Pole Dancers Prep for Championship

MYFOXNY.COM - Pole dancers are heating up New York for the second annual national championship. That's right -- there is such a thing as the U.S. Pole Dance Federation , and it is the governing body for the art and sport of pole dancing.

Dancers did some last-minute preps for the competition, which is being held Friday, March 19, 2010, at Symphony Space.

"Outside of gymnastics and break dancing, there's no other sport or form of dance that challenges your body in the same way as pole dancing," said Wendy Traskos co-founder of the U.S. Pole Dance Federation. "With its intense focus on core strength, flexibility, and the upper body workout, pole dancing is becoming less of a taboo subject and more of a way to experience 'fun' fitness."

Founded in 2008, the U.S. Pole Dance Federation seeks to raise awareness of pole dancing as a professional, competitive sport by hosting national competitions.