Pole dancing is shimmying off its sleazy image and emerging as the fitness program of choice for the hip young ladies of Beijing.

The Beijing Morning Post reports that more than 100 white-collar ladies subscribed to one class at a pole-dancing club in the capital city to get themselves fit and charming.
 
Luo Lan is the club owner and teacher of the class. She said most of the students are in their 20s. Half signed up for the class over the internet because they were too embarrassed to admit they wanted to learn pole dancing to anyone else. But she says the taboo is misplaced because the only difference between the class and traditional aerobics is the use of the metal pole for dancing.

Pole dancing is famed for the role it plays in sleazy venues, but experts say it can realty help people improve their overall fitness. It's great for increasing both upper and lower body strength because it requires people to support their whole body with either their arms or legs.

It can also help women who spend most of their time sitting in an office to release themselves, increase their self-confidence and sense of musical rhythm.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2007)