Sheila Kelley S Factor

I’m not sure if there is a way to reply to the comment I received so I’m updating instead.
It had been quite sometime since I attended Sfactor, it sounds like they have started hosting some workshops and even added some classes to the schedule that fit different styles of dance. That’s good to hear.
I’ve changed the rating to 3 stars because they don’t deserve a lower rating just because it wasn’t quite my cup of tea. It was still a lovely studio with some awesome teachers for those who are looking for that type of workout and community.

Horrible customer service. I was a little late but the receptionists were completely mean and would not allow me to enter. It was so disappointing as I was super excited to attend. Was looking to sign a 8 week class. So glad they showed their true colors before I wasted my money. Their persona was so unwelcoming, snobbish & unwilling to make any suggestions. I guess they are doing so well they don’t care about customer service nor do they want new clients.
Don’t waste your time checking this place out.

Unprofessional & a complete rip off. Was over charged, then charged again 4 months after leaving. Can’t get anyone from the Houston location to help or return phone calls/​messages left. Billing department has never returned any of my calls/​messages.
I do not recommend this business at all.

Came here as part of a bachelorette party. I’ve never done a pole fitness class before, so I know enough that the class was going to be pretty basic, and I would not be upside down anytime soon. Since coordination is not exactly my forte, I’m ok with that. Tara was our instructor, and she made the class pretty fun with her chattiness to loosen up the room.
Since almost all of us had never done this before, her constant conversation kept us from feeling too awkward. After a 20 min warmup (which isn’t a joke! My arms were getting tired!), we practiced some sexy walking, and had the option to play/​do whatever we wanted. Our options were floor work, pole work, or lap dances. We wanted to play with the pole, so we worked on some spins, which were basic, but harder than it looks! It was actually pretty fun in the dim light to do something none of us (who all work in pretty uptight fields) would normally do. We had a fun time spinning and working on our coordination :) One spin required a bit more arm strength than most of us had, but I can see why people love it. It’s a fun way to combine dance and fitness.
Towards the end we asked the Tara to show us some of her moves, and it was fantastic to see what you can achieve with consistent pole classes. I definitely was jealous of her toned arms and shoulders. At the end we each offered a free class, but dancing isn’t really my thing, so I took a pass. Overall, it was a really fun bachelorette activity, and I’d be game to go with a group again. Oh, and my arms were sore the next day!

Nice studio, but ridiculously over priced! They have no spinning poles to learn from and no workshops. S Factor just sounds fancy. Other than that, you can get the same pole skills at any other studio in Houston. They get the first star for a nice studio, second for customer service, and third for organization with the classes.

These classes seem to be designed for rich women of all fitness levels who are not very comfortable with their bodies. The instructor will tell you things like ‘feel your sensual curves’, ‘let your hair tickle your face’, and ‘close up that beautiful view’ and that seems to be the main focus instead of the actual moves. Some people may enjoy that sort of things but I don’t need it! I want to learn moves and get help with form! The instructor was a good dancer but wasn’t good at teaching. The staff talks in a very scripted and annoying manner. When you sign up you’ll get an email with the same tone and know exactly what I mean.
The groupon for 2 free classes is a good way to test out pole dancing for free except you have to go through a ‘tour’ which is really a waste of time sales pitch. And you’ll have to put up with all the other stuff I posted above. But please don’t judge all pole dancing by this studio alone! It’s a really fun workout!

I love S factor. I started with a groupon and was able to sit in the 2^nd class of a level 1 session rather than the intro class. It was FANTASTIC!!! When we started the class, there were only 3 — 5 minutes of discussion about what were were going to learn that day. After that, we had a 60 minute work out which included stretching, abs, arms and core strengthening. The last 50 — 60 minutes of the class was pole tricks… both practicing and perfecting the tricks the other girls learned the previous week and learning a new trick. I immediately went to the front desk and joined the session. It is a little pricey but the feeling I had leaving the class could not compare. I was able to open up completely, lose my inhibitions and completely get lost in the moment. My thighs, arms and abs were both sore the next day and I thought my thighs were on fire on the second day.
Lisa is my instructor and she really makes you feel comfortable and good about yourself.
I am currently in level 2 and the workouts are still killer. Now I find my arms and shoulders are burning a lot more but I can still feel it in my abs the next day. I love the workouts, women and the way I feel about myself.
Lastly, they have added Open Access. For those of you that think it is too pricey, they have good news. Open Access lets you join in any other classes for FREE!!! Now, I can attend 2 — 4 classes a week if my schedule permits. Yes, it is still more expensive than a gym but I have never been to a gym that makes me feel so good about myself and get a good workout too.

