Where Can I Find Plus Size Pole Dancing Classes Near Me?

By Susan Peach

I am currently 230lbs and I would love to learn how to pole dance but I believe I would feel more comfortable with other women my size. Where can I find classes like that in my area?
~LaToya

Your Pole Pal gets frequent inquiries from women looking for plus size pole dancing classes in their area (studio owners, take note please!) so LaToya, you're not alone.

Just before we delve into where these classes are and how to find them, it's important to remember that most, if not all, pole dance studios are inclusive and welcoming of all body shapes and sizes. As a plus size woman, you're almost certain to be welcomed at your local studio, assuming you feel comfortable joining a regular class session.

That said, it's certainly understandable that you would prefer to take classes with others who also identify as plus size. Many plus size women feel the same. The reasons for this can vary, from wanting to be in a peer group that understands your specific struggles and challenges, to the confidence boost that comes from being able to work at the same level as the others in your class.

Regardless of what kind of classes you're looking for, a good place to start is by doing a quick search in the worldwide pole dancing directory. It's one of the most popular sections on this website, and it lists literally thousands of pole studios based all over the world.

The challenge, of course, is that while you're likely to find at least one nearby pole fitness studio in the directory, not all studios offer classes specifically for plus size women. This means that finding a plus size pole dancing class is probably going to be a little more challenging than just finding a pole studio. It's definitely do-able though, and Your Pole Pal offers this guide to help you out...

Finding Plus Size Pole Dancing Classes - A Step By Step Guide

1. Search the worldwide directory to find pole studios in your area.
   
   
2. Once you've located one or more studios near you, look for the contact information that's provided in each listing. Each listing includes either a website and/or a phone number to make it easy for you to reach them.
   
   
3. If there's a website for the studio (almost all listings include one), just copy and paste the URL into the address bar of a new browser window. Then take a quick look at the site to see if they offer plus size classes. Studios that do offer these classes tend to highlight them to make it easy for potential students to find.
   
   Remember though, just because you don't see plus size pole dancing classes listed on a studio's website, doesn't mean they don't offer them. There may not be a class running currently, or there might even be a new class in the works for an upcoming session, so it's a good idea to follow up with an email or a phone call, even if you don't see any plus size classes listed online.
   
   
4. If you didn't find any info on the studio's website, send an email or give the studio a call to inquire if they offer plus size pole dancing classes. You could even stop in to the studio if you're going by that way, as that will give you an opportunity to check out the studio's vibe at the same time.
   
   
5. If it turns out that the studio doesn't offer plus size classes, let them know you'd be interested if they do start one. You may also wish to leave your name and contact info so they can get in touch if/when a class starts, or so the owner or lead instructor can contact you to discuss your request (more on this below).
   
   
6. Rinse and repeat with any other studios in your area until you find one that offers plus size classes, or is willing to put your name on an interest list and contact you once they have enough interest to run a class.
   
   
7. If none of your local pole studios are offering plus size classes, please see the next section with information on how to get some classes started in your area.
   
   
8. As a last resort, online pole dancing lessons may be an option for you. While the social aspect of in-person classes will be missing, online lessons are a way to at least get started with pole dancing. And while you're learning at home, you can continue to work with your local studio to create plus size pole dancing classes that you can attend in person (see the guide below).

Working With A Local Studio to Create Plus Size Pole Classes

While pole dancing for fitness is now fairly mainstream in many places, plus size pole dancing classes are fewer and farther between. That's why larger women who'd like to take a pole dancing class with their plus size peers may need to be proactive in approaching their local pole studio and getting a class going.

One of the best ways to do this is to get a small group of plus size friends together and then approach your local studio to ask if they'll put on a class just for your group.

The biggest concern any business owner will have about putting a new type of class on their schedule is whether or not people will sign up. From a business perspective, it doesn't make sense to commit studio space and then not have enough students sign up to be able to cover the overhead.

If you can demonstrate that there's enough interest, the studio owner will probably be willing to offer a plus size pole dancing class, at least on a trial basis.

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you accomplish your goal of getting a plus size pole dancing class started at your local studio..

1. Talk to a few friends, family members, and/or co-workers who you think might be interested in joining you for a plus size pole dancing class. Try to get a feel for how many are genuinely interested (understand that not everyone who expresses interest will actually follow through), and if you can, try to get a sense of how many sessions would be ideal. Some people might want a one-time "taster" session first, before they commit, while others may be ready and willing to jump straight into a 4 or 6 week session. This information will help you sell the idea to your local studio.
   
   
2. Armed with your research, call ahead to make an appointment with the studio owner or lead instructor. You want to speak with the person who has the power to make decisions, so just dropping in may not get you past the reception desk if the person you need to speak to is busy teaching a class. For this reason, it's best to call ahead and make an appointment for a brief meeting.
   
   
3. When you meet with the studio owner, let them know that you're interested in plus size pole dancing classes and that you've been talking the idea up in your social circles. Tell the owner approximately how many other women have expressed interest, and if you've been able to get some additional information from your potential co-polers, give the owner some dates and times that would work for your group. Also let the studio owner know if you're looking for a class session right away, or a one-time intro class followed by a longer session if there's interest. 
   
   
4. Assuming there is studio space available at a time that works for your group, you can expect the studio owner to respond positively to the opportunity to expand her business by offering the class or classes that you're proposing. But wait, your job's not done yet!
   
   
5. To cement the deal, or to convince a studio owner who might be hesitant, offer to help out with marketing the classes. Of course the studio should be doing their own marketing by adding the new class session to their schedule, promoting it on their website and social media, etc. but YOU - dear soon-to-be plus size pole dancer - are an invaluable connection to the target market that the studio needs to reach in order to make the class a success.
   
   Yes, it's a little extra work for you, but offering to help promote the plus size pole dancing classes will show the studio owner that you're seriously interested and invested in the success of these classes. Of course these days, promotion is way easier than hoofing it all over town putting posters on telephone poles. A few posts on your social media accounts should do wonders, especially if you offer to be a contact point for questions that potential students might have.
   
   And of course, the number one marketing tool is word of mouth, so be sure to talk up the classes to anyone who you think might be interested. Before you know it, you should have a solid base of interest. In fact, if you drum up enough interest and meet a minimum registration threshold, you may be able to negotiate a free or discounted class session for yourself. After all, if you put in the work to fill the class, there's no reason there shouldn't be something in it for you.
   
   
6. Finally, stay in touch with the studio owner to let them know how your marketing is going and what the interest level is. There's no need to send a daily update, but do check in a few times before the class is scheduled to start, so that the owner knows you've been doing your part, and have been sending people to the studio to register.
   
   
7. Enjoy your well-deserved plus size pole dancing classes. And pat yourself on the back for speaking up, asking for what you want, and being willing to put in the work to get it. Congratulations!
   

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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