Sold on Pole

Let’s get this straight: there are two kinds of pole dancing – pole for strippers and pole for exercise.

Thuy Bogart teaches pole from the studio at her bright and airy apartment in Corrientes, and there are no sequins or towering Perspex heels to be seen. “Pole has the potential to be athletic and acrobatic while it also has the potential to be varying degrees of sexy,” she says, when asked about the difference. “I tend to teach it as an exercise form, as this is my aesthetic. However, in the end, it is about love of pole so whatever gets people climbing and inverting is fine by me.” In other words, if you really want to strip, Thuy is going to be the last person to stop you.

With two poles and an unforgiving mirrored wall there’s nowhere to hide as this feisty, bite-sized North American puts your through your paces. If you thought you’d get to strut around with a feather boa think twice: Thuy’s classes are a serious workout, while at the same time – somehow – incredibly fun. Before students are even allowed to touch the pole, a tough warm-up is required, which works the core areas needed to do ‘tricks’ later. Abs, upper arms and inner thighs are soon burning and you wonder how you’ll possibly have any energy to do anything but be propped up, gasping, by the pole.

But the best is yet to come. Thuy usually starts beginners off on the smaller pole (45mm as opposed to 50mm) and the first thing you’ll learn are turns. Think 30 different variations of a fireman wrap. If you’re lucky, she’ll eventually let you try the ‘spinning pole’, where you’ll have to do much less work, but until then it’s a challenge to strike the balance between gripping tightly enough to stay on the pole, but loosely enough to swing around gracefully.

Next is climbing – more difficult than it looks but incredibly rewarding when you finally master it and delightedly touch the ceiling – and then inversions. It’s difficult to explain how good it feels to finally transition between ‘scorpion’ and ‘gemini’, but the rush is definitely more than just the blood going to your head. At the advanced stage, you’ll work on suspended inversions – where the body hangs away from the pole, upside-down – and perfecting your quality of movement (this is where it really starts to look good).

Pole as an exercise form is a relatively new phenomenon, and originally gained popularity in the States, where women bored with the gym wanted something tough and sexy to get them in shape. Studios have popped up in cities all over the world, closely followed by pole organizations, official competitions and, in the UK, even a petition to have pole included in the 2012 Olympics. Nowadays, those who have trained in pole have futures far away from seedy strip bars; world champion Felix Cane, a breathtaking Australian devotee, now works for Cirque du Soleil, and many students have gone on to open their own schools and dance studios.

Those interested in pole should know that inevitably, you will begin with aching limbs, blisters and strange-shaped bruises, but don’t let this put you off. As every one of Thuy’s students will attest, before you know it, you’re undeniably hooked – lying awake at night wondering how to get into a ‘reverse butterfly’ and eyeing up street signs and subte bars wondering if there’s enough room to invert.

At the same time, unbeknown to you (because you’re learning how to smile upside-down) your body is getting tight and toned, as arms pull your entire weight up the pole, abs help to flip you upside-down and thighs hug the steel – who knew body-sculpting could be so much fun?

But the physical benefits are not this unlikely sport’s only attraction. As Thuy points out: “The physical benefits are increased strength, weight loss, and muscle tone. However, the mental benefits, which include increased self esteem, acceptance of one’s body, and a sense of personal accomplishment, are by far more valuable.”

Thuy is the best teacher/cheerleader a prospective pole pro could ask for. She’s encouraging, without being soft; she knows your limits better than you do, so won’t take no for an answer if she knows you can do it; and her background in exercise and fitness means she’s constantly keeping an eye on which muscles you’re working and has a sixth sense for what areas to target and how best to get results.

So what kind of people is perfect for pole?  “In pole classes I’ve taken in both Argentina and the US, and judging from friends I’ve made in the pole community, it seems that there are three types of women who are drawn to pole”, Thuy says. “First, those looking for a great workout away from the gym; Second, moms who are looking to get back in shape after giving birth; and finally, those in the fitness industry who are looking for new and gravity defying challenges.”

All in all, pole is an ingenious way to tone up, the perfect remedy to gym boredom, and probably the best laugh you’ve ever had suspended a few inches from the ceiling.