Pole Dancing Pole

You’ve read the books (The Art of Pole Dancing: A Spin by Spin Guide is a great place to start), taken an intro class or two and you’re ready to start pole dancing at home. Buying and installing a dance pole may not be as complicated as you may think, as long as you do a little bit of homework first.

The first thing to consider when buying a dance pole is where you are going to use it. If you definitely plan to use your dance pole only in one room of your house, you could buy a permanent pole. You may also want a semi-permanent pole if you would like to take it down occasionally to get it out of the way. Both are very secure for all kinds of flips and tricks and need to mount under a ceiling joist. When taken down, the semi-permanent pole’s hook can be disguised as a plant hook or fake smoke alarm if you desire discretion.

If you plan to take your dance pole to a friend’s house or party, you might want a removable pole. These can extend several feet to accommodate your ceiling height and are held in place by pressure at both ends. The removable pole can be very secure, depending on what you’d like to do with it. Check it out thoroughly before you purchase, as some are more secure for inverts than others. You will need to install it under a flat ceiling, not vaulted. There are also dance poles on platforms, but can be “wobbly” and unsteady towards the top when doing spins.

The other important thing to consider before purchase is how you are going to be using your dance pole. Most come in a two-inch diameter, though you can special order a smaller size if you have petite hands, and have various finishes. The finish affects the grip, which will affect how easily you learn your flips and inverts. A polished stainless steel finish has a good grip with minimal upkeep; polished chrome is comparable in upkeep but slightly easier to grip. The better grips are on the more expensive poles, the polished brass and polished titanium. The brass gets its grip from absorbing the oils in your skin, therefore needing to be polished daily. The titanium finish is newer, resembles the brass, but needs less maintenance.

Before you purchase any dance pole, be sure you are thoroughly informed about the product. It can be quite an investment, but, if you choose wisely, can be a great one.

Written by Brannan Sirratt