Pole Fitness...Is it for Seniors too?

The reason I chose to write this blog was to share my experiences as a senior athlete...the joys, the challenges, the adventures.

I now go with my husband, Poul, to Las Vegas to Pole Expo 2015.  I intend to show that strong and sexy comes in all ages and sizes!

Tuesday Sept. 8th:  Today's party is out of this world.  Constant snacks and drinks from Nanaimo to Vancouver to San Francisco to Las Vegas, First Class all the way.  Even the delay which leaves us on the tarmac while there is a medical evacuation doesn't dampen our spirits.

Relaxing at Hard Rock Hotel

We were advised to take a taxi to the Hard Rock Hotel, but a two block line-up for cabs quickly diverts us to gate 4 where a shuttle has us at our destination in 10 minutes.
Winding through the inevitable one-armed bandits, we find an exclusive tower and the elevator to our Supreme King Suite, our home away from home for the next 5 days.  Too tired to find the gym, we soak in the huge tub and enjoy some music from the 60's

Nirvana Pool

Wednesday Sept. 9th: Breakfast at Lucky's...delicious; hanging out at the Nirvana pool...refreshing and entertaining.  The Hard Rock Hotel is completely sold out due to the Pole Expo which is owned and organized by my niece, Fawnia Mondey

Fawnia...CEO of PoleExpo

.  We meet my brother-in-law's nephew, Eric, his wife, Nikki, and with friends, help Fawnia unload a truck of Expo materials.  35 Steaks is our choice for dinner and the Steak & Lobster special is the best...and most pricy meal ever.


Thursday Sept. 10th: Things are crazy at set-up.  People are already showing up to register...two hours early...wanting to miss the rush as 2000 participants will be arriving.  In the Muse Hall a crew is setting up all the booths and large cranes set up a stage with several poles.  In the Artist's Hall and in all the class work areas Pole Crews are assembling 12 poles in each area.  There are 70 volunteers helping Fawnia at various tasks.

Areti Papadopoulou

There are 50 Vendor tables.  Areti Papadopoulou, designer and founder of Paradise Chick sportswear came from Greece








where, "every town has pole fitness classes".  Tired of regular classes, the middle-aged women are adding this exciting new work-out which has sensual benefits in their marriages", she shares.
So, as these Cougars become Sexy Seniors, will pole workouts be the healthy option at the Rec Center for the golden aged?
.

Andrea Harper

Next I spot Andrea Harper who shares my vertical proclivity.  Granted she is only 30 but claims that being a big-framed woman gives more muscle potential.  She teaches Pole Fitness classes at her Ottawa studio, Cherry Blossom.  Though the average participant appears to be a 32 year old 5'5" woman, there are some pushing 65, some are men, and some are strutting over 200  lbs. with confidence and grace.  Pole Fitness appears to be for everybody...tall, short, gay straight,male female, young and not so young!!!

Judges for Pole Expo 2015

At the Pole Expo Competition we shove through a boisterous energetic crowd to front and center..the first two rows are reserved for Media.  We sit beside Robert Yun of F.I.L.E.S News

Fawnia running Pole Expo 2015

from Vancouver who is writing about lifestyles of the Pole Fitness athletes.

I interview competition judge and masters champion, Greta Pontarelli who took up Pole as she was turning 60.

 Now at almost 65 she travels the world competing.

The performances of athletes from all continents are so impressive.  The gymnastic ability of floor routine, the strength of iron men/women, the drama of actors, the grace of jazz dancers with costumes made specifically for this sport.  For competition results check their website:  www.poleexpo.com

Friday Sept. 11th.Shelly-Ann, originally from Jamaica,, teaches at Boston Pole Fitness and says her flexibility, poise and confidence transfers to her everyday life...she's a school counselor with a Masters in Psychology." In Europe AquaPole is becoming popular with seniors", says Shelly

Shelly-Ann from Boston Pole Fitness

Jimmy Blue

Jimmy Blue, Pole Expo former over-all winner, highly recommends Pole for senior fitness because it reaches areas not addressed by common gym workouts: core strength while focusing on flexibility and grace.


From Kristie at Yogabela, I buy a rockin' outfit and check at registration for a beginner workshop.  Since all classes are filled up for the whole expo, I head to my room to listen to my audiobook.

Poul meanwhile arranges a private class for me with Greta Pontarelli. He's such a sweetie!

Fawnia filmed a few seconds of me on the pole which you can find at this link: (She put it on instagram and Facebook...wish I didn't look so .....70ish!)

http://www.poleexpo.com/#index-2  

Pole Fitness is HARD!  I consider myself to have good upper body strength, but after an hour of hanging on for dear life and dragging up 185 lbs. while my bruised feet struggle to point toes, I know I will be sore tomorrow.  Greta graciously says I learn quickly and moves from one stunt to the next.  She show me stretches which will soon allow me to do the splits and handsprings.  She wants me to combine stretches with graceful arm gestures to create a dance routine...like I know how to move my arms gracefully!?!  An hour is a long time unless it's a fun game and my muscles tend to cramp if over exerted when they haven't been used recently.  The hot bath later is amazing...probably should have been icing.

Poul is talking about installing a pole from X-POLE in our house...foyer or living room?  hmmm

A friend, Shannon Mayer,an urban fantasy author with a string of best selling novels, has invited me to her Pole Fitness classes in nearby Qualicum Beach at Pole Sisters Studio where her instructor and the studio owner is Sandra Pomponio.  Who knew there were Pole Fitness classes here in Oceanside?  Pole Fitness must be everywhere.

THANK YOU FAWNIA FOR MAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY POSSIBLE!
Fawnia, my sister's daughter, is the first Pole Fitness teacher and is the Pioneer  responsible for this fitness movement. She also owns  PoleFitnessStudio.com which certifies Instructors . She has hosted the annual Pole Expo in Las Vegas since it's creation in 2011.