You have the agony of choice when searching for the perfect pole dance pole. There are many factors to consider. Should it be freestanding or tension-mounted, coated or stainless steel? And then there's the vast array of brands to choose from.
Consider carefully whether you really need a pole at home. Often, albeit admittedly beautiful decorations, they end up just taking up space in the apartment because one ultimately prefers to train in the studio.
I've had the opportunity to test poles from various brands, so I'd like to share my experience and recommendations with you. But let's start with some general information.
Spinning or Static
Pure Static Pole
Spinning & Static Pole with threading
Spinning & Static Pole with Quick-Spin feature
I recommend getting a pole with a spinning function from the start since sooner or later, you'll want to try spinning and would then need to buy a new pole. The latest poles often come with a Quick-Spin feature, so you don't need an Allen key to switch to spinning. This is really convenient, although depending on the system, it can sometimes lead to unintentional switching during flow work.
Pole Diameter
50mm
45mm
42mm
40mm
My recommendation is the 45mm pole. It's the standard in our pole world and is also used for most championships. If you have particularly small hands, a narrower pole might be useful for you.
Types of Poles
Freestanding poles (Stage)
Tension-mounted pole with ceiling plate
Tension-mounted pole with ceiling bracket
Pole-Away System
Flying Pole
Whirlpool Pole
Typically, for a rented apartment, a tension-mounted pole with a ceiling plate is the most sensible choice since it doesn't require drilling. However, keep in mind that it can leave marks on the ceiling and floor, depending on the material, and should be checked regularly. I witnessed firsthand what can happen if this isn't done. Fortunately, everything turned out fine, but the ceiling plate of the fallen pole could have caused serious damage.
So, check for the correct position with a spirit level and ensure it's properly tensioned before each training session. If you want more security, you can mount the pole in a fixed ceiling bracket. These can also come loose, but you'll notice in time before they fall. With the Pole-Away system, the pole can be fully stowed on the ceiling when not needed, provided there's enough space.
If you can't use a tension-mounted pole due to a plasterboard ceiling or other reasons, a ceiling construction by a professional or a stage is recommended. The stage is portable and can be assembled and stored away as needed. However, consider that the stage's platform can interfere with flow work, and the price is often significantly higher than that of a tension-mounted pole.
The Flying Pole is hung like a hoop and hangs completely in the air. The Whirlpool Pole is attached to the floor and hangs above like a hoop in the air.
Currently, particularly in Germany, X-Pole, Lupidpole, Pole4You, and AGM (aka The Pole) are well-known. I've tested all four and am a big fan of The Pole, but the other brands are also recommendable. Only complaints about the quality of X-Pole seem to be accumulating in my circle. I recommend finding a studio that uses these brands and testing the poles. You can find The Pole stages, for example, at Poleland in Düsseldorf, Pole4You at Nordpole in Hamburg, Lupidpole at Polearize in Bochum, and X-Pole in most studios.
Pole Coating
Chrome
Stainless Steel
Brass
Titanium Gold
Powder coating
Silicone
Due to my skin type (dry skin), I prefer stainless steel poles. However, the same coating can give different grips depending on the brand. For example, I have much better grip on the stainless steel pole from The Pole than on the one from X-Pole. Again, it's best to test it out! You can find details as well as advantages and disadvantages of coatings here.
Make sure to buy a high-quality pole, unless you want to end up in a pole fail video one day. Jokes aside, a cheap pole that isn't designed for the sport can be incredibly dangerous. So, it's better to invest a bit more in a durable and safe pole!
I hope this answers your questions and gives you an idea of which pole might be right for you. If you have any further questions, feel free to message me on Insta (@hallofpole).
Enjoy your pole!
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