APRIL 2012 - ISSUE 03 - Massive Magazine

So I thought I would bust (ha!) some
myths about pole fitness classes, and encourage
you all to give it a try!
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Myth 1: I’m not strong enough to do any
of the moves.
Wrong! Though it does take a lot of
practice and strength to look like the
professionals you can see at competitions
and on YouTube (try searching ‘advanced
pole routine’ or specifically Vladimir Karachunov
or Tiffany Hayden), most beginner
classes are designed to teach you easier, but
Myth 3: Pole fitness is only for women.
Wrong! Although many studios offer
classes only for women, that’s simply
because pole fitness has not taken off as a
craze for men. If you take my advice from
earlier and searched YouTube for Vladimir
Karachunov you would see that being that
good at pole performance requires a lot of
muscle control and upper body strength. It
can also be competitive. In class, you generally
have a friendly competition of who can
master climbing fastest, and there are pole
competitions for both men and women.
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women only, but if you and a group of
friends contacted your local studio I’m sure
they would try and sort something out.
Auckland: Auckland Aerial Arts Academy
(www.polerevolutionz.weebly.com) offers
classes throughout the week so you can go
when it suits you. They also offer student
specials: During April for $30 per week
students can do as many pole, circus and
conditioning classes as they like (classes
are usually $25 each for casual or $100 for
5 classes).
(09) 5765538
‘Celebrities such as Kate Hudson and Jenifer Love Hewitt
have claimed that pole fitness is their ‘body secret’, turning it
into a fitness trend.’
still cool-looking, moves which help tone
abs and upper body. These moves help condition
your body so when you’ve mastered
the basics and want to learn more complicated
tricks, your body will be more able to
do them. Many classes also integrate yoga,
pilates, and other techniques to help with
flexibility, strength and conditioning. Pole
fitness classes are usually small (5-15 people)
so the instructor is able to adjust the
lesson plan to the capabilities of students
and give them one-on-one attention in every
session. They also know you are a beginner,
not an expert.
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It is, as previously mentioned, a variable
and fun workout, so if you don’t enjoy the
gym, haven’t found a sport for you, or it is
the off-season of the sport you do enjoy, it’s
worth a try. You will improve your strength
and flexibility and have some laughs during
the class.
If you’re looking for a change to your
workout, or just want to have fun and learn
a new skill, check out these studios, look
on the x-pole website www.x-pole.co.nz
at their studio directory or simply Google
search your town + pole fitness.
Unfortunately guys, most classes are
Wellington: Poleclass (poleclass.co.nz,
on Facebook, or email info@poleclass.
co.nz). ‘Like’ on Facebook to receive a 10%
discount on your first course. The next
beginner course starts from April 18 on
Wednesday nights. They also often offer
taster classes and workshops so you can
try before you commit, and courses in hula
hoop (YouTube Venus Starr for examples)
and burlesque.
Poleclass.co.nz (04) 801 8148
Palmerston North: Palmy Pole Fit (www.
palmypolefit.co.nz) or Pole Fitness Palmerston
North on Facebook for contact details.
Valid student ID gets you 10% off the normal
course cost. Next beginner course is on
Thursday nights, starting April 26. To secure
a spot you should contact Sharon asap.
Palmy Pole Fit (06) 358 7528
Myth 2: My gym-junkie friends will laugh
at the idea.
Wrong! They will be jealous! Or, if they
really do their research about new fitness
trends, they will be very interested in
finding out what it’s like. Either way, they
are going to end up joining you in class,
making it even more fun. While they spend
hours at the gym with sweaty strangers,
you get to spend an hour or two a week in
a small group environment where, after a
week or two, you’ll know everyone there.
And it’s less sweaty but none-the-less an
excellent workout. As well as breaking in
your new heels, you are combining cardio
with improving overall body strength and
flexibility ... It is essentially pilates on a sixpack
of Red Bull!
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