polegroup
Rikki Little isn’t sure what got pole dancing out of the clubs and into the world of exercise. She imagines that there’s a growing population of people like her that are fascinated by the activity and excited to pursue it in a new environment.
“Pretty much the first time I saw pole tricks, I went, ‘That’s awesome! I have to learn how to do that,’ Little said. “And then I did whatever I had to do to learn.”
For the last decade, through a combination of self-teaching, seminars and conventions, Little has advanced her skills. She’s been to Los Angeles to study with pole dancers working in Cirque du Soleil. She’s learned from Alethea Austin, a pioneer in the art, and Stephen Retchless, who was featured on America’s Got Talent a few years ago.
Now she’s got her own place, Defiance Studios, in Lexington’s Woodhill Circle Plaza. Defiance offers hula-hoop dancing as well as yoga, but the main activity is centered around the floor-to-ceiling poles that glint across the studio.
“Pole fitness is our biggest thing,” Little said. “[We have] seven different skill levels starting at what we call ‘Curious.’”
The Curious level is basic: participants never have both feet off the floor at once, and they learn fundamentals like moving gracefully around the pole and transitioning between tricks. Also, they are instructed on how to work from standing to the floor and back up again seamlessly.
From there, students progress through spins, holds and climbing until they reach the final level, “Show Off,” which Little said involves “ridiculous feats of strength and flexibility.” That’s where the fitness comes in.
Certainly there are choreography classes to help students put together the moves they’re learning, but there are also dedicated training classes. The conditioning curriculum is built specifically around the muscles used for pole dancing. Cardio and strength training are carried out on the floor, using the pole as the only equipment.
Little said one of the most important things about pole fitness at Defiance is that it can mean so many things to so many students.
“It can really meet a lot of different goals for people,” Little said. “If you want it to help you get fit, that’s what it’s going to be. If you want it to be something to empower you, that’s what it’s going to do. If you want it to be stripper school, that’s what it’s going to be.”
Little said she realizes that many people think “stripper” when they hear about this kind of fitness.
“That’s the biggest misconception,” she said. “While some of the moves we do are sexy, it’s not sexual. Some people find it brings out their sexy side; some people are just there to work out. It’s what you want to make of it.”
Having been into fitness and coaching most of her adult life, Little said pole work offers a lot that more mainstream exercise doesn’t.
“It’s not boring; it’s not a repetitive routine you dread going to do,” she said. “It’s always stimulating. A lot of people can’t get into lifting weights because it’s just the same thing over and over. They need more to keep them interested. When people leave pole fitness classes, they’re excited and feel good about themselves. We have several women over 50, and our oldest student turned 60 a few weeks ago. They say this brings out the kid in them.”
Defiance Studios is the only one of its kind in Lexington.
“There’s nothing like it,” Little said. “If you want to do pole fitness and you don’t want to come to us, you’re going to have to drive two hours.”
She said that since the studio opened in July, business has been great.
“Most people find us on Google,” Little said. “It’s nice to see that there’s so much interest in Lexington. We’re still trying to get the word out, but I’ve been really pleased with it in the small amount of time we’ve been open.”
The reception thus far has been “really fantastic,” according to Little. She said she’s heard plenty of stories online about people reacting negatively to pole fitness studios due to their misconceptions. However, she’s not had any problems. “Lexington has been great; Kentucky has been great,” she said. “It’s been really surprising how well people have taken it. We’re next door to a church, and they’ve been very friendly and welcoming.”
Interest in pole fitness is blooming among men as well.
“It’s a small percentage compared to women,but it’s gaining recognition,” Little said. “At the moment, we have three men on a regular basis. They’re hitting it pretty hard.”
Whether male or female, Little maintains that Defiance doesn’t just help people get fit. It goes beyond that.
“We’re giving them a whole palette of things to work with and they learn to put it together and make it their own,” she said. “We’re hoping to create artists.”