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Which pole certification to get?
I’ve been looking very seriously at the OC Fitness pole instructor certification, and I was wondering if anyone has any feedback about it? Is there another certification that people recommend more? I am pretty excited to get studying, so I am looking forward to any commentary!
Thanks!
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14 Replies
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I haven’t looked at their certs but I am going through Empwerment Through Exotic Dance’s program currently and it’s AMAZING! Mary Ellyn is giving you 10 years worth of experience as a pole dancer and a pole instructor not to mention she was a nurse understands how pole effects the body. Her program covers a lot of safety info but not just student safety but instructor safety – how do you spot a student and make sure you don’t get hurt so youcan teach another day? The program also covers business considerations and gives you all the ins and outs of running a business, opening a studio, liability, insurance (each instructor needs their own insurance.)
The program also comes with a DVD chock full of moves – I got a lot of new basics out of it which is great for returning students, you can add more things/variations to your lesson plan to suit more people AND to just change up your choreo a bit.
Her program assumes you can pole dance so it teaches you EVERYTHING you would ever need to know about teaching. IT’s very thorough and in my opinion worth every penny. I got a lot out of it.
The intermediate section even teaches you HOW to run multi level classes!!!!!!
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Charley, can the program be done long distance?
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YBB, it can be done long distance, talk to Mary Ellyn if youa re interested – I am long distance, I just needed her present for the testing portion. It has bena great experience.
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Sorry to be dense, but that’s Empyrean, right?
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yes lol that is Empyrean – she’s on facebook as "Mary Ellyn Weissman" too.
and you’re not dense – i have a hard enough time remembering one name for people muchless screen names and real names! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif
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there are many certifications – Climb and Spin, Vertical Dance, ETED, Discoveries (thats done by Angel1201) etc. I would just look at them first and see what your getting for the price. I want to become an instructor but im starting with the real basics – im saving up for the group fitness certification by ACE. I would like the be certified in as much as I can but my hands on. You can never stop learning!
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Thanks for the recommendation Charley!!!
We have done many long distance certifications which as Charley mentioned, you need only be present for the written test. So you come in and take 2 days worth of classes the completed the practical by video if you like, but you have to start with us in the studio. You also have to attend a few of our classes (it’s part of the package) to observe and student teach.
We also have an internship program for "inexperienced" dancers which includes 30 hours of private lessons and a year’s worth of free classes in our studio and strangely enough, most people who take it are our long distance learners.
If travel is not an option and you dont live near a location that offers a program you like, the Vertical Dance online certification is an awesome program.
No matter what you do, the group fitness certification (as MiniCooperGirl mentioned) through AFAA or ACE is a great course to add to your pole certification.
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empy’s program is very very good. And it not only teaches you how to teach pole it has a business considerations part to it that helps you with opening a studio or even just knowing more about the business end for working for someone else. I’m part way through the program right now (have taken both my written tests need to do my practicals, it will take me longer to complete then someone like charley who is a more advanced dancer she had to work much more with me on moves I had no clue about.
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Thank you SO much for the feedback, everyone! I am actually in the middle of studying for my personal trainer certification through ACE, so while it’s not the group trainer, I hope that a lot of the basic concepts are the same. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif I’m really going to have to sit down and look through all the wonderful options that you all provided. I had no idea there were so many to choose from!
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hey ladies– just to let y'all know– marlo fisken and kyra johannsen from Body & Pole/Crunch in NYC have been collaborating to create a new pole fitness instructor certification. it's called the X-Pert Pole Fitness Teacher Training Certification. the program is AFAA and ACE credited, is PFA recognized and approved, and is sponsored by Crunch Gyms nationwide and X- Pole. just putting it out there as another option! =) they've been working on this for a loooooong time and more details will be availalbe soon =)
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Wow, a training led by Marlo & Kyra? Totally kick ass! I can't wait to hear more about this. I'd love to take their certification!
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If you are interested in learning more about attending, or hosting an X-pert teacher training please email me ( m.fisken@umiami.edu ). It is accredited by ACE and AFAA, the only nationally recognized group exercise certifications and provides continuing education credits. In 16 hours of training you will learn everything you need to instruct a beg-int pole fitness class (In the Level 1/2. There are also levels 3/4 and 5). You will learn the breakdowns, progressions, spotting techniques, exercise science, class formats, and techniques to help you be a phenomenal instructor.
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our studio is actually hosting the X-Pert cert this weekend, but I believe you can also get it at the Crunch gyms out on the west coast.
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Thanks for the great responses! It's exciting there are so many wonderful options to be able to choose from now. On the 28th of March, I took my ACE PT exam and passed- woohoo! (Interestingly, I'd just started working at one of the Crunch's in San Francisco that week.) Sadly, I JUST BARELY missed being able to take the X-pert certification- that last bit of ACE prep took priority. Sigh.
I am currently in the process of obtaining my level 1 (just tested) and level 2 (just took the course) certifications through Pole Position Fitness (also accredited), though next time that X-pert does a certification in the area, I would love to attend. 🙂 Marlo, I will definitely email you about more information when you will able to do another one out here!
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