‘I Weigh 220 Pounds and I Never Liked Working Out—Until I Tried Pole Dancing'
Jada Hudson says a 30-day fitness challenge inspired her to try pole dancing for the first time.
This article was written as told to Kara Wahlgren and provided by our partners at Prevention.
Jada Hudson, 25, had tried (and hated!) nearly every fitness class she could find. Then she got up the nerve to take a pole fitness class—even though, at 220 pounds, she doubted she could master the gravity-defying holds and inversions that other women were doing. With a little practice, she found muscles she didn't know she had and was inspired her to create an international community of curvy pole enthusiasts. (Lose up to 25 pounds in 2 months—and look more radiant than ever—with Prevention's new Younger In 8 Weeks plan!)
Before I took my first pole fitness class, I tried Zumba, aqua fit, and kickboxing. I even hired a personal trainer. Whatever exercise you can think of, I tried it. But I never truly enjoyed any of it. I have a coworker who loves to run—she'll get up early and run for several miles. I would always ask her, "Is that really fun for you?!" It was hard to believe that exercise could be anything other than a chore.
Then in 2014, while handling the social media for my mom's nonprofit, I launched a 30-day health and fitness challenge. On the third day, I challenged everyone to try an unconventional workout—aerial yoga, aqua fit, or anything other than just going to the gym. Really, I'd been thinking about trying pole fitness for over a year, and I created that particular challenge to give myself the push to try it.
I didn't know what to expect. I'm optimistic by nature, so I try not to go into things with the notion that I'm too big. But I wasn't sure about the environment, and I didn't know if I was going to be able to pick up skills or if I was going to look silly. But the other women in the class were so welcoming and accepting—and my instructor happened to be plus-sized, too. Watching her hoist herself into different moves was amazing. I thought, "If she can do that, then I can do that."
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I've been hooked ever since. Everyone's in a good mood, the teacher's upbeat, and by the time the class is over you're like, "Wait, I want more!" It wasn't like a cycling class where I'm crawling out the door because I'm exhausted and can't feel my legs. I love this workout. Now I practice at home three times a week, and sometimes I drive an hour just to take a class at my favorite studio.
When I first started, I could not pick up my body at all. But one day my body was like, "I got you!" To actually be able to lift yourself up, it's amazing. I've never been stronger in my life, and it's all because of this sport. Parts of your body are going to be sore that you wouldn't even imagine could be sore. But it's because you're working muscles that you never thought you'd be working, and you're building strength that you never thought you'd be able to build. I've always had a certain level of confidence, but pole fitness really boosted it: If I can be 220 pounds and support myself on a pole, I can do anything.
Still, I was desperate to connect with people who looked like me who were doing this. I'd go on Instagram, and everyone's teeny. I would find some curvier girls, but it would be after scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. So a few months after I started, on a whim, I launched a blog called Curvy Girls Pole. Within a day, I had over 200 views. The blog started to gain momentum, and now it's this wonderful international community.
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Once in a while, people will leave snide comments on Instagram, but we have each other's backs. By the time I notice a troll has entered our realm, someone in our group has already demolished them. But most of the time, the comments are upbeat. Women will encourage other women they don't even know: "That looks amazing! You're awesome! Go girl!"
The first time you try pole fitness, you're going to feel a little uncomfortable. No one wants to get up in front of a bunch of people and gyrate—but once you realize everyone in the class is equally as nervous, it lightens the mood. You may not nail every single move, but I guarantee 1,000 percent that you will have fun. You'll feel strong, you'll feel sexy, and you'll be able to do things you never dreamed were possible.
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