I took an intro to pole class at this location from a groupon deal. I was interested in starting to learn pole at the time and had purchased several groupons for dancing lessons at a couple of studios, since Houston is lucky enough to host multiple studios all over town.
The physical studio is nice, and is in a nice and swanky part of town. There are no mirrors, students are told to be mirrors for one another.
As mentioned in several other reviews, I found the intro class to be much shorter than advertised, heavy on the introductions and sales, as well as extremely light in workout. Two thirds of the intro class (and I assume of the pole series) is taken up by a sensual stretch session. Now, I love stretching, and gaining flexibility, but this stretching is done to the very distracting drone of a continual narration by your instructor. This isn’t just the instructor I happened to get, it’s the way S Factor teaches classes. You’ll be reaching for your toes and suddenly have to stifle a spat of giggles as the instructor moans «POUR your honey molasses body across the floor and DRAG your round womanly breasts around, now FEEL your sexy mane brush the floor…» and on and on and on. The instructor will keep this up for the entire stretching period. Now, I’m as in touch with my body as it gets, but this was just over the top and silly.
We then proceeded to the «strut» part of the session, which was fun, but not strenuous, and then we learned a couple of simple pole spins. I felt that if the instructor was going to be teaching spins, she should have called in some help to give more individualized instruction, because there were fully 25 girls in a room with 6 poles, and most of the girls had never touched a pole before. I taught the girls around me to Firefly and Peter Pan, but I honestly think they would have had more fun and success learning something that kept both their feet on the ground. None of us worked up a sweat.
I didn’t feel like this was the studio for me, but I inquired about the price for drop ins and pole series. $$$$$! This was, by far, the most expensive studio I have ever looked at. So, I parted ways with S factor to seek another studio.
My most recent experience with S Factor came when I attended a local amateur competition in support of the studio I eventually started taking lessons with. I was a beginner and nowhere near ready to compete, but I wanted to see what a competition was like. Several pole studios from around the city encouraged their students to compete. S Factor had no students sign up to compete, so instead they sent the INSTRUCTOR who taught the intro class I took to compete against the STUDENTS of the other studios. Now, I know that nothing in the rules must have prohibited her from entering, but it just goes to show that S Factor isn’t about camaraderie or a community of poling. They just wanted to win the competition by sending in someone who was obviously overqualified. And they did win. However, by rigging the competition, they utterly lost my respect.

I’ve only been to the pole and superpole class via Groupon as well as a party because, like most others, this place is pretty pricy. However, I’d say that because they spend a lot of time on stretching and sensual moves in the beginning 40 minutes or so that it becomes ingrained in your movements. The girls that from this studio really dance with a lot of confidence and sexiness. You can really tell that these girls are really comfortable with their bodies.

I actually spent quite a bit of time here and am not part of the «cult», but don’t go anymore. Don’t get me wring, I had a blast and really learned a lot. I went up through level 4 and I try not to think too hard about how much $$$ that cost me. That’s the only reason I stopped going.
I never went to an intro class so I don’t really know how those go. the first experience I had with them was for my Bachelorette party. Now I highly recommend this place for a Bachelorette party or Birthday or other private event. Its still pricey but everyone had a blast. Its been awhile but I think it was 2 hours. We learned 2 pole tricks and a lap dance.
I liked it so much I went on for 4 more levels, and learned some fun stuff but after while it just wasn’t enough justify how much I was paying. So I got a removable pole for the house and learn tricks off the internet.
It was a blast, and I’d go back in a heartbeat if it was about half the price it is now.

