FORGET what you thought you knew about pole dancing, it’s now a sport and fitness discipline and even men are taking to the pole.
Last weekend the Wellington heat of the New Zealand Amateur Pole Performer Competition was held at the Garden Club and among the competitors was Peter Rowe, a 24 year old builder from Wadestown. Against an all-female lineup Rowe won the open division securing him a place in the national finals. It’s the first time a Wellington heat has been held and winners from throughout the country will compete in the grand final in Christchurch in September.
Rowe has been pole dancing (pole “fitness’ he prefers to call it) for two years. The former competitive yachtie and cricketer first went to a pole dancing show with a flatmate.
“I saw it and I thought I could give it a go,” Rowe says. “But it was six months before they’d let a guy in.”
He was the first male to join Polaris Pole Dance, Wellington’s dedicated pole dance and fitness studio. His teacher was Amy Lewis, the director and head instructor at Polaris. They fell in love.
“I guess I got more than upper body strength out of the deal,” Rowe jokes.
But it’s the physical benefits of pole fitness and the “fun” environment that has kept him in the sport.
“I got bored going to the gym and sitting on the same machine. Pole fitness gives me a really awesome workout without noticing it. I get a whole body workout and build my core and upper body strength, while I can be creative and have a whole lot of fun at the same time.”
Amy Lewis says pole fitness is unique with performers lifting and moving their bodies around a stainless steel pole using moves from ballet, hip hop, jazz, gymnastics and exotic dance.
“Pole fitness has become the latest craze for both men and women,” she says. “You strengthen and tone muscles as you develop your own style, boosting your confidence and self image.”
While women still outnumber men at Polaris Dance, Peter Rowe says more men are participating in the sport.
“When I first started my mates thought it was a bit of a joke and I got a bit of flack. But now most people are pretty good about it and are surprised at what you can do,” Rowe says.