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Hi, my name is Michula Nunez. Most people call me “Mikey.” I am opening a fitness studio in
Redlands, CA that offers both conventional and alternative group fitness classes. The group
fitness classes include SPIN®, Mat Pilates, Pilates on the ball, core, and fitness fusion.
Alternative classes include pole dancing – yes, pole dancing! I would like to introduce you to
myself and my studio, Antix Fitness, and inform you of the health and fitness benefits of pole
dancing.
I have been pole dancing for 8 years with the last five as a formal, certified instructor in Long
Beach, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Originally, teaching pole dancing began as a hobby. I
had a normal daytime job of teaching science to gifted children for six years. I taught
kindergarten through 3 grade – a total of 240 students. My mission was to excite, nurture and
prepare children so that they could excel in scientific literacy. To achieve my objective, I designed
an incredible hands-on, inquiry-based science program that was known throughout Orange
County. My program outlined the National Science Educational Standards and specifically, the
California Science Standards. It was understood (and expected), that my students would go well
beyond these levels. For example, my third grade students studied the cell theory and learn the
anatomical structure of plant and animal cells. They would learn about photosynthesis and use
the microscope to observe the tiny chloroplasts that are responsible for changing the sun’s light
into a food energy for the plant! I thoroughly enjoyed focusing and specializing in the most
important subject (of course, I am biased!) for the elementary grades so that I could make it the
best program I could.
However, when my work day was over, I would go to gym and workout for an hour and go home
to wait for my husband to get home. I would wait a long time, for my husband is a firefighter. He
often does not come home for weeks at a time, especially during fire season. This time alone
was agonizing. I then heard about pole dancing classes on a morning radio talk show. I called
the studio and inquired if they were hiring instructors. Crazy, I know – a science teacher by day
and a pole dancing teacher by night. Teaching pole dancing became a gateway for me to also
teach and become certified in other fitness areas – group fitness and SPINNER® spin classes.
However, it was the teaching of these other classes that revealed to me that pole dancing was
more than a sensual form of dance. Pole dancing for fitness and the teaching of theses classes
became my passion. Instead of teaching academics, I decided to teach the science (technical
and health) and art of pole dancing. Thus, the vision of Antix was born – my own pole dancing
studio. I quit my job of teaching science to open up Antix Fitness Studio. My new mission has
become to mainstream pole dancing as a respectable fitness alternative.
Pole dancing has been growing exponentially, primarily for women, who seek to improve their
overall fitness, strength, flexibility and confidence. It is becoming quite common for private
fitness studios as well as the corporate fitness centers to offer this form of alternative fitness
along side of the more traditional group fitness classes – step, cycle, and Pilates etc. However,
it is difficult for some prospective clients to ‘strip’ (pun intended) pole dancing’s from its sleazy
reputation – and look at it from a new perspective – as a means to better health and fitness.
Let's look at pole dancing from a health and fitness perspective.
From a health and fitness perspective, pole dancing is an aerobic exercise (an exercise
performed in the presence of oxygen. It improves muscular strength and endurance, as well as,
flexibility and coordination – often an overlooked fitness element which includes balance, timing,
and muscular control. It also helps to improve overall posture.
It is a body conditioning and strengthening class. Pole dancing helps to strengthen the larger
muscles of the body: the core (abdominal and back muscles); shoulders and chest; biceps and
triceps; and the legs. Strength training is gaining recent popularity for its potential to aid in
weight loss and weight maintenance. The fitness components (cardiorespiratory, muscular
strength and endurance, and flexibility are interrelated. That is, improving muscular endurance
improves performance in cardio respiratory training which helps to achieve overall optimal
health levels.
Now the fun part! What is all the fuss about the ‘stripper shoes?’ Physically speaking -
isometrics! The “stripper shoes” hold the flexed hamstrings, quads, and calves in a stationary
position. Or rather, these large muscles are engaged throughout the duration of the 1 hour
class. Your weight is equally distributed allowing you to maintain neutral spine during
spins/tricks, transitions, and fillers.