I had fun here but this place is a little cultish. They are pretty commercialized– selling their own booty shorts and all this stuff. The girl teaching us was awesome. I did feel the workout in my abs and it was good for flexibility. It’s definitely fun but it comes at a STEEEEEEP price (I haven’t tried any other exotic dance studios but they do have cheaper prices). I went with my girlfriend and I think lots of other do the same.

I completely agree with Kristine V’s review. Although, I also only attended the intro class, so this is a review of that class only.
The 2 hour class was really 1.5 hours and the first 30 minutes was spent on a very long sales pitch by the instructor and everyone introducing themselves. We then had about 45 minutes of moving around, which I would more categorize as stretching than dancing. Don’t get me wrong, the instructor did show us some moves, but I definitely would not come here for a workout. I did not break a sweat at all. We got to do one move on the pole, each person had 2 turns. The last 15 minutes was more sales pitch and a demonstration by the instructor.
If you are looking to sweat, don’t waste your time.
On another note, my sister took an intro class in Atlanta from another company and had a major workout. Her upper body was sore for days, so maybe it is the company…

S Factor, you’ve instilled in me the love of the pole dance/​floorwork/​chair dance and I will never look back!
This place is a playground for any woman who just wants to let loose, let go of their inhibitions — without any kind of hangover the next day or taking the walking of shame. I can say S Factor really helped me tap into sensuality I didn’t know I had and without feeling goofy about it!
I went up through Level 6 (Level 7 is the highest you can get to; a student stays at Level 6 for a couple of years to make sure you master all the moves). It really has been a fun, fabulous experience! From day 1, I fell in absolute love with S Factor. It’s been nothing but positivity since then — feeling more self-​confident, not just in the movement itself, but carrying it over into the rest of my life — in the way I walk, how I interact with people, my attitude about each day. For serious.
My instructor through the entire time was Brandi Bell. She was really helpful, enthusiastic and positive throughout the entire experience. And I can honestly say that each session of girls I was with (some who stayed with me through all the levels) were really supportive and positive themselves. Some other classes I could imagine may have more «clique-​y» girls in them or unsupportive ones, but I’m fortunate enough to not have had that problem.
The good:
–knowledgeable and supportive instructors
–the music! you are always swapping ideas for great songs to dance to and fall in love with
–great studios — dimly lit red lights, hardwood floors, several poles, no mirrors, cushy couches to give lap dances in ;)
–over time, you definitely build you upper body and core strength. I have since left S Factor but continue to do a bootcamp and my trainer tells me how much he has to challenge the core I came in with.
–learning to really move in the sexy feminine form God gave you. For stiffs like me who don’t dance too too well, this definitely is an ego boost
–dressing up for special assignments! — Charlie’s Angels, Weather Girl, Dominatrix, Rocker Chick… the list goes on and on. It’s fun to see what other girls come up with and to pretend to be someone else for awhile.
The bad (which really attribute to my rating):
— PRICE — this was my biggest issue throughout my entire time there, but I tried to find ways to pay for it. S fund helps out a little and they do have work study (you basically apply for it like financial aid and if they choose you, you come help out at the studio a couple of hours a week), but even with that, I couldn’t afford it anymore. It’s $ 440 per session! EEK!
— I understand having to stretch beforehand and learning S Factor moves, but starting out in the lower levels you spend a whole hour stretching! It takes some time for you to move throughout the levels and they lower that time to 45 minutes of stretching and more free dance time, but that’s something that I didn’t like very much.
I have no regrets about the money I spent, but if I’d actually spend that money again now? I don’t think I could do it. But I will say, I’ve been to 2 other pole studios in Houston and none compare to the quality of the time and enthusiasm of the instructors at S Factor… if you can afford it.

I just happen to be reading over my first review of S Factor when I noticed many of the ladies from class that were part of the «click» or «in crowd» had come here to post glowing reviews to help water down the honesty of this place. It’s a shame this place is so ridiculously over priced for the service and ridicule you get from not only fellow classmates, but the instructors as well. The location is good, but it still doesn’t justify the price. it’s like high school all over again at this place, see the review from Stacey W. for a prime example «I’m an S Woman» in a review = free swag from S Factor. Unilocal should be alerted to what they are doing here. You and your money should stay far away.

