The pole fitness teacher is prompting everyone to get on the pole, test your core, and bring sexy back

Once you have done a class with Aarifa Bhinderwala, somehow everything seems possible. It’s a pole fitness class that will change your perception of what’s possible. How is that? For me, a curvy 44-year-old, the classes came by when I was feeling as if I had lost that spark. You know, when you don’t connect with your body anymore, and somehow, well, you stop feeling beautiful.

And so, recently, after a few consistent classes, when I could actually lift myself up, climb a pole and float a bit above the ground, I finally felt one with my body again. That’s why Bhinderwala’s Pole Burnt classes are the most popular pole fitness classes in town. Bhinderwala came across pole while she was visiting her sister in Australia.

“I went for a class out of curiosity and wanting to explore something new in a new city. I fell in love with the feeling of defying gravity and the sense of stillness that spinning on the pole gave me. I wanted to take this back home and wanted people in my country to experience this. And thus I pioneered pole fitness in India and worked on the challenges that come with introducing something completely new and creating a new field that didn’t exist before. I’ve never been into sports or dance and didn’t have a degree in business. All the strength I’ve built has been on the pole and grew it into a business by learning on the field,” she tells us.

What I also love about the classes, which have become a non-negotiable now for me every week, is that it’s graced with all types of bodies. If you think you have to look like a model and be at peak fitness to do the pole, you are wrong. You need to be consistent and enthusiastic. The class is filled with the tall, short, curvy, athletic, skinny – and everyone supports the other. I have seen and heard the class fill with claps every time a fellow pole lover accomplishes a move.

Read the Mid-Day article: Fly Like Aarifa

I started dancing at 6 and it’s been a part of my life for over 25 years now. After investing years in Kuchipudi, Latin American, Ballroom, and Freestyling, I started working as a dancer and an assistant choreographer in the film industry at 15. I started choreographing movies at 22 and at 28, months after I started my strength training journey, I went on a holiday to Australia, I took a pole class, to say I was hooked is an understatement. Soon after I returned, I got a pole gifted by my partner and spent the quarantine with the pole trying to learn as much as I can from the internet and all the beautiful pole artists abroad, signed myself up for a lot of their classes and workshops. I realized what pole has done for me, it made me more confident, stronger, disciplined, consistent, happy and I knew I had to spread this feeling. So I gave myself about 2000 hours to practice before I started teaching. I started THE POLE CAMP in 2021 to spread the joy and the art that pole is, what I got in return are friends and a very supportive community. This has been a life changing decision for me and I will forever continue to learn and teach pole.

Instagram:
Anusha Swamy: @anushaswamy

Nupur Chaudhuri is an award-winning Pole Artist and Athlete based in India. She has honed her pole skills by training with the best instructors around the globe and is today recognised as the country’s leading pole coach and athlete.

In 2020, she competed in the PSO Libra Championship Level 3 and won Silver, thus putting India on the world map and becoming the first from the country’s pole community to win at this global competition.

Her strength and artistry later gained national acclaim on India’s Got Talent Season 9 in 2022, where her performance earned a standing ovation from the celebrity judges.

She owns The Pole School India in Pune and her students have progressed remarkably from learning their first basic pole spin to now inverting, handspringing and flipping off the pole with confidence and control.

A TEDx speaker who is passionate about shattering social stigmas, Nupur’s story is a powerful example of how it is never too late to reinvent yourself and break through the “glass ceilings”—one vertical climb at a time.

For over a decade, Nupur was a prominent voice in Indian media, serving as a journalist for some of the country’s most respected newsrooms, including The Indian Express, The Maharashtra Herald, Sakal Times, Femina, and The Times of India. She eventually rose to become the Deputy Resident Editor at Pune Times, but in 2013, she stepped away from the newsroom to explore her creative side. This led to the launch of her own footwear label, which saw her designs grace the prestigious ramps of Lakme Fashion Week.

In 2017, at the age of 32, Nupur discovered Pole—a discipline that would redefine her career and her life. Within just a few years, she transitioned from a beginner to a world-class athlete.

