Pole dance

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Pole dancer performing

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Chinese pole acrobats perform

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A home version stage pole

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Pole dancer using a street pole

A public demonstration of pole dancing techniques

Pole dance is a dynamic form of performance art that integrates dance, acrobatics, and strength training around a vertical pole. Historically linked to strip clubs, its image has undergone a transformative journey in recent years, now finding resonance in fitness circuits and mainstream entertainment spheres.

Historical Background

Originating as an act closely associated with strip clubs, pole dance, for many decades, carried a suggestive, adult-themed connotation. Performers utilized the pole as both a prop for striptease and as an instrument for demonstrating athleticism, blending the sensuous with the skilled.

Rise as a Fitness and Mainstream Activity

In the 21st century, particularly from the mid-2000s onward, pole dance began to witness a shift in its public perception. Advocates and promoters strived to:

• Rebrand pole dance as a non-sexual form of dance and acrobatics.
• Highlight the influences from Chinese pole, an acrobatic art form popularized by circuses.
• Establish a distinction between the pole dance in commercial adult entertainment settings and the athletic, fitness-centric pole dance.

Consequently, pole dance studios and classes burgeoned across gyms globally, allowing enthusiasts to learn and practice this art form.

Competitive Pole Dance

Competitive events, both at amateur and professional tiers, have proliferated across many countries. The following characteristics define these competitions:

• Emphasis on dance, acrobatics, and gymnastics.
• Incorporation of diverse dance styles.
• A focus on athleticism over prurience.

Physical Demands and Benefits

Pole dancing, when practiced in its athletic form, necessitates:

• Profound upper body strength.
• Flexibility.
• Stamina.
• Core strength.

To master pole dance, rigorous training becomes imperative, especially for executing advanced moves like climbs, spins, and inversions. It offers a comprehensive workout, serving both aerobic and anaerobic fitness needs.

Modern-day Significance

Pole dance's recognition as a potent form of exercise has led to:

• The establishment of accredited pole dance schools.
• Introduction of formalized qualifications for trainers.
• Integration of pole dance in general fitness regimens.

See Also

• Aerial silk
• Dance
• Acrobatics