This One's For the Ladies

Doing the same workout routine over and over again gets boring, so I'm always branching out and trying new ways to buff my bod. On a recent work assignment I was introduced to Sheila Kelley's S-Factor. Intrigued by the dimly lit studio and her bevy of celebrity clients (Teri Hatcher, Kate Hudson, and Cindy Crawford are all devotees), I decided to give the sexy workout a try.

"S Factor is the original and most popular pole dancing and striptease workout designed by a woman for women," it's website states. "This radically wild workout combines ballet, yoga and striptease to nurture a woman's natural S shape, promoting health, confidence and empowerment for all ages and body types."

Kelley, who just landed a role on the sixth season of ABC's Lost, created the classes when she was required to learn to strip for a movie role. She says the result was a muscle sculpting class that not only contours your curves but also cultivates confidence.

I rounded up a few co-workers and discovered that while S-Factor's slow movements may not be the best for cardio, the class is a great substitute for your average strength building routine.

Our instructor Ali began with a floor routine which incorporates stretching, leg lifts, and the "Cat-Cow Roll."

The Cat-Cow is a traditional Yoga move, but in S-Factor you gradually and continuously transition to each pose, creating a "push-up" type move.

"We bend the arms and then create a circular moving motion," says Ali. "When you really slow down you start to engage a lot more of your muscles over your entire body. You may not sweat as much, but you're getting a deeper muscle experience."

The slow, measured movements felt awkward at first but after a few minutes...I felt the burn!

Since our quickie session was only an hour (most classes are 2 hours), we skipped abs. However Ali told me their routine incorporates an ab sequence reminiscent of Pilate's moves.

Later we learned a few moves on the pole which take a lot of upper body strength and work muscles you don't usually use. I tried one called the "Ballerina" and believe me, I was feeling it the next day.

"Slowly but surely you gain muscle in your triceps, back, and shoulders," says Ali. "The best part is it's really fun so you don't realize you're getting a workout."

Final Verdict: It's not going to replace your daily treadmill appointment, but it's a good way to fit in some muscle work while having fun...and your boyfriend won't mind seeing a re-cap of the lessons you've learned
either :)

S-Factor has classes in New York, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Encino, Costa Mesa, and L.A.

An introductory lesson is $40, but you can take classes for cheaper if you buy them as a series.


Let me know what you think of my move!