Instagram:
Nupur Chaudhuri: @nupurpoleart

Zakwana is an award-winning pole artist, coach, and aerial artist based in India, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of movement while helping grow the country’s pole community. She began her pole journey in Dubai in 2019 after years of aerial training, quickly developing a passion for both the athletic and artistic sides of the discipline. Her pursuit of excellence has taken her across the world to train with renowned instructors in Russia, Bali, Spain, and beyond, allowing her to bring diverse styles and techniques back to India.

As both a competitor and performer, Zakwana has represented India on international stages multiple times, becoming the first India-based dancer to win at International Pole Competitions : Exotic Generation Spain 2025 and 2026. She is known for combining strong technical foundations with creativity, musicality, individual expression. On stage, she is know for her magnetic stage presence & storytelling.

Zakwana is the founder of Onaer, a movement brand built around high-quality pole, flexibility, and aerial education. She also founded Onaer Escapes, an international retreat company that brings together athletes, dancers, and coaches from around the world through immersive training experiences in destinations such as Bali, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Expanding her vision further, she launched Onaer Wear, a dancewear/ polewear brand designed to create a statement & express through style, for pole dancers and movement artists.

Beyond teaching and competing, Zakwana’s mission is to inspire more people to embrace movement as a form of strength, creativity, and self-expression while continuing to put Indian pole dancing on the global map.

Instagram:
Onaer: @onaer.in
Onaer escapes: @onaer.escapes
Onaer wear: @onaer.wear

Aarifa Bhinderwala didn’t just try pole fitness – she redefined it. First a practitioner and then the pioneer of pole fitness in india – she is the founder of pole burnt, and the indian director of xpole india, who turned a niche discipline into a movement; and this is her story.

Pole fitness has grown tremendously in popularity in recent years, yet it remains a misunderstood form of exercise. Many perceive it as solely meant for entertainment and need to realize its true effectiveness as a full-body workout.

While pole dancing is indeed incorporated into routines by performers, the sport of pole fitness focuses squarely on condition and strength training. Its proponents include celebrities like Britney Spears and everyday athletes seeking a dynamic workout. If you’re searching for a way to challenge your entire body and mind, pole fitness may be the answer.

The Physical Benefits of Pole Fitness

A Calorie-Burning Powerhouse

Pole fitness burns a significant amount of calories by engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously during even the simplest moves. One study found that a 45-minute pole fitness class can torch over 400 calories, comparable to other high-intensity workouts like kickboxing, rowing, or various pole classes.

Its full-body approach means your arms, back, core, and legs are constantly working together. Even holding poses requires tremendous abdominal and upper body strength to maintain perfect form against gravity. Repeating tricky spins and climbs up the pole keeps your heart rate elevated for a challenging cardio session.

Toning and Strengthening

Pole Fitness honest every major muscle group, from your shoulders down to your calves. Gripping the pole with your arms, legs, and core stabilizes your body during tricks, activating smaller stabilizing muscles to maintain control and balance. 

Pole dancers benefit from the intense toning and strengthening, leading to a more sculpted physique. Over time, this intense toning and strengthening translates to a stronger, more sculpted physique. Countless fitness enthusiasts have seen noticeable definitions in their arms, back, glutes, and thighs after regular pole practice. The constant contraction and release of muscles also improve overall flexibility. 

Full-Body Conditioning Dynamo

Due to constantly coordinating opposing muscle groups in three dimensions, pole routines engage every major area for a superior workout. Even simple spins require tremendous core stability to control one’s rotational momentum around the apparatus. Wearing appropriate grip attire and participating in a supportive, body-positive environment in a pole class can help beginners feel comfortable while learning fundamental techniques.

More advanced tricks activate smaller stabilizers to flow gracefully between positions while maintaining perfect form against gravity’s force. Such compound exercises maximize toning across larger muscle groups, like biceps, paired with smaller synergists for sculpted definition.

Biomechanical Breakdown of Pole Dancing

Breaking down pole tricks biomechanically reveals their potency. Floor work hones lower body explosive power through pistoning leg kicks. Hanging poses challenge the grip, biceps, and back to support one’s weight at difficult angles.

Inverted moves strengthen the shoulders, triceps, and abdominal wall to flip overhead. Climbing sequences develop forearm endurance and leg strength to propel upwards repeatedly. Pole dancing’s functional choreography, therefore, builds an athletic yet aesthetically pleasing physique.