Pole dancing also helps to increase body image and self-esteem. Our nation is over-
preoccupied with thinness. My goal is broaden our standards of attractiveness and let fitness be
about health! Pole dancing loves curves! At the same time, pole dancing can help redefine
some of the curves that are not so embraceable. But I encourage you to enjoy fitness and reap
its rewards, rather than the way it makes us look. Let your confidence come from reaching a
higher level of performance and not how you look.
Finally, as a fitness instructor, it is my nature to motivate and encourage you. So here it goes! Let
pole dancing motivate you to make a new commitment to exercise and achieve your optimal
fitness level. Maybe you are bored of traditional workouts and you seek a challenging exercise
with choreography. Try it! In one class you will come back wanting more! Embrace this form of
fitness training and reap the rewards! Pole dancing could even be your introductory experience
to group exercise. Pole dancing is for all ages and for all fitness levels. You don’t have to be ‘fit.’
So why choose Antix Fitness Studio to learn pole dancing? Our expertise and facility! As I
previously mentioned, My experience includes 8 years of pole dancing with the past four as a
formal instructor. I hold two national certifications with the next step as forming and developing
my own certification. Furthermore, as a former academia teacher, I am a teacher by nature.
Some instructors are great dancers; however, they lack the teaching skills of breaking moves
down so that others can learn them. Some instructors also lack the patience. Most fitness
studios offer pole dancing as an after thought. That is, they use poles that are removable
(liability issues) that are made from a stainless steel material and they use a floor that is not
designed for the body’s demand from dance. At Antix, our poles are the original brass poles.
(Brass poles allow for greater friction.) The poles are fixed to grid section of beams in the ceiling
created to hold the poles. Our floor is a commercial grade wood laminate with a floating
subfloor beneath especially designed for dancers. The floating subfloor is made out of shock-
absorbing foam to prevent joint and ligament injuries. Expensive? Yes, but worth it. Safety is first!
Stay healthy and get your mind of the gutter! Pole dancing is for fitness and fun. I hope this
helped to educate you on the fitness benefits of pole dancing. More to come!
Redlands, CA that offers both conventional and alternative group fitness classes. The group
fitness classes include SPIN®, Mat Pilates, Pilates on the ball, core, and fitness fusion.
Alternative classes include pole dancing – yes, pole dancing! I would like to introduce you to
myself and my studio, Antix Fitness, and inform you of the health and fitness benefits of pole
dancing.
I have been pole dancing for 8 years with the last five as a formal, certified instructor in Long
Beach, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Originally, teaching pole dancing began as a hobby. I
had a normal daytime job of teaching science to gifted children for six years. I taught
kindergarten through 3 grade – a total of 240 students. My mission was to excite, nurture and
prepare children so that they could excel in scientific literacy. To achieve my objective, I designed
an incredible hands-on, inquiry-based science program that was known throughout Orange
County. My program outlined the National Science Educational Standards and specifically, the
California Science Standards. It was understood (and expected), that my students would go well
beyond these levels. For example, my third grade students studied the cell theory and learn the
anatomical structure of plant and animal cells. They would learn about photosynthesis and use
the microscope to observe the tiny chloroplasts that are responsible for changing the sun’s light
into a food energy for the plant! I thoroughly enjoyed focusing and specializing in the most
important subject (of course, I am biased!) for the elementary grades so that I could make it the
best program I could.
However, when my work day was over, I would go to gym and workout for an hour and go home
to wait for my husband to get home. I would wait a long time, for my husband is a firefighter. He
often does not come home for weeks at a time, especially during fire season. This time alone
was agonizing. I then heard about pole dancing classes on a morning radio talk show. I called
the studio and inquired if they were hiring instructors. Crazy, I know – a science teacher by day
and a pole dancing teacher by night. Teaching pole dancing became a gateway for me to also
teach and become certified in other fitness areas – group fitness and SPINNER® spin classes.
