Bozeman’s only Pole Fitness studio teaches pole dancing as a fitness-based performance art and offers fun but challenging classes for all abilities. The studio off West Main St. features nine poles, and owner Rebecca Stokes has stocked it with high heels and other props to make the experience memorable. The studio attracts younger to middle-aged women and although Stokes is open to co-ed classes, so far no men have asked to participate.

Stokes opened the studio in Oct. 2010, but has been teaching pole fitness for over five years and is a certified Master Instructor in the Pole Fitness Association. This means her classes are fitness-based and require a lot of strength, but she added, “I really believe it needs to be pretty. I kind of see it as performance art.”

The studio’s current schedule features Burlesque, Pole Bootcamp, Pole Pump Circuit Training, Pole Dance Workout, Pole Basics and three different pole series for different skill levels. Parties can be arranged for small groups looking to have a fun girls’ night out, and advanced dancers from the studio occasionally perform around town at places like Bar IX and the Emerson.

Stokes has been “trying to do more events where you see what pole fitness is, because people don’t know this style,” she said. “With the Pole Fitness Association we’re all trying to say, ‘This is a really good workout. Let’s make this sexy and fun at the same time.’” To ensure this, high heels, boas, hats, gloves and stockings are on hand in the studio’s back room to spice up parties and group dances at the end of class.

Thursday, Feb. 16, check out Bozeman Pole Fitness athletes at After 5 and Weddings for a “Bridesmaid’s Bash Girls’ Night Out,” where they will be doing pole and Burlesque demos from 6-9 p.m.

To take a class at Bozeman Pole Fitness, students can pay a drop-in fee of $18 per class, buy a five or ten class punch card or buy a month unlimited pass. For more information visit bozemanpolefitness.com.