(Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Once exclusive to nightclubs can now be found in gyms
The activity, which has traditionally been associated with gentlemen’s club, now stands alone as a provisionally recognized international sport thanks to the Global Association of International Sports Federation.
Pole dancing is not easy. It involves a high degree of flexibility in order to contort the body, pose and execute techniques. It is more than just dancing on a pole; it involves acrobatics, physical and mental exertion and a lot of endurance to lift, hold and spin the body.
And because of the degree of athleticism involved, an increasing amount of people are accepting that pole dancing can be recognized as a legitimate sport. The sexy strength training workout has seen a growth in women wanting to learn pole dancing, with studios offering beginner lessons and fitness-focused classes.
But aside from being recognized as a sport, pole dancing is on its way to being part of the Olympics. The GAISF, which houses all Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations, has granted the International Pole Sports Federation official observer status. This recognition is a big first step to making it into the Olympic games.
However, pole dancing must first be recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Other sports that have been added to the IOC’s list of provisional sports include cheerleading and Muay Thai.
By: Maytinee Kramer
