Pole Dancing Fitness: For Kids?

Not my daughter! That is, if I had a daughter.

Gymnastics works just fine.

Besides, if the teachers were strippers/ex-strippers, I wouldn't want to chance them recognizing me...

I started taking belly dancing lessons when I was in the fifth grade (10 y/o) and well...what can I say? Belly dancing IS pretty sensual and sexual. And these weren't specialty classes for little kids - I was the only child in the room.

Did it harm me? Well, it made me love dancing, and while I certainly had my own issues about sex and sexuality they probably weren't worsened by dancing. (Or, maybe they were, I shaved my head which is a very asexualizing act, as in, it makes people stop thinking of you as a sexual being).

So, I have no idea. I think the classes are pointless, though, just a way for bored moms to try to shock their friends. Why not just put your kids in gymnastics, pole vaulting, hip hop, or even belly dancing?

But, on the other hand, if a kid, for some reason, seems to REALLY like it and it's the one way to get them physically active, I can't quite argue against that.

One last point before this becomes even more absurdly long: kids know more than we give them credit. Just because the classes aren't promoted as pole dancing or stripper classes or sexual doesn't mean kids don't know. Kids know.

Pole dance is a hot trend here in Portugal, available in almost every trendy/expensive gyms... At first it was considered just for women who wanted to impress their partners, but many are praising the level of flexibility and strenght they achived with a "sport" that requires no machines... belly dance is a trend too, mostly with people who can't stand regular workout.
Anyway, I would´t have any problems with a young girl learning belly dance, but pole... well, I would have to attend a couple of classes to decide :)

not ever, not my daughter. can you say "exotic dance in training"? who decided to do this. morons.

I am sorry but I hope many people do not get their kids involved with this as it seems not appropriate. Why would we teach our kids in the first place how to to this as we all know what people do this this and I hope I don't often anyone. Somethings we a little weird to me but if I am missing something please tell me as I am open to advice or commenting on this issue.

As a pole dance instructor, I look at pole dancing like I look at ballet, or tap. It's a form of dance that looks incredibly beautiful when executed correctly. It doesn't have to be sexy or erotic, but it's beautiful and creative.
The difference is that you would rarely ever see a professional "strippper" executing the challenging moves such as inversions and holds that are being taught in many of these classes.
Speaking for adult classes only: These classes vary greatly in terms of sexy-ness. Some are very athletic- tennis shoes and gym garb, others are more sexy- stilletos and booty shorts. My classes are more on the sexy side. Why... because it's okay to be sexy! It doesn't mean that you're slutty, it means that you're a woman and maybe you were born with some curves! Maybe you weren't born with curves and you want to be okay with it!
One of the reasons I loved taking these classes was because I could go to a safe place with other women and dance without the male attention. A lot of women, like myself, don't even like to go to the gym in regular gym clothes because of the male attention!
If any of you are interested in trying a class, let me know. My fitness background is in Pilates and I have a degree in Kinesiology with a specialization in Health & Fitness Promotion.

An additional note: Isn't the pole symbolically phallic?

In particular, check out this video at 15 sec and 2:35. And when she presents her rear at 1:55; I think I came a little in my pants then too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msy7TtyAVIc

Here's another innocent little video from YouTube, where she does they same presentation of the rear:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr4pUcpyuag

Make no mistake, that display is highly sexualized. Take a look at the animal kingdom if you don't believe me. "Insert here".

And these behaviors all seem endemic to pole dancing for fitness as well as for professional provocateurs. Not for childen.

Jamie said:
As a pole dance instructor, I look at pole dancing like I look at ballet, or tap. It's a form of dance that looks incredibly beautiful when executed correctly. It doesn't have to be sexy or erotic, but it's beautiful and creative. The difference is that you would rarely ever see a professional "strippper" executing the challenging moves such a[...]

Jaime, do you have a site through which one can contact you?

Pole dancing could develop tremendous upper body and core strength, as well as flexibility, all of which are very important for the young athlete to develop in order to become more competitive in their sport. Having said this though, the way pole dancing is viewed in today's society and the connotation of it is something that innocent, little kids should not be put into. There are many other ways to develop these same benefits that pole dancing can provide, for example, gymnastics, yoga, and Pilates. These can be just as productive and less seductive.

Whatever happened to tumbling or tap? If my daughter asked to take pole dancing classes, I'd say no, but I would offer an alternative like ballet or gymnastics. Sure there is nothing inherently wrong with "fitness with a vertical bar" just like there is nothing inherently wrong with exposed belly buttons and pants with JUICY spelled out on the behind. Am I going to let my young daughters show their stuff or wear ridiculous pants? Nope. So why should I let 'em pole dance?

