At a Glance:

Website: http://bespun.com
Address: 7561 Sunset Blvd, Ste 102, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Length: 60 minutes
Price: 1 class/$35, 10 classes/$249
Sweat scale: low
Energy level: low

Let’s be real: since pole-dancing studios started popping up, we’ve all wanted to take a class but found them a bit intimidating. When my friend asked me to hit up a beginners class at BeSpun with her, I knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Pre Sweat

When I walked in, my jaw immediately dropped. The advanced class was finishing up and the things they could do on those poles were moves I had never seen before. It didn’t help that I was clad in my usual tank and yoga capris while they were wearing athletic bras, spandex underwear, and 6-inch heels. They brought new meaning to “working the pole” and I was very impressed.

I checked in, signed a waiver, and put my purse in the cubbies in the back. The studio is very basic, with 7 poles, low lights, and a one-person restroom. The curtains are always drawn and you can tell it’s a no-judgment kind of place.

Sweat

We began with floor exercises where we thrusted and rolled our hips, learning some basic moves. Amy, the instructor, encouraged us to be sensual during this to get into character. Next, we all stood up for warm up walks. We learned to walk slowly with a flirty stride and put our hands on the wall for some booty circles.

Finally, we headed to the pole. Amy would demonstrate each pole move a few times and then give us time to try it out ourselves while she walked around offering advice. To start, we slowly circled the pole using our new walking style. We learned how to walk around it, stop, booty shake, and then drop down to the floor. We also learned how to gracefully come to standing. Our last move was a spin. I was quite hesitant, but after trial and error, I was finally able to jump and rotate around the pole.

At the end of every class, the lights are turned lower and the music higher for free dance. Because we were all new to class, Amy led us through a routine using all of the moves we had learned. It was really exciting to see it all come together and made me feel like I had learned so much in just an hour!

Post Sweat

Within a couple blocks, there are some great places to grab dinner or a snack. Check out The Pikey, El Compadre, or Aroma Bakery Café for a full meal. Rockpaper Coffee (open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm) has yummy espresso drinks, juice, a variety of lunch wraps and sandwiches. The still-trendy Pinkberry is also a few blocks away.

Tricks of the Trade

• Come with a friend. If the class is big, like ours was, you have to share a pole. You’ll feel a little more comfortable sharing one with someone you know.
• Wear something that makes you feel good. Lots of the new girls were wearing sports bras and tight shorts with their hair down. Looking the part will help you get into character.
• Don’t think that you’re going to nail each move on the first try. The instructors give you a lot of time to practice the moves on your own. When I was having trouble spinning, my friend helped ease my nerves by giving my advice and talking me through it.