Sheila Kelley S Factor
February 5, 2012
Tags: body, fitness, fun, sexy, studios
Poles; it’s not just for insanely ripped firemen and strippers. Thanks to the new trend in fitness, average folks like you and I can also work a pole to achieve a sexy toned body that any firefighter, stripper, and or firefighter stripper would envy.
I signed up with a few girlfriends for a 1-hour pole-dancing lesson at the S Factor Studios in Costa Mesa; getting injured was not of concern but what to wear and whether or not to bring heels was definitely something we were stressed about. Turns out it’s pretty hard to look fashionable in workout gear, and heels were not required.
The studio encompasses two separate rooms, one larger than the other. Once entering the dimly lit room we positioned ourselves on the yoga mats formed in a large circle around the poles. The instructor in the center of the circle began demonstrating a series of stretches and before we could even realize what we were doing, the stretching had evolved into a sexy striptease floor work routine. Back onto our feet we practiced our sexiest seduction walk which can best be described as – the long drunken swagger out the club past a guy that you’re trying to get attention from all the while doing your best to maintain what little dignity you have left – walk. After perfecting this “walk” we were finally ready for some pole dancing!
For the beginner’s session we were taught two pole tricks: the firefly and the ballerina. What looked effortless when demonstrated by the instructor, turned out to be a little more difficult than anticipated. We were given a step-by-step demo and then took turns trying it out for ourselves on the pole. After one or two initial failed attempts of sliding and hitting the ground hard, I started getting the hang of it and managed to catch some air. *TIP: if you have sweaty hands this may be a bit of a challenge as you will be doing a lot more sliding when you should be gripping and spinning but don’t worry, they have towels on hand to wipe down the pole to provide more traction.
FINAL VERDICT:
The class was very beginner friendly; even for a girl who is normally very self-conscious I was able to let loose, channeling my inner sex-panther-goddess. And the next day? Bruises galore, now I know first-hand what they mean by stripper knees. Beyond the bruises, my arms and abs did feel like they got a bit of a workout but nothing intensive, then again, it was just a beginner’s class. The small class sizes allow for personal attention from the instructor and the dim lighting cancels out any feeling of being scrutinized by your classmates. No matter how uncoordinated or timid you feel, I’m sure you will go home with a few tricks up your sleeve and a few bruises under your pant legs.
Visit sfactor.com for locations and more details on classes