Improved Body Image and Self-Esteem 

By pushing through inertia’s tug and mastering advanced spins, pole dancing cultivates pride, vanquishing self-doubt with each new trick learned. Students appreciate their forms anew by focusing on abilities rather than appearances alone. 

Pole fitness classes are fun and create a positive and supportive environment, encouraging a sense of community among students and instructors.

Witnessing changes in one’s core power month after month further grounds self-worth in capability over approval. Accomplished sensuality cultivated through routines also boosts sensuality. These factors explain pole fitness’s ability to alleviate body consciousness.

Stress Relief and Flow States

While cardio pole routines raise heart rates into the fat-burning zone, flowing between static holds induces relaxation. Consuming attention in the present moment, forms like the fireman spins meditatively quiet intrusive thoughts.

Regularly achieving this state of “flow” through pole practice conditions the mind and body for calm under duress. Students then possess off-mat tools to manage pressures that previously triggered distress without unhealthy vices. As a moving meditation, pole dancing cultivates mental endurance, too.

Why Pole Fitness Should Be Taken Seriously

While many still see pole fitness as little more than a superficial hobby, the past decade has seen it established as a legitimate exercise. A fitness sport in its own right, its complexity demands tremendous core, upper body, and leg power. Global competitions between highly-trained pole athletes prove these skills require immense dedication and training.

As the number of high-intensity pole fitness gyms multiply worldwide, so too do fitness qualifications in pole dancing instruction. These developments work to positively reframe its image from a taboo label to a respected full-body sport.

Integration with Other Fitness Regimes in a Pole Fitness Studio

No singular workout targets every muscle in such a well-rounded 360-fashion. Because of this, pole dancing can complement myriad exercise routines when blended thoughtfully. Pole Tricks provide a unique challenge for gymnasts seeking cross-training from equipment-based circuits.

Its demanding acrobatics also pair perfectly with dancers to build raw power in their physiques. Similarly, calisthenics athletes or cross-fitters will gain immeasurably from its coordination builders. Whether practiced as a standalone form or integrated creatively, pole fitness molds the total body into a strong, agile form.

Conclusion: Embrace Pole Fitness as Your Next Fitness Challenge

From celebrities to avid athletes to casual exercisers, scores have discovered the immense physical and emotional benefits of embracing pole fitness as part of their training. Not only does it serve as an effective calorie-torching, full-body strength regimen, but it also fosters greater mental wellness.

While the coordination and flexibility required in pole dancing may far surpass what is expected, progressing step-by-step at your own pace promises tremendous rewards. Challenge yourself to start a pole fitness journey today, whether by seeking instruction online or in your local studio.

You’ll quickly obtain a well-sculpted physique alongside stress relief and increased self- confidence. As your skills progress over time through dedicated practice, feel free to incorporate tricks seamlessly with calisthenics, yoga, dance, and more. What are you waiting for? Join the pole fitness community now and start your next best fitness routine.

Introduction

Your aerial pole is more than just equipment—it’s the gateway to unlocking strength, flexibility, and confidence. Every spin, climb, and inversion relies on the stability and cleanliness of your pole. When well-maintained, your pole can support your acrobatic moves and help you reach new heights in your training.

But did you know that regular cleaning and maintenance are just as important as your workout itself? A clean aerial pole is essential for enhancing your performance and ensuring your safety.

Regular X-Pole cleaning ensures better grip, reduces bacteria, and helps you avoid accidents—making every workout smoother and more effective.

In this guide, we’ll reveal 7 powerful reasons to keep your aerial pole clean, from enhancing your workout to preserving your equipment. Plus, we’ll share expert tips on aerial pole maintenance, the best way to clean your Xpole, and how to maintain pole dance hygiene for a healthier, safer practice.

Don’t let dirt or germs hold you back—discover the top aerial pole cleaning tips and unlock your full potential today! Let’s dive in and make your practice safer, cleaner, and even more amazing!

Safety First: Germ-Free Fitness with XPole India

Your personal safety should always be the top priority when practicing aerial fitness, and a clean XPole India pole is your first line of defense against injuries. A dirty aerial pole can be a breeding ground for germs, oils, and sweat that accumulate over time, creating a slippery surface. This can significantly increase the risk of slips and falls, potentially leading to serious injuries.

