Although Duncan has been in business in the Dayton area for two years and has more than 700 students in the system, the mention of Pole Vixens Dance & Fitness Center in Dayton, also known as Pole Vixens Xtreme, still gets its share of raised eyebrows.
“It’s really a matter of educating people,” instructor Kristin Leighliter said. “It’s not erotica — it’s fitness. It’s a full-body workout.”
Pole fitness is slowly gaining more mainstream acceptance. The Pole Fitness Association defines and promotes standards for training, safety, equipment, terminology and technical specifications to support studio owners and pole fitness enthusiasts. And the International Pole Sports Federation has started making tentative steps to become officially recognized by the Olympic Committee for consideration in future Games.
“For those who have their doubts, I challenge them to take a class and see what we do,” Leighliter said. “I’ve had many students tell me, after just one class, that they have a new appreciation for what we do.”
Real workout
Pole fitness classes are about more than just spinning around a pole wearing little more than stilettos.
Part cardio and part resistance training, pole fitness works the core, the arms and the legs. There is strengthening, toning and lengthening.
“It is a lot more intense than I thought it would be,” Gabrielle Collins said. “When I walk out, I feel like I’ve been lifting heavy weights.”
And Collins is no fitness rookie, the Army reservist has taken a variety of classes and was a regular at the gym.
“But I’d get bored going to the gym,” the Centerville woman said.
Boredom also brought Leighliter to the pole studio the first time.
“I’ve been running for three years, and I’d try to go to the gym and work out, but I would lose interest,” she said. “This was so much fun, I was forgetting I was working out.”
It can be tough, however, to forget the next day.
“Like any sport, your body will be sore,” Duncan said.
And there are a fair share of bumps and bruises to contend with. But the payoff is worth the pain for pole fitness enthusiasts.
“I played sports — basketball and volleyball — and I can honestly say I am stronger today than I have ever been,” Leighliter, 29, said.
Real women
There is no typical pole fitness student. They are mothers, students, teachers, nurses. Collins is a respiratory therapist. They are all ages, sizes and levels of fitness.
According to Duncan, 35-45 year-olds make up the largest part of her Dayton studio’s customer base, followed by 18-34 year-olds. But she even has a student who is 67 years old.
“As long as people aren’t over 600 pounds, they can do pole,” Duncan said. “Of course you should always let your instructor know if you are recovering from any injury.”
All students at Pole Vixens must complete a pole assessment before beginning classes. The assessment includes a variety of basic holds, grips and moves and enables the instructor to assess the participant’s level of fitness.
“A lot more ladies are wanting to try something that’s an alternative to their traditional fitness routine and this is perfect for them,” Duncan said.
Getting started
A pair of shorts — the shorter the better — and a tank top comprise the standard pole fitness attire. Classes at Pole Vixens start with mat work so bring a yoga mat, a water bottle and you will be set.
“I was nervous in the beginning because I didn’t know what to expect, but it has been great,” Collins said.
The results can be impressive. During a recent pole trick class, half of the students had no problem climbing to the top of the 13-foot pole and holding themselves there for several minutes. Others happily made it halfway up. Teachers regularly make modifications, enabling rookies and veterans to work out together.
“As a teacher, there is nothing better than seeing your students progress,” Leighliter said. “I like taking someone who comes in knowing nothing and watch them push themselves.”
Leighliter teaches one of the center’s most popular classes: Ab-Solutely Booty Max, which works primarily on the abs and butt.
“You’ll feel it,” Duncan, a PFA ambassador, said with a smile.
Finding a class is easy. Pole Vixens (http://polevixensxtreme.com) is currently located in downtown Dayton but will be moving to a much larger studio in Miamisburg in January. Femme Fatale (www.femmefatalellc.com), in Centerville, also offers a variety of pole fitness classes.
Online websites like Groupon and LivingSocial frequently offer deals for pole fitness studios making it affordable to give it a try.
“Once you try it, I think you’ll be back,” Duncan said.
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