Pole Fitness 101: The challenge

As promised, I am checking in today to discuss the beginners pole fitness class last night that I tried with my Glandovey Road soul sisters Juliet and Claire. We arived promptly for our 7.30pm class and had the pleasure of being able to watch the end of the presumably advanced (these babes were AMAZING) class. I am literally in awe of what some of these women could do with their bodies. The strength required to hold the poses they get into is incredible hulk material AND somehow they manage to do it so gracefully.



The Pole Studio

 Our beginners class began with a light aerobic warm up, which reminded me of some of my old fave Body Attack moves, some strength conditioning (sit ups/press ups) and lastly lots of stretching. From here we moved very quickly into learning how to move around the pole. This involved a series of different hand-holds and later in the session, leg-holds. Our instructor demonstrated each move beautifully before giving us a few minutes to try them.  Interestingly,  I found everything much easier standing on the right of the pole and primarily using my left arm as the weight-bearing one despite being right handed.

Me: Mid-swing on the pole

We eventually moved up to attempting the 'climbs' of the pole- imagine trying to shimmy up an impossibly slippery and skinny drain pipe and you are on the right track. Two members of the class who seemed unnaturally good for beginners  managed to get all the way to the ceiling. Conversely,  I managed to get both feet off the floor, legs in a vice grip around the pole and then clung to it for dear life before gracefully descending to the floor.

Claire: twirling in the originally named 'fireman' pose

At the end of the class we did some core conditioning or more aptly named 'bringing the pain'. This involved holding on to the pole with both arms and doing different versions of bottom half pull ups- let's just say that body weight exercises are hard when you're more well endowed. We finished the session with some nice stretching using the pole which was necessary given the strenuous effort required to partake in the class.



Juliet: Stretching & modelling lululemon with aplomb



My verdict: Pole fitness was fun and I would definitely give it a go again. At $20 per class (unless you get a concession or membership) it is probably a bit pricey for me to do on the regular given my Les Mills membership & the range of classes I get to do there. However, it would be super fun for a hen's doo or a birthday celebration with the girls. Get out there and give it a go!

For further information on this or the Anti Gravity Yoga class I have blogged about previously visit Altitude Poles website or facebook page and make a booking!

http://www.altitudepole.co.nz/  or https://www.facebook.com/groups/116819485007764/

Chloe x