Spearheaded by Belfast-based company Polercise Ltd, the competition is open to all pole dancing hopefuls.

Heats will be carried out between August and October across Ireland, north and south.

And students, whether self taught or pole school attendees, professional pole dancers, podium and club dancers or instructors can take part in heats running across the country.

Pole dancing, once associated with strip clubs and sleazy bars, is the exercise of choice for celebrities such as Kate Moss, Jennifer Aniston and Britney Spears and is now seen as a feisty and fun way to stay fit.

El Fegan, managing director of Polercise Ltd, said: " Pole dancing is trading up from the seedy image of lap dancing clubs to the respectability of dance studios throughout Ireland.

"Polercise Ltd feel that the X-Pole Factor competition is a key platform to showcase the virtues of pole dance exercise in Ireland, identifying areas of excellence in physical strength, flexibility, confidence in performance and fun in pole addicts with the skill for the art of pole dancing."

Competitors can enter the professional or amateur categories and two winners from each level in five regional heats will then battle it out for the title 'X-Pole Factor champion of the year 2007'.

The final will be held at the Spring & Airbrake, Belfast, on November 11, 2007, and will be judged by international pole dancer KT Coates.

For more information log on and download an entry form at www.polerciseltd.com