“You definitely gain some muscle very, very quickly. You burn a lot of calories,” said Amber Stoothoff, 25, a pole fitness enthusiast.

The attributes of pole fitness have been featured on television programming on CNN, VH1 and MTV and it is now exploding into the south Florida scene with classes at The Pole Fitness Studio in Miami, Crunch gym on South Beach and Mind Body Connection in Cooper City, among a number of other locations.

“Here at Mind Body we’ve been offering pole fitness for 3 years and it’s really just starting to escalate because it’s real hot right now,” bragged Carla Guzman, 23, pole fitness instructor.

The risqué exercise regimen promises to transform even the shyest performers into toned and sultry vixens by building their upper body and core strength, coordination, and balance.

Once on the pole, women become one with the pole.

“You feel the different muscles working that you don’t normally feel, we’ve done Rumba, yoga, we’ve done Pilates together. But there’s different aspects of it,” said Aubrey McCuthen, 28, a pole fitness student.

A typical hour-long class consists of stretching and strength building exercises. It includes forms of calisthenics, yoga and Pilates, as well as elements of gymnastics and dance moves from ballet, salsa, hip-hop and jazz. Next comes the pole work.

Women are encouraged to release their inhibitions by hopping on the pole and using their own body weight to tone muscles and build confidence.

“Climbing within itself is upper body. It’s working your biceps and triceps,” said Guzman.

According to professionals, pole fitness is an excellent cardiovascular workout that increases the heart rate, burns fat and tones sagging muscles. The exercise not only tones the body but also liberates a woman’s mind and increases her sexual energy.

“Besides the basic spins and moves, there are also a  lot of tricks, spins, and holds ladies can master. All which they can bring back home and stun their husbands or boyfriends with,” said Guzman.

Several women who are enrolled in a pole fitness class have noticed a change in core muscle as well confidence in their daily lives.

“I have an X-Pole, got it for my husband’s 40^th birthday. And it’s just t exercise and have fun,” said Tracy Parker, a pole fitness student.

Finding and maintaining a meaningful relationship in a city that was named the sexiest in the United States earlier this year, is nearly impossible.
Besides the constant competition for a person’s attention and keeping up with the fast-pace lifestyle, men and women alike suffer from the BBD syndrome — “bigger better deal”.

A complaint made by both genders is that people in Miami have a hard time appreciating what they have in front of them because they are constantly searching for something better — the next best thing. And that next best thing usually has a thinner waist, fuller lips and a bigger rack.

“My ex-boyfriend is 38. One of his new girlfriends is 19 and a stripper,” said Lisa Lorenski, 26, a woman frustrated with the Miami dating scene. “Where does he think he lives, the Playboy mansion? I blame Hugh Hefner.”

But Hugh Hefner is not the one to blame. Living in a city known for its it’s exquisite beaches, electric night life and beautiful people, it is difficult to want to settle down.

Miami’s dynamic culture and vibrancy gives off the vacation vibe all year round. And vacation usually translates to fun. And fun usually translates into a no-strings attached type of deal.

Meeting somebody with substance in Miami to begin with is virtually beyond the bounds of possibility. This car culture that we have been cursed with limits our daily interaction to our co-workers, family members and perhaps mail couriers. When we want to see different faces and meet new people, many of us drive down to South Beach where bodies are so attractive, it’s an effort to care about their personalities.

Every girl dreams of the day she will meet her prince charming, get swept off her feet and live happily ever after. And it is quite possible for this to happen…if you live in Montana. Think it’s going to happen in Miami? Close your eyes and keep on dreaming.

“The problem with most Miami men is they’re assholes.  The problem with most Miami women is they put up with those assholes,” said Lorenski.
Single gals from down south in Kendall to North Miami Beach have the same frustration with Miami men — they don’t want to commit. No matter their age, they all seem to have the same testosterone driven mindset.

“If I meet someone I like, I’ll date her. If I happen to meet another girl I like, I’ll date them both,” said David Rodriguez, 25, a self proclaimed player. “You have to get to know a lot of people before figuring out which one is worth your time.”

Now, some women do not have a problem with dating a man who is also dating other women, as long as he doesn’t pretend she’s the one he wants to marry.

“This one guy I dated told me he never met anyone like me, that he wants to make me his girlfriend but he is just so busy with work. Days later, I found out he has a girlfriend of 2 years,” said Christina Fazan, 30, a woman tired of the lies Miami men tell.

But it‘s not just the men who are to blame. Miami women are just as picky as they are, if not worse. Many want to know where a man lives and what kind of car he drives before asking what he majored in college.

“They want perfection. A guy who drives a Porsche, lives in a condo at the Flamingo on South Beach and has a body like a football player and a face like Brad Pitt,” said Robert Green, 31, a successful, middle-class man unlucky with love.

The dating scene in Miami has been completely distorted because of the expectations south Floridians have on one another. Superficiality seems to be the major issue. A deep conversation outside a coffee shop can and will be rudely interrupted by a Kim Kardashian look-a-like who just happens to walking her dog wearing nothing but a bathing suit.

“It’s so hard to keep a guy’s attention when there’s supermodels walking up and down Lincoln Road. That’s why women start starving themselves and getting boob jobs,” said Fazan.

What drives many Miami men mad are the meaningless dinner quasi-conversations with women that have nothing more to bring to the table besides their large silicone breasts, acrylic nails and Remy human hair extensions.
“I’ve been on a few dates where I literally had to drink myself to a good time with the girl I was with… Some just can’t hold conversation if it doesn’t involve purses or drama,” said Green.

Miami men also have a hard time taking a woman seriously who wears a skin tight dress to go food shopping. According to men, those women want to be looked at and treated like a piece of meat.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great view. But she’s not the type I’d bring home to mom,” said Rodriguez.

So what’s the solution? Should Miami singles give in to the party lifestyle and never settle? Or should they have the “if you can’t beat them, join them mentality” when it comes to superficiality? Maybe their best bet is moving out of Miami and into Montana.

A wise man once said, “Fear rules almost every newsroom in the country.” Fear for job security, fear for deadlines, and the fear of your news director creeping up directly behind you, moments after you update your status on Facebook, reading, “They don’t pay me enough.”

I work at a local Miami news station, as a writer. Been there for about 3 years. But fear not, this blog isn’t about writing or news…necessarily. It’s about what happens when shit hits the fan on the streets, in the newsroom, and on air.

I work with a great group of people [for the most part]. We probably chit chat more than we work, but we “get it done”. You’ll find out why I quoted  ”get it done” in a future blog.. Our work area is called the Newsplex, or as the cool kids call it Club Plex. All we’re missing is a stripper pole and a DJ booth. And maybe a strobe light. And liquor. Ok so it’s nothing like a club but I’m sure we could all use a shot of tequila before coming in…and while we’re in.

Back to my wonderful [writer] co-workers. Most of them are around my age and are on the same boat. Underpaid, overworked, inappropriate. The things we talk about are not even remotely close to being news related. News worthy — probably. But definitely not related. You’ll get to know more about them, and me, as this blog unwinds.

I’ve come to realize it’s not about where you work or how much you make — it’s about how much you really like your job. And how long you’re willing to put up with it before you can move on to bigger and better. 3 years. A few months to go.

That’s what I said 2 years ago.

just one station.