Level 1 pole is the best place to start unless we have an ‘Intro to Pole’ class available. Morning classes are mixed level but used to accommodating total beginners. Belly Dance and Burlesque are also great first classes

1989 Pole is a female-focused studio. Our regular classes are for women and those who identify as women. Some classes and special events are open to partners or other guests and will be clearly noted. Please contact us in advance with any questions.

No. Some of the best pole dancers and aerialists today started with zero dance background! You will learn everything you need to know in class. Start with Intro/ Foundations and from there you can work your way up to more advanced classes. You can also take our conditioning classes, flexibility classes, and choreography-dance classes to round out your training.

To start taking classes, you do not need to already be “in shape.” Our classes welcome a wide range of fitness levels, ages, shapes and sizes, and no previous dance experience is required.

Pole is a strength-based activity, similar in some ways to weightlifting or gymnastics. You’ll build strength as you train, but some skills may take longer depending on your individual starting point. Our non-pole dance and movement classes are generally less strength-dependent and can be a great place to start, too!

You can click any of the Groovio links and sign up online - but if you plan on taking regular classes the app is very convient and keeps so signed in so managing your classes is quick and easy. download the app for apple or android:

Apple (iPhone/iPad):  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/groovio/id6448961436‍ ‍

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.groovio&hl=en_US&pli=1d

For pole dance classes, we recommend wearing shorts—ideally ones that expose the skin on the upper thighs. However, if you’re just starting out, any shorts that make you feel comfortable and confident are fine. For the Intro to Pole class leggings work also.

Sticky leggings specially made for pole are also an option!

You’ll also want to wear a tank top and a sports bra. It may feel weird to wear so little clothing at first, but having a lot of skin exposed is necessary to stick to the pole.

For floor and flexibility classes, we recommend wearing leggings and a fitted shirt or tank top.

We recommend socks or bare feet for beginning-level classes. Ballet slippers or half-shoes are even better.

For choreography classes, you may wear heels instead. We recommend Pleasers Heels, Hella Heels, or similar stripper-style platform heels. See other FAQs for more info on buying your first pair!

Yes we have our own private bathroom and a ‘locker-room’ type area for changing!

YES! We have 8 poles and for regular classes I only book one person per pole. In a full class the instructor may not have a pole and share with students

ASIDE: It is pretty standard in Pole studios to share poles. For advance tricks classes this can actually be nice as you get breaks to watch.

Not really. Technically X-pole rates our professional studio poles as 400lbs+. It is not unusually to see 4-6 people on a single pole. Unlike aerial rigging the poles are securely attached at the top and bottom giving them a high weight bearing capacity.

Ideally arrive a few minutes before class - you can pick your pole and get the most for your money! Our studio culture honors rebellious punks and is very laid back compared to most places. Even if you are running late you will be allowed to join. Depending on the class we will ask you to do a warmup before actively participating.

We don’t allow observers at the studio to ensure that all of our students feel comfortable while taking class. If you arrive early for a class and want to peak in on a class in progress that is fine!

Our location downtown offers many restaurants and bars for partners/friends to wait and relax while you’re in class.

Yes! the best way to save is with a Subscription. We also offer Class Packages that last 3 months. Find under ‘subscriptions’ or ‘Packages’ on Groovio

Children under 15 and pets are generally not permitted during classes. Teens ages 15–17 may attend with parental permission. Service animals are permitted as required by law. Certain classes and special events may have different policies.

While it is fun to post impressive pictures online, we are respectful of people who do not want to be posted online or wish to explore Pole fitness discretely, for what ever reason. We usually ask before taking pictures and if you every see yourself in a picture you would like taken down we do our best to accommodate.

Real question we get.

The answer is a bit complicated.

Many studios do try to distance themselves from stripping. However the first modern pole studio was founded by a stripper and much of pole dance culture comes from stripping. We are stripper-friendly and love it when former and current dancers come take classes.

However, the vast majority of people who take pole dance classes do it for fitness and to boost self confidence, not because they are training to become a dancer at a club. Tarah has a side hobby listening to authentic stripper stories and learning Stripper/Burlesque/Belly dance/Go-Go/Hoochie-Coochie/Modern dance history. She also takes most every workshop offered at Pole con by women with a club or burlesque background. We feel the ‘mildly transgressive’ nature of pole dance is part of its appeal. Despite this, we do not really teach the skills you need to be successful in a club setting - which is much more than dancing, and not as glamourous as it may seem on TV. We do know some authentic club moves and are happy to share.