Friction Fit Dance Pole Info

By Susan Peach

What You'll Find On This Page:

What Is a Friction Mount Pole?

Is It Right For You?

Pros & Cons

Top Pick

What Is A Friction Mount Pole?

As its name suggests, a friction fit pole is held in place by friction, usually via a heavy duty spring or an extendible rod, along with a rubber pad of some sort on the top and bottom.

The pads distribute the force of the pressure that's generated, preventing damage to your floor and ceiling.

X-Pole Friction Mount Pole

The other important piece of this type of system is inside the tubing itself, which will typically contain either an internal heavy duty spring mechanism or an external lock nut system.

However it's held in place, the fact that it's a friction system - as opposed to a semi-permanent setup that uses a bolted ceiling mount, or a permanently installed model that uses a fixed mounting system - is what gives it its unique quality.

Friction fit dance poles come in one piece and multi-piece models.

A pole that breaks down into two or more pieces for easy transport is truly portable, so you'll find more information about this specific model and its benefits on this page about portable poles.

The friction mount option is offered by a number of different companies, each with their own design variation.

Your Pole Pal likes the XPole for quality and innovation and the Mipole for affordability.

If you're wondering whether this type of pole is suitable for your needs, read on...

Is It Right For You?

With so many different types of removable and portable dance poles now on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your needs. In general however, friction fit models are best suited to the following situations:

• You live in a rented house or apartment and don't think screw holes in the floor or ceiling would go over too well with the landlord.
  
  
• You want to be able to move your dance pole from room to room, or to different locations in the same room (another option is to get a removable or semi-permanent dance pole with extra ceiling mounts)
  
  
• You live in a home with limited space where a permanently installed model may interfere with other uses of the room;
  

• You've got a "pole co-op" going on with one or more friends and you'll be moving the dance pole between homes (though the removable pole/extra ceiling mount option may also work here)
  
  
• You think you might want to set your equipment up in places other than your home and you don't want to be installing additional ceiling mounts wherever you go!

Pros & Cons

Like anything else in life, the different types of poles all have their pros and cons.

Whether or not friction fit is the right kind for you will depend on your lifestyle, your intended use, how safety conscious you are, and several other factors.

Here are some of the most important things to consider:

Storage

Friction fit dance poles are great if you want to be able to put your pole up and down relatively easily with no marks or holes in your ceiling.

Most friction poles also come apart in at least two pieces, which is generally sufficient for storing in a closet, under the bed, or another out of the way spot.

But if you want one that breaks right down and tucks away neatly in a case (instead of stuffing your pole under the bed when grandma comes to visit) you may prefer a portable dance pole.

Portable poles are very similar to friction poles, the difference being that they generally consist of 3 or more lengths of pole so they can be packed up into an included carrying case for easier storage and portability. The X-Pole shown below is one example of a portable pole.

Strength (yours, that is)

One thing to consider is that you'll need a certain amount of physical strength to install your friction fit dance pole, as these do require a bit of elbow grease to make sure they're secure.

However, friction fit models often don't require any tools, and if they do, they're either included, or in common use in most homes. So they are easier to install in some ways.

The one friction fit pole that Your Pole Pal doesn't recommend is the Platinum Stages pole. In testing, the parts were heavy, they didn't go together smoothly, and with a one-person install it was very difficult to get the pole installed straight before attempting to tighten it into place.

Even though you don't need a drill or other electric tools to put up a friction fit dance pole, it is important that you get the installation right, as improper installation is the number one cause of injuries.

Safety

Something else to be aware of is that you will need to know how to find suitable locations. For example, you'll need to know what kind of clearance you need, what types of ceilings are and aren't safe, and what types of flooring will work with the specific brand that you decide on.

The installation instructions that come with your pole should provide you with this information, but if in doubt, be sure to check with the manufacturer.

The most important thing to know about friction mount models is that in general, they are the least secure and the most likely to come down. Which isn't to say they are inherently unsafe, but they do require certain safety precautions and a healthy respect for gravity.

If you're considering a friction fit pole,
be sure to read this page on safety & your friction fit pole

Making A Choice

Probably the top reason people buy a friction fit model is that when installed correctly, they don't cause any damage to floors or ceilings, and can be removed without a trace.

You'll need to balance this advantage, however, with the other considerations listed above.

Top Picks

In the past few years, friction fit dance poles have come a long way in terms of safety, convenience, and ease of use. Your Pole Pal's top pick in this category is the X-Pole.

While technically a portable pole (because it breaks down into several pieces and goes into a carrying case), the X-Pole is also an excellent choice for friction fit poles. It comes in two models, the Sport which is a static pole, and the Pro which can operate in both static and spin modes. Read a detailed review of the X-Pole here.

Thinking of buying a friction fit or removable pole? Be sure to check out all these reviews for more details on the various options available.

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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