A regular cleaning routine ensures your pole remains free from these contaminants, creating a germ-free fitness environment that allows you to practice with confidence. Here’s how keeping your XPole India clean boosts safety:

• Prevents Slipping: With oils, dust, and grime removed, the surface of your XPole India remains grippy and safe. This is crucial for holding on during your spins, climbs, and inversions.
• Reduces Injury Risk: Slippery poles can cause you to lose your grip and fall unexpectedly. Keeping your pole clean reduces these chances, ensuring you stay safe during your aerial practice.

• Enhances Cleanliness: A clean aerial pole eliminates harmful bacteria and germs that can spread through sweat and skin contact. Cleanliness is key to both aerial pole hygiene and your health.

With a clean XPole India, you can focus on your moves without worrying about slipping, so your practice becomes safer and more enjoyable.

Longevity: Extend Its Life with XPole India

A clean XPole India is not just a matter of safety and performance—it’s also about preserving the longevity of your pole. Whether you have a chrome or brass pole, regular cleaning is essential to prevent grime buildup that can cause wear and tear. Dirty poles are prone to scratches, tarnishing, and corrosion, which can shorten their lifespan and result in costly repairs.

Here’s why keeping your XPole India clean helps extend its life:

• Prevents Grime Build-Up: Over time, dirt and oils accumulate on the pole, causing it to degrade. Regular cleaning helps prevent this buildup, ensuring that your pole remains in great condition.
• Protects Materials: Materials like chrome or brass can tarnish or corrode if not cleaned regularly. By maintaining your XPole India, you prevent these materials from losing their shine and durability.
• Avoids Scratches and Damage: Grime buildup can lead to rough spots on the pole, which can cause scratches and other imperfections. Regular cleaning ensures a smooth, damage-free surface, extending the life of your XPole India.

By taking care of your XPole India, you’re making an investment in your fitness equipment that will last for years to come. Proper aerial pole maintenance prevents unnecessary damage, so you can continue using your pole without worry.

Maintenance: Easy Cleaning with XPole India

Cleaning your XPole India doesn’t have to be a complicated or time-consuming process. With a few simple steps, you can maintain a clean pole and keep your workouts safe and efficient. Here are some easy cleaning tips for XPole India:

• Use the Right Cleaning Products: When cleaning your XPole India, use a mild, non-abrasive cleaner that’s safe for aerial poles. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the finish or leave residue behind.
• Wipe Down After Each Use: After each session, take a few minutes to wipe down your XPole India to remove sweat and oils. This simple step keeps your pole clean between deep cleans.
• Deep Clean Every Few Weeks: Every couple of weeks, give your XPole India a deep clean to remove any build-up. This can be done with a microfiber cloth and a gentle cleaning solution.

Following the XPole India maintenance guide will ensure that your pole stays in excellent condition without requiring excessive effort. Easy and quick cleaning keeps your pole performing at its best.

Aesthetics: Polished Look with XPole India

A polished, shiny pole is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides a positive environment for your practice. When your XPole India is clean, it looks sleek and professional, adding to the overall appeal of your workout space. A clean pole enhances the aesthetic of your studio or home practice area, inspiring confidence and motivation to train.

Here’s how cleanliness improves the aesthetics of your XPole India:

• Sleek and Shiny: A clean pole adds a polished, professional look to your space. Whether you’re in a studio or at home, a gleaming XPole India makes a bold statement.
• Increased Motivation: A tidy, attractive practice space can boost your motivation. When your pole looks good, it can inspire you to practice more and improve your skills.
• Creates a Positive Vibe: The visual appeal of a clean aerial pole can help you feel more energized and focused during your workouts, leading to a more enjoyable and productive practice.

A clean XPole India isn’t just about functionality—it’s also about creating an environment that’s inspiring and inviting.

Professionalism: Set Standards with XPole India

Maintaining a clean pole isn’t just about you—it’s also about setting a standard for professionalism. Whether you’re practicing at home or teaching in a studio, a well-maintained XPole India demonstrates your commitment to excellence. Clean poles reflect professionalism, attention to detail, and respect for your equipment.

