They'll take slinky swing at pole-dance record

Steve Schmadeke

Three times a week, the reception room at a Chicago Heights accounting and financial services business undergoes a transformation.

The desk and chairs are replaced with several floor-to-ceiling dance poles, and a hot-pink iPod is plugged into a mini speaker system.

As the opening drum beats of the Pussycat Dolls' "Buttons" sounded Wednesday, a pharmacist, a PTA president, a personal trainer and a retired nurse each began slinking around a pole.

For these women, who say they have reclaimed pole dancing as a non-sexual form of exercise, nothing less than a world record is at stake.

About 300 participants on three continents will attempt to set a new record Sunday. A U.S. Guinness Book of World Records spokeswoman said the event will be considered for a new record: "most people pole dancing simultaneously (multiple locations)."

Mary Ellyn Weissman, a 46-year-old retired nurse from New Lenox, is leading the Chicago pole-dance contingent, which will dance at a Frankfort health club Sunday.

"We're trying to change the image of pole dancing for everyday women," said Weissman, who runs Empowerment Through Exotic Dance. "It's toning and muscles, and it burns 240 calories an hour. There's a lot more to it than just wiggling around a pole."

FEELING ENERGIZED

She dismisses critics who say it demeans women.

"If you feel better, you will look better, and that in itself is empowering," she said.

As exercise, pole dancing took off roughly six years ago. It got a boost three years ago when it was featured on Oprah, dance teachers say.

Pharmacist Cindy Weist started pole dancing a week ago, but said it leaves her feeling energized.

"If I could always feel the way I felt walking out of class . . . I would be a gale force to be reckoned with," she said.

"My mother can't wait for me to get a pole [at home]," said personal trainer Belinda Thomas. " 'I'll be able to work on your pole,' she says. She tells anybody, 'My baby dances on a pole.' "