Google Maps hasn't yet added the whole of Butterfield Crescent, so finding us can be a bit difficult if you're using GPS. From William Moffat, turn into Mimosa Street, next to the Audi Centre. Take your first right into Butterfield Crescent. Continue down, drive around the bend and we're right there. You can also follow this direct link here:
You need skin on the pole to grip. So shorts and a t-shirt is fine. We dance barefoot. In winter you obviously will rock up with warm clothes and take off the layers as you warm up. For chairdancing I suggest long pants or whatever you feel comfy in. If you have knee pads I recommend you use them when doing chair dancing.
Pole is like any other new fitness regime. You get strong and fit as you carry on with the training. You do not need a certain level of fitness or strength, we will just assign you to the correct level class. Each one develops at their own pace. Anyone can do pole dancing.
In the beginning Pole is more strength and flexibility orientated as you develop the skills and techniques required for Pole. During this stage you will get stronger, firm up and gain confidence on the pole. Once you start combining moves and make up routines on the pole, the cardio aspect of Pole comes into play and therefore will help your heart health and weight loss.
So you may find in the beginning you do not lose weight as such, but you will lose centimetres as you tone up while training. Muscle also weighs more than fat, so your weight might stay the same but yet again, you will be losing centimetres and tone up. Higher muscle mass takes more energy for your body to maintain than fat mass, therefore your metabolism will increase, which will lead to centimetre loss and eventually weight loss.
Pole dancing requires grip with flesh on a steel pole, so yup in the beginning Pole can be painful and you will end up with bruises. The intensity of the pain & bruising depends on:
Well done for already being active. Yes this will definitely aid you in Pole. I would suggest however that if you are wanting to progress in pole, focus a lot more on bodyweight strength training as well as strength flexibility training (in other words you are strong in your flexibility). Cardio training is good to add and will aid you in your endurance when you are doing a routine. Mobilisation and Stabilisation training is also very helpful. We cover these kinds of things in classes but it is always good to do extra sessions on your own.
I always envy anyone with a dance background, as you all move so beautifully. I have no dance background so find that part of Pole difficult at times.
Dancing will definitely help you with flow and floorwork. I do find dancers often lack the upper body strength for pole, however this is not an issue as you will develop the strength as you progress.
When you started training or whatever sport you doing now for the first time, did you not think the same? And now you are coping? Pole is like any other training… you train to get to levels of being better, good & then awesome. If you have never been a training kind of person or athlete, it still does not matter… you will improve and learn a new skill. It really just takes mind over matter and effort on your part. My motto is that if you want to do something you will be able to.
You are not there in competition with anyone in class…you are there for yourself and your pole journey. The pole community as a rule is unbelievably supportive and encouraging. At Artemis there are no bitchy vibes. This is how it works with Pole… due to everyone’s body working and moving differently, there will be moves that you will find easier than others. Therefore everyone will develop at their own pace. At times beginners are able to do moves intermediate can’t do purely because their body might just not like that move. If you battle with a move, your body might just not be ready for it. Then you work on other things and come back to that move in a week or two or three. You will have times where you feel despondent and as if you are not progressing. Everyone hits that point…sometimes a few times. Even top world class polers hit that point.
What you do then is go back to your moves you can do and perfect them, try new entries and exits and look at your videos and pictures to remind yourself how far you have already come. Speak to your instructor and make sure she knows how you are feeling, so she can guide you through this point.