What to call a class for women 30+

tarync started this discussion · 9/21/2012

I currently teach at a pole studio in a college town and the classes are dominated by college students (most of whom are very fit). I know it's very intimidating for some of the older women to come into a class filled with college students so I'm hoping to start a class for women 30+. I could really use some help in thinking of a suitable name to call the class to encourage women to try it. The studio is less sensually based than many of the other studios I've seen, so names like "Pole Diva" etc won't really go down to well. As of right now we just do your basic "Beginner" "Intermediate," "Advanced" class names. So, any name suggestions?

28 replies

chemgoddess1 · 9/21/2012
There is a facebook site called the Grande Dames of Pole. Also, I believe that Midwest's older competition was caleld the Masters Division.
chemgoddess1 · 9/21/2012
Cougar comes to mind, too. 😎
Dwiizie · 9/21/2012
Greater than 30 Pole Basics. Thats what one woman calls her very successful 40+ hoop dance classes.
Brandi RocknBody · 9/21/2012
30 seems young to be targeting an "older" class to. You might end up offending some people, but that's just my thought. Seems like 40+ might be more appropriate.
Krista Bocko · 9/21/2012
So 'flirty thirty' won't cut it? 😎 I also think 30, and heck, even 40 seems young, but I'm also not teaching in a college town so I don't know the dynamics. Pole Fit 30+ (or 35 or 40+)? IDK. I do know that Dame or Masters don't make sense to me though, personally.
Brandi RocknBody · 9/21/2012
I also agree - I think even 40 is young to be targetting an older class to. Maybe try thinking about it in a different way: maybe it's not that these "older" women feel intimidated by the younger gals' being in shape and whatnot - maybe it's about just a level of maturity and sense of commrodarie. Does that make sense? I'm not sure what you would call a class like that, but it's that they focus is being changed from a class name based on age and a possible insecurity, to something based on a feeling of comraderie. Maybe you could have a class that plays a certain genre of music, say from the 90's or something.
Account Unavailable · 9/21/2012
I don't know how 'older' women may feel about these names but I enjoy titles that echo the pin-up era and other older generations. Such as: Sexy Sirens, Burlesque Beauties, Vivacious Vixens, and Deluxx Dames
JeHanne · 9/21/2012
This is my personal opinion. Age can be very relative and not an accurate measurement of someones physical abilities. I would be confused by a class marketed to 30+ or 40+, my first concern would be I would want to know how it was different than any other class. I wouldn't want simplified or less challening material so I would avoid it... unless I really understood how it was valuable to me. Things that are important to me are schedule, class environment, location of the studio, layout of studio, pricing structure, class content, instructors dance style, progression, performance opportunities etc. A name wouldn't be enough to catch my attention. Building my expectations and then following through, would.
tarync · 9/21/2012
I think the biggest thing is that most of the students who come to the classes have a very recent athletic background (gymanasts, dancers, swimmers, runners) and are still very strong and flexible so they're able to progress extremely quickly. For many of these students, spins and inverts aren't very challenging whereas for your average person (regardless of age) a one-handed spin or inverts may take some time to learn. The way the studio is run, we have drop-in classes where we take all levels at one time and prices are extremely cheap ($5/class). As a teacher this is VERY hard for me to teach, especially when I have students at 4+ different levels in one class. So I'm looking for a way to separate the classes so A) Older women aren't intimidated by the student's strength and maturity level in the room and B) I don't have to teach so many levels in the room (there are times when I have some of the room doing back slides down the pole and others are working on TG handsprings in the same class) In the town I teach in, it doesn't work to have beginner/intermediate/advanced classes separated because students have class and we lose a lot of business by separating the levels and students don't follow that schedule anyway and will show up regardless what level they are. So separating the residents/older women is probably the easiest solution. And yes, age is very relative but I doubt many 30+ women enjoy being in a class full of 18-23 year olds.
tarync · 9/21/2012
I think the biggest thing is that most of the students who come to the classes have a very recent athletic background (gymanasts, dancers, swimmers, runners) and are still very strong and flexible so they're able to progress extremely quickly. For many of these students, spins and inverts aren't very challenging whereas for your average person (regardless of age) a one-handed spin or inverts may take some time to learn. The way the studio is run, we have drop-in classes where we take all levels at one time and prices are extremely cheap ($5/class). As a teacher this is VERY hard for me to teach, especially when I have students at 4+ different levels in one class. So I'm looking for a way to separate the classes so A) Older women aren't intimidated by the student's strength and maturity level in the room and B) I don't have to teach so many levels in the room (there are times when I have some of the room doing back slides down the pole and others are working on TG handsprings in the same class) In the town I teach in, it doesn't work to have beginner/intermediate/advanced classes separated because students have class and we lose a lot of business by separating the levels and students don't follow that schedule anyway and will show up regardless what level they are. So separating the residents/older women is probably the easiest solution. And yes, age is very relative but I doubt many 30+ women enjoy being in a class full of 18-23 year olds.
JeHanne · 9/21/2012
I have no problem being in a room of younger (or older) people. I'm in class to have my best personal experience. I agree that type of mixed level class would be very difficult to teach. I hope that you are able to find something that works best for you and your students.
GolgothaTramp · 9/22/2012
