pole dancing for fitness

Yep. That is basically it. That is the Patriarchy for you. It's a fucker.

Believe what you want Buddy. I am not arrogant enough to think I can change your mind.

"No they don't. Few token men. And those men that do it seem to be higher in status. They even get to to change the name to acrobatics"

no, I don't think they "changed" the name, I don't think it was ever called pole dancing in china.

so men in china can do it and it's a sport, but women in the UK can't?, they're objectifying themselves and their sex? is that basically it?

And there is a whole feminist argument To be had as to why certain activities and sports are only seen worthy to be women's sports.

Yep but they don't have their roots in titillation.

sorry, converted:

lots of group exercise classes are marketed mainly to women, like aerobics, bodybalance, yoga etc

You also don't tend to find men pole dancing in clubs either.

what wrong message is this sending to society?

No they don't. Few token men. And those men that do it seem to be higher in status. They even get to to change the name to acrobatics. Hmm. Wonder why that is.

Still doesn't negate the fact it is mainly marketed to women (certainly in this country) and the roots.

Lots of men do pole fitness.

men ARE! read the posts! search for chinese pole acrobatics on youtube and it's mostly MEN doing the moves you learn at pole class.

I prefer women only pole classes though because you need bare legs etc to grip the pole, but one of the classes near me does have men and a male teacher

Jeez. This is shit. This is the feminist section, people. Not Shake our booty for the lads section. Choice schmoice. If it is such a free choice, why aren't men flocking to it in droves for the fitness, agility and overall sense of empowerment? Why aren't they sliding up and down poles in an activity primarily used to objectify the participants? Because they don't need empowering (they already have the power), they have plenty of other outlets for fitness and agility and they do the objectification not become the objects. Plus, of course they don't actually want to wear heels, that little delight is exclusively saved for women (for men's pleasure, obviously. No gain without pain and all).

But of course feminism is all about choice. Not context to choice. At. All. Ever.

It's an industry though niggle. A massive industry that trades in women's bodies as commodities. It's not the same as just fancying someone. Men pay to stare at women who get naked for men they don't fancy. I don't believe we'll ever be truly equal while this is acceptable.

Thanks for the

I really am reading this shit on the FWR topic.

Now I remember why I hardly come here any more, and why all the old regulars fucked off too.

< heads off, closing door behind me >

Not looking to argue plenty but have you never objectified a man (or fellow woman if thats your bag)? Never looked and thought 'phwoar'? Never watched a half-clad man in a movie or music video?.... Surely its normal to find the opposite/same/some sex attractive? And want them to find you the same? Or some of them.... Naturally people shouldnt be forced to pole dance for the merriment of others, but if they want to, hey, let them seize the day. Some probably regret it later, but I actually wish I'd made more of a sex object of myself while I was young and beautiful - now I have stretch marks, saggy boobs and wrinkles, I probably need to face the fact that it will never happen lol.

Buddy I went along to one once where they did a sexy little prance round the pole to warm up. I point blank refused to join in :)

a lot of classes ARE already called polefit or pole-fitness rather than pole-dancing

it's just gymnastics!, that really is all it is! its fantasic, I could never ever do push ups or pull ups before trying it and it really doesn't take long to build up strength

(there may be some classes with a more poleDANCE aspect to it but I haven't been to those)

Post was to Nigglenaggle, not OP, BTW

Yay! choicychoicychoicechoice!

I can see the attraction of pole - when I watched the video I linked to back on page 1, I was really impressed with the woman's strength and agility but ... actions have consequences, not just for the individual but for wider society. In this case, the consequence is that the sexual version of pole dancing is normalised and it becomes that much harder to argue against a practice that objectifies women and helps cast us all as the sex class.

Don't expect you care about that though, it's all just empowerfulizing choice to you, I imagine.

they did put on a show one night some of the guys from work went and was all the nudge nudge wink wink crap that annoyed me

urgh at this however OP

sleezy?

the pole dancing classes I've been to are more like chinese pole acrobatics, more traditionally done by men (think circ du soleil)

it is the best exercise class I've been to. never felt stronger