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What do you look for in a Pole Fitness Dance Studio?
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There's only one studio in the area where I live, so I didn't have to do any comparison shopping.
Things I liked:
– One girl to a pole
– Classes came in 6 week packages, but you could reschedule classes as needed if you couldn't make it to your scheduled class one week.
– Instructors were Super friendly, encouraging, helpful, and it was easy to get their attention to get them to demonstrate a move for you or watch if you had questions.
– Studio was small, but they made the most of their space – paint and decor was tasteful, bathroom was clean (They even kept a basket with a variety of tampons on the back of the toilet!)Things I didn't like:
– If you couldn't make it to class, you had to call 8 HOURs before your classtime to cancel. If you didn't you lost your class.
– Only open from 6:30p to 10:30p on weekdays – there was no one at the studio during the day to answer calls.
– Students were required to take a certain number of classes at each level before being allowed to move up to the next level – For example, beginning students have to take 24 classes at Level 1 before being allowed to move up to Level 2. At 10 classes, I had instructors telling me "we need to get your 24 classes done so you can move up!" I don't like having to pay my way through the program – move students up as they prove their ability! I never even signed up for a 3rd 6-week round because I hadn't learned any new moves in my second round, just worked on the same ones I learned in the first round.
– In the evening classes, they would turn off the overhead lights and only have some disco/club lights on. Dim, dark, it was hard to see yourself in the mirror to see what you were doing, and I thought, 'If _I_ can't see me, I'm sure the instructor can't see me! I'm all for dimming the lights when working on floorwork, booty moves, sensual dance, but it should only be DIM, not DARK.
-During my second round, one pole in the studio was out of order, and stayed that way for the entirety of the 6-week session. Also, the wood flooring around a few of the working poles (there were only 9 poles in the studio) was starting to tear up, the joints where the pieces of wood met had been worn away causing holes and pits in the floor. Also, the 'static' poles were not bolted to the flanges, and if you had a death-grip (like me and most beginners) the pole WOULD grudgingly rotate. This was scary, surprising because it tended to happen when you least expected it, and distracted me from the move I was trying to perform. Keep everything in your studio in good repair, and when something breaks, get it fixed!!A lot of people mentioned how close the poles are in their studio – This wasn't much of a problem in my local studio, unless we were doing extended moves – arabesques, etc. I imagine as polers got more advanced, this would become more of an issue with flying moves, etc.
Just my 2 cents.
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It's so good that you are asking what people want! I love love love that!
For me personally I don't feel being "pole certified" right now is a big concern for me as far as instructors go. Until there is a standard I am almost scared of all the cert I see out there. Here where I am in the Charleston area there is a studio that has their "own cert" and personally I think its no better then the one I can print from my own printer 🙁 I do however look for other thinks like a back ground in pole, fitness, dance, cheer I love a studio who make sure that the trainers are CPR trained and have some personal training cert from places like ACE.
I look for studio that allow drop ins. I like to travel and take a class when I can and studios that are open to that warm my heart. I also love the studios that offer unlimited classes. A variety in the class schedule is a huge plus and places that offer day AND evening classes. Another huge thing for me is seeing instructors that love what they do! I don't want to take a class from someone who is just there to get thru the end of the class.
I agree with MissKitty83 I don't want to "pay" to advance ….if a student has the skills and strength needed to move up in skill then…….move them up or they just get discouraged….spinning around the pole is fun but eventually they want more 🙂
I agree about the website needing to be up to date and interactive.
Just some of my thoughts on what draws me in to a studio 🙂 Sounds like you are already on the way to having a wonderflul place!
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Good topic.
First, a good website. Give a lot of information and pricing. Six week classes are great for me, but if you can't do a class, offer a makeup class structure. Keep it to about six girls per class maximum so that the ones having some issues can get the help they need.
Second, lots of drop in classes and teaser classes to bring in customers.
Third, keep the lighting low. It gets hot in there with the spinning and poles get too slippery.
Fourth, staff that is upbeat and friendly. No cell phones unless you have an absolute emergency.
The eviornment should be supportive and fun, a sense of comaraderie. This is one of the things that I love about the studio that I go to. I know she is more expensive than everyone else, but considering that her staff get constant training and there are always new things to learn, I think it becomes more cost effective.
I am not as fast at picking up tings as the others in my class, but never once has anyone ever made me feel less than what I am. In fact, they have always made me feel like I have accomplished something even when it is small.
