When you think of exercising at home, your mind probably goes to Yoga, Pilates, stretching, and maybe equipment such as treadmills or elliptical machines. However, one of the most popular home exercises that is taking the fitness world by surprise is no other than pole dancing!
While seen typically as something done only in seedy strip clubs, this form of entertainment and exercise is now even vying for a place in the next London Olympics, as a real sport. Whether this will one day be accepted is doubtful, but it can still be a fun way to relieve stress and build muscle at home.
What you see as pole dancing on TV does not require a great deal of strength or muscle. However, advanced fitness-style dancing requires great flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Pole dancing first started in American in the 1920's, during the great depression. Dancers in traveling shows would use a tent pole as their prop.
It slowly began to evolve from tents to bars, as burlesque became more acceptable in the 1950's. Popularity greatly advanced in the 1980's, when American and Canada fully embraced it, and further sensualized it.
A standard pole is usually made of hollow steel or brass, with a circular cross section which can be mounted to the floor and ceiling. These poles can easily be mounted at home.
The materials generally used include stainless steel, chromed steel, brass, powder coating, or titanium. They can even be made of acrylic glass, which can be filled with LED lights, to creating a glowing effect.
The diameter is typically around 2 inches, which allows the hand to grip it comfortably. In Asia, the diameter is slightly smaller.
If you want to add more speed to your workout, you can use a spinning pole, which spins around using a ball bearing. This creates a more dramatic effect, and allows for better momentum.
When used as exercise, this kind of whole body movement and tension creates a great core strength, along with truly developing and toning the upper body as a whole. Believe it or not, even men are getting in on this action-some studios offer male-only classes which focus on strength training.
In China's national pole dancing competition in 2007, a man named Shang Peng beat out a great number of women to win the first prize. As it grows in popularity, the market which it appeals to is growing as well.
There are many different kinds of competitions that you can train for and compete in. These range from amateur to professional.
If you are looking for a merely sensual approach to dancing, amateur night at the strip club will work for you. However, those who see this as a real fitness program and opportunity tend to shy away from these events.
Each country usually has some kind of event, such as Miss Pole Dance Australia, and more. There are also prestigious national events such as Miss Pole Dance World, which will be held in Zurich, Switzerland in 2010.
To begin a workout, you will need a free standing pole in your home. Wear comfortable clothes with bare arms and legs.
You can wear high heels, or even trainers if that is more comfortable for you. Make sure you have lots of space, and nothing will obstruct your movement.
Do not use lotion or any kind of oil, as this can make your practice dangerous. You may want to wipe down the apparatus before you begin to make sure it is free of any grease and will give you the maximum grip.
Be sure to stretch beforehand, as you may be using muscles you are not use to. To step up onto the pole, bend your knee and flex your foot, pushing it into the pole where it bends.
Push your knee towards you into the pole at the side. Get this leg up as high as you can, and anchor it as firmly as possible.
Reach up high above your head and grab the pole with both hands, keeping your elbows bent, and engage your abdominals for extra support. Then, keeping your body and head close to the pole, push up with your legs and pull up with your hands to raise yourself onto the pole.
Now that you are on the pole, you can begin to work your body in an endless number of ways. Try a class or an instructional DVD to get you started in this fitness craze today!
Author Resource:-
Tommy Greene is a personal trainer and author of numerous articles relating to physical training and home exercise equipment. He has been helping others find a greater fitness level since the 80's.
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