Where should I start: pole dancing for beginners

You’re probably wondering, how should I go about learning? Learning pole dancing for beginners can be difficult if you’re not the best at mimicking movement and understanding proper muscle engagement. Some tricks and movements are extremely detailed then. In this case, outsider guidance can be vital. This is why I would suggest everybody begin by enrolling in some kind of class or guided program. Once you become more familiar with the process that goes behind breaking down a combo or trick, self-learning becomes more doable.

Self taught or not, you want to be especially aware of the possibility of injury. A pole coach or program will most likely warn you of common mistakes beginner pole dancers make. This may result in you avoiding possible headaches and injury. There are many pole studios, and online classes that cater to pole dancing for beginners. Try a few out to see if you like their teaching style! If you’re in the Portland area, we offer beginner friendly pole classes.

Prepping your skin for pole

Pole dancing for beginners can be hard with sweaty hands. A weak-ish grip can also get in the way of your advancement of the pole. You’ll hear others suggest using a grip aid, which can come in a liquid, gel-like, or spray form. Grip aid is great when the weather outside is making your pole extra slick, or you’re trying to get a new move. It can however become an unneeded addition to your practice sessions. Some pole people get used to always wearing a grip and constantly having to reapply it, or worse feel they can not pole dance without it on them. As you practice, your grip will get stronger and you’ll be able to determine the correct amount of pressure you should be applying against the pole without sliding down.

As for what not to wear on your skin? Don’t wear lotion or oils. If you’re a person who showers in the morning, skip applying it either after your shower. If you shower in the evening, and plan to pole the next day, you could probably get away with applying it the night before.

What to wear when beginning pole dancing

Firstly let’s talk about footwear. When you’re first starting out pole dancing, wearing 12 inch heels may not be the most practical, However, if your goal is to confidently wear heels around the pole, then it’s not a bad idea to get used to them right off the bat. Dancing in heels and dancing barefoot do feel different. If you tend to practice barefoot a majority of the time, and then randomly decide to wear heels while practicing your normal routine, it’s going to feel different. You may even feel a little like a giraffe on ice if you’ve been neglecting your heels for too long. Wearing heels on the pole is your choice. However, if you want to have the ability to look like you know what you’re doing in heels, then you’ve got to take them out for a spin once in a while.

What style of pole dance you’re practicing will determine your clothing attire. Sometimes you can get away with wearing leggings and longer sleeved shirts if you’re doing mostly floor work. Skin contact isn’t as mandatory then. You’ll mostly likely be introduced to simple spins and climbs as a beginner pole dancer, which need exposed skin. Generally you can’t go wrong with sporty shorts and a sports bra. There are so many businesses out there that sell pole wear specifically. A quick google search, and you’re sure to find some retailers online. A good example of what to wear is shown below.

Another additional piece you can add to your pole wear collection is knee pads. Knee pads are not mandatory if you’re not planning on doing floor work, but if you are, getting yourself a pair is a good investment.

The most important thing to recognize when starting pole dancing

You need to know that your safety is the most important thing, all this being said. When you have a trick you really want to be able to do, or start comparing yourself to other pole dancers, it’s easy to push yourself past reasonable limits. Injury is common amongst pole dancers, but it doesn’t have to be. If you take it slow, and only compare your progress to where you started regularly you should be able to avoid unnecessary injury. This is why I also suggest you film yourself. When you’re feeling stuck in your progress, and have the itch to start jumping into your invert improperly, pull out that video you took of yourself 2 months ago on the pole. Remind yourself of where you came from, and know that you will keep improving.