In Singapore, an exotic form of dance is being touted as the hottest new workout, gaining attention from fitness fanatics.

   Pole dancing appears to be moving from the strip club to the health club.

   A dance school – Jitterbugs Swingapore – has called it a form of gymnastics.

   Besides dancing with a vertical pole, more athletic moves can be performed.

   Linna Tan, Choreographer and Principal Instructor at Jitterbugs Swingapore, said: "I think it's becoming more popular now, thanks to the media – they are giving it a lot of attention. And also it is being looked upon with a much more positive image. 

   People are starting to realise that it's not just, you know, gyrating around the pole. They realise it has a lot of exercise involved in it."

   While pole dancing may have its share of critics, one should note that climbing poles has been used, since ancient times, as a way of building up strength.

   As for the skimpy outfits, one of the students, Sara Ann Krish, said: "We don't have the muscle strength that guys have. And generally when we wear shorts, it's actually for the friction with the pole, so we can grip onto the pole better. It's not as easy as people think. It really requires a lot of upper body strength, abdominal strength and all the core muscles from your legs. It really is a full body workout."

   Shawn Joanna Tan, another student, said: "I find myself very strong, much stronger than I used to be. I was a little overweight last time. But now, I am just nice, perfect. 

   My mum finds it very nice, very sexy, very athletic and stuff like that. She actually encourages me to do it. And actually she is thinking of doing all this stuff with us."

   At this rate, it appears that things are looking up for pole dancing. 

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