Pole dancing is a lot more strenuous than it looks: a good session on the pole can burn more calories than a good session in the gym, and will certainly provide more muscle tone.

Some moves are trickier than others. Imagine having to support your entire weight with one arm, or supporting your upper body weight with your stomach muscles to get an idea of the level of effort involved. You'll get increased muscle definition and toning all over especially in the arms, thighs, and buttocks.

You can expect to burn about 250 calories per session.

You will need to wear trainers for the warm up session but, after that, you will need to feel the part to get maximum benefits from the class. You need to be able to grip the pole effectively, have freedom of movement and feel a bit sexy while doing the class.

Bare legs are essential if you want to grip on to the pole (you will slip with tights or trousers on). The ideal outfit is a pair of fairly short shorts or hot-pants, and something comfortable and attractive, but not restrictive on your top half.

High heels are also an advantage to give you that strut. The ideal shoes have high heels and a plastic strap across the top of the foot.

The standard pole-dancing class involves a 10-minute warm-up, a 40-minute cardiac workout on the pole and a 10-minute cool down. Probably the biggest thing for most women to overcome is the shyness factor.

Most people quickly overcome that hurdle because they work hard all day and are looking for a new way to unwind. Pole dancing is often compared to belly dancing, in the sense that as soon as women start to move in a rhythmic fashion sexual expression just takes over. The pole acts like a dance partner for them.

And a very demanding one. Pole dancing is one of the most effective ways to build upper-body strength, which many women lack. Suspending your entire body weight on one arm accounts for a great deal of the time spent on a pole during class workouts.

But it's not just the physical side-effects that get most women hooked, it's also the psychological benefits. Many women are not used to showing off their bodies, but after three weeks of pole dancing the physical transformation is amazing. Shoulders are pulled back, waists are elongated, their butts are more perky and their physical self-confidence has doubled. Pole dancing works out the whole body, increasing flexibility and improving posture because all those hip circles really loosen up the joints.

One of the best aspects of pole dancing is that it's very social. You really get involved with the other women in the class. They cheer each other on as they do basic floor exercises such as the leg splay and the peekaboo.
Not surprisingly, in the US and Britain, and now Australia, women are signing up for a single pole-dancing class for hens' nights and girls' nights out.

Pole dancing is no longer about men, it's about getting together for fitness and fun!