The Tab Tries Pole Dance Soc
We try out moves such as ‘Wet Noodle’ and ‘The Showgirl’…
It was with a mixture of apprehension and excitement that I waited nervously to meet fellow Pole Dance newbies for a ‘taster session.’
With pole dancing carrying a rather falsely accused bad reputation and Student Unions like Swansea banning their Pole Fitness society this academic year, I wondered what all the fuss was about.
Somewhere in Lace Market, I was ushered through a seemingly ordinary looking black door.
To all future Pole Dance hopefuls beware; the dance studio is up a thousand zillion flights of funky red stairs. Warm up sorted.
But don’t let the massive staircase put you off, if you survive the climb you will be greeted by a team of super lovely Pole Soc people who will for a pittance of only £4 per session (discounted for members) grant you entry to their rather snazzy studio.
Sheepishly peering around the forest of poles, I was faced with the most flexible, talented pole people I have ever seen – they’re just so damn bendy.
I was then given a slightly ominous looking form which cheerfully listed loads of health and safety stuff about not dying and such.
After texting my mum a final goodbye I signed my life away to Pole Soc.
I asked some of the more experienced pole dancers to strut their stuff and upon watching their ridiculously stretchy, magical bodies, I began to seriously doubt my abilities as a future pole dancer…
Inspired by these impressive contortions, I was ready to Pole Dance up a storm. However, before I was let loose on the poles we did a quick warm up which made me feel a bit like I was part of the cast of Fame.
Post warm up, I was raring to leap on a pole, any pole, thighs first. Just as the anticipation was killing me, we learnt our first move; ‘The Layback’.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t quite a natural. Practising pole dancing on the 34 to uni had not prepared me for this.
What ensued can only be described a fit of hysteria in which I hugged my pole dancing instructor and proclaimed ‘But I have no hips!’ Swiftly moving on…
Eager to match up to my Pole dancing idol (the instructor, AKA Spiderman), I decided to master a move called ‘Wet Noodle’. Sounds hot.
Finally I was on a roll, by which I mean I hadn’t hugged anyone in a solid quarter of an hour.
Then, we were faced with ‘The Showgirl’ – a maneuver that oozed sensuality and seduction, as evidenced by the picture below.
After a couple minutes I got so good, I decided it was time to get out the 7 inchers. I ain’t afraid no pole.
After an hour of the best work out I’d had in 19 years, and trying my hand at 5 pole moves it was time to bid farewell to my pole dancing haven and go home.
My heart was thudding, my knees felt weak and my palms were red, but I was buzzing with pole-induced glory.
The Verdict
Pole is a wicked way to get your body moving whilst looking like an acrobatic she-goddess, even if dancing isn’t really your bag it’s great for getting fit a bod and meeting lovely bendy people. I definitely feel as if my upper body strength as improved by at least 0.5%. It’s a big old yes from us!
If you are interested in joining Pole Dance Society, membership is only £5 which includes discounted classes and loyalty card that lets you have your 6th lesson for free!
Part of a society you’d like us to try? Email [email protected] with your contact details and reasons why you think your society should be tried!