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The Story Behind Your Pole Pal
If you’re on this page, chances are you're curious about who Your Pole Pal actually is.
And naturally, you're also sussing that person out to get a better sense of whether you can trust the information and resources offered on this website. Am I right? Thought so! 😉
I’m Susan Peach, the real person behind YourPolePal.com.
Pole fitness has been a part of my world since 2005, first as a student, then as an instructor, DVD creator, and studio owner.
That's the real me, back in the days when I was actively teaching.
These days, I think of myself as your “Pole Pal," a friendly guide offering practical resources for pole dancers and pole-curious folks who need a little help finding what they need.
I no longer pole dance, but I still love being involved in the pole community. And that's where this website comes in.
How Can I Help You?
Everyone is in a different place in their pole journey, and of course everyone has different needs, questions and concerns. Here's how I've organized this website to make the information YOU need as easy to find as possible:
- Pole Q&A: detailed answers to questions on a wide range of pole topics. I cover things like safety, plus-size pole dancing, instructor tips, pole party info, and much more, all grouped by category. You can even submit your own question if you don't see the info you're looking for, and I'll do my best to provide a complete and accurate response.
- Gear Guide: guidance to help you choose the right pole dancing gear and accessories (and avoid expensive mistakes). These aren't bland product reviews. Instead, I dig deep to explain key points and brand differences, help you assess your own needs and preferences, and then help you make the decision about the gear that's best for YOU.
- Studio Directory: a worldwide directory with literally thousands of studios listed in dozens of countries, to help you find pole studios and classes near you, wherever you are in the world. It's the internet's oldest and most complete directory, and I maintain it by manually checking and updating all the listings on an ongoing basis, to help ensure it stays as current and as helpful as possible.
- Pole Finds: 2–3 times per month, I send a short email when there are genuinely good deals, discounts, and worthwhile new product releases in the pole world. No spam, no clutter, just great finds from all your favorite pole brands, worldwide. It's free to subscribe and there's never any obligation to buy anything. But be warned, some of these deals are so hot you won't be able to resist!
- Pole Inspiration: sometimes you just need to kick back and soak up some inspiration. Maybe you're feeling under the weather and can't manage a pole session; or you have the pole dancer's equivalent of writers' block and find yourself out of ideas for that choreography you've been working on. You'll find videos, music playlists, pole podcasts and other resources in this section, for those times when you need a little nudge and a few ideas to re-ignite your passion for the sport you love.
Why Trust Me?
Whether you're working up the courage to ask a question about plus size pole fitness, or you're thinking about subscribing to my Pole Finds service, I know that your trust is earned and not something to take lightly.
To help you get to know me a bit better, here's a quick snapshot of what I've been up to for the last few decades...
- I’ve been involved in pole fitness since 2005, which I'm betting is before some of you were born. But hey, age is just a number right? 😉
- In addition to pole dancing, l taught dance and fitness for nearly 30 years, including Latin dances like Salsa, Cumbia, Lambada and more.
- In 2006 I created the Pole Fitness series, a 3-DVD set which focused on the strength, flexibility and cardio components of pole dancing. And yes, that was a real era of the internet, before streaming and apps made DVDs obsolete.
- In 2007 I opened Soul Sister Studio, a pole dance and fitness studio and the first of its kind in my city.
I retired from teaching in 2013, but have stayed actively involved in the pole community through this site, which I started in 2008.
I love researching and updating all the information and resources on this site. It allows me to keep up with what’s new in the pole fitness industry, and to help the next generation of pole fitness enthusiasts.
These days, I also love a decisive win at pickle ball.
Actually, just getting out for a few games a week is good enough for me. Just like with pole dancing, for me it's all about fitness, fun and self-improvement.
And having been active all my life, I'd go a bit stir crazy sitting on my behind writing information for this website all day!
How This All Started
Back in 2005, I was chatting with a fellow fitness instructor after my Latin dance fitness class, when the conversation turned to some of the latest trends in fitness. Out of the blue, my colleague suggested I should start teaching pole dancing classes.
“You know, those sexy strip fitness classes they have in California. You’d be great at that!”
Actually, at first I was mortified.
I was a respectable 40-something woman with a degree in Gender Studies and two teenage sons I’d worked hard to raise with a healthy respect for girls and women. Teaching pole dancing? How could I possibly reconcile that with my feminist values, morals, and ethics?
