I WAS really excited about my one-on-one pole dancing lesson with professional instructor Stacey Pope, writes Lisa Morrison. Pole dancing is something I have always been keen to try after hearing about the fitness benefits and how much fun it is, but have

I WAS really excited about my one-on-one pole dancing lesson with professional instructor Stacey Pope, writes Lisa Morrison.

Pole dancing is something I have always been keen to try after hearing about the fitness benefits and how much fun it is, but have never plucked up the courage to do it.

So when I got the chance to write a feature on it, I jumped at the chance. I arrived at the studio feeling slightly nervous I wouldn't be able to get the hang of it, but as soon as I met Stacey she made me feel completely at ease.

She explained her pole dancing school - Stacey Pole, based at Roe Hill Hall in Briars Lane, Hatfield - was aimed at normal women who just wanted to have fun while keeping fit.

Stacey, who lives in WGC, said she originally tried pole dancing "purely for fun" and as a way of keeping fit as she hated the gym.

This appealed to me as I am keen to stay fit but, like Stacey, get very bored working out in the gym.

Stacey - who works for a pole manufacturer by day, Vertical Leisure X-Pole - told me she had started her company in January as a way of dealing with the post-natal depression she had suffered after giving birth to her son a year ago.

"I wanted Stacey Pole to be for normal women who were lacking in confidence like myself," said Stacey.

"I am not your usually skinny pole dancer but I'm a busty size 16, and just a normal mum trying to lose the baby weight.

"I found it really hard to get back into things after having a baby.

"Around December and January time I was really down and starting up Stacey Pole really helped pick me up again."

I took hold of the pole and was surprised at how easy I found it to lift myself up.

By the end of the hour session I was doing a whole routine, complete with a body wave, hair flick and backward spin around the pole.

It was really fun and didn't feel like you were doing strenuous exercise - although my arms did ache the next day!

Watching Stacey and one of her instructors Laura, I was impressed by how graceful they looked as they hung upside down and spun from top to bottom.

I came away with a new found admiration for the sport. I was shown that pole dancing is not a seedy act only seen in gentlemen's clubs, but a fun and exciting activity that not only looks classy and elegant, but keeps you fit at the same time.

Stacey Pole has three instructors who also teach in Stevenage, Harpenden and Dunstable.

For more information visit www.staceypole.com or call 07790 569371.