What Happens at Pole Dance Class?
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I still remember how nervous I was before my first pole dance class. I had no concept of how difficult the class might be, and there weren’t really a lot of answers to my questions online. I’ve now attended four different pole dance studios and taken a variety of lessons over the last three years, and even attending a new studio doesn’t feel so intimidating anymore.
If you are thinking about taking an intro pole dance class, there are a few things you should know.
Dress the Part
My first piece of advice is to wear clothes that will make your first pole dance class easier. You’ll want to wear short shorts (seriously, the shortest shorts you have) and a tank top or sports bra. You’ll want to have as much contact as possible between your skin and the pole. The more contact you have with the pole, the easier class is going to be.
Class Starts With a Warmup
Every pole dance class I’ve attended starts with a warmup to get your muscles moving. You’ll probably do some light aerobics and movements for about 5 to 10 minutes. One class I took started with some meditation and light yoga, whereas another started with some jumping jacks and sprints across the studio. Every instructor has a different style.
Pole Dance Conditioning
Next, most classes focus on conditioning. For beginners, this often involves simply lifting your body while holding the pole and holding the pole and bringing the knees to the chest. The goal is to build strength and mobility on the pole.
Climbing the pole is usually part of pole conditioning as well, and I have found that it is the most difficult barrier to entry for new pole students. The good news is that once you get it, it just clicks. You’ll suddenly have access to so many more moves.
The key to getting your climb? First, you need to understand proper form (don’t try to climb with your feet). Building strength is also going to be a great help, but pole dance will help you grow stronger with each lesson even if you aren’t hitting the gym.
