It’s that time of year where folks are working on their New Year’s resolution of staying fit and having fun.
If you’re looking for a workout with a bit of an exciting twist, pole dancing may be your calling.
RockNPole is in its fifth year of building self-esteem and better bodies and owner Lori Graystone couldn’t be happier about the long road to success.
“This started in my home as a party business and helped women with bachelorettes and birthdays,” said Graystone. “Eventually the physical fitness side of it became more prevalent and that’s where I decided to push out and go further with it.”
Keeping fit and staying active has always played a big part of Graystone’s life. The mother of three has maintained a healthy lifestyle by doing 20 minute workouts, teaching aerobics and even participating in roller derby. After teaching pole dancing at a friend’s school in Toronto, Graystone realized that she was developing a passion for wanting to start up her own school closer to home. But the travel time wasn’t the only reason to create a more personalized environment.
“The music really needed to change,” said Graystone. “It was all Britney Spears and that type of stuff, where I’m into rock; I love rock. Just looking around the studio you can see all the pics of AC/DC, The Ramones, Motorhead, that’s what I love and that’s why the name RockNPole.”
While Graystone’s classes are all rock and roll, there are classes with many types of music for those looking to find their beat. With approximately 11 different classes designed for different skill levels, RockNPole is suited for anyone and everyone looking to get back into shape and/or feel sexy. Intro level, intermediate, advanced and a boot camp class are just some sessions available, while others are even more particularly geared towards a certain demographic.
“We have one class called Classic Rock which is for those 40 years and older,” said Graystone. “We want people to let loose and feel free to find themselves here. No matter who you are there is a class suited for you.”
Graystone is hoping that her business’s approach to an open-to-anyone approach will rub off on many others in the community. Proud of the fact that RockNPole is a judgement free and fun, tight-knit environment, Graystone feels that her home city and many in it could be a little more open-minded to the school.
“As soon as people hear pole dancing they think we’re only training exotic dancers and some don’t want us around,” said Graystone. “It’s sad that some are so close minded and I always encourage them to come out and see for themselves. We are all about getting fit and having fun; we are so close to each other here and one of the biggest compliments I hear is that it’s not what someone expected and that they always feel so welcome. Anyone wanting to know what we do should come out and see; you’ll love it.”
The other side to the having fun and getting fit, is the many competitions that Graystone judges and that the school compete in. The Canadian Pole Fitness Association is a national organization that governs all regulated pole fitness activities, meets and schools. The 2017 CPFA Championship is being held in Vancouver, British Columbia this year Graystone is hoping to be able to make it or at least be a Skype judge.
“People who are in this competitively are very dedicated to it,” said Graystone. “They are train five or six times a week, practice, eat properly and treat this like the sport it is. A four or five minute routine is like sprinting full on for that amount of time. Every muscle in your body is being used and put to the test.”
With approximately 200 students at RockNPole (most being women though there are men too), renovations have been made to add more poles to the studio as more positive word hits the community. Graystone is even hosting events that are near and dear to her heart that will raise money and awareness for charities. Rock Your Abilities is a charity event on January 22 for the Down Syndrome Association of Simcoe County. Held at the RockNPole studio at 149 Welham Road from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event is in its third year and not only has great raffle prizes but showcases what students are doing and learning. The studio produces a routine and show to put on for family, friends and others in attendance.
“My nephew has Down Syndrome and having always been around him I realize he doesn’t have a disability as it’s called but rather a ton of ability and that’s what we focus on,” said Graystone. “That’s the focus here that day is to show what ability we have rather than worry about what you can’t do. Its great fun and we hope the people of Barrie will come out and support the event.”
As for the stigma that goes along with pole dancing and being the owner of a studio, Graystone shakes her head knowing that the attitudes will likely always be there but hopes people will become educated.
“I go to events or parties and I see the looks and hear the objections, but it’s more laughable now. I have three kids, one is finished university and managing a trendy restaurant in Toronto, my one daughter is in her third year of McMaster studying medical radiology and my son is in his first year at Ryerson taking business urban regional planning and joined the Toronto Concert Band playing the French horn as well as belonging to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Probably not what people’s first thoughts were, but that’s why I encourage them to come out and get educated about us first.”
For more information on RockNPole, check them out at www.rocknpole.ca
