Purchasing an "off brand" pole?

ScoopAway started this discussion · 7/18/2013

Hi so most people recommend an x-pole. I don't know if I need 300 dollars to learn on? How do you feel about other poles with good reveiws. There are some on amazon for like 100 dollars. Like this http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Fitness-Exercise-Stripper-Spinning/dp/B005IPK7AU/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top would you suggest doing this or no? Anyone have experience with cheaper brands?

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22 replies

Monicasaerialadventures · 7/18/2013
These poles are so dangerous, I do not recommend them for anyone, they are mainly made for posing. They are made with plastic internals that will snap....I recommend just spending the300, its cheaper then a hospital bill that the other pole will get you
zzzzzz · 7/19/2013
Hi. I'm new here and to pole in general, but this is what I have and while I'm not doing anything really challenging yet, it seems to work for me for now. My sister just bought the same one after trying mine. I did add some plywood to distribute the pressure across three ceiling joists, and framed in the top dome with 1x3s to prevent slipping. Many of the reviews, including some by pole instructors, said it is comparable to the x-pole. It is definitely not the shower-rod type pole from the "Pole Dance Fail" videos on YouTube, if that is your worry. Because I had never done this before, and our finances are kind of tight right now, I could not have gotten the green light to buy an authentic x-pole. That would have been my ideal based on their reputation, but I didn't want to risk buying it and then finding that, for whatever reason, pole dancing just wasn't for me. I plan to use this one to start learning, and upgrade when a) we can afford to, and b) I'm skilled enough to convince my husband to let me put a pole in the middle of our living room (12' ceilings). Again though, I'm new and have only had my pole for about a month. I'm certainly no expert, but hopefully that helps and maybe one of the more experienced Veeners has tried this one can offer some insight on it's long term performance.
Veena · 7/19/2013
You might want to check out the studioveena pole! https://www.studioveena.com/shopping
chemgoddess1 · 7/19/2013
My first pole was a used Lil Mynx and I sold it for almost what I paid for it 4 years later. Check craigslist. You may be able to find a used GOOD pole. If you do not stick with it at least you can sell it for what you put into it. You cannot say that for the $100 pole that you posted. Also, I have said it before and I will say it again, there is no such thing as a safe pole for under $150. Is your safety really not worth it in your mind?
Monicasaerialadventures · 7/19/2013
So I was looking at the link you put up for the pole and I noticed that the pictures they have are some of the same pictures that xpole has in there instruction manual and website. This should be a huge warning that this pole isn't what it seems
Lyme Lyte · 7/19/2013
Veena, how tall does the SV pole go????
Webmaster · 7/19/2013
The SV pole can go to 10 feet, if you buy the 9 to 10 footer. It can also be custom cut to fit any one foot range under ten feet.
Lyme Lyte · 7/19/2013
Thanks Webbie!!!! ;)
ScoopAway · 7/19/2013
Yeah there are a ton of red flags here involving this pole. Shoot. I have a hard time trusting the reveiws. I guess I will go to my studio more often until I can get an x-pole. @Gigi - yeah thats what I was thinking. Im not super experienced yet so something like this could be for me. But I guess I dont want to have to buy another pole a year later. So Idk Ill think about it more. Its cool that you've tried it with no problems though.
Koidragon · 7/19/2013
Hi Scoopaway, I agree - DO NOT risk getting a 'cheaper' pole. There are so many second hand poles available all the time, whether xpole, pussycat pole or the SV pole - as people either stop using theirs or change to a different coating or diameter. I know you are thinking that the things you will be doing in the beginning might not warrant a stronger pole but this isn't the case - until you learn to properly control and engage all the right muscles, you will actually be putting all kinds of weird and wonderful pressure on your pole. And then once you do learn, you will be wanting to go upside down. I have personally seen some terrible things happen on these budget poles. I am sure that there will be people who haven't injured themselves on these, but the ones who have are numerous. I have learnt break falling so know how to land without hurting myself, and even so I would never take my weight off the ground with one of these poles, and unless you are only doing twirls for the bedroom, you are going to want something that can support your weight. The cheaper poles will end up costing you a lot more than you will save - whether you injure yourself, damage your ceiling or are lucky enough to just want to trade it in in 3 months time and find that no one else will touch it. I just bought an xpole from someone who got it as a gift and didn't want it, good poles can be found :) Plus - if it is already used, it will probably be broken in and less slippery :D
Dancing Paws · 7/19/2013
I've posted this picture on SV before. Here it is again. It shows the differences and potential dangers of the rip off x poles: http://s.ecrater.com/stores/31573/49de4e743955c_31573b.jpg
Dancing Paws · 7/19/2013
Btw lil mynx is not much more and they are safe.
azblanco · 7/19/2013
unfortunately there is no way around this issue... any professional pole ALWAYS pays for itself. good luck.
zzzzzz · 7/19/2013
