Pole dancing is gaining popularity among women who want to get fit through dance and acrobatics. In societies in the Middle East, however, joining a pole dancing class is still not something that is seen as an appropriate form of exercise for females. Nevertheless, some pole fitness studios have been opening in Egypt.
Manar El Mokadem, aka Mint, studied architecture in the United Kingdom, where she took part in various university student activities. She joined a pole dancing class, and so the idea of bringing this form of exercise to her homeland was born. She says she opened Pole Fit Egypt in Cairo in October 2013, and also has introduced aerial arts to Egypt.
"Once I joined the pole fitness class [in the United Kingdom], I got addicted to it and I decided to turn my obsession into business. When I moved back home, I brought my passion for this workout with me. I then opened my own studio, and I am very proud that I introduced pole fitness to my country," El Mokadem said.
People in general associate pole dancing with stripping and obscene movements in front of an audience. "There is a difference between erotic pole dancing and pole fitness. Pole fitness is an acrobatic fitness program and an aerobics workout that boosts your mood, strengthens your body and enhances your self-confidence," she said, noting that she is not a pole dancer; but rather a pole dance instructor.
AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week.
