7 Things You Didn’t Know About Vertical Fitness

Some call it vertical fitness. Others say pole dancing. This sexy, full-body workout is gaining momentum for its liberating and strengthening returns. Here’s why you should slip into some heels and give it a go!

1. You’ll Build Confidence

Pole fitness is a form of self-expression. Taking the sport out of the club and into the gym has transformed the scene into a feminist act of sorts, a time to reclaim your body and let go. Experts also say it’s emotionally and sexually therapeutic, creating body awareness and boosting self confidence.

2. You Will be Sore

This bodyweight workout calls on upper body strength, pushing your arms, shoulders and abs to their limits and toning your entire body. As you learn the art of pole fitness and master more and more tricks, you’ll build up a sweat quickly, torching calories and getting a beautiful strength and endurance workout.

3. Your Brain Will Thank You

Vertical fitness not only works your entire body, it improves your emotional health. You’ll burn off stress-fueled adrenaline and naturally produce euphoric endorphins. Your mind will feel calm, clear and happy after a workout.

4. You’ll Target Hard-to-Tone Areas

Spinning, twirling and inverting on a metal pole calls on muscles that you don’t even think about in a typical weight room setting. A few vertical fitness classes in and you’ll start to notice toning around the backs of your arms, lower abdominals and even that squishy part where your bottom meets your thighs. Another huge perk: Stronger back muscles. This means better posture, fewer overall injuries and a healthy spine.

5. It Counts as Cardio

Pole dancing routines are equivalent to anaerobic cardio bursts. Give it your best and you’ll be sure to hit that target heart rate while challenging all major muscle groups. Like any form of dance, you’re engaged and moving, blood is flowing and your heart is pumping.

6. There’s No Judgment

Come as you are, accept your body and those around you and just have a good time. You’ll forget you’re even exercising! Pole fitness is all about embracing empowerment and releasing any preconceived notions.

7. You’ll Make Friends

There’s a natural camaraderie that shows up around the pole. Laugh together, learn together and progress together. That feeling of accomplishment is what bonds are built upon.

Studio B offers all levels of Vertical Fit Classes, from introductory fun and flirty fundamentals to handsprings and inverting to exotic Russian-inspired classes. Be sure to sign up in advance. Knee pads are recommended.

By Lisa Blake

Lisa is a Summit County-based freelance writer who enjoys writing about health, wellness, dining and skiing. Find her work in Breckenridge Magazine, The Purist, 5280.com and at lisablakecreative.com.

The Benefits of Barre for Skiers

Tone and strengthen your way to incredible days on the slopes. Barre fitness is coveted for muscle strengthening and lengthening, low-impact toning and shaping and full-on mind-body sharpening. Skiers and snowboarders: Here’s why you should add barre workouts to your winter fitness lineup.

Endurance

During a barre workout, tiny one-inch movements are performed repeatedly while focusing on specific muscle groups. You may move from core to arms to legs to glutes, toning as you go. These small isometric movements fire the muscle with contractions that bring on that famous slow-twitch shake. This is the sign of a killer workout! One that’s increasing your stamina and endurance—both key ingredients for a successful powder day.

Stability

While you’re sculpting that classic ballerina barre body, you’re engaging and targeting your abdominals. Barre regulars report improved core strength and posture. Some even say they feel taller and have less lower back tension. The high-rep, low-weight, tiny-pulse payoff? A strong midsection, improved balance and a confident grace that naturally transitions from the barre to the mountain.

Strength

Barre’s small, uber-controlled pulses and squeezes leave muscles feeling stretched and strengthened. Each muscle group is worked thoroughly to the point of fatigue. Embrace the shake that comes along with exhausting a muscle—it’s totally natural and means that you’re toning and changing underused parts of your body. With this new strength comes increased range of motion. Bonus: Calling on bodyweight or small hand weights, barre’s isometric contractions strengthen muscles without straining tendons or joints. Your knees will thank you when you’re shredding moguls and carving trees.

Connection

While you’re holding, engaging and making small alignment corrections, your mind is forced to focus on tiny details and muscles. This heightened level of awareness sharpens mental concentration—an excellent trait to carry over to skiing and snowboarding, especially on steeper challenging terrain. In addition to power, grace, posture, strong thighs and a lifted butt, the best news about barre is that even though it was born from a former ballerina, the workout really is for everyone. No dance experience or sense of rhythm is required. All body shapes and sizes are welcome. But be forewarned: Your ski pants may suddenly be a little baggy after a few of these Studio B sessions.

By Lisa Blake
Lisa is a Summit County-based freelance writer who enjoys writing about health, wellness, dining and skiing. Find her work in Breckenridge Magazine, The Purist, 5280.com, and at lisablakecreative.com.