Felix Cane on Pole dancing fitness

How do you find Pole dancing keeps you in shape? and how do you train for it?

Written by Felix Cane Miss Pole Dance World 2009 Champion

Pole Dancing is a combination of cardio and weight lifting and so

therefore I find that is a very efficient and fun way to stay in shape.

 As I am lifting my entire body weight using my arms and legs to climb the

pole I find that I tone my entire leg and arm muscle groups. Inversions

(being upside down on the pole) really work my abdominals and back.

The dance element of pole is really what drives me to continue even when

my body is tired. The fact that I can really loose myself in the music

that I choose makes it very easy for me to workout very hard.  

When I perform a series of tricks and dance combinations I get a very

complete total body workout.

During most of the year I am performing my pole act in The Cirque du

Soleil show Zumanity. I perform twice a night and depending on how I am

feeling with my act or tricks I will train on the pole for 1 – 3 hours a

week. I stretch for half an hour twice a week to ensure that my muscles are

long and beautiful. I take Pilates for an hour each week to stabilize my

core and hips.

When I am not performing with Zumanity I am usually teaching 5 days a week

for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 5 hours a day. My classes

consist of a 15 minute warm up which is very dance orientated, in which I

include a short stomach and leg workout. This is followed by half an hour

of learning or practicing tricks and combinations. I will then spend 10 –

15 minutes on a choreographed routine and finally 5 – 10 minutes to

stretch and cool down.

I pole dance a minimum of 5 days a week and have seen my body completely

change since I started 3 years ago. I find it a very fun and rewarding

ways to stay in shape.