However, it was the teaching of these other classes that revealed to me that pole dancing was
more than a sensual form of dance. Pole dancing for fitness and the teaching of theses classes
became my passion. Instead of teaching academics, I decided to teach the science (technical
and health) and art of pole dancing. Thus, the vision of Antix was born – my own pole dancing
studio. I quit my job of teaching science to open up Antix Fitness Studio. My new mission has
become to mainstream pole dancing as a respectable fitness alternative.
Pole dancing has been growing exponentially, primarily for women, who seek to improve their
overall fitness, strength, flexibility and confidence. It is becoming quite common for private
fitness studios as well as the corporate fitness centers to offer this form of alternative fitness
along side of the more traditional group fitness classes – step, cycle, and Pilates etc. However,
it is difficult for some prospective clients to ‘strip’ (pun intended) pole dancing’s from its sleazy
reputation – and look at it from a new perspective – as a means to better health and fitness.
Let's look at pole dancing from a health and fitness perspective.
From a health and fitness perspective, pole dancing is an aerobic exercise (an exercise
performed in the presence of oxygen. It improves muscular strength and endurance, as well as,
flexibility and coordination – often an overlooked fitness element which includes balance, timing,
and muscular control. It also helps to improve overall posture.
It is a body conditioning and strengthening class. Pole dancing helps to strengthen the larger
muscles of the body: the core (abdominal and back muscles); shoulders and chest; biceps and
triceps; and the legs. Strength training is gaining recent popularity for its potential to aid in
weight loss and weight maintenance. The fitness components (cardiorespiratory, muscular
strength and endurance, and flexibility are interrelated. That is, improving muscular endurance
improves performance in cardio respiratory training which helps to achieve overall optimal
health levels.
Now the fun part! What is all the fuss about the ‘stripper shoes?’ Physically speaking -
isometrics! The “stripper shoes” hold the flexed hamstrings, quads, and calves in a stationary
position. Or rather, these large muscles are engaged throughout the duration of the 1 hour
class. Your weight is equally distributed allowing you to maintain neutral spine during
spins/tricks, transitions, and fillers.
Pole dancing also helps to increase body image and self-esteem. Our nation is over-
preoccupied with thinness. My goal is broaden our standards of attractiveness and let fitness be
about health! Pole dancing loves curves! At the same time, pole dancing can help redefine
some of the curves that are not so embraceable. But I encourage you to enjoy fitness and reap
its rewards, rather than the way it makes us look. Let your confidence come from reaching a
higher level of performance and not how you look.
Finally, as a fitness instructor, it is my nature to motivate and encourage you. So here it goes! Let
pole dancing motivate you to make a new commitment to exercise and achieve your optimal
fitness level. Maybe you are bored of traditional workouts and you seek a challenging exercise
with choreography. Try it! In one class you will come back wanting more! Embrace this form of
fitness training and reap the rewards! Pole dancing could even be your introductory experience
to group exercise. Pole dancing is for all ages and for all fitness levels. You don’t have to be ‘fit.’
So why choose Antix Fitness Studio to learn pole dancing? Our expertise and facility! As I
previously mentioned, My experience includes 8 years of pole dancing with the past four as a
formal instructor. I hold two national certifications with the next step as forming and developing
my own certification. Furthermore, as a former academia teacher, I am a teacher by nature.
Some instructors are great dancers; however, they lack the teaching skills of breaking moves
down so that others can learn them. Some instructors also lack the patience. Most fitness
studios offer pole dancing as an after thought. That is, they use poles that are removable
(liability issues) that are made from a stainless steel material and they use a floor that is not
designed for the body’s demand from dance. At Antix, our poles are the original brass poles.
(Brass poles allow for greater friction.) The poles are fixed to grid section of beams in the ceiling
created to hold the poles. Our floor is a commercial grade wood laminate with a floating
subfloor beneath especially designed for dancers. The floating subfloor is made out of shock-
absorbing foam to prevent joint and ligament injuries. Expensive? Yes, but worth it. Safety is first!
Stay healthy and get your mind of the gutter! Pole dancing is for fitness and fun. I hope this
helped to educate you on the fitness benefits of pole dancing. More to come!