Here’s how cleaning your XPole India can set a professional standard:

• Creates a Professional Environment: A clean, well-maintained pole shows that you take your practice seriously and care about your surroundings.
• Set an Example for Others: If you’re teaching aerial fitness or pole dancing classes, a clean XPole India sets a good example for your students, encouraging them to maintain their equipment properly.
• Reflects Your Dedication: Taking the time to maintain your XPole India reflects your dedication to both your training and your equipment. It shows that you invest in quality and take pride in your practice.

With XPole India, maintaining a professional standard in both your training and your equipment is easier than ever.

Conclusion

Maintaining a clean aerial pole is essential for ensuring safety, performance, and the longevity of your equipment. By following the XPole India maintenance guide and cleaning your pole regularly, you can enjoy a safer, more confident practice. Whether you’re looking to improve your grip, extend the life of your pole, or simply create a more aesthetically pleasing practice space, cleaning your XPole India has a significant impact on your overall experience.

With XPole India, you’re not just investing in a pole—you’re investing in your growth, performance, and safety. So, make pole maintenance a priority, and unlock your best practice with a clean, polished, and well-maintained XPole India!

Zoraya Judd – One of the pioneers of the pole fitness industry. Zoraya is an aerial pole performer, instructor, wife, and mother to 3 boys. She is based in Utah and is the founder of Next Level Pole Training – a unique training experience meant to progress you 1-2 pole levels in a very short time period. Zoraya has been traveling, on a regular basis, teaching pole studios around the world for over a decade. Zoraya has participated in many international competitions and has been awarded many titles. She has guest judged and performed at large pole functions and competitions, performed with and for numerous well known actors, musicians, festivals, large corporate private events and has been featured in many magazines, news papers, fox sports, and movies.

Zoraya’s goal is to continue to show people the art and fitness side of aerial pole. She absolutely loves everything that has to do with pole. But, for her it is the strength, control and flexibility that she finds so beautiful and intriguing.

Don’t miss your opportunity to learn from this legend. Her strength and technique combined with her many years of experience is unmatched and is sure to take your pole to the next level.

Pole Resume:

