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Pole Sphinx: Helps You Get Fit and Master Pole Dancing

Achieve your New Year fitness goals in Cebu’s newly opened fitness studio.

By: Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon | January 04, 2017
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The New Year is now upon us, and with that comes a desire to be more fit. Looking for a fun, new exercise to try this 2017? Then you might want to try pole dancing.

Pole dancing classes have been around in the Philippines as early as 2012. But recently, local celebrities have drawn attention to this unique recreational activity, whether they’re doing it for a role or for their own fitness regimen. Jessy Mendiola, for instance, played a pole dancer in a June 2016 episode of "Maalaala Mo Kaya.” More recently, Maja Salvador showedas with off her pole dancing skills at her Only Maja concert last November.



pole dancing classes Cebu

Pole Sphinx, the first pole dancing studio in Cebu



With the growing interest people have for pole dancing, Pole Sphinx Pole and Aerial Arts Studio opened their doors on September 12, 2016. Their 37-square-meter space at the third floor of CRJS Building, IT Park, is the first studio primarily dedicated to pole dancing in Cebu.


Beginnings




pole dancing classes Cebu

Pole Sphinx is located inside the CJRS Building in IT Park, Lahug.

Image: Pole Sphinx Cebu


Before having a studio of his own, Pole Sphinx owner and general manager Phil Simon Infantado used to be a pole dance instructor for an international fitness center chain. He was also one of the first students to enroll in pole dancing classes in the said gym. While employed there, he noticed that many students wanted to try it. And so he asked if the fitness chain would allow a separate pole dancing studio to be opened under their name. But after learning that using the name of the chain entailed a huge expense, he decided to open his own studio instead.



pole dancing classes Cebu

Interiors of Pole Sphinx

Image: Pole Sphinx Cebu


After three years of teaching pole dancing, he is glad to note the positive changes he sees in this field. “The community for pole dancing in Cebu has grown bigger,” says Phil. In fact, after Jessy’s portrayal of a pole dancer aired on TV, he got many inquiries about his classes.


The classes




pole dancing classes Cebu

Students do splits during flexibility classes at Pole Sphinx.

Image: Pole Sphinx Cebu


The pole dancing classes at Pole Sphinx are divided into beginners, intermediate to advanced, and all levels. Aside from pole dancing classes, they also offer flexibility, yogilates, aerial silks, sexy heels, and ballet workout. Walk-in rates are at PhP350 while package rates range from PhP2,700 to PhP7,500.



pole dancing classes Cebu

Pole Sphinx instructors do an inversion on the aerial hoop.



Pole dancing classes are limited to six students per class only, as instructors have to monitor their students closely. Teachers hold XPERT Pole & Aerial Fitness certification, which means they have undergone intense training for this type of activity. The studio is equipped with aerial hoops and aerial silks, in addition to the customary poles.



pole dancing classes Cebu

Students cool down along with their instructor after working hard at the poles.



As with most fitness programs, classes start with a warm-up, which usually consist of strengthening exercises. This is followed by pole routines. The one-hour class wraps up with cool-down exercises.


More confidence and energy


Since dancing on poles, Pole Sphinx students Gigi Gemora and Jen Veigel have said that they have gained more self-confidence and energy.

Gigi, a 39-year-old employee at a casino, said she has started pole dancing as an outlet for her loneliness. She initially saw Ciara Sotto do this on a morning news program. This piqued her interest to try out this exercise. She has been dancing for about a year now, and goes to Pole Sphinx two to three times a week, depending on her schedule.



pole dancing classes Cebu

The instructor does a demo on the pole before students perform the move.



Gigi credits pole dancing as the reason behind her new-found confidence with her body. She enjoys pole dancing because of the variety of the moves and tricks taught in each class. “Every time I can perform a certain trick which I just dreamed about performing before or which I think I cannot do because of my age, that’s when I get challenged,” Gigi shares.

On the other hand, Jen Veigel, a DJ, has been pole dancing for just about a month. She says that unlike other fitness classes she has joined before, pole dancing never gets boring. “It’s actually fun because there’s music and it’s upbeat,” she said.

Despite being a newbie, the work she has done on the poles has started to show results. “I’m more energetic and have more upper body strength. My legs are getting toned compared to before. There was a time in my life when I really did not exercise but when I took up pole dancing, I just started doing everything again. I kept waking up early, and everything follows,” she added.


Tips


Gigi and Jen share that it takes a certain amount of dedication and endurance to learn the various moves on the pole.

Phil adds that patience and consistency is also key. “The trick in pole dancing, as in all exercises, is consistency. You cannot see results at the first session, it takes time,” he advises.

In terms of physical preparation, students are advised not to eat two hours before their scheduled workout. They should also avoid applying lotion the whole day since this can make their bodies too slippery for the pole. Lotion can be applied after the workout.

Staying fit need not mean grudgingly working out at the gym. Choosing an activity you enjoy makes you more likely to stay with your fitness regimen. And with fun, unique workouts like pole dancing, you might just dance your way to your fitness goals this 2017.


For more fitness studios in Cebu, please check the Beauty, Health, & Wellness category of the ShoppersGuide Directory.


Fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact Pole Sphinx at (+63)917-545-7588 or through their Facebook Page for updated class fees.


BRANCH DETAILS

Pole Sphinx is located at the third floor of CRJS Building, IT Park, Apas, Lahug Cebu City. They are open from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Mondays to Wednesdays; 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Thursdays; 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Fridays; and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Saturdays. No classes on Sundays.
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About Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon
Arrah Camillia Quistadio-Manticajon is the current content supervisor for the Visayas region of ShoppersGuide Marketing, Inc. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication degree from UP Cebu. She has previously worked for a business process outsourcing company, a community newspaper, and a global technology company. When not writing, she putters about in the kitchen, baking or testing new recipes.
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
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