Trying to get in shape but feeling unmotivated? Stephanie Mancuso went through the same thing several years ago until a co-worker invited her to pole dancing class. She got hooked instantly - she was having the time of her life and to top it off, she was in the best shape of her life.

“It kept me interested because it was challenging,” she said. “Pole fitness requires a lot of core strength and upper body strength. You work out every muscle.”

Today, Mancuso is a pole fitness instructor and along with her sister Vanessa, she is the proud co-owner of Exotic Curves Pole (ECP) Fitness Studio, Brooklyn's first pole fitness studio. ECP kicked off its grand opening on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a preview of all the studio has to offer: courses in pole dance, zumba, hip-hop and even belly dance.

Mancuso understands there is a stigma attached to pole dancing, but she believes it is becoming more and more accepted as a form of fitness. Celebrities like Carmen Electra and Kendra Wilkinson have also popularized pole dance as a sport.

“I don't think of it as an erotic thing, associated with strip clubs,” she said. “Now they even have pole competitions.”

She hopes that moms in the Bay Ridge area, where ECP is located, will consider taking up pole fitness as a way of spicing things up or simply losing weight. However, women of all walks of life – single, married, looking to improve their self esteem and confidence – are welcome.

The only requirement for pole dance participants is that they be at least 18 years of age. Mancuso said she even knows women in their 70s who enjoy it.

“My studio will allow women to feel sexy and great while working out, but it's very private,” said Mancuso. “There are no men and there are no windows for people to peek in.”

She added that ECP is also reasonably priced, with rates including a package of 12 zumba classes for $90 and a six-week pole fitness class for $150. ECP also does girls' night out or bachelorette private parties. ECP is offering 20 percent off any package through August 31.

Mancuso invites everyone to check out ECP's fitness classes, pointing out they will have so much fun it will take the “work” out of workout.

“It's a way to stay young at heart and keep your body young and fit,” she said. “This is a place where girls can be girls.”

Exotic Curves Pole Fitness Studio is located at 9008 5th Avenue in Bay Ridge. For more information, call (347) 560-6717 or visit www.exoticcurvespolefitness.com.