An Inverness gym is giving adventurous people the opportunity to take part in pole-dance sessions – all in the name of keeping fit.
Gavin Laird, the owner of Forge Gym, said that the activity, which he regards as a sport, is more and and more coming out of the nightclub and into the keep-fit establishments.
Mr Laird said: “Pole dancing coming out of clubs and into gyms has been going on for about 10 years.
“Now we are using pole dance as a sport rather than being associated with stripping – that’s a little bit old hat.
“We have pole gym classes where there is no choreography and it is about body strengthening, I have even had a little shimmy once or twice myself. The other classes we hold are for women who may not want a male audience as there is some burlesque dancing involved as well.”
Super-fit American, Pantera Blacksmith, who is regarded as the world’s most famous pole dancer and is well known for her body tattoos, will demonstrate the art of pole dancing at Forge Gym as part of a European tour.
Classes and workshops will be held throughout the day on March 6 and include one session available for private tuition for one or two people.
Mr Laird said pole dancing has proved a hit at the newly-opened Carsegate Road North site and he has introduced a dedicated room, complete with 10 poles.
Pole gym sessions, with beginner and intermediate classes, are held at the gym by instructor Laura Collins from Pole Dance Scotland.
The gym sessions are sometimes attended by men and the other classes, some of which include burlesque-style dancing, are just for women.
Mr Laird added: “I think there will probably be five minutes of joking and then a lot of respect for the skills and strength you need to be able to pole dance.”
