polekitcat started this discussion ·
Do you think pole studios that have lots of poles are safe and effective? What has been your experince with studios that have lots of poles? Do you prefer smaller class sizes where you get more bang for your buck or larger? What's is a good number of students for one instructor to handle?
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I don't think it would be possible to give each student the needed attention in a class that big. My class had 6 poles for students and 1 for the teacher. No sharing of poles either. I think the most I've seen is 8 poles.
This is similar to the discussion the other day about the number of students per instructor. It depends on what type of format you are teaching and at what level. If everyone is walking around the pole and never lifting off the ground or only doing simple spins you can manage more students in class than if they are doing moves which have more risk to them. I cannot believe that someone can safely manage watching more than 6 or 8 students at a time at any level past very beginner or floorwork and transition. You also have to consider the quality of time you are able to give students. If you have 15 people in a cardio pole/fitness type class they may not expect or even need individual attention. Like something where they watch you and follow as simply as they would in a traditional dancercise class. But anything which requires any one on one attention, like adjustments in hand position, leg or foot placement, let alone safe body mechanics you're not providing the attention they deserve and need unless you keep the number lower. Therefore why would you ever need more than 8 poles? Unless doing something like a simple cardio class with lots of walks, turns, grounded spins, and simple spins.
I would not attend a pole class in a studio with that many poles/students at the level I'm at now (int./adv.) I don't thing you could possibly get the level of instruction, attention, and safety as a pole studio teaching under 10 students. If I were an instructor at a studio like that I would feel extremely uncomfortable with that many students. For cardio/conditioning, very basic pole, or parties, it would most likely be fine. But then the studio should limit enrollement for more experienced students. Just my opinion.
You all make wonderful point. I only allow 6 students per each class at my studio. However, there are studios that boast about being the biggest. In my own opinion bigger does not mean better.
opielee ·
I feel the same way in terms of class size for pole dancing,I used to take an open level class that had an upwards of 30 students,I learned only as much as I could but was always frustrated that I didn't advance further and that was why,I was sharing poles with five others and was afraid to try anything advanced because I didn't have the instructor's attn.it took me two plus yrs to finally just leave and go to a studio where the levels are more broken down and class size tops out at 12 the most and usually average under ten
JeHanne ·
Personally that class size would be too large for me to pay to attend. The largest class size I have enjoyed is 8 students. The instructor would break us up into two groups so she could keep her eye on us while doing our pole moves. I have also observed the instructor having an assistant instructor when the class sizes are 8-12 students. That is a little confusing in a 'too many cooks in the kitchen' kind of way. I prefer smaller classes 8 students max... that way I feel I can really get the focus and attention that allows me to progress.
Absolutly agree: my Studio have 8 poles but I prefer to work with 4 or 5 students. It's a personal choice. I give a lot of quality time to my girls. Of course I have to work more but it's my choice for more safety, fun and work.
I wouldn't mind a studio with 20+ poles. I like that idea rather than two on one pole unless its a doubles class anyway. I am sure lots of instructors would be able to make it safe and effective.
I am not a fan of larger classes. The mininum at my studio now is 5 girls, and the max is 10. Even with 10 girls, it's cramped and I think difficult.
My studio has 20 poles - 1 for the instructor and 19 for students. We dont share poles either. Ive felt held back a few times due to the class size (which ive mentioned in a post previously), but alot of us advance girls will spot each other and help each other if the instructor is working with someone else. I dont know how my instructor does it, I would much rather have less than 10 so I can get some personal time on learning the moves.
RikkiL ·
I would not feel comfortable being responsible for the safety of that many people and would definitely want another instructor in the room to patrol and watch where I couldn't be. I think 10 is the max I'd be comfortable with and that's pushing it!
RikkiL ·
I need to rephrase that.... 10 girls/5 poles is the max I'd be comfortable with.
I personally would hate to share a pole. Class is already pricey enough without having to lose time on a pole sharing it with another girl. It would make me feel like the teacher is trying to pack as many girls into a class as possible...
I've taken classes both ways and I prefer sharing a pole. I actually think sharing helps promote bringing women together. When you don't share a pole its too easy not to mingle and help support the other ladies. I can't even tell you the names of the girls in the classes I took (a couple of sessions with the same girls) where I didn't share a pole, but I can for classes that I only took 1 lesson and shared a pole.
