STRENGTH, fitness and confidence will be developed at a new pole fit class for teenagers in a discipline that could not be further from the traditional image of pole dancing.
Scroll down for a demonstration of one of the exercisesJackie Fair, 54, lives in Crays Hill, and is excited to be offering the sport to teenage girls aged 14 to 16 years of age.
She has been running Pole 4 All for six years at her established gym Fit 4 All. The mother of three has a background teaching modern dance which led her to pole sport.
Mrs Fair explained: "Pole sports have had a lot of bad press – it has come away from dancing and now it's basically gymnastics on a pole.
"We went to the Pole Sports Federation competition and the young children participating were incredible. They are trying to fight to get it as an Olympic sport and so are we – it was amazing to watch.
"It teaches you all sorts of tricks on a pole – they will learn to climb the pole right to the top and fall into one move to another."
Mrs Fair stressed what the class is not going to be: "Pole dancers gyrate round a pole and these classes won't be anything like that.
"There will be no sexual innuendos whatsoever – we need to get away from that image. It is a sport and makes you strong, keeps you completely fit and is extremely sociable.
"It is for people of all ages and I teach men as well as women."
She explained that they will be holding shows throughout the year to give the girls a chance to show friends and family what they have learnt.
Mrs Fair continued: "It's also a great place to make friends – I have made the best friends in my whole life here.
"The thing is with teenagers is that they tend to stay away from exercise but if I get them into this they might keep it up – it's very addictive."
The classes start on Tuesday September 10 and will run on a weekly basis on Tuesdays from 4:30 until 5:30pm.
Classes cost £5 for an hour's tuition and will take place at Fit 4 All, based on Oak Farm, Castledon Road, Downham.
For more information visit www.poleforall.co.uk or call 01268 764000.