And then… I did what four years at university had trained me to do: I paused and let my reaction settle. Then I started examining my assumptions.
I consciously set aside my preconceptions about pole dancing and started researching what little information existed at the time. And the more I looked, the more curious I got about this new concept in fitness that my colleague seemed to think I would be such a natural at.
I soon came to see that pole dancing and the other forms of "sexy fitness" that were just starting to emerge weren't about oppression at all. For many women, it was about strength, confidence, and reclaiming a relationship with their bodies on their own terms.
With my curiosity now in high gear, I ordered my first dance pole — and while I waited for it to arrive, I headed out to the local elementary school to start learning tricks on the tetherball equipment. (At night, of course, so no one would see me making a fool of myself!)
From there, pole fitness became a real part of my life: learning, teaching, creating resources, opening a studio and cultivating a pole community to help others discover what I call "the power of the pole."
Why I Still Love Helping the Pole Community
After teaching pole dance and fitness classes for several years, I created YourPolePal.com to share my experience, knowledge, and resources — and to make it easier to find trustworthy pole information in one place.
Now that I’m retired from teaching, I can devote more time to keeping this site current: updating the studio listings, improving the Q&A library, curating inspirational resources, and tracking what’s new in the world of pole gear and brands.
My body may be older and not so inclined to fly around a dance pole these days, but I still care deeply about this community — and I still believe pole can be a powerful mix of fitness, fun, and self-expression.
This website allows ME to stay connected to a sport I once loved,
while helping YOU with all your pole dancing related questions and
needs. It's a true win-win!
More About Pole Finds
Pole Finds is my newest addition to this site. I wanted to create something truly useful that would help my site visitors in a concrete way.
If you're here, you have three things in common with most of my other visitors...you love pole dancing, you love saving money, and you're busy!
My Pole Finds service keeps you in the loop on pole deals and new product releases without having to subscribe to emails from dozens of different pole brands. You'll save money and free up more time for the important things in life, like pole dancing!
Pole Finds is:
- Free to join
- Only sent when there’s a good sale, a worthwhile discount, or a new product release that’s actually relevant - typically 2–3 brief emails per month
- Commitment-free - no obligation to buy anything, and easily unsubscribe anytime
Why not join the fun and start saving with Pole Finds today?
Where To Next?
If you’re here for help beyond deals & discounts, here are quick links to the main sections of this website:
Pole Q&A - Your Pole Pal answers all your pole-related questions
Gear Guide - helping you choose the right gear for your needs
Studio Directory - search thousands of pole studios to find one near you
Pole Inspiration - videos, playlists and more to keep you motivated and inspired
Thanks for visiting — and stay safe up there!
~ Susan Peach, Your Pole Pal
What's New?
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Pole Dancing For Fitness — FAQs & Benefits
Apr 16, 26 05:32 PM
Curious how pole dancing for fitness can help with weight loss, strength, and flexibility? This FAQ answers common questions so you can train smarter. -
Beginner Pole Dance Songs for Easy Timing & Flow
Apr 15, 26 04:18 PM
Find the best beginner pole dance songs with steady beats to build confidence while you learn timing and transitions. Press play and start building your skills. -
Exotic Pole Dance Songs for Heels Flow & Sensual Movement
Apr 13, 26 05:25 PM
Discover exotic pole dance songs perfect for heels flow and sensual movement. Press play to bring confidence & attitude to your pole dance choreography. -
Power Pole Dance Songs | Playlists for Spins, Tricks & Dynamic Combos
Apr 13, 26 05:23 PM
Explore power pole dance songs ideal for tricks and dynamic combos. High-energy music with strong beats for training and performance. Press play and train hard. -
Slow Pole Dancing Songs for Sensual Flow & Floorwork
Apr 10, 26 10:40 PM
Explore the best slow pole dancing songs for flow, expression, and floorwork. Press play and start moving with control and confidence.
Your Pole Pal loves to have fun, but she also has to earn a living, right? That's why you'll see ads on this site. She may also earn commissions on some of the products you'll see here, but there's never any cost to you since the advertisers pay for these.
The income generated through these means helps ensure Your Pole Pal can devote the time to providing you with all the free and fabulous information & resources you'll find on this website.
Want to learn more? Your Pole Pal invites to you read her full advertising disclosure. You know...in case you haven't read enough legalese lately.
