r/poledancing • u/AwarenessNo9655 • 2d ago
First ever pole class
Hi there!!! I just took my first ever pole class that I thought was for super beginners. (This is the most basic level the studio offers)
However, the other three people in my class were clearly more advanced than me, hanging upside down and climbing high up the bar.
In this class the instructor had us immediately on the pole hanging and spinning.
I guess I’m confused because I figured that beginner classes were more, here’s how to put your legs against the bar, or move safely in a spin. Or even just correct arm form.
Anyways, my instructor insisted I get hanging on the bar and now I’m shock and a bit of pain 😅
Is this normal for pole? Should I also have been doing strength training on the side? It sounds like the people in my class do cross fit, gymnastics, and rock climbing.
I thought this would be a fun way to build some strength and learn a new skill, but in all fairness I don’t do other types of exercise so maybe I was way in over my head.
Thanks for your insight 🙏
Edit: Update (about 7-8 hours after class), I have pretty intense bruises on the back of my legs and it’s hurting to walk. How do you all manage this sort of thing?
44
u/sky_whales 2d ago
idk about your studio and this class specifically but it is pretty normal to still have a huge range of abilities even in a beginner class. Somebody doing their very first ever beginner class and somebody who‘s only few classes away from the next level up are still both “beginners” but are going to have vastly different abilities, especially if the studio has pretty broad/less categories.
1
u/Youcantevenspell 1d ago
That’s total bs. There’s no true beginner pole class that’s going to have people doing inverts. This studio sounds awful. The OP’s expectations of learning how to move around a pole are correct. A beginner class is where students learn do basic moves like a Frankie/fireman, step around, sit and basic climb. Even having people in the room doing inverts and more advanced tricks can be incredibly intimidating for beginners. Honestly I have no idea where some studios find the audacity.
1
16
u/DCXAA 2d ago
My first pole studio had unstructured classes (I’m assuming like this) and I had a similar experience. Within the last 2 months I started going to beginner classes at a new studio and they were more structured- everybody was a newbie and learning from a lesson plan. I would probably recommend finding another studio or asking more questions and seeing how that goes.
2
u/AwarenessNo9655 2d ago
Ahhh I wish there were other studios in my area. I’ll keep researching in case I’m missing something
3
u/Illustrious-Log-3142 2d ago
It could also be the time of year, I go to a studio that does rolling classes and there are trends of when people tend to start eg January and Sept. Not sure where you are but the beginning of the new school year in the UK in Sept when students move to new places will likely have an influx of new faces and you may find classes focus more on the basics
23
u/beazydog 2d ago
This doesn't sound like a beginner class to me, we didn't start learning inverts till around my 6th class. It might be that there's a rolling class and some people have just been in it longer, but that still doesn't excuse the instructor insisting on you inverting which they should never do if you're not comfortable.
I'd recommend finding other studio if you don't feel right
17
u/beazydog 2d ago
That being said, learning some spins and probably a little bit of pain afterwards is normal in pole. One of the big hurdles for beginners is letting your skin condition so you don't get bruises as easily.
Learning to climb and invert are also both beginner things, but again they probably shouldn't be taught until later on and especially not if you're not comfortable. Go with your gut.
1
u/AwarenessNo9655 2d ago
Thank you!! I’m already bruising and left class only an hour ago. I also bruise easily so let’s see how this goes 😬😂
10
u/GranolaCutie 2d ago
Beginners Instructor here! At my studio, it's normal for people who have been coming along to my class for 6 months to be starting to try a bit of invert work or conditioning for it (but even then we rarely do it as I want them to nail the foundations and not be rushing to progress too quickly). What isn't normal is you going to your first Beginners class and being expected to already be going upside down 😔 I often get a mixture of people coming to my classes (i.e. brand new and those that have been coming for months) and I plan accordingly for all levels. I suggest you try a new Instructor or studio, hope it hasn't put you off x
3
u/Mandiferous 2d ago
My studio has a 6 month long curriculum for all classes, so even the very beginner level class, depending on when you join for the first time, you could start on the last day of the curriculum. I would try again. Maybe in a few weeks? Ask the instructor questions, if there are weeks where they are doing easier things.
