For those of you too scared to even give pole dancing a try …

1. I don’t have time.

Time is one of those things that you never have enough of – which is exactly why this excuse can’t be allowed to stand between you and your inner pole dancer!

Try … thinking of pole dancing as just another form of exercise. If you have time to go to Zumba, if you have time to jog, you have time to pole. And if you don’t exercise, try getting a friend to try a pole class with you – that way, the new addition to your schedule will seem more like a fun outing, and not a big change to your routine.

2. It’s too sexy for me.

This one’s a bit complicated – do you mean you don’t feel you could ever be sexy enough to pole dance, or do you mean you find exotic pole dancing too sexy for your taste?

Try … an introductory class or go to a pole studio open house if you don’t feel sexy enough. You’ll see that every type of woman poles – and every woman is sexy enough to pole! And, if you find you’d prefer a less-sexy version of pole, seek out a pole class that emphasizes pole fitness over stripper-style dancing. There’s plenty of variety to choose from when it comes to pole dance!

3. You have to have a perfect body.

If this were the case, none of us could ever learn to pole. Luckily, all you need to pole is a love of dance and a willingness to give it a go!

Try … spending some time on Youtube, looking at videos of pole dance classes. These show you the truth – that all kinds of women pole, and no one is hung up about having the perfect body. You can even get involved in the online forums and start a thread on this topic – you’ll find that everyone worries about their body type.

4. I’m not strong enough.

Of course you’re not – you haven’t started pole dancing yet!

Try … not worrying about this before you’ve even started class. Once you get going, the teacher (if she’s good) will teach you exercises and beginning moves all designed to help you build the muscle you need for the more advanced moves.

5. There are no classes near me.

I’ve wrestled with this one, myself. Luckily, thanks to the magic of the internet, you can still find plenty of options.

Try … tricking your computer out with a nice, new webcam and getting live instruction from the numerous pole instructors out there who teach online. There are also plenty of DVDs and online video courses.

BONUS!! 6. I’m too old/out of shape/never danced before …

Ooh, this one is such a bummer – you can’t give into this!

Try … giving yourself a break and realizing that women of all ages learn pole, and women of all fitness levels, too! Yes, you need to be in extraordinary shape to pole for Cirque du Soleil, but you don’t need anything other than what you’ve got to join the happy ranks of pole dancers around the world!

If you already pole, you’ll also want to read the Top Five WORST Excuses for Not Pole Dancing!