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The Main Types of Dancing Poles – The Complete Dance Pole Guide

magabrand fitness pole reviewsLooking for the right dance pole for your pole training?
You have come to the right place

In this article, you will find a list of all the different types of dance poles available to purchase on the market for your home or studio.

If you are a pole dance instructor or beginner then you will find something with in your budget, concerning setup, features like spinning, portability, freestanding for your home practice sessions.

Click below to read more about each pole and see what stripper pole is right for you.

1. Permanently Mounted

If you have ever been to a dance studio or a strip club you will likely find permanently mounted because these are great in terms of safety as they are attached to both the floor and the ceiling as the name suggests, permanently.

If they have been installed properly they won’t budge, making this type most stable and capable of handling higher loads in comparison to the removable pole or friction mount dance pole counterparts.
Stationary, also known as permanently fixed poles generally reach up to 24ft and the spinning variant up to 14ft of height.

Advantages: They are very stable and can support heavier loads. they are generally more suitable for areas with really high ceilings.

Disadvantages: This pole is permanent, meaning you won’t be able to pack it away after you are done using it. Both ends of the pole are bolted both to the floor and the ceiling and it will leave permanent markings.

 

2. Removable Poles / Semi-permanent installations

This pole is a hybrid between a permanent and a removable pole. It uses the same floor and ceiling brackets of a permanent pole. The removable pole can be attached to the permanently placed brackets that’s why this is called a semi-permanent pole.

These poles are secured by an insert that is permanently bolted to the ceiling which allows the pole can be removed and stored with the pole insert still in place. These are great if you have limited space or if you think you might have to take it down and is commonly seen in multifacet dance studios.

Removable poles are great for safety and convenience for small studios that offer different classes might want to use these poles since they’re fairly easy to take down yet still offer students and teachers a safe solution.

Advantages: You can install several brackets so you can easily move a single-pole around wherever you want it. It’s easy to set up and effortless to remove. The brackets also give more stability compared to friction fit poles.

Disadvantages: Brackets are permanently bolted into the ceiling and the floor which will definitely leave marks once removed. There’s also a limit on how high the pole can reach and may not suit all studio environments.

 

3. Friction Fit

Friction fit poles do not require bolting to either the ceiling or floor. The friction fit pole works by using its internal spring-loaded mechanism which applies outward pressure between two wide-based discs that put pressure is distributed to the ceiling and on the floor to create a stable pole.

These can come in multi-piece models which make them easy to transport, but be WARNED, depending on the construction of the pole it can cause serious injury if they are not made or installed properly.
Friction fit poles have many limitations in terms of stability and load and it’s important to never to skimp on quality when purchasing a friction fit pole.

Before you purchase a friction fit pole, its best to make sure you measure the height of your ceiling and if the pole your purchasing will allow the height.
Always ask the sellers to make sure you are making the right decision.

Advantages: Easy to set up and can be moved around the house. There are also spinning and stationary variants on the market. It also takes up little space when installed.

Disadvantages: The pole bases may ruin your paint job once you try to remove it. Expect grazes and markings and peeled paint as a result of removing the pole.
The pole’s stability depends whether you aligned the pole bases to a stud in the ceiling or not. Prolonged pressure on just plain plywood will not only destroy your ceiling but may also cause an accident.

 

4. Portable Pole

Portable poles are usually the most expensive since they are generally higher quality and are made for easy dismantling and storing when its not used. They are mounted in a similar way to friction poles however, depending on the brand, they offer different ways of installation.

Advantage: you can store then you finished using it

Disadvantage: Not ideal for spins and are generally weaker construction and more expensive to buy a quality pole.

 

5. Stage Poles and Free Standing Poles

stage pole reviewPoles with a built-in platform/stage are also quite expensive but are perfect for unusual spaces where the pole cannot be fixed to the ceiling.

Also known as Freestanding poles, These poles usually have a rounded or square-shaped base to support the pole and function as your stage at the same time. Since there’s no support to be attached to the ceiling, all gears and stabilizers can be found at the base, making it bulkier and heavier.

They are usually quite difficult to transport without the help of a large vehicle due to the heavy staging platforms that come with it that act as anchor weights to support the poles position when being used.

Usually, just the stage itself measures 1-2ft width then, add the length of the pole and you get something more than 12ft, so its best to make sure you set this one up in an area very high ceilings.

Stage poles are perfect for open areas like trade shows, outdoor settings, or rooms with high ceilings. You won’t usually find these in a home setting unless you have ample space.
The stage surrounding the pole may or may not work to your advantage. For one, you already have an instant stage just waiting for you to do your routine. However, the area may be too limited for your floor works, introducing the risk of falling off from a mere misstep.

 

They usually come in spinning and stationary capabilities.

Advantages: You don’t need to screw or unscrew anything as it’s already ready and just needs piecing togather. It’s ideal for doing shows in studios, clubs or outdoor events.

Disadvantages: The added height from the stage may be problematic for smaller spaces. You need to have at least 10-12 feet of space to be able to fit the stage pole in.
As discussed above, the included stage or platform may be too small and may limit your dance moves. Stage poles are also more costly compared to removable poles because of the added staging.

 

 

Gymmatsdirect Pole Dance Mat reviewStandalone or Freestanding Pole

This is basically similar to stage poles except for its thinner base, measuring only around 1-2in thick. It’s easier to set up and stands usually less than 10ft.