I’m an S woman and have been since the Houston studio opened in the house. I’ve had to take two breaks (pregnancy & lack of funds) but I keep going back for more and more. I cannot explain to you all the goodness of S Factor. You won’t even realize it yourself until one day in level 3+ when all of a sudden you realize that not only can you do some bad ass pole tricks, your body is rockin’ and you have the emotional support of the fantastic women in your class you now call friends. S Factor is the most incredible work out because you don’t feel like it’s a workout. It feels like heaven with the results of hours at the gym and even more hours on the couch of a therapist. I would have given S 5 stars however I feel it should be more moderately priced so that more women could be empowered by the movement and because the best teachers (minus Becky who I LOVE!) keep leaving. I know, I know there’s work study and the S Fund but they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be and it doesn’t work for everyone.

«I’m an S woman»

I’m an S woman ! This is one of the best investments in myself I have ever made! Professional and Fun! I recommend it to all my friends!

Let me break it down for you. At least for the Intro class.
Catherine F was kind enough to get me a Groupon for an Intro class which is normally $ 40. So when I saw that. oh wow I’m paying $ 20 for 2 hours of work out? SIIICK. AND I get to learn how to do a «Firefly» around the pole? Awesome!
More like. TEASE.
The main reasons for 2 stars –
(1) the lack of sweat!!!
(2) the lack of ROI! $ 40 for less than an hour of work out. That’s more than a month’s worth of gym membership.
Ok ok. I’ll start off with the positives.
+ A community of women who value their Me time and being in touch with your female self
+ A clean work out studio with hardwood floors
+ Great playlist
+ Strength & toning exercises are cleverly worked in with a sexual touch to distract you from the pain of the pilates inspired bicycle kicks
+ No mirrors & good ventilation
+ Instructor had good energy and is a testament for the place.
What I wasn’t prepared for:
— The touching of the boobs and crotch. I really should’ve expected it but I didn’t!
— The long introductions of classmates and history of S-​factor
— My opportunity to show off my great LACK of flexibility
— NO SWEATING
— Going around the pole only 2 times
— The Instructor telling us to have a seat to watch her and another person in the studio do an entire pole dance routine to «Transform Ya»
— Every other non-​intro class is $ 110 each!!! $ 110 for 2 hours. WOW.
— We were out the door by 7:30 when the introductions started at 6. Actual work out prob didn’t start until about 6:20.
Sigh. I left so disappointed. I didn’t even go in with high expectations. I could’ve been at the Midtown 24 hr fitness sweating my butt off at Annette’s kickboxing class. Sadness.

At the moment, I’m not a member of S Factor. I have, however been to two classes there — one for a bachelorette party and the other for a friend’s 30^th birthday. I immensely enjoyed both of those experiences. What a great way to celebrate such occasions with a group of girlfriends while taking some time to enjoy and embrace your femininity and sexuality… and (oh yeah!) get a good workout.
Each studio has 6 poles mounted to the ceiling and overhead lights are off, with only a few red dimmed lamps scattered about. The idea is that you are only to focus on yourself, your body, and your own movement. There is no judgement on yourself or others allowed. There are no mirrors. Classes are 2 hours and lead by two instructors. They usually have 6 – 12 students but 15 can be the max if you’re reserving a private class. The first hour is spent on a yoga mat doing the «S Workout,» a combination of yoga and pilates with a sensual «touch» to it. Slow sexy music is playing in the background while the instructors guide you along. I did notice the 2^nd time around that the instructors use a script to describe the moves.
«Now on the count of 3 let’s all rub our beautiful round asses, give it a smack, and holler!»
«This is the move you can do at home for your man when you want a new purse!»
«While you’re doing that take your right arm up onto your head and mess that sexy mane up a little… then take your hand down your body, taking the time to explore your beautiful curves… your fingers going down the valley of your breasts…»
Ahem.
So once that part is over, you work on the «S Walk,» a basic pole trick called «The Firefly», and the instructors give an impressive demonstration. They really weren’t too pushy in getting you to sign up. They quickly explained the 8 training levels, passed out a schedule and membership pricing, and gave some personal commentary on how S factor has helped them physically and mentally, etc. We all walked out feeling like hot stuff. It was a fun thing to do with your friends and by the next day, all our abs, gluts, and thighs were so sore… so that’s proof enough for me that this is a good workout.

