It's a pretty well-known fact that obesity is on the rise among kids in a number of countries including the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia. Not only do parents and kids need to commit to eating healthier, they also need to get way more exercise.

Normally, I would encourage any number of activities that would get kids moving, but I think that the pole-fitness classes being offered at gyms in Sydney, Australia, are absolutely ridiculous. The idea is that pre-teens and teens can take non-sexualized classes that are designed to build muscle strength and increase fitness and confidence using exercises done on a traditional-looking pole-dancing bar.

While supporters of the class say that they're a great way for kids to get fit and add that they're "not slutty", I think that for any exercise involving children, the words "not slutty" shouldn't come up at all. What's wrong with getting outside for a bike ride, joining a soccer team or taking a swimming class? There are so many other ways for kids to increase their fitness, I don't see why pole-classes are even necessary.

What do you think? Is any exercise good exercise for kids or are kids' pole-classes totally inappropriate?