That is the testement of a good studio.
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I just wanted to say, I like it very much that in my studio there are always 2 girls per pole. This way, poles stay warm, and you get a little rest between trying to get a move done. Also, you can help each other, with spotting and holding the other girl. An instructor has to keep her eyes open, but seriously, she can't watch everybody all the time, having only 2 eyes https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif
Weekend workshops with the stars are great, if you can get them to come!
I personally like the 6 week programme. The instructors can get to know their students better if they come every week, and thus knoe their problems and strength better.
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Ideally,
– Clean floors!!!
At the yoga studio I go to, there are cleaners who come in and mop the floors and mats after Every single class, which keeps the place looking and smelling fresh! I wish they would do that at the pole studio too, cos there's always hair, dust from shoes and sometimes grip-streaks on the floor. I try not to think about what I'm sliding around on during floorwork or I'd have a grimace on my face instead of a come-hither expression!
– Instructors who don't play favourites
I feel this is something that probably slips by unnoticed everywhere, because girls who are slower or shy will probably not bring it up. It's very easy for instructors to 'fall in love' with the great students but IMO it takes the very best instructors to bring the less competent and confident ones out of their shell. Cos they're the ones most likely to feel too overwhelmed or intimidated to come back for another term and give you their business again.
It can really hurt when instructors yell out that their favourite girls 'have to stand in front!' and it means you have to get out of the way for them to take centre stage. Hey, how about equal opportunity?
ok random rant over! ;p
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Just remember that you can't please everyone. Personally, I like to think I can, but I'm not that delusional! Normally I'm a real softie, but since being in business, I've developed a pretty thick skin! You will make mistakes in your business, there probably is not one studio owner out there who wishes she/he hadn't done something different in the beginning!
I would say above all, outstanding customer service is key in any business, and pole/fitness is no different! My studio is small, but my girls are very happy there. The studio is clean, my poles are SAFE, my prices are reasonable, and my students are comfortable with me. The fact that my studio is small has really allowed me to get to know every girl that takes my classes. I've visited other studios and gotten lost amongst all the poles… Not a good feeling!
Make sure your students know they can come to you with any and all concerns they may have! (This is where it's good to have the aforementioned thick skin) I offer free pole time at my studio where the girls can come in (for free) and play on the poles. I do not instruct or do any poling myself, but am there to help them if they want/need it. These "open pole" nights, as we call them, are the best time to get feedback from your students!!!! The relaxed atmosphere allows them to open up. As an owner/instructor it is your job to ask for feedback!!!!! Even if they know they can come to you with their concerns, they probably won't, so YOU have to ask! Open pole time is priceless!
As far as websites go, my website has BOTH music and flash which I didn't think would be an issue…..until I started reading this thread….. maybe I'll have to re-think that!! Anyway, a clean, easy to navigate site is key! I don't keep any studio pics on my site, I put them on my studio's facebook page ~ Otherwise the site takes too long to download. I'm not a marketing expert, but I say put as much info on your site as possible ~ Even pricing! Even though my site has music and flash, it's very low key. The music is soft and the slideshow (which is only on the home page) rotates thru 3 different pics ~ All black & white and simple. Visitors can also turn the music off if they want. I use the music and flash to create an experience for my visitors ~ Some will like it, some won't. Over-all it has worked well for me. Your site is going to be a reflection of your business so keep it tidy and neat!!! You should also put at least one picture of your storefront on your site so when students are trying to find your studio, they will know what looks like from the outside! My studio pic is on the 'about' page.
I'll stop rambeling now 🙂 This is a GREAT topic, thanks for posting it!!!!
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All of the suggestions are great! I would like to add that when figuring out your price point know that not everyone has free time during the day…there never seems to be enough evening classes to me. – or they always seem to be beginner or intro classes. It is always annoying when the class prices drop significantly if you buy an unlimited monthly membership, but there are never enough evening/weekend classes to make it work – then you are stuck paying super high prices if you can only make one or two classes a week.
