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Do you have a pole at home?
Hi Veeners,
I was wondering, for those of you who pole from home (lucky you!) do you think it makes a big difference in terms of your practice and progress?
And if you do have a pole at home, do you still go to a studio for lessons / practice? Do you feel any difference in confidence or ability when you pole at home vs in a studio?
I just started lessons at a studio that uses spinning poles from the beginning of January where they teach dance routines. Thing is, I would love to just free style dance on the pole to music instead of always practicing the choreography they teach.
But I only have the strength to do a simple knee spin, back hook spin and I’m still working on spin climbing. The studio does offer practice hours but for some reason I never see beginner level girls practicing, mostly the advanced ones who are training for competitions!
I cant help but get self conscious during practice, but I really want to get to a decent level!
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22 Replies
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I bought a pole 2 months after starting pole at a studio. I found having a pole at home helped me practice as often as I wanted, and whatever I wanted. I went to the studio for just over a year before leaving in Feb 2010 (too much studio drama, plus work and school). In July 2010 I went to a workshop in NC and learned that it was the kind of studio I dreamed of having available here, and started poling more regularly at home with a friend who also left the studio here. In 6 months of working out together using YouTube, pole jams, and workshops/privates, we accomplished more than we ever did at the studio (which actually pretty much made us PAY to advance, it wasn't based on skill – the next level was a minimum of 2 years away, even if we could do all the moves required to get there and then some).
I'm NOT saying this is how all studios are though – I've been to four awesome studios in North Carolina that have made me wish I still lived up there. But having a pole at home has helped with my progress tremendously. Being able to watch something on the internet then get inspired to practice or play on the pole means that I can because the pole is down the hall. =D You also can work on your strength using the pole at home as well.
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Well, i bought a pole, because i don't find a studio of pole dance in barcelona, but i thing that have a pole at home it's the perfect complement for studio lessons, to practice more the technique, and accurate all…
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Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I bought a pole within the first month or 2 of starting S Factor. Played with it for a bit and dance for my husband once in a blue. Then didn’t use it for YEARS.
I stuck with S Factor bc they helped me build up my confidence, femininity, and sexuality. I especially loved the freestyle improv, choosing your songs, and just letting go. Though I wasn’t advancing fast enough with tricks. I started branching out to other studios a couple months ago. I love the environment of a class and the instructors teach you different things than online lessons or YouTube. You get that one on one spotting, etc.
At home is great, especially with Veena’s lessons, other online lessons, the forums, SV vids, and YouTube. But not as fun as a class setting.
I’m at that point where I’m half and half. Pole at home once a week and studio once a week. As for difference in ability and confidence, it varies on the trick. Like one thing I can do at home but not in studio and vice versa.
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I bought a pole after taking lessons for about 6 months. Shortly after that I left the studio I was going to. It was getting to be too much money, and I certainly didn't feel like I was getting my moneys worth. The lessons were seriously lacking in structure and safe techniques. I feel like buying a pole for my house is one of the best things I have done. Being able to pole anytime you feel like it can definitely help you improve faster, and I started learning a lot more than I was before. However, I do miss the class environment, and being around other people who share your interest is a lot of fun. Ideally I think a home pole makes a great compliment to studio lessons. If there was a good studio close by and I could afford it, I would go back to taking lessons as well.
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Tell me about studio poling getting to be too much money! They charge $8/hour per practice session and classes are $32/lesson so that easily adds up to $160-$190 a month just to be on the pole twice a week.
I just got Veena’s lessons and spent the past hour or so watching them and WISHING I could try some of the moves, but I have to wait till next week when I’m at the studio.
dustbunny, I do agree that having a pole at home does sound like an ideal compliment to studio classes. I’d still want to take lessons if I got one, just maybe not as often.
Getting seriously tempted to clear out the entire living room and just install one there. Who needs to watch tv, when you can pole right? Lol! ;p
But I think about the conversation I’d have to have with my family and friends when they come over to my place and I don’t know if I can handle it yet. Or rather, if they can handle it!
Do you guys use X-poles? Thanks so much for your replies! 🙂
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I bought my first xpole after my first lesson in a studio. Practicing once per week was not enough for me. I did a 6 week class in a studio then did a few private lessons cause no one was offering intermediate classes but they were too expensive and I was progressing much faster at home with the Art of Pole DVD series. I do go to a studio about once every couple months not to learn but just because its fun getting together with other girls to practice with plus they have higher poles than I do at home. The cost to pole in s studio all the time is really expensive if you compare it to other fitness memberships.
