Dance Studio Closes Over Strip-Tease Classes

BARTLETT, Tenn. (CNN) -- A dance studio in Tennessee, offering strip-tease exercise classes, has been shut down before it even opens. The city of Bartlett is calling it an adult business, despite the fact that no one takes off their clothes.

Eccentric Studio planned to start "strip-tease aerobics" classes Monday. But the trendy new exercise style that's sweeping the nation, may be a little too hot for Bartlett.

Almost every dance studio across America has a pole -- most are horizontal but this one is vertical.

"We don't sell toys, videos, we don't hold naked parties -- There are no orgies going on here," said studio owner Rachel Vint.

Vint said she does not understand why the city of Bartlett issued her a stop-work order, and prevented her from opening her studio.

"It's very frustrating. I have stood in this space over the last six weeks and today I am in a nightmare," she said.

On YouTube, one can find countless videos of stripper aerobics, and examples of classes offered around the country. Vint said she planned to open her studio and offer the same thing.

"It's just women coming in getting a good time, getting a workout losing weight and feeling good about themselves," Vint said.

"It's something for the everyday woman. Everyone can do this. I've lost 40 pounds doing this. That was before the poles that was just regular strip to fit dance class," said instructor Kyra Bailey.

But Bartlett considers Vint's studio an adult business. Vint talked to the mayor on Monday morning.

"When I spoke with him, he said if I had just a dance studio, but when I installed the poles I became an adult-oriented business," Vint said. "It is a great workout. It's not training stripper-related in that sense. It's not seedy. No men are allowed. We stay clothed."

Vint said she just wants locals to have the same exercise opportunities that others have.

"I think when it comes down to it, we live in the Bible belt," she said.

Vint's next move -- to get a lawyer.

"I'm not teaching strippers. I turn them away or try and talk them out of it. It's about empowering women," Vint said.

Vint has been teaching "Strip to Fit" classes for the past three years at different exercise studios in the area. Vint says she was trained in ballet and has never been a stripper, or worked for the adult entertainment industry.