Too heavy too pole dance?

by Julianne Nora Smith
(Fairfield, CA, USA)

Hello! I came across your website with interest of starting to pole dance. I have just one question.

I currently weigh about 250 pounds. Is it too heavy to start?

If not, what pole should I use? I am very active and am currently losing weight...Some help please?

Thanks,

Julie Wants To Dance

Susan from PDFF says

Welcome Julie! I'm so glad you stopped by. Your question is actually one that many women have.

You'll be glad to know that you're definitely not too heavy to start pole dancing, but you're wise to be looking carefully at what type of pole would be best for you.

There are definitely some that you'll want to stay away from because they're just not meant to take weight at all. So regardless of how much someone weighs, I don't recommend novelty poles such as the Peekaboo brand, the ElectraPole, or any other product around the $80-$130 price point.

There are some important differences between these types of poles and a good quality, professional pole. The latter are designed to handle spins, climbs, drops and all the other moves that a cheap piece of equipment just can't take.

You might find this page helpful Julie. It's a question (and my answer) from a woman who was concerned that she was over the stated weight limit for her pole.

I think you'll find some relevant information there, as well as a couple of recommendations for dance poles that might be most suitable for you.

And this reply to another visitor's question may shed some light on why weight is often not the issue many people think it is.

You can read that page to find out why I advised her that, even at 400 pounds, she was not likely to be at any greater risk of injury from a falling pole than someone of average weight. It may surprise you!

But beyond the advice and suggestions you'll find on the two pages noted above, your choice of equipment will depend to some extent on your preferences.

There are so many different types of poles available these days, from permanently mounted (the ultimate in safety, but much less flexible in terms of space usage), to platform models (ceiling height is not an issue, but they do take up considerable space).

There are also one, two, and multi piece poles. You'll want to think about whether storage space will be an issue when your equipment is not in use.

If so, going with a model that breaks down into several pieces may be more convenient. On the other hand, if you want maximum strength, you may decide to with a one piece model.

In addition, each brand has minimum and maximum ceiling height requirements, and some come in a variety of finishes and colors.

So many choices!

Once you've reassured yourself that you're not too heavy to pole dance and you're ready to choose a dance pole, you'll find lots of great information here:

Information on the different types of poles available (platform, friction fit, etc.), their pros and cons, special considerations, etc.

Reviews of several brands of dance poles. I pride myself on providing honest, detailed reviews written from first hand experience. I think you'll find this section to be a big help when it comes time to make your purchase.

Since you're already quite active and losing weight, I really encourage you to give pole dancing a try Julie. Many women just can't say enough about what's it done for their muscles, not to mention their self-esteem. I hope you'll join the club!