I’ve tried Zumba and Fitsteps and a few years back punched my way through 3 years of Taekwondo, but my real love has always been dancing. I trained in ballet and jazz until I left home to go to university and after settling into my career, I took belly dancing until I fell pregnant with my first. And I’ve been frustrated of late, trying to find something that would not only get me fit but also appeal to me enough to want to keep going. And then I saw a video on Facebook.
I followed the trail and it lead me to a studio in my home town that I’d never heard of before and there, I found (among other things) Pole Dancing. 'No fitness level or age required. This will get you fit,' it said. I smiled. That sounded fun. Getting fit and having a laugh… So I was brave and signed up and the other day I went along for my first ever lesson.
OH MY GOD, IT'S HARD!
I have strong legs from years of dancing in my youth, but my arms are weak and for this you need upper body strength. The most common injury in the discipline is bruising, known among its worshipers as trophies, or pole kisses. Well my legs have been well and truly snogged! As I am writing this, my legs are tender and my arm muscles are screaming out in agony at the sudden insult of exercise. Let them scream, I say. I’m going again.
I’ll keep you posted.