• First competition, “Miss Pole Fetish Utah 2009”, She placed 1st in the advanced division.
• One of the 12 girls chosen to compete in “USPDF West Coast Regional 2009 Competition”, where she received her “Pro Status”
• Sexy in SLC, Oct 2009
• Competed in “Vertical Pole Challenge”, where she secured a spot in the Finale.
• Became a clothing ambassador for Bad Kitty Pole Fit Wear.
• Competed in “USPDF National Championship 2010” in the Pro Division.
• Performed with Felix Cane at corporate event. 2010
• UPA Pole Artist of the month, May 2010
• Toured southern California doing pole workshops at multiple pole studios.
• Guest performer at the International Pole Convention 2010
• Inspiration of the month for Mika Yoga wear July 2010.
• Performed as an opening and closing act for rapper Common in Las Vegas NV 2010
• Performed as an opening and closing act for singer Mia in Las Vegas NV 2010
• Guest performer at EMW west coast competition 2010
• Zoraya wanted to give back, so she got involved with “All Childrens Charity”. A charity that seeks to empower, educate and nurture talent in children all over the world.
• Competed in the “World Pole Dance and Fitness championship 2010”, where she made it to the final round and became a part of the top 13 in world. Held in Zurich, Switzerland.
• Toured all over the UK and Europe doing pole workshops at multiple pole studios.
• Competed in the “American Pole Fitness Championships 2010” in October, where she was awarded 2 awards. 1st runner up and Pole Athlete Of The Year (out of the males and females).
• Was featured in Pole Spin Magazine August-November 2010 issue
• Toured East Coast doing pole workshops at multiple pole studios.
• 2010 won “Pole Idol”
• Zoraya is currently performing with Zen Arts (zenartsla.com) and Revel Society, a premier event entertainment and production company.
• Competed in “International Pole Championships 2010”, December in Tokyo, Japan. Where she was awarded International Pole Art Champion 2010.
• Was featured in Pole Spin Magazine December-March 2011 issue
• Photoshoot for Affliction clothing and for Throwdown in January 2011
• Performed for the 2011 Maxim Magazine party, January 2011
• Performed for the 2011 XBIZ Awards in February 2011
• Competed in “Aerial Pole International Championships 2011”, March in Switzerland. Where she was awarded Best Trick award and strongest pole dancer by Dominic Lacasse himself (The Flag Man).
• Toured all over the UK and Europe doing pole workshops at multiple pole studios. March 2011
• Has a 5 page spread in Pole Spin Magazine April-July 2011 issue and is considered an inspirational role model world-wide
• Performed and toured in Mexico city May 2011 teaching pole workshops
• Was featured live on Fox Sports in Mexico City during Cinco de Mayo 2011 to represent pole as an art and sport
• Toured Northern California and Tahoe May 2011 teaching pole workshops at multiple studios.
• Performed two nights in a row on the main stage at Lightning In a Bottle, May 2011, Los Angeles CA
• She has also been featured and interviewed by numerous news reporters, magazine articles, and tv personnel around the world.
• Performed 3 nights in a row on the main stages of “Electric Daisy Carnival” in Las Vegas, NV with Zen Arts.
• Performed at XPOLE showcase of the top 12 pole dancers in the world. “Pole Reflections” Sydney Australia, July 2011
• Toured all parts of Australia teaching Pole Fitness workshops. July/August 2011
• Competed at World Pole Dance and Fitness Championships 2011, Hungry Budapest October 2011 where she was awarded “Best Entertainer” in the finals.
• Toured all over UK and Europe teaching pole fitness workshops, October 2011
• Performed at Gravity First 2nd edition 2011 in Mexico City for XPOLE Mexico. October 2011
• Toured all over the Mexico teaching pole workshops at multiple pole studios. October 2011
• Photoshoot with Rebok for the cover of a fitness magazine in South America. January 2012 issue.
• Cover girl of Vertical Fitness Magazine in USA, February/April 2012
• International Pole Championships 2012, Hong Kong. Awarded First Runner Up Pole Art Champion and First Runner Up Pole Idol 2012
• 2012 featured in Rolling Stones magazine
• International Judge for 2013 World Pole Dance and Fitness Championships in Switzerland
• Judge and Guest Performer for 2014 Miss Pole Dance Argentina
• Judge and Guest Performer for 2014 Miss Pole Dance Mexico
• Guest performer at PWN Awards 2014
• 2015 through today: Main judge for most of the largest international and world pole competitions
• 2015 through today: Traveling the globe teaching at many pole studios
• 2015 through today: Teaching MANY international guests at her personal training facility in USA
  (Next Level Training)

Zoraya is sponsored by:
X-POLE
Dry Hands
Mighty Grip
Rubberbanditz
Mika Yoga Wear
Mika Yoga Swim

Zoraya continues to tour the entire globe teaching the art of pole to at pole studios everywhere.
dx

This year, X-POLE sponsored the 2nd Annual Halifax Theatrix Pole Competition hosted by Studio In Essence in Halifax, Nova Scotia.inesS™ put on a fantastic sold-out show that highlighted the talent of pole artists throughout Atlantic Canada in 5 categories: Pole Amateur, Pole Doubles, Pole Comedy, Pole Art (A) and (B).

The floor-to-ceiling brass competition poles gleamed like gold on the beautifully lit stage, framed by the black curtain backdrop and the warm wood floors. The Pole Amateur category was won by Christine Ausman, with her emotional performance about love and loss that tugged the heartstrings.

The winning duo for Pole Doubles was Faith Flemming and Melissa Rutherford, who created a fun and heartwarming performance about friendship and inspiration.

The Pole Comedy category was swept away by Candice J Prior, who made the audience laugh out loud as she battled the elements to be rescued from a deserted island.

The winner for Pole Art A was Jasmine Mah, who lit up the stage as Pele, the goddess of Fire in an explosive performance.

Finally, the 2019 Pole Art B winner was NaRae Lee, who astounded the audience with her powerful performance that gained her an entry into Spinning with the Stars, an annual charity event that raises money for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.

Studio In Essence Owner/Director Christy Sanford, “We are proud to foster such a creative, supportive, and driven community, and we greatly appreciate the role our sponsors play in helping this community continue to grow and flourish. We hope to make next year’s competition even more vibrant and successful!”

We can’t wait to see what next year holds for everyone who competed in the Halifax Theatrix Pole Competition. Thank you to everyone for making this such a success.

For more info, please check out:

Www.halifaxtheatrix.com