Hi Kellyhaley126277!
This is probably one of the best places for a beginner to start- the code GET3FREE will allow you to look at all the lessons here, for free, for 3 days. That way, you can get a good idea as to how they're set up, and whether they're worth it to you to buy (which, in my opinion, they totally are!).
Veena has been working on this site for years- seriously, I've been here for over 5 years, and watched it grow! I think her method is one of the safest in the world, and has excellent progressions and advice to help you get into pole dancing without injury. She's even on here all the time, in case you have questions or concerns! We all love to help out when we can, too ;)
For a dance pole, it can be tricky to find ones that are safe. The three main brands that we swear by as safe and stable, as well as apartment and home friendly are X-Pole, Lil Mynx, and Platinum Stages. Living in a dorm, I would suspect that X-pole would be your best bet- no drilling, takes up a tiny amount of space, and breaks down easily (and goes back together easily, too!). Lots of women swear by their X-poles here!
They can be expensive, but buying one used is also an option. Just be careful of what you're buying! There are X-pole knockoffs that are definitely not safe, but hard to distinguish from the real thing (there are certain telltale signs, though!). You also want a pole that hasn't been overly scratched or abused.
Be wary of poles that are not those brands. Many manufacturers have tried to get on the "pole bandwagon" and dupe women into buying their products without checking for safety. Things like the Peek-a-boo pole, and the Carmen Electra pole, are both extremely unsafe and should definitely be avoided! You don't want your pole to fail on you while you're upside down, or engaging in any other activities- injuries suck, they hurt, and they take you away from training for months... if not years!!
You can definitely learn to pole dance with only the lessons featured here, no studio or help needed! You could also look into some other resources, if you feel you'd like something else. The Art of Pole by Jamilla DeVille are also great DVD's to buy for careful, clear instruction and slow, safe progression. Not many other services can boast the safety and results of these two things!
We are all happy to welcome a new person to the site! If you're willing, we would love to see videos of your progress. You can also use the blog on here to track how you're doing, and to let us know what's happening! More pole dancers, and more women (and men!) to support and see grow are always wonderful. We are a very open and accepting community- judgement, and comparison, have never been present here! Feel free to ask any questions you might have during your journey, too!