All - I hope I wasn’t out of line in my comments about the particular pole Scoop linked above. That may be the case considering my “newbie” status, but it was not at all my intent to offend anyone by violating the norms amongst the other members here. My goal was only to help someone who I thought was maybe very interested and excited, but perhaps inexperienced and in a different financial reality than I assume most others here are. I am very honest about my level of knowledge and experience, so again, my apologies if I’ve stepped over any boundaries. I tried to make clear what I know and what my thoughts are likely worth. The possibility of my error should be obvious. Scoop - If you can afford it, or have the means and opportunity to save for an x-pole, I agree with the others that that is what you should do. While my pole did not look in any point like the photo posted above (all visible parts are metal, joints are smooth, and the ring is a pliable, clear silicone rubber), I will readily acknowledge the risk I knowingly chose to take with regard to any possible problems I might encounter with a generic pole. I may have gotten lucky, or I might find out six, twelve, twenty-four months from now that I didn’t. There is no warranty, and aside from the Amazon seller, I have no contact information if a problem is found or I need replacement parts or product advice in the future. Additionally, I have no statement to offer with regard to the long term performance of the product I received. On the known downside, I have had a single instance of a small ceiling slippage (about an inch or so) after two ½ weeks of daily, untrained PLAY by myself (125 lbs.) and my 60 lb. eight year old, several sessions with my sister (roughly the same size as myself) and 175 lb. husband, plus a few spins by my 6-foot-something dad. (This one slip was the reason behind my additional security measures at the ceiling.) Once my mind is set I am incredibly impatient, and not knowing any better it never occurred to me to check that the pole was still plumb and fully secure before using it; I honestly think the slip was my fault and not a defect of the pole. In my case, studio lessons aren’t a possibility, but I see from another of your posts that you have that opportunity. Ask your instructor; consider the advice of those here and any experienced others you may know in relation to whatever your personal goals and situation may be. In the meanwhile, I personally am happy to meet others who are still just learning, and I am sure you will make the best choice you can. Best Wishes, Gigi
Dancing Paws · 7/19/2013
I'm pretty sure Lyme lute gas a knock off x pole. You might want to talk to her about it. I know in past threads that x pole said they bought one of the knock offs and there were some safety features musing in it. I think one if them was 2 bearings instead if 3. I cannot say it will be safe. I have never used them. I do know that the 4 big pole companies have extensive safety testing, nit to mention lots of people who can attest to their safety. That said, the amazon pole might be safe, but with pole, if something goes wrong, you can get seriously injured. I've seen some scary videos of poles coming down with people inverted on them. That probably won't happen, since it is designed after a x pole. You run more if a risk for getting pinched from seams moving or peeling chrome.
Dancing Paws · 7/19/2013
Lyme lyte. Sorry autocorrect strikes again...
water · 7/20/2013
I bought a 'Pole' off from Ebay once, it was $100 I didn't know any better back then. Later that year I went to IKEA for some furniture and found 'the pole' there as part of a big walk in closet type! That answer the question why it never felt right to do anything with it and I did not feel safe. Lesson learned here, it is better to save up and buy the real pole than to risk your safety with alternative poles wanna be.
ScoopAway · 7/20/2013
Thanks everyone. :'D I dont lile lil' mynx because its perminent. It isnt preasure mount. I guess I will just have to save up. @https://www.studioveena.com/users/view/51cb8fc1-8564-4c4f-89f6-37940ac37250https://www.studioveena.com/users/view/51cb8fc1-8564-4c4f-89f6-37940ac37250 thanks a ton for your input. :'3 I dont hear alot about poles that arn't xpoles so it was very helpful.
Webmaster · 7/20/2013
Little Mynx and the StudioVeena pole aren't permanent. In fact the beauty is that they come down and go up in seconds. No other pole can boast that kind of convenience. They require small mount to be placed on the ceiling, but should you ever need to take it down there is only 1 screw hole that is easily covered with a small dab of spackle.
Dancing Paws · 7/20/2013
Just to second webby. The sv/LM poles are not permanent. They ARE pressure mounted. The top mount has one screw that goes into a joist. The interior of the pole contains a heavy duty spring that presses the adjuster rod up to create tension between the ceiling and the floor. LM poles are perfect for beginners. The mount also comes with a plant hook disguise so people won't know the pole was ever there.
water · 7/20/2013
I'm so tempted to exchange my XPole Chrome over for SV, I wish I can have both but my space is teeny tiny so a pole that is so easy to remove and put up is so very desirable right now! Not to mention how much easier it was for me to work with it, and SV pole is so pretty!
Koidragon · 7/22/2013
I just wanted to jump in quickly - Gigi, I don't think you offended anyone, you did say in your original comment that you weren't experienced and had only had the pole for a short while, so by no means where you giving advice out of turn, simply your experience, which is the very nature of a forum :) I do hope that you were one of the lucky ones and do not later regret buying your pole, but at least you have gone to some measures to increase its safety, and you are aware of the potential for failure. That being said, I would suggest not doing too many crazy inversions on it :) We all started off new, and I think it is great that you are here contributing, being a part of the community, and even greater that you are enjoying pole!