In a small fitness studio in the heart of downtown Tucson, patrons are encouraged to try a different kind of workout, aimed at people who want to “have fun while strengthening their bodies.”

Kinetic Arts Tucson, located at 17 E. Toole Ave., is a fitness studio that teaches pole, dance and acrobatics to women and men of all ages. 

Brenna Mirae, the owner of KAT, became the first person to teach pole in Tucson when in 2004. 

“It was a lifelong dream,” Mirae said. “I saw a vision, and I created it.”

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Mirae has been a pole dancer since 1999 and opened KAT on June 22, 2018. She said that pole builds confidence and is something that teaches women of all ages strength. 

“You can be strong at any age,” Mirae said. “It’s okay to be a strong woman, and I think that that you can’t find that in a lot of places.”

Each instructor at KAT describes the studio as a community that encourages all to be the best they can and to set achievable goals.

Anna Mirocha, a pole instructor at KAT, said that pole has helped her feel empowered. Describing it as scary at first, Mirocha said, “That’s part of the whole empowerment – initially feeling intimidated, and then finding out you can do it.” 

Mirocha started doing pole in 2015 and has several classes at the studio. 

“I feel like a totally different person. It takes a lot of strength in your soul and your mind, and the passion within you,” Mirocha said.

In the past, pole has been a controversial form of exercise, but with it becoming more popular, many people are starting to utilize the unique workout, according to Mirae.

“What’s really beautiful to see is the acceptance that’s beginning to form around pole. So many people are hearing about it as a great way to stay in shape,” Mirae said. 

Both Mirocha and Mirae said they noticed that women of all ages, from college students to mothers, are beginning to take pole to stay in shape. Mirocha said  more and more men are starting to take classes as well. 

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Both Mirocha and Mirae stressed the importance of body confidence in women, and both agreed that pole is a great way for women of all ages to feel empowered and more confident with their bodies. 

KAT offers a variety of classes, including flexibility, aerial hoops and cardio, all with the goal of making the studio a “fun place to work out” while also being a welcoming place for women and men. 

Both said they hope that this studio and the classes help grow each customers self-confidence and become part of a family.

“There’s just something about it [when] girls help each other,” Mirocha said. 

Kinetic Arts Tucson is offering a WildKAT Pack for students, with five classes for $49, and also offers an introductory special of three classes for $23.

Kinetic Arts Tucson has classes available Monday through Sunday with different levels for anyone from beginners to more advanced dancers. 

For more information go to the website or call (520) 912-5447. 

To those who are wary of pole, Mirocha said, “Try it, and you might have your life changed. If I had not tried it, I don’t know where I’d be right now.”

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