Can You Take Online Pole Dance Classes Without a Pole?

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 at home. 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.

No Pole? No Problem (sort of)

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 activities like hiking or dancing, with pole dancing the equipment is an integral part of the activity. You can hike in running shoes or dance in bare feet, but 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 conditioning exercises that 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 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 want 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 or with a dance pole.

Other Options

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 a couple of additional suggestions for you to consider.

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 specific space requirements 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.

Here's one final option for you...if you've heard enough about pole, or seen enough pole dancing videos to suspect 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 little-used and in good condition, as everyone seems to want one in their home these days!

When Will You Need to Buy a Pole?

This question is at the back of the mind of anyone who's asking the "can I take online pole classes without a pole" question. At some point — assuming you're enjoying your pole-free pole classes, you will need to install a dance pole in order to do any actual pole dancing. But how will you know when this time comes?

Here's a quick checklist to help you recognize the signs that it's time to buy a dance pole:

• you're attending your trial classes regularly and looking forward to each new class

• you feel excited about what you're learning, and find yourself doing mini practice sessions between classes

• you're reaching the limit of what you can do without a pole, and feel eager to continue learning 

And of course, at any time during your trial classes, you might just know that pole dancing is for you, and that you want to have your own dance pole so you can keep learning. That gut feeling of certainty is usually right, so don't feel you have to wait until your trial class is finished before you order a home dance pole. Once you know, you know!

More Help for Home Polers

Wondering if you have enough space to install a dance pole in your home? This guide to space requirements replaces generic guidelines with a personalized approach to help you understand how much space you need to safely learn pole dancing at home. 

If you live in an apartment or any kind of rental housing, you'll appreciate this guide to choosing the best pole for apartment living, so you can enjoy pole dancing without worrying about damage to your rental unit. 

Was this page helpful? Make YourPolePal.com your preferred source of pole dance info on Google, so it'll be easier to find more useful pole guides like this one. 

Susan Peach was an early pioneer in pole fitness and is now the voice behind Your Pole Pal, a long-running resource for the pole community. With more than 30 years of experience teaching pole, dance, and fitness, she helps newcomers navigate the world of pole with confidence.

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