POLE dancing builds your strength, boosts your confidence, makes you feel sexy and, more importantly, it is fun.

These are some of the reasons why students at Siren Pole Dance, in Upper Dock Street, Newport, love the performing art.

Katie Bentley, who runs the studio situated in the centre of Newport, has been “poleing” for eight years and has been teaching for almost five.

The 32-year-old has had her studio in Newport for two years.

She said: “There are so many things I love about pole dancing. To start off, there are the benefits it gives me mentally and physically.

“I never thought I would be able to lift my own body – the strength you get out of pole dancing is incredible.”

Mrs Bentley, from Crumlin, said she had wanted to try pole dancing from a very young age and that she ended up teaching herself.

“It was hard but exciting,” she said. “It is also a release - a lot of the people that come to my lessons have very stressful jobs.

“Pole dancing is an extreme sport and the higher up you go, the more extreme it gets.”

Mrs Bentley said she teaches an extensive range of movements.

“The last time I counted, there were around 530 movements. I teach them across six different levels of difficulty,” she said. “The first couple of levels are beginners and then, it gets more technical and more difficult.”

She said there are different genres of pole dances and that it can be sensual, but that it doesn’t have to be. For some, it is more theatrical and for some it is about the gymnastics.

“It can be whatever you want it to be,” she said.

Mrs Bentley is also involved in the Pole 2 Pole competition, which is an annual competition. She runs the Welsh competition in her studio, before the final is held in Blackpool.

There are currently three categories – amateur, professional and mature, but next year they will be adding new ones, including a men’s category.

Mrs Bentley sent several students to this year’s competition.

“It was fabulous, my students did so well,” she said. “The one taking part in the amateur category came first.

“I think that is particularly impressive as a lot of the participants perform regularly and, for her, it was the first time performing in front of people.

“It was a massive achievement.”

Mrs Bentley took part in the professional category of the competition and she came first, becoming the UK’s Pole 2 Pole Professional Champion 2017.

“To anyone thinking of trying pole dancing, I would tell them to give it a go,” she said. “It is a lot harder than you think but it is addictive. Once you have tried it, you will be hooked forever.”

Jen Davies is one of Mrs Bentley’s students and she does pole dancing once a week at the studio.

The 41-year-old, from the St Julian’s area of Newport, said she has been doing pole dancing for one year.

She said: “I decided to give pole a go because it is a different kind of exercise. I enjoy it because I set myself goals and I can see myself improve.

“I find my muscles are developing and it is building up my strength. I like exercising.

“It also helps me with my mental attitude as it makes me feel more confident.

“I love trying out new things and I do hula hooping and twerking as well.”

Karran Garlick is another pupil at the class.

Mrs Garlick, from the Pontypool area, said she has been doing pole dancing for two years and that there are many things she enjoys about the class – from feeling stronger to building new friendships, for example.

She said: “I took part in the mature section of the Pole2Pole competition in Blackpool.

“It is the first time I have performed and I didn’t win but I enjoyed the experienced of going.

“Next year, I will aim to get second or third place.”

The 41-year-old said she has three children and that, thanks to pole dancing, her figure has changed. She said she used to be a size 14 and that now she is a size 10.

“This is a break from the monotony of going to the gym and there is no age or size limit,” she said.

Evelin Sipos, from Raglan, has been doing pole dancing for just over a year. The 28-year-old said she decided to give it a go because she wanted to be healthier and more active.

Miss Sipos said: “Pole dancing is a fun way of working out.”

To find out more, visit sirenspoledance.co.uk or go to their Facebook page on facebook.com/sirenspd