Pressure Mounted & Home Pole Safety Checks

By Susan Peach

To check that your pressure-mounted pole is safe before every session, do a visual inspection of both your space and your pole, then load test your dance pole. This guide walks you through how to check for danger signs, and explains how to load test your pole to catch any issues before you start.

To maximize your safety while pole dancing, and to reduce the chances of your dance pole coming down, Your Pole Pal recommends that you do a safety check before every session, no matter what type of dance pole you have at home. 

A complete safety check has two parts: a visual inspection, and a load test. Let's look at them one at a time.

Visual Inspection

Doing a visual inspection sounds simple, and it is. But it's important to know exactly what you're looking for so you can catch anything that's not right and correct it before you start a practice session.

Inspecting Your Space

Before you check your pole, take a moment to look around your practice space. Make sure everything is in its place, and there's nothing that might get in the way or cause a hazard while you're training. For example, a towel that's fallen on the floor or a chair that's been moved too close to your pole. 

If you're using online pole dance lessons to help you learn at home, ensure you have a safe spot to set up your laptop, tablet or phone, so you don't accidentally knock it over while practicing. 

If you're just getting your space set up, be sure you understand how much space you need to allow around your dance pole for safety.

This is also the time to check that your safety mat is in place, clean, and in good repair. Also make sure that you're familiar with these beginner safety tips, such as removing any jewelry and washing any lotion off your hands and body.

If you're wearing any adjustable clothing, like side tie shorts, check that the ties are securely fastened. If platform shoes are a part of today's training plan, give the heels a quick wiggle to ensure they're not loose before you put them on, making sure the ankle strap is properly closed.

Inspecting Your Pole

With everything in your practice space in order, it's time to do a visual inspection of your dance pole. It's helpful if you always do this in the same way — either working from top to bottom or bottom to top — so you don't forget anything.

If you have anything other than a platform dance pole, you'll have some kind of a top mount. It could be a friction pad, a basic bolt-in ceiling mount, or a vaulted mount on a sloped ceiling. 

Ideally, you'll have a folding step stool in your practice space so you can climb up and have a close look at your mount. Make sure it's flush with the ceiling, and isn't damaged or loose. Also ensure the pole is seated correctly in the mount.

Now check the pole itself for any signs of damage. Look for scratches, dents or bowed metal. If you have a multi-piece pole, check the seams to make sure the pieces are correctly seated, and that there are no rough edges where they fit together.

Moving down to the base of the pole, check that the floor mount appears to be in good condition, with no loose or missing parts. If you have a pole that converts from static to spin mode, be sure that the lock pin or whatever mechanism controls the conversion is in place and undamaged. And of course, ensure that the pole is correctly seated in the base.

For platform dance poles, you'll also want to visually inspect the platform itself, as this is an integral part of your pole setup. Make sure the pieces of the platform are securely fitted together so there are no gaps or rough edges that might cause injury. 

Depending what type of pole you have, your visual inspection will vary somewhat, but the basic idea is the same: you're looking for anything that doesn't seem right. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, check it out carefully before you start using your pole. Correct anything that needs adjusting, and if you're concerned that something looks unsafe, contact the manufacturer for guidance.

Load Test

A load test is simply a way to check that your pole is installed safely and ready to use. It's done exactly the same on every type of pole, it's super easy to learn, and it literally takes less than a minute. You can actually incorporate a load test into your warmup routine to do double duty, so there's really no excuse for skipping this important safety check.

Remember, load testing don't guarantee that your dance pole won't ever come down, but it can alert you to any installation issues you need to correct before they become dangerous.

Here's how to do a load test.

Part 1 (for everyone):

1. Assemble and/or install your pole according to the manufacturer's instructions, ensuring that it's plumb (exactly vertical). Also be sure that the pole is correctly seated in both the floor and ceiling mounts, except for platform poles where you won't have a ceiling mount. 
   
   
2. Stand facing your dance pole and place the palms of both hands on the pole at about shoulder height, elbows up and out to the sides. Engage your core then push hard against your pole, as though you were trying to shove it away from you.
   
   
3. Now work your way down the pole, stepping farther back as you go lower, continuing to push as hard as you can against the pole.
   
   
4. When you reach the bottom of the pole, alternately push and pull with both hands, right at the lowest vertical point on the pole. Move around the pole as you do this, so that you're doing the push-and-pull from several different directions.

If the base of your dance pole shifts at all during this part of the test, adjust the pole so it's plumb again, then tighten it some more and begin the load test again from the beginning.

If you're load testing a permanent pole, you'll be looking for anything that indicates the screws in the floor mount aren't tight: rattling sounds, screw heads that are jiggling, etc. For platform poles that are attached inside or below the platform base, pay attention to anything that feels or sounds loose, and check it out carefully before moving on.

Part 2 (if you'll be doing climbs, spins, or other airborne moves):

1. Face your pole and reach up with both hands to grasp the pole just above your head. Engage your core, then lift yourself up the pole so your arms are bent and taking your weight. Your body will be hanging straight down the pole. You can hop or jump up if you have to.
   
   
2. While holding yourself in that position, try to give the pole a few good shakes. You're checking to make sure there's no movement at the top of the pole while you do this. This test is especially important for friction mount poles as you want the top mount to remain solidly in place against the ceiling. Just be sure NOT to grasp any part of the small extension pole (if your pole uses this type of mechanism) as this could release the tension on your dance pole and bring it down!
   
   For permanent and semi-permanent poles, you're looking for anything that seems amiss with the ceiling mount: parts that sound noisy, any movement at the top of the pole, etc. For stage or platform poles, this test is a good way to check the stability of the platform base, which should not lift when you climb up the pole and shake it. 
   
   
3. Finally, run through a series of spins that you're already comfortable doing. Start with something simple that keeps your body weight close to the pole, like the Fireman Spin, then progress through 3 or 4 increasingly advanced spins, ending with one that has your body weight farther away from the pole. Which one exactly isn't important, but you should only do spins that you've previously learned and can execute with confidence. Remember, you're still load testing at this point, so pay attention to anything that feels, sounds or looks off. 

Remember to stay aware and alert during the load tests. If you feel or notice anything that makes you uncomfortable, double check to make sure the pole hasn't shifted and if necessary, tighten it a little more.

As you use your dance pole more, you'll become more comfortable with its safe installation and use, though it always pays to maintain a healthy respect for your pole. Investing a few minutes in your own safety by doing a visual inspection and load testing your pole before every session is time well spent.

More Helpful Guides for Home Pole Dancers

Stay safe while learning to pole dance at home with these pole dancing safety tips. You'll discover how to choose the safest type of pole for your space, learn about safe setup and installation, and get tips on training habits to reduce your injury risk. 

Planning to learn at home in an apartment or other type of rental accommodation? This guide will help you choose the best type of pole for your specific situation and needs.

Be sure to check out the learn at home guide for answers to all your questions about learning to pole dance at home.

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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