The Tab tries: Pole Fitness

It’s been around for nearly two years, but the Pole Fitness Society is still relatively unknown. It might be to do with the fact it’s on the outskirts of Aber in Penparcau, or it might be to do with it being so painful.

Either way, we went along to check it out: the unfit, inexperienced pole dancers we are. Thankfully, instructor Ali was gentle with us. She was extremely patient, too, and even showed us some of her expert skills.

The classes are for all levels, from beginners to advanced.  After showing us how to do a few spins, it was time for us to give it a go. Some of us were naturals, some others not so much.

Ali putting us to shame

Third year Abi, a pole fitness first timer, said: “I didn’t really know what to expect to be honest, and I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous.

“But once I got into the swing of things and just went for it, I found it so much fun. It’s a fun work out and beats the gym any day. I enjoyed myself that much I actually want to go back and do it again.”

Jay, seasoned Tab writer, added: “I thought pole fitness would be fairly easy, but I was terrible. I could barely do a simple manoeuvre.

“The girls looked a lot more graceful on the pole than me – the fact I was the only guy there made it quite funny.

“And it’s true what they say about the pain, my triceps ached for days afterwards. I imagine you get in shape pretty quick doing it regularly.”

Jay struggled with the moves

Other more regular members told us their skin burns “with every spin and every static position”, but it’s worth it.

Louise Swanston confessed: “I’ve been doing it for six months, and I love it because it’s such a laugh.

“It’s a class where you’re having so much fun you don’t realise how much work you’re doing.  You use muscles you never knew you had. Besides, it looks pretty cool too.”

The class also welcome boys, and regular Andrew Chetwynd has been going since September.

He said: “I’ve been doing it since the start of the academic year. It’s great fun progressing from doing simple spins to things like inverts. You get stronger and more flexible in a such a way it doesn’t seem like exercise.”

Rebecca Doughty, the society’s president, is very passionate about the pole.

Abi working the pole

She told The Tab: “Pole fitness is a great activity, not too difficult or too simple, but can be made more challenging or aimed towards beginners depending on your level of experience, or just how much you feel like doing.

“As a society, we aim to make our new members feel even more at ease about coming to the sessions by meeting up before hand to walk to sessions together, and by then having a group of people with you you’ve met before.

“Our themed weekly socials give members a chance to get to know each other in a more relaxed environment, and to network with other societies we bump into.”

If you’d like to join, classes are £7 and take place in the boxing club. Times vary, so it’s best to visit their Facebook page: Aber Uni Pole Fitness Society.