I think that kids would have no idea about the negative connotation associated with pole dancing, unless of course we share with them our negative beliefs. I've seen kids climb poles to reach the high bars and spin down the "fire mans" pole at the park! I would never question their innocence.
I teach pilates and I can tell you honestly that one hour of pole workout is just as challenging physically and a lot more fun! I'm not saying take your kid and find some pole dance lessons. 1st of all, I think it would be pretty hard to find a place! Secondly, Dance lessons in general are not for every kid, neither is soccer, or t-ball. You need to find something that your kid enjoys, thinks is fun and looks forward to doing. That is the key to promoting long time adherence to any health and/or fitness program. Our society has a negative connotation with exercise in general. Look at all the blogs about quick fixes... anything to avoid diet and exercise, even though we know that we should be doing it, if the alternative exists, we'll take it! We've totally forgot and overlooked the pure joy of moving our bodies because it's FUN and it feels good, and it does not need to serve a higher purpose. If you'd like a refresher course in what fun is with freedom of movement, the non-constricted and creative movement that kids naturally have, watch how kids play, take away the video games, take away the computer! It's fun, it's freedom, it's empowering.
I don't really see my husband telling his business partners that he needs to leave the meeting early to go watch his daughters pole dance recital (at least not in this decade!). But I highly doubt that having a vertical pole in a dance studio would lead to a career in stripping or promiscuity.

Here is our website: We don't teach kids, but we do have many Mother and Daughter duos taking classes together!
http://www.frommindtobody.com/missionstatement.html

My daughter would NOT be signed up for pole dancing. Gawd, what's wrong with letting kids be kids and letting them do childish things. Who in their right mind thinks that mini-strippers are a good thing?!

I should add, however, that the classes at Pole Fitness Studios have little to nothing to do with "pole dancing."

From the article:

the unique grips and techniques offered are of gymnastics, martial arts and circus origins.

Sure there is a pole, but no one is writhing on it. I don't think there is an element of sexuality in these particular classes.

Sounds like a poor idea if you ask me. I guess it's better than sitting on the couch and doing nothing. But still why not just go for a walk or hike.

I agree with Dan...why not just sign your kids up for gymnastics, ballet, pilates, yoga or something else that builds core strength and teaches them to love dancing? There is no way I'd let MY daughter ever take a pole dancing class when she was 11. That is just asking for it. I know it's not INHERENTLY sexual or whatever, but there is such a bad connotation with it that you can't help but associate pole dancing with strippers.

The phrase "pole dancing" has specific meaning in our world. Had it been introduced as a vertical bar in gymnastics class it would be totally different. But it wasn't. I already have to work to protect my kid from emulating the pole dancers on MTV. I don't need this. We aren't ghetto. Our dreams for our kids include more than working the good part of the strip.

I like the question about what if it was called "fitness with a vertical bar". This is a very interesting topic/question. I doubt that I would want my daughter (or son for that matter) to take a class like this. For me, I've actually considered it, mostly because I'm always looking for any new way to make my workout fun. But there are many other ways, including gymnastics for young children to get the same benefits. I suppose, though, that if a youth gymnastics class were to incorporate a "vertical bar" in with other things, I would likely not have a problem with it. Guess it all depends an awful lot on how it's all structured.

Oh, and as a side note - I checked out Jamie's site and unfortunately she's not in my area. Interestingly enough, she does have studios near where my daughter (age 23) attends school. And although I've love to see her start an exercise program, I don't feel compelled to share the info with her - and that's even though she's an adult. If she found it herself, fine, but not something I'd like to picture if I can avoid it. ;-)

Oh, and as a side note - I checked out Jamie's site and unfortunately she's not in my area. Interestingly enough, she does have studios near where my daughter (age 23) attends school. And although I've love to see her start an exercise program, I don't feel compelled to share the info with her - and that's even though she's an adult. If she found it herself, fine, but not something I'd like to picture if I can avoid it. ;-)

This is just another drop in the bucket. My daughters are constantly bombarded with messages that strippers and being a little, (pardon the expression) "slutty" is now okay.

Look at the Bratz line of dolls and even Barbie is still an issue. I am not looking forward to their teen years :(

What ever happened to "playing" I used to go "play" for hours and never need a chippendales(sp?) class for kids.

I swear some of you are such prudes. Get with it, it's the year 2007.

