I would have never thought in my wildest dreams that I, “Madam Prude” would actually swing around a pole in F-me pumps on a Wednesday evening – but that's one item I am proud to have scratched off my bucket list. That evening I experienced the most intense, fun, sensual, self-loving workout I have ever had and I have the moves (and video) to prove it. Break out the stilettos and the sneakers ladies; Provocative Fitness (PF) situated on #10 Fitt Street in Woodbrook is here to help the women of Trinidad and Tobago bring sexy back to that grungy, sweat-filled past-time we call…working out.

The first time I met JC Blandin, owner of the Provocative Fitness Studio, was at the PF Open House last December. She was decked out in a flirtatious pink and black French-maid’s costume and heels to match, grinning from ear to ear, waiting to start her presentation. She was full of energy and so excited to showcase what she had been working so hard on for so long: Provocative Fitness, a women’s only studio which teaches a variety of classes; pole- or chair-dancing for the more adventurous women, and “winercise” and a rigorous “booty camp” for those who want a hardcore bumcee toning workout.

After the open house I asked JC why she was so interested in making pole dancing a form of exercise in Trinidad and Tobago – a country that tends to taboo any sort of “sensual”, “suggestive” or wotless behavior other than the gyration of hips during Carnival.  She told me she enjoys seeing her students use the strength and flexibility required for this sport (a combo of dance and gymnastic moves) and polish it with a sexy attitude to communicate their own artistic expression; she also aims to establish pole dancing as a mainstream form of exercise in T&T, despite the stigma. She believes her studio is all about making healthy pride and sensuality a natural consideration in women’s psyches. With energy and spunk, we need to embrace “life” as the occasion rather than “dressing up” or “turning it on” for a special day or moment. 

The first class with JC was full of laughs and failed attempts at swinging my legs around the pole. She had me dancing and emphasizing in no time and by the end of the 55 minutes, we had completed a simple but sexy pole routine to Ne-Yo’s “One in a Million” – a song which now drives me to surreptitiously search for poles and show off my moves when I hear it, hmmmm...  Not only did I leave the class excited to tell all my friends, but also anxious to return. My core, arms and legs felt the burn for three days, but that won’t deter me (masochist much?).

Provocative Fitness was patterned after the S Factor pole dancing studio in the United States where JC achieved her pole dancing certification as an instructor. JC believes that: “Provocative Fitness is not just a place to get a great workout but also to learn how to embrace ourselves. It’s about us, mind, body and spirit”. Their mission statement reads: “Provocative Fitness is an attitude”; and as such they’re a fitness studio determined to give women the empowered, assertive, confident manner and the ultimate bodies that dancers possess in a fun-filled environment of sharing and camaraderie.

Surely Stella would have preferred sidling to the fitness studio to get her groove back instead of flying all the way to Jamaica to meet a man, I digress...sorry. The studio is well equipped with a long dance studio mirror and 9 poles and the space is flexible enough to incorporate additional equipment for other classes. JC’s team comprises of 3 regular instructors including a fitness consultant. She also plans to widen the variety of classes by including the popular Zumba and Chutney dancing and hosting different genres of dance workshops as well.

Provocative fitness not only offers classes but also parties for all occasions, birthdays, girls’ night out, bachelorette parties and even divorce parties; JC says “too many women see divorce as the end of their lives. PF sees it as a chance for a new beginning, we acknowledge the great times you had with your partner but moving on, necessity that it is, should be approached with zeal not dread”.

Cocktails, pole dancing, laughs and no men allowed: what more could a girl want?! Check out the Provocative Fitness website and go do a class! You never know one day Saucy Pow might challenge you to a dance off. Always be prepared!