Best Free Standing Pole – The Ultimate Guide 2024

We’ve come up with a short guide about free standing poles in 2024, and learn about the things you need to know when getting a freestanding dance pole.

We’ve included the available sizes, finishes, and brands to choose from.

We’ve also included answers to the most frequently asked questions about this kind of dance pole.

Continue reading and you’ll find handy information in picking the right freestanding dance pole for you.

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What’s a Freestanding Dance Pole?

A freestanding dance pole doesn’t touch the ceiling compared to a permanent or removable one.

It has a large base which holds the pole firmly in place.

Since it doesn’t have a top dome that exerts pressure on a ceiling joist in order to stabilize the whole dance pole, you don’t need to worry about the ceiling height of a room.

This type of dance pole is popular among people who are renting and those who have really high ceilings at home.

Professional performers and instructors also love how portable freestanding freestanding poles are.

They can bring it anywhere, set it up in just a few minutes, and begin performing without a worry in the world.

Now you may ask, is it safe to use knowing that only the base platform supports the whole dance pole?

Absolutely.

With removable poles, the weight and pressure are distributed between the upper and lower domes of the dance pole.

With a freestanding one, everything is handled by the sturdy base.

It may take a few tries before you get used to it, especially if you’re used to dancing on a removable or permanent pole.

You may experience slight wobbling when spinning on the freestanding dance pole but this is perfectly normal.

To increase your confidence on the equipment, you can try watching videos of professional pole dancers who use freestanding poles to see that it’s normal for the pole to tilt a little when used.

Will the platform leave a large mark on your floor after you’re done?

No.

It won’t leave an imprint as large as the base of an X-Stage.

It will, however, leave small marks where the foot of the base comes in contact with your carpet similar to how a typical piece of furniture does.

Pros and Cons of a Freestanding Pole

So why choose a freestanding dance pole over a regular one?

  • You don’t need extensions or worry about anything else when installing it in a room with a high, vaulted, or suspended ceilings.
  • They’re portable and can be set up both indoors and outdoors.
  • You don’t have to be in a gym to take a photoshoot on the free standing pole. You can do it anywhere with a scenic view!
  • You don’t have to worry about measuring the ceiling height of a room before you install the dance pole.

Although there are many advantages to having a freestanding dance pole, there are also downsides to it.

  • They’re really heavy to carry because you’ll also be carrying the platform base that acts as the support for the whole dance pole.
  • Freestanding poles have special cases built to hold all the components needed to set it up. They’re usually bulkier when compared to hand-carry bags where a removable dance pole is stored.
  • You have to make sure there’s enough space to set up the freestanding dance pole. The base portion is quite big, so make sure the room is level and spacious enough to accommodate it.

Guide in Choosing a Freestanding Pole

In selecting a freestanding dance pole, there are 2 factors you have to consider:

Thickness

The thickness of freestanding poles differs by a millimeter or two compared to permanent and portable dance poles.

They’re available in the following sizes: 38mm, 40mm, 42mm, 45mm, 50mm, and 53mm.

Only X-Pole sells the 53mm dance pole.

It has a silicone-coated finish which is why it’s thicker than usual dance poles.

When choosing the thickness for your pole, remember that a thicker one will be harder to hold with your hands but will be better to grip with your legs.

Pick one that you can grip comfortably with your body.

Finish

Dance poles are made of high-grade steel but they’re usually coated with another material to make them easier to grip.

Below are the most common finishes applied to them:

Chrome

Chrome finishes are what you’ll usually find on dance poles.

They’re inexpensive and durable to withstand any kind of weather.

They’re also easy to clean so you don’t have to worry much about maintenance.

Some people may be allergic to chrome, though, so it’d be best if you know you have this kind of condition first before buying a chrome-plated pole.

The chrome coating will worn out through time, making it look rusty.

In rare cases, it can chip off, leaving a rough patch on the pole surface that can cause minor injuries.

Brass

Brass finish is commonly found in dance poles sold in areas where the climate is hot because brass-coated poles provide excellent grip even when you’re sweating.

This property makes them an excellent choice for beginners.

Brass is also a suitable finish for those allergic to metals.

They’re quite expensive, though, so make sure you have the budget to spare on these poles.

Unlike chrome-plated freestanding pole, those with brass finish won’t rust.

They’re more susceptible to damage, though, compared to chrome-plated dance poles, so you still have to be careful when using them.

Stainless steel

A stainless steel pole is very durable and has a nice, polished look.

Their extreme durability makes them the top choice for use in gyms and dance studios.

Stainless steel poles still provide grip even under humid conditions.

They’re one of the better options for those with sweaty palms and metal allergies.

Although they’re not hard to maintain, they require polishing from time to time to prevent tarnishing.

Silicone-coated

Poles with this finish are coated with medical-grade silicone.

This provides excellent grip which you can feel even when you’re clothed or sweating.

This finish is also suitable for those with metal allergies.

This finish is only available on dance poles with thicknesses of 45mm and 53mm.

Ready your pocket for this one, though, as they’re the most expensive among other freestanding dance poles in the market.