I doubt my parents would have allowed me to take the class when I was little, but I didn't need a class anyway. Whenever I saw plays or musicals I would always choose the most suggestive song and dance to it on my own anyway. Lets see. . . there was You Gotta Get a Gimmick about strippers from "Gypsy", Girl on The Swing from Ragtime. Oh and when I saw Annie I was obsessed with Ms. Hannigan and her Little Girls song. I used to dance around with an empty listerine bottle pretending it was my flask as I sang about wanting a man. Oh yeah, and all of this was when I was like ten. I'm twenty now though and I turned out fine, not a stripper or anything:) If your kid wants to be a superfreak she'll be one whether she takes a class or not. Haven't you seen Little Miss Sunshine?

It's all about the symbolism in our culture. Belly-dancing is not a good comparison, because the style of dancing did not originate in our culture, is not widespread, and has no significant symbolism here past its artistic value.

While children may not be aware of the cultural symbolism behind pole-dancing at a very young age, they become aware of these things gradually, and much earlier than most people would like to think. Children are not stupid.

Also, we might need to consider the effect on other people, not just the children. Would the blending of children with an activity that is widely considered as sexually-charged have a negative impact on society as a whole, and would it encourage pedophilia?

I'm 14 and I would love to go for pole dancing classes. it seems fun, and besides, eveyone knows that sex sells. so why act all upset? it's life. change this 'lifestyle', and maybe pole dancing would be unaccpetable.
but till then...

bring on the pole! :D

Encourage pedophilia??? Pedophiles see children as sexual beings, no matter what they dress or do. It would be so simple if dressing children as even younger would solve the problem. It doesn't.

Now, I remember when we were on basic school (until ten) to climb the basket poles, cross me legs really tigh and bend my back till I had my hands on the floor. Then I woul uncross me legs and turn around and stand up. Was it sexual? no. As it wasn't sexual to play in parallel bars and other stuff. It was fun!

I believe there can be classes of pole dancing without any sexual charge. Unless you see sex in every daily position... take Pilates for example: that Dumb Dog position... humm... better not let the kids do it... if you teach your kids to see sex everywhere, they will!
It's like your nipple ban: are american kids supposed to believe that women don't have niples?
Children need to be taugh that sex is natural and ok, not a horrible thing that some promiscuous persons do. If you believe that pole dancing is, per se, sexual, you will teach it to your kids. The problem is in your head, not in the pole itself!

thank you rebecca, for mentioning that as much as people say "don't be such a prude" and "well, if it gets them moving..", there's an opposite effect to that. thong-style underwear is already being marketed to kids. give them pole dancing lessons and the transformation is complete, right?

i honestly don't understand what skills a child would learn by taking pole dancing that they would not learn in gymnastics or ballet or tap or even jazz dance class.

Jamie said:
... because it's okay to be sexy! It doesn't mean that you're slutty, it means that you're a woman and maybe you were born with some curves! Maybe you weren't born with curves and you want to be okay with it!

You're right, it's ok to be sexy. If you're 25. Not if you're 10. It has been mentioned here that Pole Dancing (or 'Fitness on the Vertical Bar') is inextricably tied to stripping and sex, and frankly, that's not a message I want sent to my kids. If they want to dance, fine - ballet, tap, ballroom, jazz, HULA, for Pete's sake. But not pole dancing. Sorry. Not in my house.

And that doesn't make me a "prude", it makes me a responsible parent.

For those of you saying, "Oh, but they don't teach the sexy moves in these classes." Do you realize that these kids are then just one move away from overt presentation of their sexuality? 11 year old kids?!

I don't even have children, yet I know this major fact:
If you teach a kid just a little about something that they're interested in, they'll likely go out on their own with it, and go all the way. And all too often, go even further than that.

Children are inquisitive by nature. Why even go there?

Bellydance is just Middle Eastern dance, and men and children traditionally do many of the moves, too, when they are dancing to music. It can be very sensual, but it can just be dance, too. It is NOT the same as stripping. The only reasons the two get conflated is a) Orientalism and b) professional dancers (any kind) are looked down on in the Middle East. But they are not the same.

Poles are for stripping. I don't see the point of this for children.

It doesn't seem appropriate for children. Period.

Check out the APA take on sexualization of young girls here.

A few quotes:

"In study after study, findings have indicated that women more often than men are portrayed in a sexual manner (e.g., dressed in revealing clothing, with bodily postures or facial expressions that imply sexual readiness) and are objectified (e.g., used as a decorative object, or as body parts rather than a whole person). In addition, a narrow (and unrealistic) standard of physical beauty is heavily emphasized.These are the models of femininity presented for young girls to study and emulate."

"Girls and young women who more frequently consume or engage with mainstream media content offer stronger endorsement of sexual stereotypes that depict women as sexual objects"

"The association between self-objectification and anxiety about appearance and feelings of shame has been found in adolescent girls (12–13-year-olds) (Slater & Tiggemann, 2002) as well as in adult women."

