Dai Dali practises pole dance in a studio. [File photo]

Although admitting that the first time she saw her fellow pole dancers in class she felt a bit awkward, Dai threw all her enthusiasm into the activity regardless.

Typically, lessons, which are held at gyms or dance studios, begin with normal exercises such as squats, push-ups and sit-ups to develop core strength and warm the body up. Then students move to the pole.

Dai may not have the physical power of younger women, but she has commitment in spades. While most people train for an hour to 90 minutes, Dai often practices for more than three hours, said her pole dancing instructor Wang Jian.

Not content with just practicing at the gym, Dai even has a pole at home so she can film herself and critique her performance.

Her determination has paid off; she can now perform on the pole for more than 20 minutes. At first, she said, she was lucky if she could hold on for a couple of seconds.

By the end of 2014, about 15 percent of the Chinese population were over 60. Far from being "over the hill", people like Dai are still active enough to try new things.

"Why not pole dancing?" Dai suggested. "Follow your heart -- it's never too old to dance. I will continue until the day I can't move."