Our writer (not pictured) figures out pole dancing is even harder than it looks. Photograph courtesy of Flickr user lululemon athletica. It could be a scene from any workout class: about a dozen women ...

I’m at Pole Mission, a new studio opposite the Soho Theatre on Dean Street, where I’ve committed to a six-week beginner pole fitness class.

The fact that they look insanely hot while performing those impressive tricks is only just a bonus. I recently took a beginner pole class at San Francisco's VRV3 Studios, and my arms are still aching.

We start simply by holding the pole and lifting off the floor and over the weeks we build up to more difficult upside-down slides. In the final week we put the moves into a routine and perform ...

1. Verticality Fitness This Houston workout studio specializes in all types of pole fitness workouts. There are over 30 workout options that range from beginner to open-level or advanced technique.