Interview with Bucks Pole Fitness Champion Nicole McIntyre

There are a lot of amazing pole dancers in the UK, one of which is Nicole McIntyre who recently won the professional category at the Bucks Pole Fitness Championships 2011.  We caught up with her after winning the title...

1. How and did you first get interested in pole dancing and what made you become an instructor/performer?
I saw a Youtube video of Felix Cane in 2009 and I thought it looked beautiful and strong. As I’d done gymnastics as a child I thought I’d be able to handle the strength elements but maybe not the graceful elements! During the first class I went to, the teacher was doing some strip teasing practice and ended up taking her top off and I was so embarrassed! That teacher was Donna Gant and I almost didn’t come back. But luckily she also did some crazy tricks, which I wanted to learn.  After about a year some of the other teachers asked me to help out one day and I found I really enjoy teaching. It has helped me to become a better pole dancer as well because you really start breaking down the moves and learning how they work.

2.  What is it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
There are always new things to learn! I love watching other videos or just going through images of pole dance moves and trying them (Usually with some padded mats down first!) I didn’t think I would enjoy doing a routine for a competition, but I’ve enjoyed learning to put all the moves together, so I might try doing some more routines now. I’m completely obsessed by pole dancing and its always going through my mind. Especially at about 1am when trying to get to sleep and I’m just picturing all the moves that I wish I could do!

3. What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
1. The Shoulder Mount Flip – where you hold in shoulder mount then flip around to catch in flag arms then flick back around into shoulder mount. It just looks cool!
2. Any Handspring ones because they look strong.
3. Knee hold without crossing feet –It almost looks like you’re not holding on with anything!

4. What are the main fitness benefits of pole dancing and how have pole dancing improved your fitness, strength or bodyshape?
My body shape has changed. Arms and across the shoulders and chest have broadened. My stomach muscles have become more defined. My bum is still big. I also do a lot of Pilates and Aerobics teaching though which helps the pole dancing.

5. Pole performers are athletes like in any other sport. What is an average weeks training for you?
I do pole dancing classes (teaching or attending) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and give myself Fridays off. I teach for Donna Gant at 1^st Class Pole Fitness in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and I also attend Elegance Pole Studio in Loughborough, Leicestershire. I also teach aerobics and Pilates on Mondays Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. And then if there’s any pole jams, private lessons, events or Pole House Parties then I’ll go to them on weekends. I’m also trying to eat more protein while I’m doing all this training to keep my muscles strong and defined.

6. If someone has never tried pole dancing before how to they get started?
If somebody would like to try pole dancing and hasn’t done it before they should definitely come to lessons for a while first to learn the safe technique to complete the moves. Then they could buy a pole for their home and practise as often as possible! I think its important for people to realise that everybody is completely different (especially women!) and some people are stronger than others, some are more flexible and some can move in a more graceful way. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t get something, just keep practising and try it in your own unique style!

6. What’s next for you in the coming year?
After entering my first competition and winning the Professional/Instructor category I have been asked to perform this at a few different charity events and to teach a master class. So I’ll just travel around and meet some lovely Pole People and share my hyperactive energy. I have a list that I constantly update on new moves I want to learn so I’ll keep trying them. And I might go and get some dancing lessons so I can become a bit more of a Pole DANCER not just a Pole Fitness Performer.

See Nicole in action here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqEn1vH_5EE