Powder-coated

This type of finish is fairly new to the industry.

Their market is pole dancers who are really having a hard time gripping the dance pole with any of the finishes discussed above.

Although termed as powder-coated, they’re smooth to touch.

They’re not suitable for those with metal allergies, though, and are more expensive than most pole finishes.

X-Pole is currently the only brand that offers this type of finish and is only available in the 45mm thickness.

Brands to Choose From

Here are the most popular brands that offer freestanding dance poles in the market.

X-Pole

From our experience and from the general verdict of the pole dancing community, the X-Pole brand is the best brand selling portable and freestanding dance poles.

X-Pole has 2 models of freestanding dance pole: the X-Lite and the X-Stage.

Both are available in different thicknesses (40mm, 45mm, 50mm, and 53mm) and finishes (stainless, silicone, powder-coated, brass, and chrome), and both have static and spinning modes.

They also have a round base that acts as a platform or stage for your performance.

The only difference between the X-Stage and the X-Lite is the height of their bases.

The X-Stage has a height of 320mm while the X-Lite’s stage is only 110mm thick.

These podiums are divided into 6 wedge-shaped pieces for better portability.

Both products still stand at 10 feet tall, including the stage and the pole.

Since the X-Lite has a thinner podium, it is best used on even and solid surfaces indoors.

The X-Stage has a much thicker platform which can be set on a less stable ground usually found outdoors.

If you need to make the pole taller, there are extension pieces sold separately.

 

Platinum Stages

Freestanding dance poles from Platinum Stages are more of display poles used for performances and not really as fitness equipment.

They have a square base and are completely customizable.

You can select different patterns, lights, and colors for the base to add the desired effect to your performance.

Since their Free standing pole is focused more on aesthetics, don’t expect them to be as sturdy as those from X-Pole.

Their poles are still stable and reliable, though, but they’re not really meant for heavy-duty use every day.

Their freestanding dance poles are available in brass and stainless steel finishes only.

All their poles have both spinning and static modes and you can switch between them with just a few tweaks on the pole.

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Lupit Pole

Lupit Pole is known for its removable poles but just this 2018, they started releasing their first freestanding dance pole models.

Their Lupit Stage II has two variants only: a short leg and a long leg dance pole.

Those with short legs are good for the usual pole tricks that don’t require too much spinning around the top portion.

On the other hand, the pole with long legs is designed to add stability to the dance pole, allowing you to perform spins at a good height or do tricks that require a lot of sideways pressure on the dance pole.

The latter model is bulkier to carry around, though, because the extended legs are stored in an additional bag.

Lupit Stage II is only available in 45mm and stainless steel finish.

It has both static and spinning modes for better versatility.

Majestic Stages

Based in Texas, USA, Majestic Stages is a known manufacturer of unique freestanding dance poles.

They have a portable dance cage, dance poles with pole balls, and detailed stages no other brand offer.

You can choose from an octagon or square-shaped platform which can be customized with acrylic, vinyl, or paint.

Their free standing dance poles have a 50mm thickness and available in matte or stainless steel finishes.

They’re easy to set up and requires no other tools to assemble them in a matter of minutes.

The stages are made of wood, though, so it’s not recommended to wear heeled shoes because these can damage the stage during the performance.

All Star Stages

All Star Stages offer rental of freestanding dance poles in Los Angeles, Miami, Cleveland, and New York.

All you need to do is give them a call and they’ll come and set it up for you.

They’ll also take it down for you and pick it up when you’re done.

Their freestanding dance poles have an octagon shape and feature dazzling lights to add flavour to your performance.

They stand up to 12 feet high but this can be customized according to your specifications.

Just give them the details of what you need and they’ll configure everything according to your preferences.

R Pole

R Pole is a lesser-known maker of freestanding poles.

Their products are good for photoshoots but not for everyday fitness use.

Both their Strada & Studio Fit poles don’t have solid platforms like the one you see on Lupit Pole and X-Pole.

Instead, you’ll see metal legs extending in a star-shaped layout to support the whole dance pole.

You’ll have to purchase a separate crash mat to put on top of the legs to make the pole more usable.

The only advantage of this, though, is that they’re way lighter compared to freestanding dance poles from other brands.

Strada and Studio Fit poles are available in 38mm and 42mm sizes only.

These static-only dance poles are also available only in a stainless steel finish.

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Conclusion

Freestanding dance poles are suitable for those who don’t want to damage their ceiling joints with a removable pole.

Aside from being portable, most freestanding poles already have a stage you can work on, so you don’t need to purchase a separate crash mat.

Freestanding dance poles from one brand may serve a different purpose from others.

If you’re looking for a high-quality dance pole you can truly rely on, get the X-Stage or the X-Lite from X-Pole.

In terms of quality and reputation, Lupit Pole is also a great choice for an everyday pole.

On the other hand, if you’re a pole dancer who occasionally performs on parties and events, freestanding dance poles from R Pole or Platinum Stages will do the trick.

Whichever brand you choose, make sure you check the pole for any damages.

Also, choose the correct size and finish comfortable enough for your grip.