Pole is an exciting way to improve your fitness or supplement your workout routine. It's an art form which takes a lot of upper body strength, coordination, and the mental toughness to withstand the burns and bruising that comes from trying to hold onto a metal bar. I tried a class at Cloud Aerial Arts near Piccadilly station in Manchester City Centre, and for one hour on a Wednesday night, I tried spins, attempted to climb the pole and even had a go at inversions - which are upside down skills. Thanks to a background in gymnastics and cheerleading, I found I had enough strength to try out a few beginner spins and holds, but it is an art form which takes a lot of practice. Most of the other women in the class were experienced in other aerial arts and one had been doing pole for over a year, so I didn't feel too bad I couldn't master some of the skills they made look very easy. Overall I really enjoyed my taster pole class at Cloud Aerial Arts, and would recommend some form of aerial arts to anyone who wants to find a fun new workout class and improve their strength and flexibility.