From Sporty Sister-in-Law to Sparkly Pole Queen
When you picture a pole dancer, what comes to mind? Maybe someone young, fearless, ultra-fit, and impossibly bendy. Well, meet Patrizia: 56 years old, full of life, and proof that it’s never too late to rewrite the script.
When Cinzia, her sister-in-law (and now pole partner-in-crime), told her she wanted to take up pole dancing, Patrizia’s reaction was classic: “Why not try a real sport?”
But things took a twist. Just one spin later, she was hooked.
Since December, Patrizia hasn’t missed a single class. Not one. What started as a skeptical “Why?” quickly became a joyful, sparkly “Why not?” and then a full-blown obsession.
“Pole dancing has officially become our thing,” she says with a grin. “It gives us the perfect excuse to see each other regularly, and it’s created this amazing bond that goes way beyond the usual family roles.”
In the studio, they’re not mothers-in-law or sisters-in-law or wives – they’re teammates. Co-conspirators. Pole sisters. And a little bit rebellious, too.
Their husbands? Cheering them on from the sidelines (and even surprised them with a pole for training at home!). Their grown-up kids? Stunned. A little confused. Totally impressed. At family gatherings, nothing beats the moment when Patrizia and her sister-in-law casually start chatting about Choppers, Crucifixes, and Lay Backs while everyone else is still trying to figure out what “Spin Pole” even means.
“This is our world now,” Patrizia says. “A fun, sparkly little bubble where we feel strong, alive, and totally ourselves.”
From Curiosity to Courage
But here’s the thing: pole dancing didn’t just click because Patrizia was already active. It clicked because she was open. Curious. Brave enough to try something new. And most importantly, ready for change.
Behind her bright spirit is a deeper story – one of stress, burnout, and the need for something that could restore joy, reconnect her to her body, and bring music and expression back into her life.
“I knew I needed to move. But I didn’t want just exercise. I wanted something joyful. Feminine. Powerful.”
A chance encounter with a video of Tomoko – a pole dancer who started at 62 and was still dancing in her 70s – lit the spark. That was the moment Patrizia thought: Maybe it’s not too late after all.
Finding Her Place at Gravity Arts
So she found us – Gravity Arts – and took the leap. “I still remember my first class. I walked in and thought, ‘Just make a fool of yourself and then go home.’”
But then came Tamara’s warm smile. A gentle invitation to take that very first walk around the pole. And something shifted. “The joy I felt was so powerful, so liberating, I instantly forgot about my age, my body, and all the doubts I had walked in with.”
Since then, she’s been climbing, spinning, laughing, cheering, bruising, and thriving. “Every class feels like a mini battle,” she laughs. “But I keep going. And I keep loving it.”
Because yes, pole dancing at 56 comes with challenges. Patrizia’s dealing with years of muscle atrophy, stiff joints, sweaty palms, and a body that doesn’t always cooperate. But none of it has stopped her. “I might need three times the effort to get into a basic move, but I don’t mind. I leave every class sore, but proud. I feel stronger. More confident. More alive.”
Pole-Dancing Grandmas? Yes, Please.
With their kids all grown up, Patrizia and her sister-in-law are already joking about the next chapter: pole-dancing grandmothers. Because why not? They’re living proof that age is just a number and that the superpowers in their family definitely belong to them.
“If sharing my story can inspire even one woman, especially someone who’s no longer in her twenties, to move past the fear of not being fit enough, young enough, or good enough, then I’m all in.”
To Patrizia, pole dancing is more than a workout. It’s a rediscovery of strength, self-expression, and freedom. And thanks to the support of instructors like Sheila, Jazmin, Nastasia, Christina, and the entire Gravity Arts community, she’s proving that empowerment has no expiration date.
Inspired by Patrizia’s journey?
Come see what your own sparkly little bubble could look like. ✨
Whether you’re 26 or 66, there’s a place for you on the pole – we can’t wait to welcome you.
