It’s beautiful, it’s challenging, it’s sexy and artistic, and it is borderline addictive for its imagination – it’s pole dancing. But as it popularity grows, more and more people prove the incredible health benefits of making pole dancing a part of your fitness routine.
I’ve picked out some of the most prevalent rewards you can reap from pole dancing, but the list doesn’t end here, and I think that’s the greatest beauty of it. Once you truly put in the work and combine it with a healthy diet, the results can be amazing on so many levels.
Without any further ado, here’s what even beginner pole dancing classes can do for you!
Intense Full Body Workout
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Some start out thinking that it’s too hard, others underestimate its effect, but no matter how you feel before you give it a decent try, you will soon learn that with pole dancing, not a single muscle in your body will be spared.
No gym or martial arts training could have prepared me for the soreness that ensued within 24 hours of my first pole dancing class. Seriously, my neck was sore.
Although for most ladies pole exercise has done wonders with their upper body strength, as it always includes moves that keep your shoulders and arms engaged, your legs, back and core won’t be left out.
Starting with the very beginner pole dancing moves such as the basic climb, variations of the chopper, planks, air inverts and leg hangs. You will need to keep your core strong and engaged, your legs and glutes fully utilized, your whole upper body under full control and your back will feel its share of effort, too.
And from my personal experience, pole dancing is the best way to make your full body routine fun and constantly changing, without ever neglecting any muscle group. Having regular pole dance lessons will help you with weight management, time management and it will never get dull.
Using your whole body to perform complex, gorgeous tricks (including those pole dancing moves for beginners) will, in turn, help you get a lean, healthy, toned body, so it’s completely worth your while!
Ideal for Shedding Those Pesky Pounds
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While splitting routines certainly have their benefits with focusing on gaining a mass of specific muscle groups, better muscle definition, and continuously isolated strength work, full body, aerobic workouts such as pole dancing will give you the perfect cardio boost and calorie burn rate that will lead you to greater fat loss.
The number of burnt calories per training is determined by many factors, to begin with, one of the most important being how much you weigh. On average, a pole dancing lesson will burn up to 350 calories, but that number will also vary depending on your build, and the effort you put into each lesson.
Although this doesn’t necessarily have to be every person’s primary reason to join a pole dance academy or a pole studio or start any other exercise plan for that matter. It’s an excellent weight management routine nonetheless, keeping you lean and healthy while you devote your time to your other fitness goals, whatever they may be.
Dance Away the Stress
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Nowadays, we’d gladly go for pretty much anything that promises the chance of relaxing. But there’s an unusual serenity to those activities that give us the perfect physical hideout from the rest of the world, while at the same time providing us with the ideal psychological and emotional tools to handle that world much better.
Any exercise and pole dancing is no exception, allows your body to produce those beautiful happy hormones, otherwise known as endorphins, and they are the main reason why consistent physical activity helps you cope with everyday stress, anxiety or even depression.
But it’s even more than that – surrounding you with elated, enthusiastic people who enjoy the same activity as much as you do is a significant factor in creating the perfect stress-free environment.
Plus, the music that is used in pole classes is also one big reason for that positive atmosphere that is meant to inspire you to move, grow and enjoy the moment. Plus, music is there to help you express yourself; play with the choreography and new moves, as well as to explore your emotions.
The Perfect Duo – Strength and Flexibility
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More often than not, exercise routines focus primarily on building strength and muscle mass, or increasing flexibility, and they could use a bit more of either one or the other.
Pole dancing is very demanding of your strength, which means it allows your whole body to get toned and strong, while still using the best of what yoga can offer to make you more limber. As I mentioned earlier, pole dancing is a full-body workout, and that is precisely how it lets you shape your body to perfection.
On the other hand, a large portion of each pole dancing session involves a series of deep stretching exercises that are meant to give your body more plasticity and mobility to perform even some of those beginner pole dancing moves with grace and elegance.
At first, you might feel a bit awkward and not fully in control of your movements, but in time, these stretches will allow you to move with ease, and they will give your routine the beauty and finesse every pole dancer aims to achieve.
The strength and flexibility you build in the pole studio will extend to other areas of your life, as well. If your job, for instance, forces you to spend hours on end sitting at a computer, giving you sciatica pain or swollen ankles, or an arch in your back, this endurance will help you improve your posture and get rid of any pains you might have.
Another great benefit is that stronger muscles and flexible tendons and ligaments also serve to protect your bones and your joints, which mean that regular exercise of this kind will help your body stay healthy and even potentially prevent diseases such as osteoporosis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Improves Your Self-Esteem
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Maybe you are perfectly comfortable in your own skin, and you don’t need an extra incentive to feel good about yourself, or you just need a little nudge to perceive yourself in a more positive light.
Both way, embarking on pole dancing adventures has brought the best out of many ladies I’ve met in our pole studio, and their confidence just keeps on growing. Mine as well! Pole lessons have helped me accept my femininity and sensuality, and I can feel this newly-gained appreciation even when I walk down the street.
Having and nurturing this positive self-image can have tremendous effects on your life. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you will also be much more resilient to emotional pain, and you will, in fact, deal with potential hurtful situations better. You will be more able to motivate, encourage and cheer yourself.
So, what are you waiting for? Dig out a comfy tank top, find a pair of shorts you like, and even maybe a pair of stilettos, pick out some good tunes and get ready to feel awesome!
