Meet Roxanna Gerlt: 6 Years of Pole Passion and Power

Roxanna has been defying the ordinary for six years with her pole journey—and she’s here to tell you why pole fitness is so much more than just a workout.

Why Pole? Because the Gym Wasn’t Enough

“I hate the gym and conventional exercise for the sake of exercise,” Roxanna shares. “My workout needs to be fun, challenging, a bit technical, and have an element of risk to keep me interested. I’ve always gravitated to sports with a bit of danger. I’d much rather run on an uneven trail through the wilderness pretending I’m being chased by a mountain lion than run on a treadmill.”

The Thrill of Mastering New Tricks

What keeps Roxanna hooked? “Learning new tricks and trying to master them,” she says. Her favourite moves include caterpillar climbs—which she feels she could do all day—and recently conquered Ayesha and Poisson.

The Challenge: Strength, Flexibility, and Mental Focus

Pole sport is no joke. Roxanna calls shoulder mounts and aerial straddles “the bane of my existence.” She also finds moves requiring flexibility tough, admitting she’s “not bendy.” But beyond physical demands, she highlights the mental challenge: “Pole sport requires constant awareness of your body in space, your contact with the pole, leverage, and balance.”

How Pole at RD Has Transformed Her

Since joining RD, Roxanna feels stronger both physically and mentally. “The curriculum here is more intense than my previous studio. The tricks are less intuitive and more mentally challenging, which pushes me to grow.”

Breaking Stereotypes: What People Think vs. What Pole Really Is

Roxanna often encounters misconceptions about pole dancing. “Many people think it’s frivolous or just about being sexy for the male gaze,” she explains. That’s why she prefers the term “pole sport” or “pole fitness.” She proudly wears her bruises as badges of honor and educates others on the sport’s benefits: upper body and core strength, flexibility, and the joy of nailing a trick. “Pole makes me feel really good about my body.”

Roxanna’s Advice for New Pole Enthusiasts

Her message is simple and powerful: “Forget about what your butt looks like, get some cheeky shorts and just DO IT!”

One Word to Describe RD?

“Awesome!”