The idea of pole dancing lessons raises more than a few
eyebrows. But after watching a class, even the most hardened
skeptic will likely want to hop on and yell
”
Weeeeeee!
”
as they spin.
The idea of pole dancing lessons raises more than a few eyebrows. But after watching a class, even the most hardened skeptic will likely want to hop on and yell “Weeeeeee!” as they spin.
Ultimate Cardio in Gilroy is the only fitness center in the South Valley offering pole dancing classes, piggybacking the success of the exercise craze in Los Angeles that brought pole dancing out of gentleman’s clubs and into the fitness arena.
“This isn’t about taking your clothes off; it’s about fitness,” said Joy Booker, owner of Ultimate Cardio and teacher of the classes. “It’s very technical. There are elements of ballet and gymnastics in what I teach these girls. There’s a lot of focus on details and form. Women of all ages, of all fitness levels are taking this class and doing well.”
Women at last Wednesday’s pole dancing class came in a variety of colors, shapes and skill levels, ranging in age from 24 to 49. Some have children, some are professionals, some are homemakers.
Marcy Balbas, 37, has been taking the classes for about six months and she’s lost 30 pounds.
“I had been maintaining a healthy weight with other exercise and eating well, but I started doing pole and the weight started coming off,” she said. “I have three kids, and now we all like to go to the playground and climb on the bars and poles. We race to see who can climb a pole the fastest.”
Four poles line a wall in a dance studio. The women take turns practicing spins, climbing poles and even inverting their bodies, using the strength in their arms and legs to hold positions while hanging upside down. The women use Windex to clean the poles between uses and wipe away sweat that can make the poles slippery and, therefore, dangerous. Participants also know not to apply lotion before a class, or their hands may slip off the pole.
“I’m not an expert in pole dancing, but I think there are a lot of things you can benefit from physically if you’re taking lessons,” said Jun Estrada, director of rehabilitation services at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister. “It’s aerobic because it incorporates some dance, and then you have toning and conditioning because you’re assuming different positions and even inverting yourself on a pole. That takes a lot of upper body work, and you’re using your own body weight as resistance.”
Estrada pointed out that many acrobats use pole work in their routines, such as performers in shows like Cirque du Soleil.
The spins have names such as “Sitting Goddess,” where a woman does a small jump, grabbing the pole with her hands. As she spins, she brings her legs in front of her, crossing them the way many people do when sitting in a chair. Women also perfect poses such as the “Superman,” where a woman uses her upper legs and one hand to grip the pole while extending the rest of their body in a straight line. The pose makes them perpendicular to the pole and parallel to the ground.
“See that?” asked Gilroy resident Gina Lozano, 49, while pointing at her flexed bicep. “That’s from pole.”
Watching the women change from spins to poses and back again is similar to watching art in motion, which was the appeal for many women.
“A lot of women come in for the introduction class because they’re curious, but then they see how much fun it is, and that it’s social and tasteful and private,” Booker said. “Then they come back for more.”
Hollister resident Stefani Navarro said she was impressed by the workout she got after trying pole dancing for the first time.
“You get a total upper-body workout and a big time abdominal workout,” she said. “You have to hold your body weight up, so you have to develop a strong core. It’s really fun.”
Arms get an equal workout because every spin and pose a student learns must be done both clockwise and counterclockwise, said Deidre Bellon, who has been taking pole classes for about three weeks.
“I haven’t been doing it long, but I can already see and feel a difference,” Bellon said. “I’d recommend this class to anyone – it makes your body feel unbelievably good.”
