In November, we gave you a peek at the premiere issue of Pole Spin, the magazine just for pole dancers and pole fitness enthusiasts. Today: Issue two!
The copy here reads:
Where pole routines were once the exclusive domain of exotic dancers and strippers, a new generation of women — and men — are finding that pole workouts are a challenging, fun, and effective way to get toned, lose weight and improve strength. The Hosner family has made pole work-outs a family fitness affair.
Thirty-six year old Jenny Hosner, her husband Eric, and their blended family — Nate, 18; Kiersten, 17; Sara, 15 and Tiffany, 13 — all take pole fitness classes. Jenny says: “I have a cat named Sheba and when she runs, her stomach goes from side to side. That’s what my arms were like when I waved at people.” Now she has two poles in her garage and awesome upper body strength. “After a few weeks at pole my Shebas had toned up and didn’t blubber anymore when I waved at people.”
Jenny also says: “I have been accused of teaching my daughters to be strippers. Are you kidding me? Like I would ever do that. I take them because it does enhance our self esteem, it’s a fun way to get in shape, condition them for other sports they might play, and bonds us as a family.”
Molly The Rebel is 14, and posts her pole routines on YouTube. She tells the magazine: “It took almost six months to convince my parents that letting me have a pole wouldn’t make anyone (by “anyone” I mean classmates) bully me. They’ve been supportive.” She also says: “My one and only role model is Lara Croft. She’s beautiful, fit and she kicks ass.”
Mr. Luis is six years old. He loves break dancing and working the pole. He also teaches classes to kids.
Two-year-old Kayne Benford performs with his mom, 22-year-old Ryssa. One of his first words was “pole!”
The mag also features competitive pole dancers — Marlo, on the left, is the American Pole Fitness Champion of 2010 in the women’s division. Princeton, on the right, is the American Pole Fitness Champion 2010 in the men’s division. Princeton has cut his hair since we last saw him.
The magazine also attempts to bust some myths about pole dancers. Mindy Armstrong writes: “What difference does it make if someone chooses to make a living as a pole dancer?” And: “I’m 34 with 3 college degrees, including a MA in Social Anthropology from Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK.” She says of the myth that “all pole dancers are whores,” “No one is going to deny that there are pole dancers that have chosen to use their sex appeal to their advantage to gain in financial situations… But this behavior is not exclusive to the pole-dancing world. There are many people in the corporate world who have performed sexual favors to gain exposure… Pole dancing is an art to those who know and understand it.” Armstrong also stresses: “Pole dancing is not stripping. Anyone can shake their hips and take their clothes off. Pole dancing requires years of athletic training.”
Yes, these folks are a little defensive about their sport. In fact, page 12 of the magazine has a story called “The Negative Mind,” in which Rebekah Hennes writes: “Practice the Thumper Principle — if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”