JO HAYWOOD gets to grips with a new gym class where skimpy clothes and high heels are actively encouraged.

"MEN only take the mickey because they are scared of the pole... and because they secretly want to have a go."

Felicity Leggett knows what she's talking about. She is an expert pole dancer. She can lift herself clear off the ground, bend over backwards until her head touches her toes and spiral spin until everyone in the room gets dizzy with jealousy at her astounding athleticism.

But Felicity is not an exotic dancer, she's a personal trainer and sports therapist with her own thriving business, Pulse8. She also happens to have her own pole.

"I'm always looking for a new challenge, and this is the latest one to catch my imagination," she said. "I saw it in a magazine and couldn't wait to have a go."

After successfully completing a training course and buying her own gleaming eight-foot pole over the Internet for £200 (they start from around £90), she is now running pole dancing classes at Fitness First, Clifton Moor, York.

"Pole dancing classes give you the opportunity to try something taboo without having to take your clothes off," said Felicity. "It makes you feel sexy and empowers you so you feel in tune with yourself and your body.

"This workout encourages people to love themselves and seduce their partners - in their own time of course."

It is also excellent for body shaping by focusing on core stability, functional strength, flexibility and body definition. Lifting, using either your arms or legs, helps to create long, strong muscles, while bending and spinning enhances flexibility and builds stamina.

Sessions for a maximum of five people run for about one and a quarter hours and cost £12 per person (or, if you book in advance, five sessions for the price of four). One-on-one sessions cost the same as a personal training session, £30 per hour.

"I'm strong, so it's easy for me to lift myself up on to the pole, but doing some of the moves is tricky even for me," said Felicity. "You can see the fear in women's eyes when they first see the pole, but once they start it's difficult to get them to stop. I had one class the other day and, at first, no one wanted to go anywhere near the pole. By the end, they were jostling for another go. A couple of the girls even stayed behind to practice a bit more.

"It's a matter of building your confidence. You feel a bit of a fool at first, but you soon begin to enjoy it and have fun with it."

Pole dancing is the only class at the gym where high heels are actively encouraged, although you can wear trainers if you wish. Baggy sweatpants are banned in favour of short shorts, which allow you to get a better grip on the pole with your legs. And you can leave your fake tan, hand cream and body moisturiser at home - they make the pole too slippery.

Felicity, 24, has always been a fan of exercise. It started out as a hobby, but soon grew into a business - or a "hobby job" as she calls it - when she realised she could make a living out of the guidance and advice she was giving away for free. Originally from Dorset, she moved to York in January. As a dyed-in-the-wool southerner she assumed her stay in the north would be a short-lived affair, but, to her obvious surprise, she loves it here.

"I've always had itchy feet and have never stayed in one place for very long, but there's something about York that keeps me here," she said. "I've been here for months; I should be thinking about moving on by now, but I'm not."

One of her reasons for staying put is her clients. She likes the atmosphere at Fitness First and she also enjoys the positive feedback she receives from home visits (without her pole).

"People always say they don't have time to visit the gym and, if they do, they feel intimidated when they get there," said Felicity. "With home visits, there are no excuses. I turn up at their front door, we exercise and I leave. Job done."

One of the main problems she faces is to keep people exercising once they start.

"People like the idea of exercising, but not the reality," she said. "They get very bored very quickly. The key is to find something new and interesting to do. Which is where me and my pole come in."

Contrary to what you may believe, pole dancing is not just for young, fit females. Felicity is planning to run a short taster session for the 50+ class, one of the most popular classes at Fitness First, and will be setting up a separate class for men.

"Boys will be boys I'm afraid," she said.

"At the moment, they seem to think the pole is hilarious and keep putting their friends' names down on the class list without telling them as a bit of a joke. It's all good, clean fun though. And I know, deep down, they are really desperate to get swinging round that pole."

She's obviously enjoying her new classes, but she's not kidding herself that pole dancing is here to stay in the same way that aerobics, step and circuits are.

"The craze will end eventually," said Felicity. "But I'm going to make the most out of it while it lasts. And anyway, there's always something new just around the corner..."

Mud-wrestling classes, anyone?

For further details about pole dancing classes or personal training, phone Felicity Leggett at Pulse8 on 07958 683822.

Updated: 09:00 Tuesday, November 30, 2004