The mainstream interest in pole-dancing over the last few years has seen western Sydney's first pole-dancing studio, the Suzie Q Pole Studio, open in Church Street, Parramatta.
Suzie Q, one of Australia's top pole-dancers, who will compete in this week's national championships, said pole-dancing had become a popular way for women to exercise and have fun.
She said the studio, which opened in May, already had more than 100 students and held classes every day.
''Gyms are very male-orientated,'' Suzie Q said.
''For women this is more fun, more feminine and it's sexy. Also some women are sick of the gym and want something different in their exercise routine.
''We have women from their 20s to their 50s. I love it when women come in a bit embarrassed about their bodies and after a few weeks they have a new confidence in their bodies and in themselves.
''It has a flow-on effect through their lives. Not just to improve their body shape through exercise but also improving their body image and self esteem.
''Pole-dancing started to take off about four years ago and there was only one studio in the city, now there are many and my studio is a first for the west.''
Suzie Q did gymnastics and cheerleading at school and started pole-dancing when she was 17 to pay her way through a university degree in communications.
''I just really liked it and it turned out it was my thing,'' she said.
''I guess I'm lucky, I found what I wanted to do. I love it. I get up in the morning and am excited to get to work. It's not just a job. I'm only 25 and it has taken me around the world.''
Suzie Q has performed and taught in London, Paris and Asia but she says the competition is getting tougher every year.
''Tricks in 2005 that you thought, 'Wow that was just amazing', now everyone does it and it's a beginners move, which is great,'' she said.
''There has been lots of influence from Chinese pole acrobatics and Cirque de Soleil-type acrobatics. It is becoming a stand-alone artform.''
Suzie Q said her family had been very supportive and even her grandparents watched her on DVD.
''My mum has always been incredibly supportive of my career and has been to every Miss Pole Dance competition every year and even Dad will be at the nationals this year,'' she said.
''He helped build the doors in the studio.''
Miss Pole Dance Australia 2008 will be at the Enmore Theatre on October 10.
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