Can you top the pole?

11:09am Friday 21st July 2006

CELEBRITIES have embraced it as the number one way to get fit. Kate Moss, Oprah, Teri Hatcher and Kate Hudson are just a handful of stars who have confessed to using it for exercise.

But one Old Town nightspot is hoping pole dancing takes off in a big way in Swindon.

Lessons in the saucy exercise will be available in the next few weeks at Rouge, in Godwin Court.

And instructors at the new venue have been kicking up their heels in delight at the prospect of teaching their gymnast-like techniques to Swind-on's female population.

"It is a fitness thing more than anything," said Rouge's pole dancing instructor Christine Davies, 28.

"There is a bit of a stigma attached to it, but it's so much fun. It's more like pole aerobics than anything else.

"It tones up your body and it speeds up your heart rate.

"You need lots of upper body strength, but after a while you get used to it.

"Pole dancing is popular as a fitness routine in London and Birmingham, but we're hoping it's going to be big in Swindon."

Christine has been learning the art of pole dancing for the last year and has spent six months training to become an instructor.

She plans to run her classes in four-week blocks of one hour and has already seen a great interest from girls wanting to try the dancing out for themselves.

Christine plans to run her classes throughout the day, depending on demand and that will see a class of six girls learning a complex set of moves on the club's 15-ft tall pole.

"There's definitely the demand as a lot of people have shown an interest in the classes," said Christine, who has spent time working in Stringfellows in London.

"It's not only good for fitness, it makes girls feel sexy and it builds confidence and self- esteem."

Anne-Marie Harte, the girls' manager at Rouge, added: "Pole dancing is a big hit with hen parties and girly gatherings and it is such a laugh.

"But at the same time, it's great at improving your fitness levels and that's why it has become so popular."

Earlier this year Swindon College started holding weekly lessons in pole dancing, in partnership with Foxies nightclub. They proved so popular extra sessions had to be laid on.

If you would like to find out more about the classes at Rouge, call 07919 051521.

Remember When...