POLE-dancing classes are to be subsidised by Plymouth City Council in a bid to improve adult fitness levels.

The council has teamed up with sports clubs and venues across the city to host a number of taster courses to encourage people to do more exercise

"We have worked to offer a varied programme that will appeal to people who might not be inclined to take part in more traditional sports," a council spokeswoman said.

Half-price pole dancing classes will be available as well as lessons in body combat, t'ai chi and trampolining. More traditional activities such as netball, golf and running are also on offer.

The courses have limited places and will start in March.

The council's sports development unit is behind the plans, which have also received money from organisations including Sport England and Active Devon.

Martin Lees, from the unit, said: "We know certain social groups such as women and teenage girls, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, the over-55s and the unemployed are least likely to be fit.

"We hope this scheme will give them the chance to try something new and maybe change their lifestyle to include more exercise."

Three 30-minute sessions of moderate intensity exercise per week are the national minimum recommendations for an active lifestyle.

However, in Plymouth only 20 per cent of females and just under 12 per cent of over 55s do enough to meet those recommendations.

Sue Thomas, a community public health practitioner with NHS Plymouth said that physical activity is important because it had a positive impact on our bodies and mental health.

"Being active helps people reduce their stress and anxiety, stay alert, improve self-esteem and cope better with depression.

"It provides socialising opportunities and a sense of positive achievement," she said.

Nigel Rowe, chairman of Plymouth Sports Forum, welcomed the plans to get people to try out novel ways of exercising.

"Our lifestyles are not what they should be, so any opportunity for people to get active is a good thing."

He said the scheme was part of a wider programme to get more people interested in sport which included building the Life Centre at Milehouse.

"We need to engage people more and bring them in to use these facilities so that we are one community. It's great to see the Life Centre coming out of the ground. It's going to be affordable and give people the chance to use a wide range of facilities."

Councillor Peter Brookshaw, cabinet member for leisure, culture and sport, said: "These sessions offer a great, affordable way to try out a new activity – or get back into a sport you used to enjoy."

Saltash Town Council is also encouraging people to get fit while learning about their town.

It has produced leaflets detailing a number of walks in and around Saltash. Copies can be found at the Guildhall or on the website www.saltash.gov.uk.

TASTER: sessions

TASTER courses starting in March are:

Legs, bums and tums (Brickfields) £20 (£24 off)

Body pump (UCP Marjon) £20 (£15 off)

Golf lessons (Plymouth Golf Centre) £55 (£15 off)

Pole dancing (The Art of Dance) £35 (£35 off)

T’ai chi (Plymouth Guildhall) £25 (£25 off)

Body combat (UCP Marjon) £20 (£15 off)

Running (Brickfields) £20 (£20 off)

Studio cycling (Mayflower Centre) £20 (£15 off)

Netball coaching (Lipson Sports Centre) £15 (£5 off)

Skiing (Plymouth Ski Centre) £100 (£30 saving on a group booking)

Octopush (Central Park Pools) £25 (£10 off)

Aquafit (Central Park Pools) £24.50 (£20 off)

Trampolining (Lipson Sports Centre) £15 (£20 off)

Boot camp (Mayflower Centre) £15 (£20 off)

Yoga (Mayflower Centre) £35 (£15 off)

For more details and to book your place, contact the sports development unit on 01752 307008 or email sportsdevelopment@plymouth.gov.uk.