It started as a celebrity craze but pole dancing has been embraced by women from all walks of life to improve fitness and now it's coming to Warrnambool.

Former Warrnambool resident and dancer Kristy Sellars said she was looking forward to heading back to the south-west to teach the classes next month.

"It's so much fun, but it's also a challenge and addictive," she said.

"You don't realise you're working hard because you are having so much fun."

While her extensive career in dance and training make hanging from a pole look easy, Ms Sellars said anyone could get fitness benefits from pole dancing and the tricks were just a matter of practise.

"The style you learn is more like performance than stripping, but I think most people know that," Ms Sellars said.

"Once you start climbing the pole you're using your arms and abs and you see that it's much more of a workout and the more advanced you get, the harder it gets," Ms Sellars said.

The courses and classes offered both an aerobic and anaerobic workout which improved both flexibility and strength, she said.

Classes will begin in Warrnambool next month.