At nearly 28, if your school was advertising that I am nearly the age to attend a "mature" class with 40+ year olds, honestly - I wouldn't go. Please don't take this the wrong way but If having split ability classes is not an option why is split age? Why not have a invert/expert class and a basic class? As soon as someone fits the class where they can do whatever you feel makes it harder to teach while teaching spins move them up? Btw - I loves being in a class of young fit things, they motivate me and I'm sure there are fit 40 year olds that wold run rings around me in a "mature class" that (to a more sensitive person) would depress even more.
ShonaLancs · 9/22/2012
You could always look at it the other way - name the class for the college kids instead of the older people. You could focus on changing the name of the 'college class' by saying its because of times suitable to their study/offer small student discount for block bookings etc. That way you aren't focusing on perhaps the already sensitive older polers? I know what you mean about non college polers feelings but is this feedback from your clients or an assumption? If its an assumption is it worth doing a mini survey: do they feel they would benefit from a separate class? Would different times be more suitable for their needs e.g. Childcare and then go from the answers. It might be that you are worrying and actually they don't mind :-)
Piaketz · 9/22/2012
Hmm... for me, pole was a very social thing when I first started and I liked that I met a lot of girls who were similar to me. 30+ professionals. Maybe in addition to the suggestion above, you can make a class called "Polefessionals" or something to that effect and advertise it as such so that women in the work force can meet like minded women who want to take good care of themselves? I think it might help to separate the college students from the rest without offending due to age. But of course you might want to describe the class as such that mommies are more than welcome, as being a professional mom is a full time job too! 🌸
NightFall · 9/22/2012
I definitly second the survey idea. Also I wouldn't like to be classified by age, and I don't think age per se denotes ability. I know many 30+ people who would sail through class because of their backgrounds in spot/dance. I'd rather be seperated by new: limited sport/dance backround, new: previous sport/dance background" etc. Or have a survey for new students when they register asking them about their backgrounds, fitness levels, etc so you can sort them that way. In fact, now i think about it, the registration survey seems the simplist way to go without needing to label anyone.
tarync · 9/22/2012
Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I like the idea of a "Polefessionals" one, I think that would probably go down best. Listing "college" classes may work too, but the majority of ths schedule would then be this "college class." Also, I think if I target a "polefessional" class, it leaves the women who want to practice with college students free to come to any class, rather than feeling awkward for wanting to show up to a "college" class. And for those wondering if it's an assumption, it's from feedback and the reason I say 30+ is because many of the women giving me this feedback are in their mid-30s and they suggested the class, we just couldn't come up with a name. As for the registration thing, it's a good idea but since classes here aren't split by level, there wouldn't be much of a point. Our studio does drop-in classes, so we have to teach basically whoever shows up (not ideal, but I don't run it and it works in this town)
polerslice · 9/24/2012
I am 53 yrs old and I pole with all age groups. Been at it for two yrs. I love the different age groups.
chemgoddess1 · 9/24/2012
I have been in your shoes and it blows! The biggest problem I had with some (not all) younger girls is that usually they come in pairs and usually one is better than the other. They would kibitz through the entire class and totally not pay attention, or if they had taken a class or two before they would try to show their friend a thing or two totally disregarding the class. I can understand how some women are intimidated during their first few classes with younger/more in shape girls but generally that died by the time thay saw me in booty shorts all the time. I think I also drew more older polers because I myself was older and I understood a little better the fun things our body starts to do to us when we hit our 30s. I am not sure how many you have in your class, but for my 6-8 was the MAX I could handle as different levels.
dustbunny · 9/24/2012
My old studio used to have a "silver pole" class. :)
TreePoles · 9/24/2012
oh love the idea of a studio having a "Silver Pole" class - shall have to look to see if any of the local studio in town have classes like this! ((:
AmazonLady · 9/26/2012
As a 31-year-old woman, any class name with the word "Silver", "Cougar," or "Mature" in it would make me run for the hills! I like to think I'm at least 30 years away from being "silver," "gold" or any other shiny metal. What about "Grown & Sexy Tuesdays" or something like that? Then explain in the description that it is geared toward polers who are 30+. I think it gets the point accross without sounding too geriatric. Another option is just to call it "Pole 30+" or something straightforward like that for a while. Then ask the students in class to name it. Maybe you could make it into a contest and give away free classes to the winner! :) Just throwing ideas out there. 🙂
klaus e berger9168 · 9/28/2012
All below 60 is young to me! Nothing to worry about!
Suz Sweeney · 9/29/2012
Doesnt matter how old the cat is, it will always act like a kitten............
poledanceromance · 9/29/2012
I would appeal to the experience aspect more than the age aspect. Everyone's aware that the body and training needs of a person over 30 are generally a little different than those of a person under 25 or even under 20. I don't think that needs to be the focus of an advertisement, as long as a gentler teaching aspect is implied. Maybe something like, appealing to 30's as a time when you get things figured out and grow into yourself as an empowered woman...pole for the woman who has it figured out, who knows what she wants. A challenging but doable and fun workout that focuses on bringing out the powerful inner woman you've worked so hard to build. They say everything gets better after 30 right?
vickiezoo · 9/29/2012
I am 36 and i teach, as well as attend classes,to be honest i would not want to attend classses targetted 30 or 40 + as feel that this would make me feel old! I am always told i don't look my age and i don't struggle with anything.

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