I stared in amazement as the instructor slid gracefully down the pole.

Determined to recreate the fluid movement, I took to the pole thinking, 'how hard can it be?'.

Quite tricky, as it turns out.

Being the first night of pole activity in the Burgh, everyone was in the same boat, so I didn't feel too embarrassed when my leg got stuck halfway up the pole while the rest of me headed south towards the laminate flooring.

The second, third and fourth times, however, made me blush a tad.

But there was huge enthusiasm within the group, and the instructor, Melissa, didn't even groan when we asked her to go through the move for the 276th time!

According to the instructors, the pain lessens each time you use the pole as your skin becomes used to the sensation of the metal, and it becomes easier to master the tricks.

This class is based solely on fitness building and not the performing aspect of pole dancing, thus each of the moves are taught separately and not as part of a routine.

Four moves are taught to the eight-strong class in the first week in the block of four, and the rest of the block are used to perfect these movements.

Half way through each hour-long lesson, the girls take a break from the poles to complete a mini boot camp workout incorporating squats, bum lifts, sit ups and press ups, which although tough, I can feel the benefits from already.

Log on next week to find out if I've made any progress - here's hoping my arms have recovered by then!