If you've ever taken a pole dancing class, you have a new appreciation for what professional dancers do. It's no longer something erotic — if it ever was to you — and now resembles something of an Olympic sport, I kid you not.

Aradia Fitness, on King Street, offers the only pole dancing lessons in the city and these are not some basic club-grinding-against-the-pole moves.

Sure there's the usual swivel here, and dip there, but it's a real workout.

When I went there to research this article, I figured my formal dance background would make swirling around a pole not that hard.

Then I discovered my fear of the pole. This is not the fireman's pole you fearlessly swung down as a child — you have to think about where to put your ankles, hands, knees and other limbs.

First, the class starts with a warm-up where flexibility helps. And have you ever tried a sexy push-up? It exists, it's fun and it actually works.

Then you take your spot at your pole. That's when the fear set in. Watching instructor and studio owner, Andrea Tierney, make it look too easy instills a bit of false confidence. So when it was time to try it ourselves, it was less slinky smooth and more hard grip, violent swing and awkward slide down in pretzel shape.

But it was fun! As challenging as the first class was, there was still progress made and through it all, you're in this lovely and warmly lit room, everyone's giggling over their own attempts, and you can feel your muscles getting sore.

To conquer the pole, or at least try to get around it without gripping it like a madwoman, it takes practice and also confidence. Don't take yourself so seriously and just think of it like choreography — you're learning the steps. And unless you're seriously considering a career in it, it's not imperative that everything's perfect. Have fun with it! These classes are about more than just hard muscles.

"People who come here are looking for fitness for their insides," said Donetta Webster of Aradia Fitness. "They want to feel better about themselves, feel confident in themselves as a woman."

"It's tapping into something you don't get in a gym."

The studio is women-only, featuring classes designed with women's bodies in mind. They also offer teaser classes, which Webster recommends for anyone who wants to try it out but is hesitant.

"It's a great way … to come out and not feel the pressure of fitness," she said.

For those not interested in the pole dancing aspect of the classes, there's also PoleFit, which uses the pole for strength exercises. If you want to increase your cardio workouts, Cardio Erotica may be for you as it combines sexy dance moves, floorwork and a little pole action.

For a full list of all the classes, visit http://aradiafitness.com and scroll to the London studio. They've got everything from belly dancing to hula hooping so there's something for everyone's tastes.