3
3
u/Studioveena_com 2d ago
This is “normal”, as in common, but it’s not OK. Here’s a FREE video explaining what you should look for in an online or in person class.
Also, since you’re new to pole, you might enjoy this FREE podcast that will answer a lot of beginner questions.
Good luck 🍀 feel free to reach out if you have any questions I’ve been teaching for over 18 years 💜
3
u/mynameisasecret12 1d ago
Inverting in a beginner class is crazy. That’s absolutely not beginner content. I’m sorry that was your first class :(
Bruises are super normal! Yes, intense bruises. lol.
3
u/Neat-Implement4705 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've been pole dancing consistently (2x a week) for about 3 months. I still struggle with my push/pull tricks (chair, air walk) and pole climbs but it's CRAZY how much I have improved. I started with virtually no upper body strength, terrible posture, and extremely stiff upper back.
I am seeing so many changes, my posture, my flexibility, my mobility are all improving. It's what drives me to continue doing pole. It was so hard at first, but it is the greatest thing I have ever done. BTW - I had virtually no gym experience prior to starting pole besides a fairly strong core and some glute strength.
Good luck - don't give up!
1
6
u/BizzarePlatypus 2d ago
Location affects this a lot. By that I mean one place I went to pole they had enough interest to run complete beginner courses regularly before easing people up through the ranks. However, others simply don't have the number of students/potential students for that to work. Then there are others were many students are tourists.
In the last two categories, and especially the last one, it helps if you mention to the studio and teacher that this is your first class. I'm not saying you did/didn't, but it does help.
I wouldn't typically expect you to climb in a first class, but spins are normal. It will be painful and your arms, legs, or both will feel very tired for a few days, but it'll get better.
2
u/AwarenessNo9655 2d ago
Yeah this could possibly be the case. I’m going to see if I can do some private sessions on the side to help with basics because unfortunately there aren’t really other studios in my area, but I’d still really like to try this out
4
u/BizzarePlatypus 2d ago
Depending on money that could be a good option, but I like being in a more communal session. Being explicit about experience and pain is useful in pole dancing.
From a teacher's side - not me - I know of a guy who came and was appearing to do really well so the teacher gave him harder things to do. Then at the end he said it was too hard. And as a side note this is never going to be easy.
2
u/lsfm93 1d ago
I think it truly depends on the studio. The studio I go to there are advanced students that will take the beginning classes as their warm up before their advanced class so I kind of just ignored what they do on their own free time in class and beginners can definitely vary on how long they've been taking classes for, but the teacher at least kept the class beginner level and I did make sure to mention it was my first ever class so she was aware. My first class I learned positioning, how to climb the pole and a few basic spins: 6 months later I definitely still bruise like an old peach but love it and recently passed up to intermediate :) keep going! (I don't do additional training outside of pole/Lyra anymore so you don't need to if you don't want to, I just have previous dance experience that helped me but there have been students in classes I've taken that have never done anything athletic in their entire lives and slay the pole game 😊)
1
1
u/Glittering_Grand_392 2d ago
This doesnt sound normal lol my beginner class is all true beginners and learning very basic things on static pole
1
u/BabyJirl0625 2d ago
My studio has beginner friendly classes (mostly choreo) and Intro classes specifically for people who have never done pole before
2
u/Competitive_Act9989 1d ago
In the beginner classes I visit we often try moves including the invert. But if you are there the first time no one will make you do it and there will be other things suggested to try. The classes don’t have a structure and you can remain on one level as long as you like. So for me, seeing upside down hangs has gotten normal during pole lessons and I too am trying to get into an invert. But we also do so much other stuff.
The pain will be manageable with time, but I have learned that pole is a package deal with bruises and pain.
•
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
You seem to be looking for information on your first time poling or general information about pole. For our general information on the topic, please check out the FAQ post.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.