Do I Need a Pole to Take Online Pole Dance Classes?

By Susan Peach

I'm curious to try pole dancing but there's no studio where I live. So I thought of signing up for online pole dance classes, but I'm not sure I'll like it. Can I sign up and try the lessons before I buy a dance pole? That way if I don't like it, I won't have wasted the money on a pole. Thanks in advance for your help!
~ Jenny

Jenny's question may seem a bit odd, but it's actually a fairly common thought for those who don't have a studio nearby and want to try pole dancing. That's because a decent quality dance pole is definitely an investment, and it's only reasonable to want to make sure you're going to stick with it before you lay down your hard earned cash for a home dance pole.

To get straight to the point, the answer to the question of whether you need to buy a pole in order to take online pole dance classes is "almost certainly." But also, "not necessarily."

You see, it's like this: unlike some other sports, with pole dancing the equipment is an integral part of the activity, so trying to learn to pole dance without a pole is only going to take you so far. It would be like learning to swim on dry land, or learning to golf without a set of clubs.

That said, there's nothing wrong with signing up for online lessons to see if you like the way the material is presented, and to try some of the non-pole extras that some lesson providers offer as a bonus. These include floor work, as well as stretches and strength exercises - some of which can be done off the pole, or using a pole substitute such as a wall or pillar.

In fact, many of the online pole dance lesson providers like OpenDance Academy offer either a free trial period, or a low-cost option for an introductory class. That way you can try before you buy. Signing up for one of these intro classes or trials is definitely worthwhile, especially if you're not sure you're going to pursue learning to pole dance.

It's important to understand though, that you will be very limited in what you're able to do without a dance pole. And since this is a physical activity, vs an intellectual exercise, there's really no substitute given the fact that the vast majority of pole dancing moves take place on a dance pole (many classes incorporate the occasional floor based move, but these moves are the exception rather than the rule).

If taking a class at a pole dancing studio is not an option for you, and you really want to try out some moves before you commit to buying a dance pole, Your Pole Pal has one other suggestion for you.

You may have more luck finding a non-pole type of "sexy exercise" class in your area. Since these classes don't require specialized equipment or have special requirements for the space such as minimum ceiling height, they tend to be more common than pole dancing classes.

And although it's not pole dancing, the chances are that if you enjoy "Burlesquercize," "Flirty Fitness," or a similarly named class, you'll also enjoy the extra challenge of pole dancing. So trying one of these classes can give you greater confidence in making the decision to buy a dance pole.

One final option: if you live in a very small or isolated community and you just don't have any of these types of classes available in your area, and/or if you've seen enough pole dancing videos to know that you'll probably enjoy learning to pole dance, you could just go for it and order a pole to go with your online classes.

The worst that can happen if you find you don't enjoy pole dancing after all, is that you can re-sell your pole. You'll probably get close to what you paid for it if it's in good condition, as everyone seems to want one in their home these days!

While you ponder what to do, here are two more pages related to this topic that you may find helpful:

Dance Pole Reviews

Looking to buy a pole, but not sure which one is right for you? These detailed reviews can help you decide.

Online Learning

Online pole dance classes can be a great option for learning at home. Check out different programs and pick the one that's right for you.

Susan Peach is an early pioneer in pole dance fitness and the voice behind Your Pole Pal, a long-running resource for the pole community. She taught dance & fitness for nearly 30 years, leading hundreds of classes and working with thousands of students aged 6 to 80+, and created original programs when formal training did not yet exist. She also produced one of the first pole fitness DVD series, along with instructor training and Latin dance fitness programs. Today, she writes and builds Your Pole Pal, still with a soft spot for Latin dance music.

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