Is there something you’ve always wanted to try but something’s held you back from doing it? For me, it was pole fitness. I’d always admired pole dancers' strength and stamina, but in my head, I always told myself, ‘there’s no way I’d be able to do that’. Then, in 2021, after a breakup, I was in need of a little confidence boost. It was time to think about me, so I jumped in and signed up for a six-week beginner pole course. It was one of the best things I’d ever done. Not only did I find myself surrounded by supportive women cheering me on when I struggled to get into a pose, but it instilled a new sense of self-belief when I was finally able to master it.
So as you don’t get confused, pole fitness and pole dancing aren’t exactly the same thing. In pole fitness, you’re using the pole as a piece of equipment to perform holds on, whereas pole dancing incorporates holds and dance routines. It’s growing in popularity, too, and according to YouGov it's become the 32nd most popular physical activity in the UK. But whenever I mention it to people, their responses are similar to what mine was: ‘I can’t do that’, ‘I don’t have the strength’ — well, you can, and you don’t need it. But if you give it a chance, I promise you; it'll be one of the best decisions you'll make. Here's why you should give it a go...
