Fast forward to the Learn To Dance studio on Chatham Street in Dublin, where my first class is taking place and I'm feeling less like Kate and more like Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary, where she inelegantly humps her way down a fireman's pole. Seductive moves don't really enter the equation when you're at entry level. You're certainly not going to worry about how hot you look as you pray for the strength to hoist your sweatypalmed self round the pole. And the funny thing is, once the pole in transported to a dance studio, away from the seedy nightclub and 'paying customer' connotations, it loses all notions of smuttiness and becomes a fastpaced, energetic dance routine, that happens to involve a bit of metal apparatus. The fact that you're also kitted out in trainers and shorts (you need bare legs to grip the pole) makes it more exercise than exotic.

If this introductory lesson is anything to go by, pole dancers work hard for their money.

After one hour, there isn't a muscle in my body that hasn't been stretched . . . I'm convinced my arms are six inches longer. Actually, it's the best fun I've ever had exercising.

Monotony and boredom are the big enemies when it comes to adhering to an exercise regime, and pole fitness doesn't fall under either of these categories. This is part of the reason for its surge in popularity, says Niall Newman, director of the Learn To Dance Company, who has devised an eight-week pole fitness course. He's positioning it as a highoctane, energetic and engaging programme, the complete antithesis to dull workouts at the gym. "You can't underestimate its feelgood factor or the confidence that it gives people, " he says You don't need a high level of fitness to take up pole fitness, which offers an excellent upper body work out, toning and stretching the arms, shoulders, backs and stomach muscles . . . and the legs aren't neglected either.

The class starts with a dance warm-up, which works at two levels. Firstly, you're getting those muscles ready and secondly, after 20 minutes of hip-swaying, bottom- rotating and shoulder-wiggling, you feel less uptight. The latter is important because the next step is making friends with the pole. We are not to clutch it in a desperate fashion, Niall informs us; rather, we are to hold it confidently and firmly with one hand, and slowly and meaningfully stretch the other hand until it's positioned as high up on the pole as we can reach.

The routine starts with some quick-paced hand-changing and quickly revs up a gear, to spinning around the pole and rapidly changing direction, which is a bit dizzy making.

Wiggling the hips, while simultaneously throwing our heads back as we make our way down the pole feels slightly ridiculous but that's nothing compared to the move called 'the chair'. This is the one that requires the most concentration and strength because it involves strutting around the pole before propelling oneself high up into the air and all the way round before gracefully landing. Niall makes it look easy; it isn't.

My first attempt ends with me in a heap on the floor, thinking murderous thoughts about the pole. The next few see me airborne but with no finesse whatsoever . . . I've forgotten about being 'friends' and instead the pole is the enemy to be conquered with aggression. Niall corrects the errors of my ways, and just when 'the chair' starts to work for me, it's time to put all the moves into a routine, to the sounds of Madonna. After several practice runs, it gets easier. While not quite Mistress of the Pole yet, I'm definitely more flexible and it's only when the class ends that that the sheer physicality of the routine hits you like a ton of bricks.

Learn to Dance classes have a limited number of participants, which means more personal attention from staff and a greater sense of intimacy. But in any case, participants are too busy concentrating on perfecting the moves to feel remotely self- conscious. And for those who decide that pole dancing is their thing, there's always the option of buying your own retractable pole. These cost approximately 400 and can be fixed to any beam in your house. Prior to actually trying it, I'd scoff at the idea. Now I'd consider it. Fifteen minutes pole action a day will leave you supple, fit and energised.

And, at the very least, you've got a great party trick.