Pole dancing exercise classes

It was only when watching the film "Somewhere" the other day (in which the bloke pays for private pole dancers) that the penny dropped and I realised that the pole in pole dancing is phallic. (Doh - but until then I hadn't actually really seen much pole dancing, just heard about it.)

But then looking at that woman dancing to emeli sande it is not being used in that way at all. And I can't really say that it is unfeminist to have anything to do with any kind of pole (traffic bollard, rolling pin, cucumber whatever) just because it could represent a penis or be used in a woman-oppressing way.

So trying to ground what I think in feminism - I think it's possible for pole dancing to be something that could be equally done by men and women in the exact same way, with no inequality or sexual dodginess involved, and therefore in itself it's OK.

But, if I went to a pole dancing class and there was any whiff of the revolting sleazy nitespot about it, it wouldn't be OK.

One of the ladies that works for me is also a Pole Fitness instructor. She is amazingly fit, seriously strong, mildly underweight (to my eyes, but she does eat well) and completely toned. There isn't an ounce of fat on her and her six pack is ridiculous.

She doesn't wear heels.

She got a lot of comments from the men as they found out what she did (you can imagine it I am sure, a room full of squaddies and a 'Pole Dancer'). She challenged them to a training session. 5 turned up, all fit guys, one a PTI. She DESTROYED them. When I saw them I swear they were shadows of the men they were . She gets an awful lot of respect now and requests that she teaches them how to do some of the horizontal lifts. She also does ring and rope work that is even harder.

I admit when I first heard I thought it was probably tacky, lots of make up, tits out and high heels, but it isn't. I'm glad I was wrong, I shouldn't have judged before I actually saw it.

I've even been considering having a go myself - but it looks really hard...

me too, Red

Perhaps I took the "sisterhood" too far and assigned insight to the op she doesn't actually possess

Feminism isn't about "sisterhood". How naive to think so. Only women who cheerlead others in support of the patriarchy talk about "sisterhood"

Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrggggghhhh!

Do it if you want to op, if it makes you feel funny probably best not.

Don't ask 'the sisterhoods' permission. It will not be granted.

If you want to build your core strength, do Pilates or yoga, if you want a good workout, lift weights. Neither of these forms of actual exercise involve wearing heels. If you want to take part in sports with other, take up a team game, lift weights with a friend. The possibilities are endless and none of them require you to make an utter arse of yourself on a 'night out taster session' type effort.

I think OP's disquiet is a feminist issue.

The fact there are man pleasing women swarming all over it does not detract from that.

How predictable. A user of strip clubs that thinks pole dancing is just harmless exercise. < yawn >

am sure it is great fun, I bought a friend a pole for Christmas one year because she likes that sort of thing but I'd rather have a balance beam personally

That's fair enough I guess, I've been to strip clubs etc. so I think the fact that it really is entirely different is quite apparent to me, hence why I don;t view them the same.

I just quoted that from the first post - that was the question!

It would probably seem ok to me if we lived in a completely different time and place, but I don't know how to separate pole dancing from the whole pole dancing/lap dancing/sex industry thing. I love pushing myself physically and being strong and I love to dance but in a way that suits me and expresses ME and not as shaped by men.

But Mitchy don't you understand that the majority of pole dancing is not about "gyrating around a pole" (how wonderfully cliched.) If you attended a class you would soon see this.

I agree with Chops, its very social and I used to have a great laugh and ended up really good friends with the people I shard a pole with in class.

My teacher was an ex ballet dancer!

I was only answering the question from the first post does gyrating round a pole as exercise seem ok to you? and my first thoughts were 'ugh' and 'why would you do that when you can do something like gymnastics' which also combines elements of dance with acrobatics but without looking quite so silly!

Another thing is that it is very social, it's usually 2 to a pole and you work with other women creating routines, etc rather than other classes where you tend to just work alongside.

Yes I've often seen male athletes work out in heels because it works their legs harder.

That's what I mean Chops, I think its utterly beautiful. As I said the lack of clothing is for the simple fact that it requires skin to be in contact with the pole. Nothing seedy, its more like ballet than stripping imo.

I remember DP saw pole dancing videos on my web history and confronted me, I then showed him them and he couldn't believe how artistic and impressive real pole dancing is.

MummyofIsla, she is seriously good! Surely no one can watch a dance like that and think it is seedy.

I do all sorts of exercise, I cycle and spin, I do body combat, body attack and pump (which is kinda weight lifting), I run. I loved pole because it was something different, it is a form of dance, you create routines, you learn new techniques, and you gain amazing strength. Quite different to other sports. It gave me tons of confidence, as I am NOT a dancer generally!

But if its something that a person enjoys and it really is a fantastic workout then whats the matter with that?

And it absolutely does work the legs harder as well as further strengthening the core due to the added need to balance.

Just becasue it CAN be used as a form of male entertainment doesn't mean that it can't be totally non-sexual too.

And personally I think that having the physical ability and stamina to do that is really something to aspire to, these people are seriously fit.

(to be fair the 'artistic elements' of gymnastics are looking more ridiculous every year too so maybe it's just me, I don't get the decorative function of working out at all)

ohmygod @ 'works the legs harder'

it looks ridiculous to me

what is wrong with weight lifting and actual sporting activities? if it's about strength why not gymnastics, or acrofit or something that isn't such a male idea of what female sexuality is?

Now tell me that isn't cool!

and no you don't NEED to wear heels, though many people do as it works the legs harder. Its only "sexy" if you bat the eyelids and puff out your chest, other than that its just swinging round a pole.

Most people wear tiny shorts but this is for the simple reason that you need flesh to be in contact with the pole (i.e. in a ple sit) in order to stop from slipping.