Alternative fitness: Poledancing

Come the morning, your friend's photo evidence looks more like you were suffering from the bends...

Thanks to Polestars, these shamed shows of affection to the nearest makeshift pole need not be embarrassing, but rather an opportunity to show off some pretty nifty moves.

Learning to pole dance is so much more than maintaining your dignity come your 3am show. Thanks to Polestars - one of the leading can-can, burlesque and pole dancing schools - over 40,000 people across the UK can now slide up and down a pole with the grace of a gazelle whilst gaining increased confidence and fitness as a result.

Whereas your other half may already be assessing the ceiling to ensure the pole he's just ordered will be stable enough, the first thing to understand is that pole dancing is all about you. Dismiss any raised eyebrows if and when you express your interest as you'll get far more from your classes than any spectator.

Being able to maintain your entire weight with just your arms or legs takes strength from your entire body. Your core muscles are also in for a workout when tackling a pole as you'll be bending, stretching and hauling yourself in every which way possible.

The act itself is traditionally built for spectators meaning you're consistently aware of your posture and ensuring you are executing your movements with grace. After a few sessions of pole dancing you can't help but become more attentive to the way you hold and manoeuvre your body in everyday motions.

This isn't to say that men will be throwing fivers at you next time you tie your shoelaces, it's about learning good posture and a confident stature, and with that, comes natural sex appeal no matter how many clothes you have on.

Pole dancing also helps to increase you flexibility and tones your legs, arms and thighs. Like some types of yoga, pole dancing is one of those workouts that are seemingly low impact but its effects sneak up on you in the next few days when the muscles you didn't know you had begin to ache.

Any workout that involves wearing high heels gets an approving nod in our book. You'll need bare feet or trainers for a warm up but during the main body of the class, heels, little shorts and a tight vest are ideal. It will certainly help you get into the spirit of things, tracksuits, after all, score pretty low on the sex appeal scale. Even Sporty Spice ditched hers after we all got the gist that she could do a back flip.

Can't quite envision yourself swinging seductively around a pole? Relax. By the end of your first class you'll be laughing and joking with your newly schooled peers who were just as apprehensive as you. Our enthused teacher was also very motivational and approachable and happily took her time with showing us the ropes. Or should that be poles?

Polestars offer full Poledancing, Burlesque and Can-Can courses and taster sessions for groups or individuals. Visit the Polestars website for more info.