Pole dancing – exercise or exploitation?

[ducasi]

Based on the interest in pole dancing at a few recent events, I though some people might be interested in reading this article on the BBC web site...

Are pole-dancing classes about exercise or exploitation?

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by ducasi

Based on the interest in pole dancing at a few recent events, I though some people might be interested in reading this article on the BBC web site...

Are pole-dancing classes about exercise or exploitation?

Love this quote
"It's exercise, is it? So you'll all be wearing trainers then?"
Jill Arscott, Brighton

Oh and "Christopher from Oxford" isn't me.

But I have been wondering for a while now - Ceroc London's running pole dancing classes and not only are the fully booked, there was a waiting list last time I checked the workshops diary.

Kinda curious as to whether any Fourmites are participating and their views.

Also curious if guys can take part if it is just about dance / exercise?

Be well,
Christopher

[Donna]

Originally Posted by ducasi

Based on the interest in pole dancing at a few recent events, I though some people might be interested in reading this article on the BBC web site...

Are pole-dancing classes about exercise or exploitation?

I definately think it is a good way of keeping fit, and it is the 'IN' thing now, but personally I wouldn't do it to keep fit.. I'd rather just stick to the normal way of dancing - MJ If I really want to do that as a way of keeping fit, then I'd set a pole up at home, but the fact they are doing this in public indicates that it is for pornographic purposes only.

Ok so it may keep them fit, but that's just an excuse they use. If they really want to keep fit, why not pop down to the gym like everybody else.. I'm sure you get more out of the gym than you do swinging around a pole!

If they want to expose themselves in a such a way, then that is up to them. I have nothing against it as I believe people have a choice. I believe the majority of women who enjoy doing this are those who thrive attention and it boosts their self esteem and makes them feel sexy. However I think it's dangerous and can lead to not just a bad reputation, but being attacked outside a night club (raped)

[ToeTrampler]

Explotation as far as the women are concerned; but since it does increase my heart rate, I'd have to say it's also exercise

[TiggsTours]

Well, I did the class at Storm, so I guess that was public, and loved it!

Its a superb way of keeping fit, the moves took so much physical strength that I thought I'd have to go down the gym to get into shape just to start classes! Also, for someone like me who finds going to the gym unbearably dull, it was also a far more entertaining way of getting fit.

It is necessary to not wear too many clothes, as alot of the moves will only work when bare flesh is in contact with the pole, but the girl teaching us was wearing very much sporting attire, it wasn't sexy stuff at all, and she wasn't in stillettoes either.

Alot of the fitness type classes (which I believe are the ones Ceroc are using, as I'm sure they're using the same teacher) are not at all about exploitation of women, its all about fitness, building confidence in your own body, movement, expression and good clean fun.

That said, when its done in a club by a girl wearing just her underwear and stillettoes, in front of a room full of drooling men, yes, that's exploitation, but that is not the way Ceroc are doing things!

People shouldn't knock it until they've tried it.

[Tazmanian Devil]

Personally I really enjoyed the pole dancing class at Storm twas a great laugh and very interesting!!

It's amazing how these ladies make their bodys look longer

Our teacher wore boxing boots which at first seemed a little weird as we were told we should wear heals when booking up for the class. but she soon put us right!!

Would definately do it again

Personally don't think it's exploitation, just good exercise and if certain women decide to do it as a prefession thats their business (loadsa money to be earned there)

[Princess Fi]

It does sound like a good way to strengthen your body in my opinion, and more fun that doing something like step or a thigh bums and tums class.

But all this talk of exploitation makes me wonder - I mean, in my head at least (and I'm sure some people will disagree with me here) isn't it only really exploitation when an individual doesn't want to do the act in question? I mean the participants to a pole dancing exercise class are hardly unwilling, and at the end of the day its their decision as to how they want to exercise!

I'm sure people will disagree with that though, and as such, I'm going to promptly go hide under my desk!

[Chef]

As far as I can work out

If it increases your strength, stamina, or suppleness then it is excercise.

If you are forced to work against your will then it is exploitation.

I have not yet heard of anyone being forced to go to a pole dancing lesson against their will so I guess it isn't exploitation.

