Spin When You're Winning!

This time last month I'd just met a guy who changed all the rules for me. After 6 years of singledom, relationships I wasn't really invested in and dates with (quite frankly) some complete weirdos, I'd met a man that gave me butterflies, and I let myself fall quickly and hard for him...not something I've let myself do since I was 17! Now I'm sat here feeling foolish for letting my feelings get the better of me, because as it turns out, I'm not the one for him by all accounts. (Typical)  Now don't get me wrong, I don't regret taking that chance with my heart, even though at the moment it feels like he's put it in a blender...but there's nothing like getting ditched to make you feel you need to get out and do something that no one would expect you to do...so at 11:30 yesterday morning, I went to...a pole dancing class.

See. I told you...unexpected. I mean who really wants to see a 33 year old chubby girl blundering her way round a pole? Through years of doing shows, and way too many drunken nights out, those of you who know me will agree when I say I have absolutely no coordination when it comes to dancing.  But I thought, sod it!  I wanted to do it (I mean how uncoordinated can you be with an inanimate object?) and I'm really thrilled I did! 

Bliss dance studio in Nuneaton is owned by dance and fitness instructor Amanda Lewis.  The taster class I attended offered complete pole novices the opportunity to get up close and personal with that intimidating rod of chrome in the safety of a group session, filled with giggles, grimaces of concentration and the odd bout of cramp induced shrieking. 

Amanda told us to be under no illusions...we were going to hurt for about ten days afterwards. As I sit here writing, the morning after, I can confirm that she was right...I can't lift my arms above my waist, which is proving tricky whenever I want to make myself a cuppa!  But after buddying up with a lovely girl called Kay, I felt confident that the bumps, bruises and aches would be worth it, because whilst I felt like I'd done an hour in the gym, I've definitely never giggled as much in the gym. I've also never received as much encouragement and support from my fellow gym goers as I received from the lovely Kay and Amanda.
 
The session started with eight women of varying ages, shapes, and sizes, nervously eyeing up the five fixed poles in the main dance studio at Bliss. All of us were sneaking glances at each other, trying to work out which of us would be naturally adept and make the rest of us look as uncoordinated as Bridget Jones coming down the fireman's pole. As it turned out, none of us were naturals. It seems that getting good at this actually requires hard work, commitment, and a mega f**ktonne of upper body strength.

Amanda started us with a warm up, designed to loosen up our bodies, but also break the ice between us all and help us relax into the session. By now I'm fairly sure all of us were wondering why we'd signed up for this, but we weren't given the chance to run, as we were instantly coached on some basic spins, and even a graceful way in which to get ourselves off the floor.
 
My most humiliating move was a simple act of holding the pole, and just hanging off it. No spins, just hang with your heels brought up towards your booty. It sounds easy but if your hands aren't used to gripping and holding your entire body weight, what you actually get is an excruciatingly slow, awkward, squeaky slide to the bottom of the pole, punctuated my noises made through gritted teeth as you try to tighten your grip and halt your descent. (Be assured...gravity will always win eventually!). 


My best move was called the fireman spin, which essentially is a spin which you walk into (to get the momentum for your spin) and as you do, you lift both legs so that the pole is between your legs, just above your knees, and you spin down to the bottom of the pole.  I was surprised at my ability to execute this move, but I have to admit I think it was the very inelegant way in which I got back off the floor that prompted Amanda to show us how to exit out moves in a more attractive way!!

I honestly had so much fun, and for a full hour, I didn't so much as even think about my pulverised heart and wounded pride. It was the distraction I needed, and given that you can burn up to 300kcal per hour, it seems like it might be a great alternative to the gym, and will actively target all of the areas I want to tone up (arms, abs, legs).  My muscles are screaming at me this morning, so I know I've given them a good work over!

There's a 50% offer on for new clients who sign up for September, which seems like too much of a good offer to miss, so I've just signed up! The offer will book up quickly though so if you fancy a go yourself (or just want to watch me make a tit of myself), then visit their website: www.blissdancefit.co.uk