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In the past, pole dancing has been correlated with sleazy nightclubs and gawking men, which causes it to have a bad rap. Some would-be dancers would rather stay away from pole dancing in hopes of avoiding the reputation of its past. However, Queen of Hearts Fitness, located in the Publix plaza off of Monroe St., has brought back this art form, making sure the attention is on the advancement of female empowerment instead of its provocative misconception. Standing apart from other fitness studios with its selection of taboo workouts, Queen of Hearts Fitness brands itself on sisterhood and channeling your inner queen. What might they mean by this inner queen, you ask? Well, I was given the opportunity to find out during a one-week membership to Queen of Hearts Fitness.
With pole dancing and other classes such as the Vixen Workout, Stiletto Sculpt and Werk & Twerk, I decided to first introduce myself to this studio with a somewhat less sexy workout. At 5:45am (yes, they offer classes at a variety of times to fit every busy or working woman’s schedule), I tried out my first class: Booty Ballet. The workout is similar to barre because you utilize ballet conditioning with low impact and small weights to tone and tighten your muscles, mostly focusing on your booty and core. I was surprised to realize that the instructor knew almost all of the faces in the class, making my first impression of the studio to be one that is a true “sisterhood.” Also, the gym goers consisted of a variety of people: not one age, race, fitness level or shape. Queen of Hearts is definitely a welcoming place for anyone who wants to build their strength and confidence, both physically and mentally, along with great group of women.
With one class down, the next step was to try something a little bit sexier. I personally don’t consider myself to be a very sexy person—I’m more of the awkward type, so when I walked in to try Chair Dancing, I could easily say I was out of my comfort zone. The first thing I saw was the instructor walk in with platform heels at least six inches high (which are optional by the way) and the main room disbursed with woman of all backgrounds, chairs in hand. Some women were experienced and rhythmically inclined while other women, like myself, were first-timers. Even though I was new, at no point did I feel intimated to be there—the atmosphere was almost soothing. You’re able to tune into your sexual power without any fear of judgment. Although some may feel vulnerable, Queen of Hearts Fitness teaches you that this is a freeing experience and even a feminist act. What I mean by this is that chair dancing or pole dancing can be considered promiscuous or “slutty” because it can be seen as objectifying women for the pleasure of men, but when you attend a class at Queen of Hearts, the workout is purely for you and no one else. You aren’t exposing yourself to someone—you’re releasing your inhibitions and finding a new side of yourself—your inner queen.
The same goes for my experience with Pole Dancing. Since I am a beginner and have never really touched a pole, the class allowed me to become familiarized with the fundamentals such as basic spins and floor work. At first glance, pole dancing appears graceful; however, it is a workout that challenges and enhances your balance and strength. It took me a few times and some guidance from the instructor, but by the end of the class, I was able do some simple spins and turns around the pole. Without me really noticing, my shoulders and arms had received a total workout! I had some bruising on my shin, but they told me bruising would subside within a few days. Luckily, the confidence I built is here to stay.
After I got a feel for the studio, I discovered the classes they offer enable you to release a side of you that tends to stay hidden due to social norms. But what can be considered promiscuous can also be seen as sexual power—something women are usually ashamed to display in the everyday world. Even though Pole Dancing is the main workout they advertise, they also offer a range of classes such as Zumba, Choreographed Dance, Yoga, Circuit and many more. What I learned is that while Queen of Hearts is enjoyable, fun and different, this studio allows you to become a part of a community focused on the empowerment of women. You build each other up instead of down.
If you would like to try out Queen of Hearts Fitness, please click here for more information. They offer bachelorette, birthday, girl’s-night-out parties and private lessons. They also offer a new client special: $79 for one month of unlimited classes. So, go for it! Try Queen of Hearts and find your inner queen!