Studio Poles Conundrum...

poledanceromance started this discussion · 7/14/2010

I just got hired to teach pole at a studio nearby that is adding pole classes. Step one obviously, for the studio owner, is to install poles. But, therein lies the problem. The ceilings are industrial, like 12' with a drop ceiling around 10', standard foam panels. The ceiling itself is metal joist with wood in between. The owner doesn't want to have to spend $500 per pole to install. Any suggestions? This place teaches yoga as well, so she might be willing to do a couple permapoles if that's the cheapest option. Lil mynx wants like $200 for their drop ceiling mounts. EEK. I know someone here goes to a studio where the poles slide into holes in the floor, that could be an option. I just need some info from studio owners about their various setups, since she can't really afford this if the only way to do it costs upwards of $500 per pole. Thanks!

25 replies

amy · 7/14/2010
why not remove some tiles from the dropped ceiling and do a regular mount on the ceiling above?
poledanceromance · 7/14/2010
Well yes, that's the plan. The problem is that the ceilings are high enough that it's looking like something floor-to-ceiling will wind up costing a bundle. The main manufacturers I've looked at all have the same problem. Platinum stages has a pole that goes to 11'11" for $150 but then jumps to over $300 from 12' up.
miss fern · 7/15/2010
I think $500 per pole is around the cheapest you're gonna get, unless you make your own poles. Going through the fake ceilings and installing as usual on regular ceiling will require expensive extensions, installing on the suspended ceiling will require expensive adapters, installing into the floor - I don't know how much this would cost, but would require drilling etc and this may mind up expensive too, having stage poles are upwards of $1000 each. You can try making your own poles like Bobbi's does. Just need to get the metal piping/tubing from a DIY/building store, get it dipped into Chrome or something, and then installed. This would probably cut down on the cost of the actual poles, so the price of the adapters or floor or ceiling work required for installation wouldn't hit as hard.
amcut · 7/15/2010
What about maarkstar/markstaar poles (whichever, I forget)
anngiern · 7/15/2010
so you can put permanent poles in? and when you are saying 500.00 per pole do you mean that is what pole installer (handyman, carpenter) is charging or are you talking specifically pole costs?
poledanceromance · 7/16/2010
Amcut: markstaar sadly only goes to 8ft. And by $500 I meant in outright pole cost. I'm rather handyman-savvy so any installation work needed, I can handle. Power tools don't scare me haha.
amy · 7/16/2010
i feel like i'm missing something PDR! a PS permanent pole is $300 or so for up to 14 feet. so why are you saying $500??
anngiern · 7/16/2010
Amcut: markstaar sadly only goes to 8ft. And by $500 I meant in outright pole cost. I'm rather handyman-savvy so any installation work needed, I can handle. Power tools don't scare me haha. hmmmm...i have permanent brass markstaar poles in one of my studios and our ceilings are 11 feet. i went to the website real quick and you have to call to order poles taller than 8 feet. (they used to have it as an option on their website but i guess they took it down) but they were very reasonable and just ask for a discount if you are ordering more than one. and they have the covers that go over them so you cant see the base and that is included. kirk is the one that helped me. what kind of floor are you drilling into? if it is cement that is a whole different kind of drilling and anchors. (you said you were handy so please dont take offense...as i am not handy...LOL...just making sure you are aware of all possible costs so your not taken by surprise 👍 )
poledanceromance · 7/16/2010
I gave her the link to ps but I think she's hesitant to go the permanent route. Removable is ideal. Unfortunately removable is also pricier once you start talking about extensions or drop ceiling mounts or god forbid stages. Plus, having seen the roof that's under the filing tiles, I don't know how I'd place the plate for a removable. I don't know if the wood in between the metal joists would withstand the tension, but with extra plywood I think it would accept permanent. The space is such a give-and-take. The $500 was the number I found lil mynx wants once you factor in mounts and about what a stage costs and those were the two she originally suggested. I had no idea ps permanents were so reasonably priced. I hope she goes that route. I got to try a ps for the first time last weekend and I totally loved it. It was sticky sticky sticky and my chrome is slick slick slick! Actually big enough of andifference to make me want to ditch my xpole for stainless. Annie: def going to call markstaar now! Had no idea you could go over 8 with them. Have you tried their stainless? As for the floors, i'll have to do some digging on that since it's carpeted and I'm not sure what's under. But you're right if it's concrete that's a big factor.
anngiern · 7/16/2010
i have not used their stainless steel...but once you call them just ask what kind of finish it is..i think stainless steel is pretty standard with a polished finish...but always ask. i would see if you could get a handyman/carpenter/contractors to help you brainstorm. they are good at figuring out ways to get your poles installed creatively but safely. what kind of dance studio is it? does she only have one room or multiple rooms?
anngiern · 7/16/2010
I got to try a ps for the first time last weekend and I totally loved it. It was sticky sticky sticky and my chrome is slick slick slick! Actually big enough of andifference to make me want to ditch my xpole for stainless. chrome sucks big time! i love brass and i think stainless steel is fine too. but brass is my friend 😀 i like to stick...but xpole is supposed to be releasing a brass pole soon. but right now i stick with platinum stages. just remember if you are ordering poles for a studio do tell them that and ask for a discount. every little bit helps. they want your business and your repeat business. i know some people dont like platinum stages but i have personally always had a good experience with them.
nymphdancer · 7/16/2010
