Pole dancing - beyond the sleaze

Pole dancing has evolved from its sleazy striptease reputation to a legitimate form of exercise that is gaining  in popularity worldwide. In addition to the many private pole dancing studios, more and more health clubs and fitness centers are offering pole dancing classes as a creative form of exercise that also caters to the “sensual side.”

There are several well-known pole dancing studios in the Bay Area including Catherine Rose’s Slinky Productions  which offers both private and group instruction and actress Sheila Kelley’s S Factor  with multiple locations nationwide.

Where did it all begin? Probably hundreds – perhaps thousands – of years ago as some form of exotic dance. Most sources believe the earliest “recorded” pole dance was performed by Belle Jangles in 1968 at Mugwumps strip club in Oregon. Recorded by whom? Nobody seems to know. In fact, nobody seems to know anything about Belle Jangles or Mugwumps either, yet they have become part of the folklore surrounding the origins of pole dancing and, no doubt, contribute to its colorful image.

According to UK-based Polestars, the world’s largest independent pole dancing fitness school, pole dancing burns 400 calories an hour. That, too, might be dubious depending on the intensity of the workout. Still, there is no questions that pole dancing is an excellent form of progressive exercise that can present a challenging workout for persons of every fitness level.

The U.S. Pole Dancing Federation (USPDF) was founded in 2008 “to create a network for pole dancers and studio owners in the US…to provide a structured standard in the industry...to serve as a source to exchange idesas, and to give feedback among pole dance instructors.” The USPDF emphasizes that “pole dancing is not stripping. This misconception prevents pole dancing from becoming something every woman should be able to enjoy. Pole dancing is a sensual athletic dance form that demands coordination, flexibility and physical strength.”

The inaugural USPDF National Pole Dance Championships were held at Bleecker Street Theater in New York City this past March 15th where almost 300 enthusiastic pole fans from all over the US attended the show to watch the nation's elite pole dancers live on stage. The winner – and “Miss USPDF 2009” – was Jenyne Butterfly.

What’s next? The USPDF “Rock the Pole” exhibition and showcase took place on June 26 in Redlands, California, and featured Sarah Cretul aka “Miss Trixter,” “Miss Sexy” Alethia Austin, and USPDF co-founder Wendy Traskos. Readers can refer to antixfitness.com/  for more information.