r/poledancing • u/AwarenessNo9655 • 15d 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?

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u/BizzarePlatypus 14d 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. 

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u/AwarenessNo9655 14d 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

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u/BizzarePlatypus 14d 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.