different peoples bodies react different with different metals. I have a stainless. I can't do squat on it unless its in the 80's out and I don't have the air conditioning on or use 10 lbs of grip aids takes at least 2 hours to warm it up in the winter, and I never have that long to dance. Love brass at the one club I dance at socially. Can do anything on it. Been dancing on Chrome at a couple of studio's lately and like it, it warms up fast gives me good stick without being too sticky. TG warms up faster but not so much faster to warrant the difference in price. That is just how my body reacts to them. Personally I would NEVER buy a stainless pole. There are others that love them.
Mary Ellyn · 7/17/2010
There are different types of stainless finishes. I can easily dance on stainless from PoleDanzer poles but have a terrible time on stainless from PS or LM. Love chrome and personally don't care for brass or titanium. Everyone is different and like Nymph says, reacts differently. Part of the cost factor when the pole is over 9 feet, it must now be shipped by freight and if the company isn't able to aborb the extra cost and passes it on to you it can be VERY expensive. My last freight shipment came to $90 per pole. I believe with PS you can order the vaulted ceiling adaptor and mount it to the metal beam, then angle the pole into place and pressure mount it to the floor thereby having a removable pole with a permanent ceiling adaptor. You may wish to call and clarify how that works but I'm pretty sure it has been done that way. You're in Illinois correct? Just in case it comes in handy keep in mind that we have "snow-bearing" roofs in the midwest. Those metal joists are not as rigid as you may think. They are very strong but they also have some give or sway to them to allow for flexing under a snow covered roof. We found this out when pressure mounting poles to the metal beams at our satellite location and the beam would actually twist or bow under the pressure put on it from the pole! We actually put together a mounting bracket that wrapped around the metal joist and we were able to slide the pole into place and take it down each night after class. However because of the flexing of the metal beams, we also had to cross brace from beam to beam to add some extra stability for the poles. If you are interested in more information we should talk on the phone and I can explain it in better detail.
poledanceromance · 7/27/2010
Just wanted to update. We started with Empy's basic idea and went from there. We ultimately went with PS removables, and to keep costs down, the owner's boyfriend is building some bracing down from the beams to level it out at 12', which will keep costs down on hardware and put us around $380 per pole. So those top plates will have a really solid wooden base to go against that will keep the metal joists nice and stable as well and make it easy to get the poles up in the right spot each time. Were also installing them in the scheme of a larger plan to add several more! And were having a large mirror installed in front of them so as we add more poles going down the length of the studio we can just add mirror sections to match. When it's all said and done the danceable area will be 9'3", which I'm really pleased with. Plus, I got paid just for coming into the studio to consult about installation. So I'm just tickled about this whole situation!! Now I just have to deal with my own pole...turns out the ceilings in my new house are 10', so I have to buy an extension for my original xpole before I can even use my new space! ARGH!! forunately, they still sell them online or I'd be totally s.o.l!
yogabeachbabe · 8/3/2010
Does anyone have that link to Bobbi's home-made poles? Thanks!
EVamp83 · 8/4/2010
Yoga, there is more info in this thread: http://www.studioveena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2270&p=20041&
verucablue · 8/27/2011
Here is another question/conundrum... say one has 20ft ceilings...and this is just at the dropped level - but the poles need to be removable 🙁...thoughts? Does anyone make an adapter that can be rigged to the beam to allow for this...HELP Please😕
chemgoddess1 · 8/28/2011
VB....I remember seeing a studio that had free standing poles that screwed into the floor. It was kind of a neat set up. They had little plates that fit over the holes when the poles were not up. I think it was over in the UK somewhere but I cannot remember the studio or whose album I saw it in. It was about 2 years ago when I saw this.
verucablue · 8/28/2011
Interesting Chemmy - was it on this forum? I will have to start searching because I've never heard of that before. Please tell me there has to be other solutions :( I HATE stage poles...
chemgoddess1 · 8/28/2011
I will pose a question on FB to see if anyone can remember. I do not think it was here but can't remember if it was on FB or on the old PJ forum.
yogabeachbabe · 8/28/2011
You're right, Chem! I do kind of remember that, too! Was it a pole class at a gym somewhere in Europe? I remember all of us Americans asking about it. Ugh, I wish I could remember where that was...Amsterdam, possibly????
anngiern · 8/28/2011
@vercablue...hmmm..I dont think they make removeable poles over a certain height due to safety. I think it might be no higher than 12 feet for removable poles. After that height the pole becomes unstable. when poles get high they "give" a little so it needs to be permanent. (kind of like very tall buildings...they sway a little as they get taller)..Call platinum stages to be sure. I know they go as high as 20 feet but that is for permanent poles only. xpole has the stage pole light that is only 1" off the ground so its not too bad :( but i hear yah...not a huge fan of stage poles myself. i remember veena posting a videon on here from one of her pole jams and they had poles with no tops on them. let me see if i can find the video
anngiern · 8/28/2011
Herre it is :) https://www.studioveena.com/videos/view/72a0f8a2-b88f-11df-856f-001b214581be ;
verucablue · 8/28/2011
yeah I know 🙁...trying to look into an in floor option and/or having a rigger build "platforms" off the ceilings but stage poles are looking better and better - boo... as I am a HUGE fan of floor work I just don't know....blech
anngiern · 8/28/2011
i hear yah! i LOVE floorwork...so that is why i am unhappy on stage poles :( but if you get that low one its not too bad