Advantages: It doesn’t need to reach the ceiling to make it stable. This makes it easier to set up than the removable and free standing poles.

Disadvantages: Although there’s no need for ceiling brackets, freestanding poles are less mobile and difficult to store. Its average height is around 9ft which may be too short for some dancers.

 

6. Rotating Spinning Pole

These poles are great for adding a ‘wow factor’ to your routines because they spin freely and add a new dynamic touch to your performance. The Spinning functionality is usually a secondary function to permanent, friction fit and removable poles.

Safety:

Spinning poles are usually used by pole dancers with experience as they can also throw off your balance and this is why rotating poles are usually not recommended for beginners as there is a bigger risk of injury.

In addition, rotating poles tend to be a more expensive option if you are looking to buy your own stripper pole.

x-pole portable pole review

 

Picking the right pole for you

With some careful thought and with the help of our pole reviews here on Basic Invert you should be able to find a dancing pole that is perfect for your individual needs.

There are a lot of dance poles in the market and it can be confusing and frustrating at the same time to choose which one fits your needs while remaining in your budget.

We’ve tried our hands on many types of  poles throughout the years, and eventually learned which one we prefer the most. You can proceed with trial and error like we did, or just save time and money by reading our recommendations on the best dance poles in the market.

We’ve been buying dance poles, both for home and studio use, for 4 years already and we found out that X-Pole, Lupit Pole and Lil Mynx are the best poles for beginners who want to have their own setup at home or dance studios who are looking for the safest poles on the market.

These units are made with quality materials and the overall design is also something that will last you a lifetime while keeping you safe.

 

Commonly used Dance Poles

Manufacturers have come up with a very long list of products to suit every situation possible. The allotted space in your home, the ceiling height, the stability of the area where you’ll be putting the pole, the frequency of use, and most importantly the price are some of the key factors you should take into account before shopping for a dance pole.

Whichever type of pole you may prefer, always look for quality products to ensure safety when performing your routine.

MegaBrand Portable Fitness Exercise Stripper Spinning Dancing Pole reviewMaterial and finishes

The composition, the size, and the texture of the pole affects its overall stability and gripping coefficient. When choosing the right material and finish, there are a few things you need to ask yourself to determine what you really need. When choosing a dance pole, answer the following questions first:

  • What will I be doing most on the pole?
    Will I use it for a regular workout? Doing spins, inversions, and other complex moves may require you to get a more stable pole.
  • Where will I place the pole?
    Placing it in a humid or cold area can affect its durability and your grip.
  • How much is my budget for it?
    The better the metal, the more expensive it gets.
  • Will I be competing in the future?
    Competitions usually prefer a specific pole size as part of their standards. Some metals and pole sizes can strengthen your hand and leg grips, making it easier for you to use any kind of pole in the future.
  • Does the color fit my room’s theme?
    Some people are quite picky in aesthetics and their buying decisions can be affected by how the pole will blend with their room’s decoration and theme.
    Now that you’re done gauging your purpose and expectations for getting a dance pole, let’s proceed with discussing the most commonly used pole metals in the professional scene. Everything on the list, except for the steel powder-coated pole, are polished metals.
    We’ve also graded the grip coefficient based on how we felt when we used each one.

Stainless Polished Steel finish

Grip level (1 out of 4)
It’s the standard pole in the world of pole dancing and is commonly used in competitions. It’s very difficult to maintain your grip on this one but this can work to your advantage.

Being quite slippery, you’ll need to hold the pole harder to properly perform your moves. This, in turn, exercises your muscles more by giving it some kind of challenge.

Dancers who used to work on brass and titanium gold dance poles may find it very difficult to hold on to this pole.
If you master your moves using this type of pole, using any other kind of dance pole in the future will be a breeze.

Chrome finish

Grip level (1.5 out of 4)
It feels almost the same as the stainless steel pole. However, this pole is more porous, increasing your grip on it even just by a little. Most people, though, can’t really feel the difference between this and the stainless pole.

Brass finish

Grip level (3 out of 4)
Its porosity and grip level sits between the chrome and the titanium gold. It’s easier to use but has a major drawback ‘ it’s made of brass.

Brass tarnishes after some time if it’s not properly maintained or if you place it in a location with unfavourable conditions. You may need to use brass polish regularly to delay the dulling of its color.

Titanium gold finish

Grip level (4 out of 4)
It’s very porous and has a nice grip to it. Its color fades longer than brass-polished poles but when it does, you can easily see the fade marks on the pole.

Powder-coated steel finish

Lil Mynx seems to be the only known manufacturer reliable enough to sell powder-coated dance poles. Studio owners have given it very positive reviews, so it looks like you won’t go wrong in choosing this pole, its also worth mentioning that this pole also comes in a variety of colors!

Other types worth mentioning

There are other types of pole dance materials used for finishing like glass, clear, Spencer’s, and Carmen Electra, to name a few; Carmen Electra seems to be the most popular. There are even products that sell only for $100 but made of subpar quality materials.
When buying your first dance pole, just remember that your safety depends on it. Better spend your money on quality equipment rather than buy a cheap one which may just cause accidents that may cost you a fortune.

If you want to learn more about pole dance in general then click here