Pole Dancing for Health and Fitness

When you hear the words "pole dancing", you probably think of a smoke-filled nightclub with provocatively gyrating strippers. But there's more to pole dancing than exotic adult entertainment. In fact, in the last few years, pole dancing has become a hot fitness trend for women regardless of weight, age and fitness levels. Intrigued? Read on for more about the history and fitness benefits of pole dancing.
 
History of pole dancing
 
Historians argue that pole dance originated in the 12th century with the Maypole dance, a pagan fertility celebration. More recent beginnings of pole dancing can be traced all the way back to the 1920s when travelling Chinese troupes performed in circus acts using the tent's pole as part of their dance routines.

In the 1950s, many bars began to feature pole dance in a bid to attract more customers and it was only in the 1980s that pole dancing began to be used in Canada as an entertainment feature in exotic strip clubs. Today, over 200,000 pole dancers perform in pole dance studios and clubs in over 70 countries around the world. Pole dancing has become so popular that professional pole dance competitions are held in many countries to recognise the hard work and skill of the dancers.

Health and fitness benefits of pole dancing

Though pole dancing continues to be wildly popular as exotic entertainment, it also has a brand new avatar today. It is now a legitimate, fun and effective exercise option for women due to the various fitness benefits it affords. Pole dancing requires intense training and endurance. Dancers need to be flexible, agile and very strong to gracefully execute the athletic moves of pole dancing. Pole dance instructors contend that this exercise form sculpts and strengthens the upper and lower body, resulting in overall weight loss and a toned figure.

Here are some of the other benefits of fitness pole dancing:

• It burns hundreds of calories while you're having fun.
• It builds abdominal muscles, giving you a slender waistline.
• It sculpts the back, and arm muscles so you can flaunt those sexy tops.
• It builds overall flexibility and stamina which makes you stronger.

Physical benefits aside, fitness pole dancing is an enjoyable way to build your confidence. It makes your body movements graceful, makes you more attuned to rhythm and music and gives you a general sense of euphoria. Pole dance is just as effective as Pilates and yoga as far as exercise benefits are concerned. But it is important that you learn its manoeuvres from an experienced instructor and follow all safety instructions.

So, are you ready to embrace this latest fitness craze?