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Mary Ellyn · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject: Dance Poles Made Easy

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I have a long topic on our website with more details about the various dance poles which can be viewed here:
http://empowermentthroughexoticdance.com/ChoosingPole.htm

One thing to keep in mind...there is a reason some poles are cheap and that usually means they aren't safe. Read the fine print on those cheaper brands and make certain they can handle your weight limit as well as advanced work.

If it looks/works like a removable shower curtain rod...just think about how well those things stay up! Would you want to risk your safety on something like that?

If you don't want to read through the link, here are some basics about poles:

Styles available:

Permanent poles: These are solid, one-piece poles that are hooked into the ceiling and the floor with a flange or other piece or hardware and stays up all the time. Installed correctly, these are very strong and secure poles that will hold up to any tricks, inverts and spins.

Semi-permanent poles: These have a ceiling mount which can be released so that you can take the pole down when you like to have it out of the way. The ceiling mount is usually camouflaged with a fake plant hook or smoke detector when the pole is down. This is also a very secure pole.

Removable Poles: These poles extend and shorten within a range of anywhere from around 6.5 feet to 12 feet depending on the make and style. They work like a tension rod between the ceiling and the floor, placing great pressure at both ends to hold them in place.

Some are long, one-piece poles (with limited extension ability) and some are multi-piece poles which the parts fit together to create various lengths to fit a wider range of ceiling heights and also allow for extensions for an even greater range. These poles obviously store very easily. The one piece removable poles can be an issue when taken down as you have a 7 foot or more piece of pole to store away.

Diameter:

Pole Diameter is generally a standard 2 inches in diameter and should be sturdy enough to withstand inversions and spins as this puts a lot of lateral tension on the pole. Some poles are offered in 1.5 or 1.75 inch diameter for dancers with smaller hands. These are also usually easier to grip and invert on due to the smaller size however they are more difficult to hold onto with your legs when the pole is smaller.

Finishes:

Powder Coated: these painted poles come in a variety of colors and have fairly good grip but the finish can chip and wear off. Some grip well some are more slippery depending on the process in painting them.

Polished Stainless: these poles have a durable strong finish that has a good grip. Upkeep is easy, cleaning with rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner regularly.

Polished Chrome: again a durable finish but a slightly grippier surface. Upkeep is the same as with the polished stainless using alcohol or glass cleaner regularly.

Polished Brass: A bit more expensive and not as common of a finish this pole is grippier than the chrome or stainless. It is grippier because it absorbs the oils from your skin. However that also means that upkeep is more involved due to problems with tarnishing so regular cleaning/polishing with a brass cleaner is necessary. If you use your pole every day, plan on polishing it every day or at least every other day.

Titanium: this is the newest available finish. It is a gold tone like the brass poles and has the best grip available but will not require the regular polishing that a brass pole will need.

Other Features:

Spinning poles:
Many manufacturers offer a "spinning" option or it may be a standard feature on the pole. On these poles, when the locking pin is removed the pole rotates freely so that it spins "for you".

Keep in mind that dizziness is a major issue using a spinning pole. Also, due to the centrifical force that tends to throw you away from the pole it's actually more difficult to hold onto a spinning pole when dancing.

Stage Poles:
Some companies make free-standing stages. These have a small platform from which a pole stands up in the middle. This pole is mounted underneath the platform but is not mounted to anything at the top.

Due to the structure, they are cumbersome to move, usually unstable as the base tips easily without the use of a LOT of counterweight to stablize it, and the pole itself flexes and sways when in use since it is not mounted to anything at the top.

They are more expensive than the other poles and generally cumbersome to transport.

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