Holy crap! Those girls are impressive!

I've always wanted to take a pole dancing class. Unfortunately, they're way too expensive for me to invest in right now, and I'm not at a weight where I could feel confident doing ANY of that. Maybe after I lose more. But I HAVE wanted to try it! And that's pretty impressive.

The winner of the competition has INSANE moves.

Holy Cirque du Soleil!

all I can say is Wow! Now I just wish they would switch to less stripperesque shoes.

I think that they're just having fun with it, Gabi. Like when people go to a bull-riding competition in cowboy boots, etc - they could just as easily wear tennis shoes and pants, but where's the fun in that! I know it's a bad example, but that's how I feel about it.

I'd LOVE to take a pole dancing class. It just looks like such an extreme workout. I've never seen one in my (conservative Georgia) town.

I have always wanted to take a pole dancing class. I think that's pretty much the only work out your body needs. It works every muscles.

The fact that they can do this in shoes and outfits like that...is amazing. They have strength and skills a lot of dancers and gymnasts can only dream of obtaining.

Actually...I learned that the shoes are important in pole dancing. Since there a rubbery plastic on top, it helps grip to the metal of the pole thus making it easier to climb up it. Although...it looks like these strong ladies don't need that help!

amazing!

Wow those girls are awesome! I wish I could take a class... I am far too shy LOL!

those ladies are awesome.

I LOVE pole dancing. Been doing it for the past several years at a studio in the South Bay. Granted I am NO where near the level of those ladies. It's great upper body and core strength but it does work out all your muscles. You wou;dn't believe all the bruises I have gotten from working the pole.

The shoes are important because it helps you stick to the pole while climbing or hanging upside down. T wear a either a tank top or a sports bra with shorts or booty shorts. Skin helps stick the the pole, especiall with thigh muscles and arms. Fabric would just get in the way.

I've seen my instructors work and go through the routines and I have got to say, being there in person, watching them move, twirl. . . it's intense and exciting. they make it look easy but their is a great deal of strength and skill level is needed to do the moves.

The place I go to does a slow sensual type of pole dancing. Check out Sedusastudios.com It's a great place for women as its an intimate studio that's all about the technique. No matter your fitness level, you can do a class, or at least try an introductory class.

Sorry for the long post. I just love dancing

As much as I'm not into pole dancing, I have to admit I thought some of these moves were really beautiful.

I agree with all of the above comments. I am so impressed with the strength and grace these women have on that pole. I wanna learn how to do that!

I just kept thinking how much pinching your skin in several of those moves must have hurt! That, and marvelling at the girl who won - she held herself off the ground with JUST ONE ARMPIT! And she made it look like it was nothing at all! I have got to say that's impressive.

I can't hate on these ladies! They were awesome!

Personally I've been blown away by pole dancing since I saw this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=channel_page&v=EUppVDO-fmQ

Felix Cane, Miss Pole Dance World... and yes, she works for Cirque du Soleil haha

Watching this you forget that pole dancing was ever considered anything less than a beautiful cross between dance and gymnastics.

@margokhal- you should just do what you want. screw everybody else. if you're using the pole dancing class to get in shape everyone should be applauding you, not making you feel ashamed, so try it if you get the chance.

i'd like to try pole dancing if i can find a studio near me that's in my price range.

and can i just say that video was one of the best things i've ever seen in my life ;- ).

I love it! Even as a former gymnast, I really don't have anything on these ladies' strength. They're unbelievable.

i just started a cardio stripfit, and we always do a little pole at the end. SO hard! it requires lots of grace, flexibility, and strength. those ladies look like they're floating!

this is incredible!!! I was super skeptical clicking on this video, but it is really amazing!!

I just wish I could have heard the actual routine music.. Because I feel like that really makes the performance better. As opposed to the not so awesome pop/techno music.

As a pole dance fitness instructor, I love seeing the positive exposure and comments that a post like this generates!

And just remember - the reasoning behind the outfits they wear (or sometimes lack thereof) is to provide as much skin-to-metal contact as possible - the friction of bare skin is essential, along with AMAZING muscle tone and the simple laws of physical science, to execute a lot of the tricks. Also, the shoes aren't quite a necessity - the pleather does add traction, but also adds a good bit of weight -- bare feet works just as well and won't throw off your balance!

Feel free to DM me with any questions if anyone is curious.