Pole space questions...

MrsShadowKat started this discussion · 1/31/2012

Hi Veeners! I had some pole space questions for you... I'm a semi-new person to this site. I'm a beginner poler, I haven't really started out on any pole moves because I feel that I need to increase my upper body strength and lose some weight ( I currently weight 260, I used to weigh 270! 🙂 so I'm doing great!) Back to the questions, like I said I'm not doing any pole moves but I want to be prepared when I actually start. At my home I want to create a dance/workout space for myself. So how big should a pole space be? I'm also into hooping, yoga and dancing... I wanted to include all of that in my space... That was my first question. What are some essentials you should have in your pole space? I have an original x-pole (I love my x-pole!), but I was plotting of getting another one that is a one piece... I'm tied between platinum stages and lil mynx (I'm not sure which one is better because of my weight and all...). So yes what else should be in a pole space beside your pole? Thanks everyone! 🌸

10 replies

polergirl · 1/31/2012
Mirrors A good place to put a video camera Good lighting (ideally lighting that's also flexible so you can change up the atmosphere) As for how much room you need? As much as you can get! 😉 Floorwork can take up a lot of room (or not, but it is fun to travel around in such a slinky manner). You don't want to have to rein in your spins for lack of room, and you don't want to do like I used to and kick your laptop off your desk on a regular basis doing a reverse grab. 😀
RikkiL · 1/31/2012
Ideally, I'd have at least 6' of space all around the pole but you can get away with less. I have 4 1/2' around mine now which means no straddling into reverse grab and being careful of where I start my handspring. But hooping requires much more space than poling if you want to dance while hooping or do a lot of off-body stuff with it. There's a move where you hook your hoop on your foot and bring it around your back to pass to your hand - that requires around 6' and doesn't give you much play. Personally, bare minimun I'd want for hooping is a 10'x10' space and I think I'd still feel too boxed in. 😕
poledanceromance · 1/31/2012
I'd just like to kick my opinion in here for whatever it's worth. I am tallish (5'8"). My pole room dimensions are (I believe) 10'x12'. And it's not big enough. I don't have enough room to explore the space, partly because there are huge windows on two walls and a fireplace on one wall leaving only one open wall to play with. Normally then you would shoot video with the wall as background, but the room isn't big enough to set up a video camera and get the full length of the pole, the full length of the room, and the floor. I have to basically pick one. I can get the floor in if I don't show the full height of the pole. I can get the full length of the pole, but then it's a narrow view. Or I can get more width of the room, but you can't see my head or my legs. I know now that I would rather have either a bigger pole room or (more realistically) a pole area in a larger room. In my next house or apartment, not sure which it will be, I'll probably try to give myself as much room as possible around it. And I'd ONLY give that up if the difference was setting up in a larger room with carpet or a smaller room with solid floor. But that's my loathing for carpet talking ;)
Mary Ellyn · 1/31/2012
I am lucky enough to have most of the following in my home pole room...just not lucky enough to have the time to use it!! :( 1. The larger the floor space the better for floor work and sweeping into large spins 2. Large floor to ceiling mirror 3. Varied types of lighting for different atmosphere 4. Space for my computer in order to reference online pieces that I am working on 5. Hard floor...preferably wood or laminate 6. Great sound system for my music 7. Comfortable couch or dance chair in the room for any "special guest" 8. Extra wall space for wall work Consider things like beautiful pictures (up high out of the way) and rope lights or other nice lamps or wall sconces that give a cozy feeling to the room too! Don't choose "fun" colors but choose colors which inspire a mood in your room for you to dance with.
Dancing Paws · 1/31/2012
Man, if I could I'd have a rad floor like Lyme's. I hate dancing on carpet. Darn rug burn! As for pole height limits, you should call the companies and they can advise you on which pole is safest. Both companies are really helpful in answering questions. Good luck!
Krista Bocko · 1/31/2012
I have a great pole space but it requires moving furniture. Would love to have a dedicated pole room! I do have to take at least one pole down to get decent space to hoop. I have 6 feet between poles and can't move well when hooping.
lostbunny · 1/31/2012
I've got 9 little squishy foam mats around my pole for soft footing. My pole is locted in the back room with concrete flooring... so the mats are really handy for my space!! They're just those squishy ones you can get at Wal Mart that fit together like puzzle pieces... I think they're sold in packs of 4 and are advertised for kiddy play mats lol. Luckily I got mine all for free from someone moving!! :D Another essential, which I unfortunately don't have at the moment, are mirrors!! Also, don't forget your music and a handy place to set your video camera so you can watch yourself and improve!! :) And my newest 'pole piece' is my 'crash mat' which is actually a giant bean bag thats come in handy a few times :D
Lyme Lyte · 1/31/2012
Sensual, u put a smile on my face. I really needed it tonight too. Thanks for the "rad" comment.
Dancing Paws · 1/31/2012
😀 Your welcome. It's true though, your pole space is the bees knees.
MrsShadowKat · 2/1/2012
Thanks everyone for the great advice, I have several options for a place to do my poling. It will require a lot of cleaning and stuff but it wil be totally worth it. My pole space project will be something I'm going to do this summer when my college classes are over. Because I live so far from my campus I have to shuttle back and foreward from my college town to my home. I live in someone's basement in my college town, yeah I know... and yes it awful! very low ceilings just under 7 feet (The biggest flaw for my pole!) XD But it's all I need and afordable, I have my own bathroom and bedroom down there plus a big living area. Anyway back to the pole space thing, I want to decorate the area in my fav colors, and other things that inspire me. I'm also going to look for big mirrors, there is something about mirrors and dancing... I LOVE it! Next weekend I go home and start planning this. 😀