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VIDEO: Pole lot of fun at dance class!
Luton Today team try a new fitness challenge
What's the first thing that springs to mind when you hear the words 'pole dancing'?
For me it's countless television or film scenes featuring scantily-clad (or not clad at all) women, dancing in a seedy club for men so drunk they can barely speak – not really something I'd want to spend my Thursday night doing.
But there's another side to this dance style – it's becoming increasingly popular as a way of working out.
Lured by the prospect of toned arms and flawless thighs, I went along to Luciana Caraccio's classes at the Strides fitness centre in Wigmore with my colleague Nicola – and I was pleased to see that the regulars weren't the snooty WAG wannabes I'd expected, but a group of normal women who'd found a new sort of exercise that they really enjoyed.
Normal her class members may be, but Luciana, 39, is a walking advertisement for her art – nearing 40 with not a bit of cellulite to be seen. She walked into the studio in tracksuit bottoms, and in a flash had whipped them off to reveal the sort of hotpants that would make even Jordan blush. Her enviable shape is the result of 10 years' hard work on the pole, but she assured me that everyone can get great results from it, because the moves tone muscles extremely quickly.
Luciana's passion for pole dancing is clear – by way of introduction she performs a routine to the Pussycat Dolls' Don't Cha (one of many dance-a-long tracks played during the class). There's nothing sleazy about it, it's playful, fun, and, OK, a little saucy, but in essence (much like gymnastics) simply an amazing demonstration of what a body and a simple piece of equipment can do together.
"It tones muscles very quickly because of the amount of effort you have to put into each move," says Luciana. "We do it to fast-paced music, too, so you're keeping your heart rate up and burning calories all the time."
Given the fact that its association with gentlemen's clubs might make women wary of having a go, I asked Luciana what the curious but nervous potential pole dancer should do.
"We've got a really lovely atmosphere here, and it's not about being in competition with each other," she says. "Anyone's welcome to come along for a taster and see what they think – it's all about just having fun and enjoying yourself.
"And I love seeing women achieve their goals here - seeing them go from thinking there's no way they can do it, to being able to perform a whole routine."
For information about Luciana's classes log on to www.poleacademy.co.uk, or call 07733 083444.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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