In high school, Demi Moore grabbed my attention in her role for the film, Striptease. While being an exotic dancer was never my personal calling, that muscle tone has totally been an aspiration! I remember asking my mom, a lifelong fitness nut, how on earth Demi achieved such a femininely strong and sexy physique. Was she a bow-​flex gal? Did she spend millions of dollars on some personal trainer for the stars? Was she naturally inclined with an endless supply of self-​control and motivation? Whether your muse is Demi, Jami Lee Curtis in True Lies or any of the others, are these Tinsel Town bodies actually obtainable by regular women? My mom, a former aerobics and fitness trainer, has always preached the importance of exercise in life, not just for looks but for energy, self-​esteem, health and clarity. A self-​proclaimed addict of People magazine, she also revealed to me that Demi had prepped her body and her character by going directly to the source, exotic dancers.
Well, about a year ago, I learned that Houston, our increasingly cosmo city, was one of the few lucky locales to host an actual S Factor studio. For those a few minutes behind, S-​Factor is the brainchild of Sheila Kelley, an actress, producer and mother of two based out of LA. Starting in her home office, expanding into her backyard and beyond, she started a fitness craze based on the fundamentals employed at your neighborhood gentleman’s club. But, drop any preconceived notions or inhibitions, these classes aren’t about being x-​rated or wooing any masculine personalities, although you can do as you like with the training after class… The idea is to provide an all-​female environment, where women, free from judgment, can get fit, have fun and delve into their inner femininity. Loving the «mission,» the S factor has been on my radar for a while, especially since a friend of mine, whom I won’t mention by name, shared with me, that upon completion of level one, she loved the régime so much that she bought a removable pole for her living room!
Yet, like so many things in life, my intention to get involved was plagued with the evil procrastination disease. Really, apprehensive for no particular reason, I am not sure what was holding me back. Would I be any good at it? Would it be awkward? Would there be mirrors?
So, after having coffee with Briana, the lovely manager of Houston’s S Factor and avid fan of skirt!, about the studio’s upcoming events she politely reminded me that I needed to come try it out. You see, Sheila Kelley was personally coming in town and would be sitting in on some intro classes and, journalistically speaking anyway, I was left without any further excuses to take the swing.
Putting the whole thing out of my mind until the last minute, Thursday evening was my pole debut. Dressed in yoga attire, gal pal (aka mom) in tow and stilettos (just incase), I took my first steps towards killer abs and a totally cool new workout régime.
Stepping into the classroom, the space was very dim with richly decadent draping flowing from parts of the ceiling. The ambient secondary lighting produced a red glow from Victorian-​style lamps adorned with sparkling cranberry-​colored crystals. Strategically centered in the room, approximately eight bronze poles rose from the hardwood floors and the entire space was devoid of mirrors.
As the class began, the audio system pumped sultry favorites with deep slow rhythms as we stretched. The instructor demonstrated and described the movements in words, allowing multiple methods from which to follow. Looking around at the group, the mixture of women represented all ages, shapes, sizes and personalities. The atmosphere was comfortable, warm and welcoming. The routines, at least in this intro class were essentially low-​impact, easily mimicked and fun. Yet, I found the movements to be challenging as well, as they encouraged strength through muscle isolation.
Following the session, the instructor and the instructor’s assistant demonstrated some of the skills taught beyond the intro class. Climbing to the top of the pole and wrapping her legs for stability, the instructor flipped upside down and slid down slowly with overwhelming control. Then, falling into a modified version of the splits, I was fascinated not just with the show, but the strength…
You guessed it! I signed up for the next class. And the best part? Mike didn’t even put up a fight on this little splurge! Plus, its been a couple of days and I still feel a lingering burn in my arms and abs… Watch out Demi; here I come!