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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

pole dancing for fitness

429 replies

hairyqueenofscots · 19/11/2012 09:36

in my work i work with very highly qualified academics, i am support staff. they have all recently started these classes and burlesque. I have recently got very interested in the feminism on MN. I am saddened these woman are doing this ,they have everything going for them! Am i wrong? be gentle i am a learner :)

OP posts:
WilsonFrickett · 19/11/2012 09:42

It's not something I would do personally, but pole dancing is actually very good for fitness (I know, I know, but honestly, it is). Remember, a pole dancing 'class' won't involve stripping or performing, it will literally be learning the moves in the same way as one would in a tap dancing class.

Burlesque - interested to hear what others have to say about burlesque, I'm on the fence about it. No doubt to me that people who do it feel empowered and it's very woman-friendly but I'm still not 100% convinced.

kim147 · 19/11/2012 09:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sausagerolemodel · 19/11/2012 09:46

interesting one - I dislike the idea of pole dancing for blokes titillation, but can't help but think that as an athletic endeavour its pretty amazing and I'd like to be able to do some of the things they can do. Like gymnastics with music, but only as long as it is not for the enjoyment of, or to be seen by blokes.

I think the whole concept of burlesque being different from "normal" stripping and somehow empowering for women is a bit "meh."

DameMargotFountain · 19/11/2012 09:47

i have a massive problem with pole dancing as 'fitness'

why not practice yoga, tai chia or pilates, it's the same core strength and concentration level Hmm

BarbecuedBillygoats · 19/11/2012 09:49

If its just for fitness why do they wear ridiculously high heels. That can't be good for the body

KittyLilith · 19/11/2012 09:52

I understand the reasoning behind the opinions surrounding pole-dance classes for fitness but I attended classes for a while and it's really good fun. You're dressed in shorts and a vest top and there wasn't any 'humping the pole' dancing. It was just climbing and spins. It's really good for strength and more entertaining than reps at the gym. It was bloody hard work too but spinning round upside down is fun! I wouldn't have done it as a 'show' for anyone or anything though. I didn't see it as a sexy thing to do.

readyforno2 · 19/11/2012 09:53

I have done a 'pole dancing for fitness' course and absolutely loved it. There was nothing sleezy about it. It was great fun and a real work out my legs and arms would be killing me the next couple of days.
I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a good laugh who hates the gym.

readyforno2 · 19/11/2012 09:54

Wearing heels (mine were not really high) made the moves easier. Don't know why, they just did Grin

DameMargotFountain · 19/11/2012 09:57

so, if you wear vest top and shorts, and it's not sleazy - does this mean what you wear makes it so?

KittyLilith · 19/11/2012 09:59

I didn't get as far as wearing heels, I was barefoot. I stopped going when I got pregnant but I miss doing it. The gym's not the same. I'll have to try and find more classes that aren't miles away like the last ones were.

MoomieAndFreddie · 19/11/2012 10:01

i teach pole dancing and it is actually very good for fitness. have been doing it for fitness for 5 years now.

we do it in gym wear so its not exactly sexy, trust me... :o

AnyFucker · 19/11/2012 10:02

There are ways to get fit that don't involve pretending you are a purveyor of cheap thrills for the male gaze

KittyLilith · 19/11/2012 10:03

DameMargot That's an interesting question. I think that the reason that you do pole dancing would dictate the clothing choices so if you were doing it for titillation for spectators you would dress differently to if you were doing it for your own fitness. I think what I'm trying to say (badly) is it's not the clothing that makes it 'sleazy' but the intent of the session.

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 19/11/2012 10:05

It's a tricky one.

Someone sent me a link to this video a while back and I couldn't help but be impressed (after the first minute or so of her farting around). If it wasn't for the pole and its connotations - if she was on a trapeze instead, say, or parallel bars - it would be classed as gymnastics/acrobatics/circus skills. It doesn't come across as a sexual performance to me, at least.

But the pole does have those connotations and to go to a 'pole dancing for fitness' class kind of legitimises the sexualised version that goes on in the clubs, IMO. I'm not sure if there's any way of 'reclaiming' the pole in the current climate.

Burlesque is just stripping for the middle classes.

DameMargotFountain · 19/11/2012 10:07

see, Moomie says so, it's the clothing that makes the difference

i still don't buy it

go to the gym, go with your friends, have a laugh there

don't pretend that it's for your fitness or self esteem - you're pretending to be a stripper Sad

DameMargotFountain · 19/11/2012 10:08

why do we need to reclaim the pole?

it's not an artform that has been hijacked for the sex industry, it was invented FOR and BY the sex industry

AnyFucker · 19/11/2012 10:11

let's reclaim the lapdance too

I'm going to set up a new "Lapdancing for Fitness" class in my local Civic Hall

it's great for toning the abdominals and gluteals, I expect....all the shecksy and "empowered" women will come flocking to look all cool and liberated

MoomieAndFreddie · 19/11/2012 10:12

wow that video plenty .....amazing.

DameMargotFountain · 19/11/2012 10:12

AF Grin

i might reclaim prostitution while we're at it? if we're going to have sex, we might as well get paid for it...

oh wait....

MoomieAndFreddie · 19/11/2012 10:15

i'm not saying i am Right dame (re the clothes)...its only my opinion, and i am sure in this particular section of MN most people will disagree with it and thats up to them.

and i hate the gym, so i will never go :o

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 19/11/2012 10:16

I agree Margot, although when I was at school, there was a big slidey pole next to the ropes in the gym (decades before pole dancing was invented). We were supposed to just climb up it although I never could. Do they still have them?

MoomieAndFreddie · 19/11/2012 10:17

oooh its made discussions of the day now!

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WilsonFrickett · 19/11/2012 10:19

sky1.sky.com/got-to-dance-home/watch-bendy-kate-semi-final

This girl ain't pretending to be a stripper. She is an amazing, athletic dancer.

I think the difference is in the content and interpretation - she isn't dancing in order to attract a man to give her tips or a private dance. She's just dancing and it's amazing. Surely it's the content, audience and intent that make it sleazy?

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 19/11/2012 10:20

I wouldn't mind betting that 'lapdancing for fitness' already exists Sad

WilsonFrickett · 19/11/2012 10:21

Margot I've done yoga a lot and believe me, I couldn't do half of this stuff.

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