Pole dancing isn't the most obvious activity for men in their 40s and 50s, but one Norfolk teacher said she's seeing a growing number of them signing up for classes.
Once synonymous with adult entertainment, pole dancing has become decidedly more mainstream in recent years thanks to its numerous fitness benefits.
For Kathy Buller, who owns Pole Fusion studio in Norwich, the transition has been a welcome boost to business.
She said: “When I opened the studio 20 years ago it definitely raised eyebrows in the community.
“But over the past decade it has gradually become more accepted, which is fantastic because it has opened the sport up to people who would have never considered it previously.”
Ms Buller, who’s a head judge for the International Pole Sport Federation, said in particular there’s been growing interest from middle-aged men looking to improve their upper body and core strength.
She said: “It's a very inclusive environment. These guys are your typical middle-aged man shape, and the things they can learn to do are incredible.
“I find most of my students are people that don’t fit into the typical ‘gym bunny category’.
“They may not feel comfortable in your traditional gym setting, so they’ve chosen this as an alternative way to keep fit.”
The fitness pro said another growing demographic is the over 65s, with her “silver sneakers” group growing year on year.
She said: “The pole is like a four metre long walking stick, because it's an excellent balance aid for a lot of different exercises.
“People are always amazed by what they can achieve. We start slowly and build up gradually, and before you know it, you’re upside down on the pole.
“That’s a huge confidence boost for people.”
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