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the ladies here had great suggestions! there are a lot =)
i'll chime in and say that my primary concern is quality of teaching. i look for instructors with experience, respect from the pole community, and a dance style that i admire. i think that you build a good studio around the teachers. support them as much as possible with clear, concise, polite, responsive, and PROFESSIONAL customer service. have a liaison in place– like a studio manager– who will communicate with teachers and organize hours, substitutes, and deal with any issues that may arise so that teaching is kept joyful and they aren't stressed by dealing with admin issues. build a good relationship with them because if you have good teachers– passionate, knowledgable, charismatic, friendly, who genuinely love what they do– then students will see it and want to come back. students are loyal to a teacher, not necessarily a studio.
beginners are more influenced by what the studio looks like. you need a pretty, clean studio to get them in the door. but the intermediates and advanced students, who know what kind of instructing works for them, will only stay if you have quality teachers. i will rearrange my weekend, travel, or pay a premium to make class with one of my favorite instructors.
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What I personally look for in a pole studio…
1) Good website, including: up-to-date class descriptions/times, prices, instructors, studio/class policies, and last but not least, make sure the website is reflecting your fitness philosophy, whatever that may be. It if can be a snapshot of what your studio is about, people will know why they want to go there and not somewhere else. You can't be everything to everyone but promote your passion because people will respond to that!
2) Talented, professional, and knowledgeable teachers: Just because a girl can kill it on the pole, in the floor work, and transition beautifully, doesn't mean that she can teach anyone else to do the same, especially beginners or people with no dance experience to fall back on. Personally, I would consider fitness training/pilates/kinesiology etc certs and experience all more valuable than a pole certification, especially since they can be hard to come by. Teachers need to be experienced enough to promote safety and problem-solve different ways to teach the same skill to a group of people with different experience and abilities. Even in an advanced class, people learn different ways and have differing levels of body awareness. I would also require current CPR and First Aid certs for all teachers/assistants. Sometimes, insurance will require that anyways.
3) Clean and friendly studio (high ceilings if possible), and utilize the space you have well. If you don't have enough space for 8 poles, don't put 8 poles in just bc you want 8 students in each class. I think its nice to have all students with their own pole, especially in classes with enough experience that they can do more without tiring themselves out. However, I do not think its worth it if there isn't enough space to keep people from hitting each other/getting in each others space. It can be a safety issue, and with advanced students, it will be a problem. Even with beginning students, when the surprising things happen. I am a (sorta) tall girl and when I put shoes on, I need space. I do not feel safe if when I am working on skills where I might be kicking someone. Quality poles are also important to me. If I feel like I can break it or move it when using my weight in a spin, then I am not going to enjoy my pole time because I don't feel safe.
4) Customer Service and consistency with all clients on all class/studio policies. Don't play favorites or let your teachers because that alienates a lot of people very quickly (not everyone does this on purpose but it still happens). For example, decide about your class makeup policy (whether you allow them or not and, if so, how to track it bc that can be a deal breaker), determine the roles/responsibilities of your teachers (and how you will evaluate your studio/teachers/classes etc, student input can be invaluable and free), AND STICK WITH IT until you change it. There is nothing wrong with making changes. Nothing at all. But while something is studio policy, everyone should be subscribing to it. If you don't allow makeup classes, but you do it once for one student, expect people to be upset with not being treated equally. I have seen this get teachers in trouble and make students really upset… enough to leave a studio. It seems so obvious but it happens.
so that was long, hehe but I think I got what I find important in a dance studio. Granted, we all come from different backgrounds and likes/dislikes, but I hope this helps!
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What do I look for? Teacher Quality, Clean Floors, Nice Website, – personally, I dislike bronze and chrome so I prefer stainless steel. I don't like talking to an instructor who doesn't care about the pole community, either. I like them to know what's going on.
I guess I'm also WEIRD, so me personally, I look for a teacher who isn't going to give me stupid looks. If I would have beat your ass in highschool, I have no interest in you teaching me pole.
I like day classes and evening classes. I think evening classes are more important because lots of people work, but for those of us who don't and still want to attend class.. a single class during the week works pretty well.
I prefer pole dancing under pink lightbulbs. Black lights hide cellulite, but personally I'd rather see what I'm doing. Pink lightbulbs make the skin look great without making it impossible to see anything but your white shorts.
I like a mixture of drop in and curriculum classes. I do think you should monitor who goes into your drop ins so that you don't end up with people who shouldn't end up in a certain level of class.
I'm also going to polecon. I will be the fatty in the super short shorts & leg warmers. 😉
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I'm also going to polecon. I will be the fatty in the super short shorts & leg warmers. 😉
And you will rock out those short shorts and leg warmers!!!
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