Originally published in The Weldon Times’ Winter 2024 issue.
I’m going to be completely straight with you: I’m a pole dancer. When I first decided to write this piece, I wanted to talk about how frustrating it is that I have to hesitate every time I say that out loud, gauging exactly how it might change the way someone looks at me. But I fell in love with pole because of how incredibly empowering it is, and it would not do justice to that feeling to focus on how others have tried to undermine it. Instead, what I want you to walk away with is this: pole is an amazing sport, and it’s for everybody.
When someone mentions they want to try pole, what they usually say next is, “But I’m not strong enough.” When I first started pole, I didn’t have an inch of muscle on me. I had never been an athletic person, and my elementary school gym class made me cry more than once. By the standard of strength we’re fed via the fitness community, I shouldn’t have made it a minute doing pole. But that’s not what pole is about.
Misconceptions about pole dance
First off, everybody starts somewhere—no one is expected in their first class to be able to pull themselves up a thirteen-foot pole or start spinning around upside down.
Secondly, there are so many aspects of pole dancing that have nothing to do with physical strength: flexibility, creativity, musicality, and most importantly, a willingness to keep trying.
And thirdly, there is no ideal body type for pole. Every body will have its own advantage in different moves: thicker thighs can hold you better in a pole sit, long arms can help you reach the pole in back-bendy moves, and shorter legs can make it easier to balance in moves like Ayesha.
Another common misconception about pole is that it’s just one thing. Often, that one thing is seen to be stripping. It’s important to say that, although stripping is not a part of what I do, it is deeply tied with the pole community, and it should never be shamed or forgotten in a conversation about the sport. But what is incredible about pole is that it has become so many different incredible things.
Community and competitions
At national competitions, categories range from comedy to floorwork, dramatic to exotic, and theatre to sport. Pole, at the end of the day, is an artistic form of expression that reflects each dancers’ interests and style. There is no one single demographic that can be a pole dancer—all genders and ages are welcome (yes, men also do pole, and they kick butt!).
Ultimately, pole is all about community. I’ve made so many incredible friends through this sport, and I’ve never felt stronger and more empowered than when I’m in class, getting to try things that I would have never thought my body was capable of doing, surrounded by some of the most supportive and welcoming people I’ve ever met.
If you’re thinking about starting pole and have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me: elizabethmfleet@gmail.com.
For more information, here’s the link to inesS Circus, the pole studio that I go to: www.iness.ca.
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