Seems like excercise to me. I have always found that the best forms of excercise are ones that you enjoy doing so it doesn't seem like a self pennance for being fat, old, unfit, etc. If someone finds that pole dancing lessons are their way of having fun (and getting excercise ant the same time) then who is anyone to tell them no?

[Rhythm King]

I have a friend who goes to these classes on a weekly basis. She says it's much more fun than going to pump iron at a gym. Also, she's doing a female-only class at a dance studio, not performing in front of people in a lap-dancing club, so the exploitation bit doesn't really come into it.

[TheTramp]

Originally Posted by TiggsTours

That said, when its done in a club by a girl wearing just her underwear and stillettoes, in front of a room full of drooling men, yes, that's exploitation, but that is not the way Ceroc are doing things!

Just out of interest, who is exploiting who here??

[Donna]

Originally Posted by Tazmanian Devil

Personally I really enjoyed the pole dancing class at Storm twas a great laugh and very interesting!!

Awww there was pole dancing at Storm????? DAMN!!! Would love to have given that a go for a laugh. actually Taz, I remember some pictures of you on the forum giving it a try. wonder if they'll have any at Ceroc Breeze??? I hope so.....

[Magic Hans]

From the article ...

She says women are being told that "correct exercise" is something that has its roots in prostitution.

Pole dancing is perpetuating a culture of prostitution. It's not actually prostitution because they're in a class but it's the codes of prostitution and practice that they are engaged in.

What the *%#@@*&&*$$ is this women going on about!!!!

I despair some times! I wonder (as Tiggs says) if she's been within 10 yards of a pole with an open mind. Call me presumptive, but I have my doubts!!

If it's fun ... do it. Exhibitionists can feel free to perform for others ... most people won't, at a guess!! [Let's face it, if it wasn't pole dancing, exhibitionists would find somethings else for attention, and such feminists ... or whichever extremists, would rant in the same way!]

Call me simple minded .... but the argument against is simply a load of bull!!

[Ruffled any feathers???? Hope so!!!! ]

[ducasi]

Princess Fi, Chef and others saying these classes are not exploitation....

The exploitation argument isn't that the women doing the lessons are being exploited, but that by running these classes for folks just doing it for the exercise and a bit of fun, it makes pole dancing more acceptable in our culture, and thus makes pole dancing as entertainment more acceptable.

And this is where they say women are being exploited.

[Tazmanian Devil]

Originally Posted by Donna

Awww there was pole dancing at Storm????? DAMN!!! Would love to have given that a go for a laugh. actually Taz, I remember some pictures of you on the forum giving it a try. wonder if they'll have any at Ceroc Breeze??? I hope so.....

Me too hun, it's great fun

[Princess Fi]

Originally Posted by Magic Hans

Call me simple minded .... but the argument against is simply a load of bull!!

Come on - if you were to follow through the argument of any form of exercise which is in any way promoting looking sexy, then you would eliminate pretty much all forms of dance!

(At least all the fun ones )

[Donna]

Originally Posted by Tazmanian Devil

Me too hun, it's great fun

You can teach me a few moves that you learnt at Storm. The only pole I used to swing on was the washing line pole at the top of the garden.... it came right out the ground.. yeah ouch! Urrr I must point out this was years ago. ahem.

[wicked blue]

Why go to a class when you can do it at home!! A friend of mine has one in their bedroom!! They've told their family that its to hold up the ceiling!!!!!!

[Donna]

Originally Posted by wicked blue

Why go to a class when you can do it at home!! A friend of mine has one in their bedroom!! They've told their family that its to hold up the ceiling!!!!!!

Think I should keep practicing on the garden pole for now then!!!!

[Spin dryer]

Originally Posted by TheTramp

Just out of interest, who is exploiting who here??

Absolutely. If there is any exploitation, then it's by the women concerned of the sad, inadequate men who are unable to relate to women normally and who pay substantial sums for some mild voyeurism.

[TiggsTours]

Originally Posted by TheTramp

Just out of interest, who is exploiting who here??

That all depends, I am perfectly open to the idea that alot of the girls that do this work know exactly what they're doing, they get paid alot of money (some of them), they are completely protected (some of them), and they are indeed exploiting the drooling men. However, there are also alot of occassions where the girls are being forced into doing it, and alot more besides, and they are the ones being exploited.