[Vagney Bradley | Chron]

Twirling around on a pole or suspended in the air by colorful silks are just a few ways people are finding their fitness inspiration.

Some people are trading in their gym memberships for a pole. Pole fitness is a growing national trend and it’s not just for adult entertainment. The fitness option, which is mostly pursued by women, is finding fitness inspiration with the pole, dance, and aerial arts to get in shape and have some fun while doing it.

Rachel Tisdale is the owner of Axis Aerial Arts in the Cypress area. The wife and mother of two was put on bed rest while pregnant with her daughters, which caused her to lose a lot of her strength. She was in search of finding a fitness routine to keep her active. Now, Tisdale has been training for six years and enjoys dedicating herself to training other interested pole enthusiasts.

I think Instagram and Facebook have aided in allowing people to see what all pole fitness can be. There is an aspect to pole fitness I think people didn’t understand until people started doing all these crazy acrobatic feats on the pole,” Tisdale said. “I enjoy the performance side of what I do and developing the girls. They come here, and they want to work out. We have at home moms and lawyers; we have every type of human being here.”

In early 2015, Tisdale opened Axis Aerial Arts. Under the guidance of various instructors, members are able to explore cirque style fitness, acrobatics, and body balance. The vertical pole in the pole fitness classes helps participants work on their muscle strength, dance skills, and even acrobatic skills.

“I love how empowering it is for women. I can do everything myself, and I don’t have to depend on a partner,” said D Tierce, and Axis Pole Fitness member. “This is a great way to get fit and upper and lower body strength and flexibility. If you like gymnastics, yoga, it’s all in one, and you get a sexy body.”

The studio also teaches classes that include the aerial cube, which is a cube suspended in the air with performers spinning and rotating, and aerial silks is taught as well, which is silk fabric that is suspended from the ceiling and allows performers to rotate and display tricks. Also, lyra hoops are taught in the studio; the performance art skill uses circles that are suspended in the air and allows performers to manipulate their body and dance. “It is a different outlet to get into fitness. I like how you are kind of competing with yourself with trying to do better,” said Amber Long, an Axis Pole Fitness member. “Once you get into it and get a feel for it, you are going to be proud of yourself and keep going. I think people are looking for something different and fun because working out is so regular and nobody wants to do the same basic (things).”

Christina Mitchell is the owner of Twisted Fit in Spring. After watching a video of popular Australian pole dancer Mitchell was inspired to pursue a career in pole fitness. The inspiration led to her opening her studio in 2011. The studio offers pole fitness, yoga, and belly dancing classes that are taught by various instructors.