X-Pole not a favorite at my studio

Masked Loopy II started this discussion · 3/13/2010

After my last pole class, one of the other girls asked the instructor about recommendations for a pole to use at home. She asked specifically if the X-pole was a good choice. The instructor shook her head and said "no." The instructor said that any type of removable pole will eventually come down "with the types of tricks that we do" and that you have to have one that's bolted into the floor and ceiling. I felt disappointed because I've been considering buying a pole for home eventually, but I live in an apartment and don't want to make any holes. What's the truth-- do I need to be wary of the X-Pole? I had the impression that most people loved them. Aren't they relatively stable as long as you keep it adjusted properly?

16 replies

SissyBuns · 3/13/2010
What the heck? That's not true at all!
Fleur · 3/13/2010
That is absolutely not true. I feel comfortable doing EVERY trick, no matter the level of difficulty, on the X pole. It's totally stable.
Mary Ellyn · 3/13/2010
Loopy...have you taken note of the poles used on most of the videos you find online? The majority are probably Xpoles....almost all are some sort of portable pole. Most competitions use either Xpole or Platinum stages. Many studios use removable poles for classes with hundreds of students using them every month. I'm very surprised by your instructor's opinion but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Maybe you should draw your own as well based on research and trying one yourself if you get the chance to.
Sapphirecatzeye · 3/13/2010
I've had a one piece pole, and now the Xpole and the xpole BY FAR takes the cake for the BEST pole. I pulled my "solid once piece pole" from the ceiling while I was doing a super fast knee hold. and I've had big dudes on my xpole all night long playing on it, doing handsprings and what not and it never waivers. I would say the biggest test was when I did the splits on the side of the pole in the middle of it and ALL the weight was hanging on one side, it was perfectly fine and felt solid. But i have the new xpert , and i believe the joints in the middle is what makes the difference
Journey · 3/13/2010
The instructor said that any type of removable pole will eventually come down "with the types of tricks that we do" and that you have to have one that's bolted into the floor and ceiling. Um, no. Truth of the matter is, ANY pole can come down - one piece, removable, or whatever. The key is to make sure that it's secure before you use it. You can't just jump on it without testing it then blame the pole if you end up crashing to the floor - once again, that's ANY pole. I have one of the original X-Poles and it's incredibly secure. I'm personally leery of one-piece poles because they have to be measured just right to fit the space, and if your ceiling and floors flex from your weight, the house shifting and settling, and from changes in the weather, that pole can't be adjusted. With an X-Pole (or any other adjustable pole, for that matter), you can check it before you use it, tell that it's a bit loose today, and tighten it up. If your one-piece comes loose, you can't tighten it and it still won't be safe to use even if it's bolted. But then again, I might be overly paranoid and I've never used a one-piece, so... yeah.
polergirl · 3/13/2010
I have an X-pole and love it. It feels super secure to me, even when I'm doing all sorts of crazy "hmmm, wonder if I could do THIS?" kind of stuff.
Mary Ellyn · 3/13/2010
you have to have one that's bolted into the floor and ceiling Actually we saw one of these come down at a club in Vegas!
Masked Loopy II · 3/13/2010
Thanks for the responses. I'm feeling more confident about trying the x-pole...once I have the cash to pick a pole out.
rabidshrooms · 3/13/2010
X-Pole is SUPER stable. I weigh 210lbs and it easily holds me and other plus size women. Even with some of the issues I've had with it, I'd buy it again. I really do trust this is one of the best, if not the best, poles on the market, period. Make sure it's secure once you put it up and recheck every 30-45 minutes. Most people say every four hours or so.
Marieke · 3/14/2010
The x pole is super stable!!!! I can do all the tricks on my x pole!!
Monz · 3/16/2010
Your story sounds like mine. When I took lessons from a studio, they didn't recommend any type of strictly tension mounted pole. They recommended the lil mynx because it bolts into the ceiling. Two years later, they are selling the X-Pole and now recommending it. Actually I own both; a lil mynx and an X-Pole. Both have pros and cons but if you don't want holes in your ceiling, feel comfortable getting an X-Pole or a Platinum Stages Pole. All three companies I've mentioned are the top three in the industry.
sunnyinphoenix · 3/16/2010
Like others in this forum, I have an xpole and love it. I just suggest that you make sure it is a level (actually plumb) when you install it. Buy a 2 foot level and check several places around and up and down. If a pole is not plumb, it will come down. I was in a class once and this very thing happened. Luckily everyone was okay. So buy a pole and a level 😀
Polegirlsonia · 3/16/2010
Totally agree with Journey, thats exactly what i would say!! X-Poles are my favorite and ive used most ! 😀
PoleDanceABCs · 3/22/2010
I have TWO tension-mounted poles (Platinum Stages and X-Pole) and both are considered professional dance poles. I have never felt unsafe on either one of them... or if I did it was because I was unsure of my own strength or capability to do a new trick. If you look at competition videos you will see X-Poles are a very popular way to go. So if pros like Jenyne and Felix (with their crazy antics) use them, so can you. Maybe your instructor is unaware about the X-Pole and its specs? Maybe she was trying to keep you away from poles like Peek-A-Boo or Carmen Electra? Now those are bad poles.
SimpllySweet · 3/23/2010
I cut plywood to fit under my dome which is screwed directly into the ceiling and have never ever had to worry about my pole doing anything. It's not needed but it gives me that added security. If the pole did for some freak reason come loose. The plywood will catch the pole.
FreeTheSun · 3/23/2010
I've had both lil mynx and x-pole removable and both are very stable when you install them correctly. Just fyi, if you do get a perm pole (drilled in floor and ceiling) most come with slight adjustments where you can tighten or loosen them as the buildings expand and compress due to temp, so it isn't a worry about them coming loose.