RikkiL ·
Sensualscimitar, that's how I feel about studios that have too many poles for the instructor to safely monitor (and especially about the studios that don't have enough space around their poles!). Nymph, I totally agree with that!
Nymph - I never shared a pole, and never had a problem not mingling with my classmates. We were always laughing and having a good time. The classes were always pretty small (3-5 girls.)
I taught in a studio with only 2 poles. My classes were never larger than ten for beginners and 6-8 for higher levels. I found it worked out particularly well for beginners because they benefitted from watching each other learn. Plus I have yet to see someone on their first class who could take being on the pole literally the entire hour without dying the next day. I know this wouldn't be preferable for everyone, but we made it work. My classes worked out to be about $10/class. I didn't feel as though anyone was getting ripped off. I occasionally pay $20 to drop in on Michelle Mynx's advanced class. Each of her two pole rooms has two poles and we take turns. I don't feel as though I'm wasting my money. The classes there are also small, no more than ten. We take turns, and I do feel with the advanced class that I learn from watching others and sometimes after doing a new move those couple times it doesn't hurt to have that moment to rest and think about what worked or didn't work on those attempts, talk it over with the other students or ask any questions about something that doesn't feel right. I've also been in studio situations where everyone has their own pole, and honestly I find that I tend to stop and watch other people's attempts to help myself learn and to be supportive of the other students. So when you factor in the time I spend watching, in-between attempts of wiping the pole, taking a quick water break, that there's not TON of difference in actual amount of time spent with body on the pole in either setting. At least not enough difference that I've felt like I wasted my money.
there were only 3 other girls in the classes I took with us each having a pole. There was so little interaction it was actually sad. I never got the "I got to go out and have fun poling with the girls" it was more I could have gone and worked out with weights next to my neighbor and had more interaction :( My studio is going to have 5 poles with max 8 students.
and I'm envious of PDR being able to go to Michelle's studio :) they all share 2 poles and they are the most fun closest knit group of people I have ever come across.
At my studio... We all know eachother ... We don't share poke but become a support system. I find it weired that ppl don't become close while taking pole. We don't share poles but the girls will cheer on the next person for mastering a move and even laugh together and joke when being introduced to new move they think they will never master. I love our little pole community. However, prior to opening I attended a studio where I had to share a pole... Thank God it was with my sister. I definetly didn't feel like it was worth the hour after doing 30 mins of Abs, waiting for the instructor who played around way to much to choose her favorite song, and other issues. When sharing pole classes should Definetly be longer than an hour. But againg we don't share poles and this has not effect on the relationships we form, because we are constantly doing things to pull the girls together. We are a little family. #TeamFitKittens
@PoleDanceRomance I am in St Louis too! And I STILL need to get my butt over to Michelle's studio for a class! At Fitchix we have 2 studios, 1 has 2 poles and the other has 5. We limit our 2 pole class to 10 girls, but we also have a PS star stage that I set up, so really 3-4 to a pole. I like being able to watch less people so I can give better feedback to each student. In our 5 pole studio we offer workshops limited to 10 girls, but it is still very challenging to keep an eye on everyone. We also have an open pole class that is limited at 20, it can be a bit chaotic, but typically this class is more about strength training and spins. We do have some girls who have been poling over a year now, so they are great about helping out our newer ladies and spotting each other for more advanced tricks.
polekitcat - That is how my classes were and I loved it. I'm a bit of a pole hog, so I like having my own pole. That doesn't mean I wasn't cheering on other girls and chatting up a storm (I am such a talker...)
the classes I was in that had one per pole I never saw anyone else do a trick because we were all doing it at the same time. I didn't care for the way the class was format at all.
Instructors Definetly have to be creative when it comes to class structure and building relationships between students. At the end of some of my classes I like to let each girl perform. This is a plus. They love this and being able to watch eachother and pick up new ideas.
The studio I attend in Toronto (Brass Vixens) has 12 poles...we each have our own pole usually 6-10 girls/boys + the instructor in the advanced co-ed class...I guess it depends on the studio and the membership, we are all super supportive of each other and a tight knit group..I've never had to share a pole (the studio does not over book) which I'm pleased about...All that being said, I have never felt left behind or forgotten by an instructor I always get my fair share of feeback and correction. To each there own...as long as the studio is safe, fun and supportive.