When I was 9 or 10, my sister and I really liked to dance and we BEGGED my mom to let us join a dance class. She let us sign up for ballet lessons and I LOVED them. We were able to go burn off energy, meet other girls, wear pretty costumes, and learn to dance. Kids don't need to be exposed to so much sexuality so early. Bratz dolls, MTV, pop music, etc., all can have a big effect on kids because kids are impressionable. Sheltering (or at least limiting exposure) your kids from that stuff doesn't make you a prude; it makes you responsible and shows you care about setting boundaries for your kids.

I wish I'd had this opportunity as a kid. Then I'd have a guaranteed career path now. Fun, functional, and look at the bodies of those pole dancers!

Like Jamie, I am a pole fitness/dance instructor (in Atlanta). While I completely understand parents' feeling uncomfortable with their girls (or boys) taking a pole fitness class due to the inherently sexual associations with pole dancing, I also look at it from the perspective of getting children into the mindset of being physically fit.

There are many studios that teach more of the aerial fitness aspect and less of the dance. Vertical Dance (www.verticaldance.com) in the UK is one of them - go and check out some of KT's videos. She's not trying to be sexy - she's showing off her vertical acrobatics. She's even performed at circuses (where parents and kids of ALL ages) have been there to witness.

Yes, the studio I teach at is a more sensually focused studio - we're there to support women, ages 18 and up, to embrace the curves that they have, work on their self esteem and have a great time. I can honestly say that I haven't had muscle tone in my arms like I have now since I was in high school, and my confidence has grown immensely. And you'll usually find me in shorts and a tank top when in the studio with heels (yes, they're very short shorts, but you need the skin-to-metal contact in order to execute inverts and ascensions, and the heels really help tone my calves) - I'm not parading around in a thong by any means!

It sounds like a lot of the concern on this thread about pole dancing classes comes from some idea that the class will somehow transform the child. Anyone who is a decent parent will have more of an impact on their child than a fitness class that meets one hour a week. If you tell your child that the class is meant to improve their health and fitness and isn't meant to train them to become strippers, and you also tell them your personal opinion regarding strippers (which is different for everyone -- I'm pretty disappointed that everyone is so quick to attack exotic dancers), then I don't think you would have much to worry about.
If, on the other hand, you haven't taken the time to be a good parent and have no real connection to your child, then maybe this kind of class could influence them more than you can ... but then again you would already have bigger problems to deal with.

I think it would be fun to learn poledancing for myself, but I certainly would never encourage my 9 year old to take it up. She's just a child, and needs to remain a child. This is an activity that should be for adults only. I've linked it to my blog here:
http://4fitkids.wordpress.com/

I belive that children should experiance all activities. I have children from the ages of 8 that climb the pole and once they reach the top they are very happy. At this young age children do not know what the pole has been used for. We see them in the play grounds and have the children use them. So what is the difference if they use it for pull ups, climbing, upper body strenghthening. My daughter is 4 1/2 and does some really good spins, she has a great time and she enjoys it. Maybe other people should give it a try!!

and let me guess, its girls who are finding intrest in this "new" exersize. God forbid someone get thier son's in on it.

I am a pole dance fitness instructor, a highly qualified fitness professional in many disciplines, a retired sports therapist and a mother of 3 daughters. I was offered the opportunity to teach a group of 9 young ladies ages from 13yrs to 18yrs a pole dance fitness workshop, approved by my local authority. I asked my daughters for help with music tastes to help motivate the group and keep their interest in the 2 hour lesson. The outcome of the lesson was very interesting, surprising and educational. When the group entered the studio the first thing that they all wanted to do was climb and/or swing. Not one young lady showed any form of suggest move at all until................. a particular track started to play .......... a track by Christina Aguillera. Not at any time during the lesson did I demonstrate any suggestive moves but what the young ladies started to do was to immitate a dance sequence that is videoed to accompany this track. I didnt make any comments about the dance form, I changed the music and their dance form changed.

Now I am not suggesting that there should be pole dance fitness lessons for children, also I wouldnt be happy to teach children under the age of 13. But our music industry, TV and what young people can view in their own home have alot to answer for.

Further more if an instructor for pole chooses to teach young people then they had better know their stuff, ie the physiological aspects, injury avoidance, and must without a doubt have some accredited teacher training, fitness qualification with a good CPD profile and a Police Check Certificate. Infact parents should be asking all instructors who manage childrens fitness lessons for such a portfolio!!

meme said:
and let me guess, its girls who are finding intrest in this "new" exersize. God forbid someone get thier son's in on it.[...]

I also teach for the University of Reading SportsPark and yes we do have young men interested in pole. Infact 3 prospective male students have enquired about pole dance fitness, 2 are professional dancers and 1 is an athlete.