What to Wear to a Pole Dancing Class [+6 Items to Avoid]

Heading out to a pole dancing class? That’s great! Pole fitness is scientifically proven to have positive effects on mental wellness, self-esteem, and body appreciation.

Maybe you’re running a pole dance studio. But…what should you wear to a pole dance class? Especially if it’s your first ever class, you might feel a little nervous and uncertain about what you should put on. Don’t worry—you don’t need to wear sky-high heels or a glitzy outfit. The best outfit for a pole dancing class is really quite simple.

Keep reading for our tips on what to wear, what to bring, and what not to wear.

What’s in this guide:

• What to Wear to a Pole Dancing Class
• Gear to Consider Bringing
• What Not to Wear to a Pole Dancing Class

What to Wear to a Pole Dancing Class

Here are the essential items that your pole dancing students can wear regardless of their skill level.

Shorts That Reveal Some Thigh Skin

When it comes to pole fitness, showing off some skin isn’t just for fun—it’s essential. Skin contact is your new best friend. Your legs and thighs play a huge role in gripping the pole, so pole dance students, make sure you wear shorts that expose as much thigh skin as you’re comfortable showing.

Think of your skin as the natural “stick” that helps you stay put on the pole. The more grip you have, the easier it will be to learn and master new moves. Pole fitness is all about feeling great and having fun—so don’t worry about wearing super short shorts!

Dragonfly Brand, Mika Yoga Wear, and Pole Junkie all have great options to sell at your studio.

Rubber-Soled Shoes or Bare Feet

Most pole dance studios recommend that you practice with bare feet. But if you need some extra support or suffer from orthopedic pain, you might want to try rubber-soled dance shoes instead. Canvas dance shoes are great because they have rubber bottoms on the heel and ball of the foot—but not in the middle—allowing you to clench, point, and position your feet as needed.

Sports Bra

It’s a good idea to throw on a sports bra before heading to your first pole fitness class. This way, pole dance students are prepared for whatever warm-up exercises, choreography, or tricks the instructor teaches them to do. Once they get a feel for the intensity level of the class, they can pick the bra style that you feel best in. But initially, opt for a sports bra to be on the safe side.

A Comfortable Top

A comfortable top is also important. Whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident in your body is the best choice. T-shirts are okay, but tank tops are even better because they provide more opportunity for contact with the pole.

Long-sleeve shirts are not recommended, because they will limit your ability to perform certain tricks.

Hair Tied Back

While dancers might love to leave their hair down and throw in some sexy hair flips into their routines, it’s a good idea to have your hair tied back when you’re practicing.

Depending on the length of your hair, you might want to use a hair tie, headband, or clips to get your hair off your face and out of the way.

Gear to Consider Bringing

What about special gear? For the first class, students can simply show up in the clothing listed above. But if they get really into pole fitness and decide to attend regularly, they might want to consider bringing these items to class.

Sweat Towel

Another great item for your pole dancers? You might want to get a sweat towel in a fun color or pattern. Amazon sells tons of different gym towels, but you can also sell them at your studio. Many are made with microfiber to be more absorbent. Some towels also include quick-dry technology and cooling technology, so be sure to choose one that addresses your specific frustrations with standard towels.

Liquid Chalk

While there’s some controversy surrounding grip aids in pole dancing classes, we’re here to tell you there’s no shame in needing some assistance. Using grip aids is not a question of strength or skill. Depending on age, weather, genetics, and luck, some people have sweaty palms!

As needed, your students can rub a dime-sized amount between your palms to cut through sweat and make it easier to grip the pole. Popular brands you can sell at your studio include Dry Hands, Mammut, Gript, and Monkey Hands.

Knee Pads

Knee pads are very helpful if your class includes a lot of floor work, slides, or any movements that put pressure on your knees. Pole dancing often involves moves where you slide, kneel, or press down on your knees. Knee pads protect your knees from bruising, scratches, and joint strain, so you don’t regret anything after class.

Pole-specific knee pads typically come in black and nude tones and are much thinner than knee pads made for rollerskating—meaning they won’t affect your range of motion. They provide a cushioning layer that makes floor work and transitions more comfortable. Wearing knee pads can also help boost your confidence when trying new skills.

Popular brands you could sell include Bee’s Knees, Pole Junkie, Super Fly Honey, and Queen Wear.

What Not to Wear to a Pole Dancing Class

We’ve covered what your clients should wear, but what about some absolute no-no’s? Avoid blunders by skipping these items.

Jeans or Leggings

Remember when we said skin contact is your new best friend? We meant it. So, no jeans, leggings, or other long pants allowed. If you’re traveling in cold weather though, it can certainly make sense to wear some nice warm sweats that ditch once you walk into class.

Jewelry

You do not want jewelry interfering with your pole class. Dangly earrings and long necklaces could get caught when you’re doing certain tricks. Rings will give you callouses on your hands as you grip the pole. That’s why it’s best for pole dancers to avoid jewelry altogether, especially if they’re inexperienced. It’s simply not worth the risk.

Loose-Fitting Clothing

Loose-fitting clothing is also a big no-no when pole dancing. Baggy clothes might be your go-to for other workouts, but not for pole dancing. Loose fabric can get caught on the pole, and it doesn’t give you the skin contact needed for gripping. Instead, pole dancers should wear shorts and tank tops that fit them well.

Socks Without Shoes

As mentioned above, barefoot is the most common way to practice pole fitness. Aside from that, dance shoes can be helpful for some people. Pole dance students, just make sure that you don’t wear socks without shoes.

Socks alone make it easy to slip, especially during floor work. If you want to keep your feet covered, go for socks or tights that were designed for pole dancing. Depending on the design, they’ll either have grippy sections or cut outs to ensure skin contact in the right places.

Body Lotion or Oil

Moisturizing is great for your skin, but bad for pole dancing. Applying lotion or oil before pole dancing can make your skin slippery, making it harder to grip the pole. For safety and performance, it’s a good idea for pole dancers to keep their skin dry beforehand and apply favorite products after class.

Uncomfortable Clothing

It’s important to have your arms and legs exposed for grip, but you don’t need overly revealing clothing that might leave you feeling uncomfortable or distracted. Pole dancers should make sure their outfit fits well and covers what needs to be covered, so they can focus on nailing those moves instead of worrying about wardrobe malfunctions. Pole fitness is all about self-esteem, not self-consciousness, so it’s best to choose comfortable items.

 

Do you own a pole fitness studio? WellnessLiving provides everything you need to set up an online store and sell pole dance clothing, helping you not only run your business smoothly but also expand your revenue streams.

 

Schedule a demo to see how our software can help you engage and retain more clients.