The pole was first invented in 1982, when H. David Werder needed something to sit on to protest the price of gasoline. Sensually explore the "protest stick" with today's Groupon: for $50, you get five pole-dancing classes at Pole Pressure. This Groupon is valid for redemption at Pole Pressure's locations at Balance Gym Thomas Circle and SomaFit.

Pole dancing is a heart-pumping workout that tones muscles, slims waistlines, increases flexibility, and boosts one's sexy feeling, raising sexiness levels 12.5 Zeta-Joneses higher than the national average. Firewomen, batwomen, lady ghostbusters, and any gals looking to build upper-body strength, burn calories, and discover the power of the pole can do it any day of the week at Pole Pressure. Drop in on any class on the schedule. The level-one class teaches the basics of strength training on the pole along with introductory moves. Level two focuses on the mechanics of spinning and lifting oneself off the ground, and level three teaches intricate one-handed spins. The chair play class is a chair-and-floor workout that blends exotic dance moves with yoga postures. All of Pole Pressure’s classes are ladies only, except the Monday mixers (the mixer focuses on aerial spins). Click here for a complete list of classes and descriptions.

Pole Pressure’s founder and lead instructor, Jessalynn Medairy, is a practiced twirler who has earned pro status (she was in the top 12 of U.S. pole dancers in 2009 and 2010, as one of 12 finalists at the first two Professional Pole Championships). Medairy fell in love with the workout after she dropped 25 pounds and saw her entire body tone up shortly after her first spin. Pole dancing can burn more calories than the same amount of time spent unsexily treadmilling, stair climbing, lifting Aunt Gladys above your head, or attacking a punching bag made from recycled car batteries.

Must be 18 or older. All classes must be taken within three months of the first class.

Reviews

Express Night Out writes this about Jessalynn Medairy's titillating classes:

• ...the hip circles, bumps and "tush-ups" are designed to be more than merely seductive. They're a workout — and even more of one if you're donning proper footwear... Constantly caressing the pole and grabbing it to spin your body around tires out the arms pretty quickly. And doing the sorts of tricks Medairy makes look so simple requires mucho muscles. But her distraction techniques — such as calls to fog up the pole with your breath, pretend your sports bra straps are suspenders and simulate grabbing dollar bills with your teeth — keep students going. There's no doubt pole dancing embraces eroticism, but it requires just as much silliness as sexiness. – Vicky Hallett, Express Night Out

Express Night Out’s readers rave about the workouts:

• Jessalyn is an amazing instructor, and has been teaching woman of all ages self esteem, confidence, and creativity for a very long time! I hope everyone gets a chance to take just one of her classes because she is a one of a kind girl! – J. Mangus
• Pole dancing is really awesome exercise and so fun! I run, workout 5+ times a week, lift weights, and I could barely walk for days after my pole classes...A great way to shake up the routine, especially with cold weather coming. – Sarah