ef=”/celebrity-news/revealed-spar-gsport-awards-finalists/” target=”_blank”>Miss Pole SA Venessa Clack chats to us about pole fitness and reveals just how she got (and keeps!) her body in such great shape…

What’s the one thing people don’t know about pole dancing?

There are a million and one things people don’t know about pole dancing! Number one is probably that you don’t need any previous dance experience. Secondly, you don’t need to be incredibly strong and thirdly, despite what people think; we do keep our clothes on (laughs).

Why do you love it?

When I’m on the pole I’m exercising without realising it. Each class is always different and always a challenge. I align pole dancing with golf – you never really master it. You can always be better, stronger and more flexible. With pole dancing there’s always new moves. It also means I don’t have to go to the gym and spend 20 minutes on a treadmill doing the same thing.

Besides pole, how do you keep your body in such amazing shape?

I don’t do any form of fitness other than pole. I’m a mom, a wife, I have a day job and run studio – so I’m usually quite pressed for time. Through a 45 minute pole class I’ll manage to get both a weight and cardio workout PLUS I get to laugh with all the girls. I’m shaping my body in a way which is beneficial to me.

How many times a week do you work out?

When I’m not competing I’ll train three to four times a week for about an hour and a half. So really, not much more than the average person who goes to the gym.

Surely you’re on a strict eating plan?

I wish I was I really do! I have a three year old and a husband so that’s near impossible. But I do have some no-go foods like refined sugar. But if someone puts a piece of Lindt chocolate in front of me I’m not going to say no! I also believe in moderation – if my body tells me it wants something I eat it. I try to stay away from wheat after 4pm. I drink a lot of water and I eat a lot of green veg.

What about all the girls with a little bit of junk in their trunk out there – can they give pole dancing a go?

Nobody ever comes to me with a perfect body; we are all normal human beings. When people first start they always say, ‘You’ll never catch me in hot pants!’ I have a standing joke in the classroom where I guarantee I’ll get you in a pair of hot pants in two weeks (laughs). We breed an environment where each class is safe, secure and non-judgemental. You’re with other real women. So yes whilst I have a great figure, that’s an aspiration.

And for all the sceptics out there – is pole dancing really just another form of stripping?

I’d be very naïve to say it’s not a part of the sport – it is the mainstream of what most people know about pole dancing. There are two different schools of thought when it comes to pole dancing, one is the sensual side and the other is the fitness side. Pole fitness developed about 12 years ago in Canada in an effort to improve ladies problem areas: bums, tums, thighs and arms!

Lastly, if you could motivate our readers to try out pole dancing, what would you say to them?

First of all, come and have a laugh because you will! Laughter is good for the soul. Secondly, look at all the local pole dancers in SA, they are testament to what the sport does for your body – it keeps you healthy and young.