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I did studio lessons and home poled at the same time right form the start. im a lil addicted to pole. lol. my studio closed. so now im glad that i got a pole at home. in my experience, my pole at home was less confident then at the studio at the beginning. i think that was cuz i wasnt confident and liked hearing what i needed to fix and so forth. now i pole at home w 2 poles (one on spin and one on static) and flip cam. that way i can see what i need to fix.
imo, studios tend to be expensive but there is nothing like someone w experience showing you the way. that being said, having a pole at home can only improve ur skill. and the lessons on here are great. i also luv the jamilla dvds. same style of teaching i think.
btw, my first pole was a platinum stage and i didnt like the experience form purshasing to delivery. misisng parts and scratched pole. etc. i now have xpoles. the poles are great (tg 45s) and their customer service is incredible!!!!!
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Sorry to all you X-pole dealers out there. My pole is an X-pole rip off, 45mm chrome. I love it so much, there was no way I could afford the real deal, including shipping it was close to $500 at the time. I saved a couple hundred bucks, and still got a great pole. It is extrememly safe and sturdy, it is identical in design to the x-pole, and unless you looked very closely I think you'd have a hard time knowing it isn't a real one. To be honest, I am hoping to get a second pole later this year, and I will probably buy another one that is the same. They are even cheaper now because the new x-pole design is out, and even though bottom loading sounds great, I've heard so many people complain about the new x joint I think I'll just stick to my chinese rip-off pole. 🙂
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@dustbunny lol. cant blame u there. if the quality is similar then u got a steal!!!! good for u!!!!
ive never had an issue with the xjints. u just gotta read the instructions carefully or just call em and they will work w ya!!!!
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Dustbunny – what is the name of the pole you have? I’m looking to buy a second pole and don’t want ti spend too much.
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I just got my own pole in Jan after from taking classes for almost 5 yrs. Due to spacing, it cant stay at my house. Its in my moms laundry room. I have a key to her house and anytime I want to come and pole I just come on in!
The game plan for me is to still take class once a week and what I learned in class, I work on at my at home sessions.
For me, I love the studio I go to and the girls who are both clients and instructors. Its great to get a socialization hour in for me since my schedule can get pretty crazy. My biggest issue with them is that I feel like they dont want to be helpful to any studio but them. I feel like you mention 'the enemy', they dont want anything to do with you. Ive paid alot of money to stay with them and continue classes. Ive been a big unpaid spokesperson for them and brought in lots of new client. Maybe a bit more respect would be appreciated.
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I don't think it has a name, or if it does I don't know what it is. It just came in an unmarked box, with the x-pole instructions and a copy of the x-pole dvd. Stupid dvd didn't even work right, haha. I bought it on ebay. They were using x-pole's advertising pics and descriptions, but they never once actualy called it an x-pole. I know that doesn't help much, sorry.
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So I don't have a pole at home (yet! just waiting on it to be shipped!) but I'm really loking forward to be able to play on it any time! While I love taking classes, I also just love cranking up the music and rocking out solo! I think it will also help me progress faster and I can watch youtube and SV videos while practicing now!
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After attending one pole party at a studio I found a platinum stages pole on Craigslist, it was a bit banged up after living in someone's back yard but it worked. I have yet to take another lesson, and I haven't really gotten any better, but I love having a pole at home.
I have a "broken" knee and there are a lot of moves that I will never get to do, but for excercise and stretching the pole is great because I can lean on it.
The stage was really too small, I am 5'9" and so with heels there was almost no pole left. I added an extension and that helped. Finally a handy friend helped me to take down a half wall and actually install the pole. We did it for pennies, but he is a carpenter and really knew how to do it. Now I have 9' of pole in my house. I also got two huge door mirror and I have the best set up. Sorry to brag, but I love it!
Privacy is the thing, I am still working this out. I like to dance alone, because, well, I guess I am shy. But, I know that is not the safest. So, I don't do it enough
I am encouraged by all of you and hope to one day really get at it. Thanks for being here to share and let me share too.
Rock n' Pole!
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After attending one pole party at a studio I found a platinum stages pole on Craigslist, it was a bit banged up after living in someone's back yard but it worked. I have yet to take another lesson, and I haven't really gotten any better, but I love having a pole at home.
I have a "broken" knee and there are a lot of moves that I will never get to do, but for excercise and stretching the pole is great because I can lean on it.
The stage was really too small, I am 5'9" and so with heels there was almost no pole left. I added an extension and that helped. Finally a handy friend helped me to take down a half wall and actually install the pole. We did it for pennies, but he is a carpenter and really knew how to do it. Now I have 9' of pole in my house. I also got two huge door mirrors and now, I have the best set up. Sorry to brag, but I love it!
Privacy is the thing, I am still working this out. I like to dance alone, because, well, I guess I am shy. But, I know that is not the safest. So, I don't do it enough
I am encouraged by all of you and hope to one day really get at it. Thanks for being here to share and let me share too.
Rock n' Pole!
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