SHANI McGraham-Shirley, co-founder of Chai Studios and pole fitness instructor, is challenging naysayers and those who still have misconceptions about pole fitness to try it.

In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, McGraham-Shirley said fitness routines on poles have become more acceptable since she first started teaching it at her Barbican Business Centre-based studio, but there are still a few people who will look on in shock.

The pole fitness instructor said she has been able to balance the sensuality and fitness aspects on using the pole to capitalise of the vast health benefits.

“Many people think that it is something sensual and it is related to exotic dancing, but that is very far from it,” McGraham-Shirley insisted. “Pole fitness, what it focuses on is on core strength, upper body strength, flexibility, and also endurance, and stamina.

“As much as it is not a heart exercise, your heart rate is increased… so it builds up your cardiovascular endurance, builds your muscles and your abs,” she continued.

The wife and mother of three told Your Health Your Wealth that she taught herself how to use the pole after both herself and her partner, Zoë Arscott, decided to offer pole fitness but did not have an instructor.

“With six months of the pole sitting here and having no one to teach it, I decided to teach myself,” shared McGraham-Shirley. “My intention was never to be the pole teacher.”

But once she touched the pole, she realised that she didn’t only enjoy the physical benefits, but she also felt empowered. The co-founder said each time she got pregnant her weight ballooned to 200 pounds and although she was able to lose the weight through Zumba, she still had self-esteem issues.

“So with each pregnancy, being 200 pounds really does a lot to a woman’s self-esteem,” McGraham-Shirley disclosed. “… It has been a journey for me each time, trying to reclaim my sensuality. Once I started doing pole fitness, yes, my weight was gone, but the true essence of me as a woman and being comfortable in my skin really started to come back.

“Once I touched that pole, I started seeing myself differently; I started feeling different,” she insisted.

McGraham-Shirley, therefore, moved to encourage everyone to try pole fitness, irrespective of size, level of flexibility and sex. She declared that pole fitness empowers people and boosts confidence.

Besides the mental boost, the pole fitness instructor said routines on the pole are excellent for the abdominal area as well as the upper body, which includes chest, arms and back. She said though mostly the upper body is used during routines, pole fitness is good for a total body workout.

And the good thing is, you do not have to already know how to dance.

“You don’t have to have flexibility, you will gain more flexibility once you attend classes. How we focus our pole classes at Chai is that we start with four elements to any class: we focus on core strengthening, upper body strenghthening, flexibility, and choreography,” McGraham-Shirley explained.

She said that, to her knowledge, Chai Studios is the only studio in Jamaica that offers pole fitness.

“Actually, we are the only place that has nine poles, not even the strip clubs have as many poles as we do,” McGraham-Shirley said, laughing.

While admitting that one of the drawbacks to pole fitness is bruising, which eventually stops, McGraham-Shirley said at Chai Studios, the focus is on fitness.

She said at first people wondered if she had hit her head when she decided to teach pole fitness but opined that there has been a shift in how people view pole fitness, which she thinks is largely due to her publicising her own journey with the pole.

“I could separate the sensuality and that negative attachment to it,” explained McGraham-Shirley. “So, yes, it is sensual, but also (focuses on) fitness and strength.”

Men are also among those McGraham-Shirley is challenging. She told Your Health Your Wealth that there are established pole competitions for men that are not sensual and as fluid. She confessed that men are a bit fearful, but said that men should give her one month and they would be amazed at the changes they would see with their bodies.

Is there a key to pole fitness? McGraham-Shirley said that with pole fitness, understanding how to manage your body on the pole is important.

“Everybody’s rate of learning is different,” she noted. “It took me six weeks to learn a simple climb yet some beginners learn on their very first day of a class. It really depends on your body awareness, understanding your strengths and your weaknesses.”

She issued a few pointers, such as baring the midsection as well as the legs and arms, because skin contact is necessary to remain on the pole. Also, no lotion should be worn to classes.

But how is pole fitness different from traditional gym workout? McGraham-Shirley thinks it’s a great complement and in some cases a step-up.

“Poles tone you from a deeper level. Lifting every day, you tend to bulk up and build your muscles. When you work with poles, you are using such tiny muscles,” she said. “There are certain muscles you don’t use for everyday activities and that you typically don’t use if you are picking up heavy weights. So, this is an excellent complement to any of the traditional exercises.”

She added though that there is room for all forms of exercise, because someone would not necessarily attend pole class to lose weight, but really to tone muscles.

The pole fitness instructor insisted that safety is key at Chai Studios and that one of the first things taught at her classes is how to land safely. Classes are offered four times per week – two are open sessions, one intermediate while the other is a beginner’s class. McGraham-Shirley said private classes are done every day, however, from Monday to Friday.

“Come and try it. I challenge you,” she said.