” edge. Snowboarding has managed to keep its edge, however, so you never know.

SIRC Articles on Pole Dancing:

• A Fad with Legs? Cohen, Andrew, Athletic Business Aug 2007: Vol. 31 Issue 8. p. 92-95
• Dancing with the ATHLETIC TRAINERS. Kessler, Sarah, Windy City Sports Sep2008, p40
• Fitness Flirtation. Windy City Sports Oct2007, p17
• Pole Position. Kennedy, Kania, IDEA Fitness Journal Jul/Aug2007, Vol. 4 Issue 7, p7
• Pole Position. Murray, Vanessa, Inside Sport Feb2009, Issue 206, p100
• Pole to pole. Holloway, Andy, Canadian Business 22 May-4 June 2006: Vol. 79 Issue 11. p. 43-144; 146