Who
Is pole dance suitable for me?
If you want to pole dance, then absolutely! Pole dance is great no matter your age, gender, weight, strength, or flexibility.
Can men take pole dance classes?
Of course! Everyone is welcome.
Who can pole dance at Oberlin?
Any Oberlin College student, recent graduate, or community member can pole dance at Oberlin.
Will pole dancing be too hard for me?
No. Everyone starts from scratch. Whether you are an athlete or someone who hasn’t exercised in months, everyone has to build their muscles for pole dancing. No matter your age, weight, or fitness level, pole dancing is designed to learn technique in a safe and controlled environment. You will work hard, but you will have fun!
Know that it will be difficult. Pole exercises many muscles in your body. Part of the fun of pole dancing is finally achieving that trick, spin, or move! One of the best parts about pole is that you can work on different moves and steadily progress. It is an amazing feeling to notice yourself getting stronger and more flexible.
Before You Arrive
What should I bring to pole?
Bring a water bottle. We would also recommend a speaker, a change of clothes, and a tripod (if you have one!) for filming.
What should I wear to pole?
Wear what you feel comfortable in. For better grip and friction on the pole, wear shorts and a tank top / short-sleeve shirt. Do not wear rings, and if you can, remove other jewelry. Do not wear shoes.
Trainings
What are the trainings?
You must be trained once a year in order to use the pole independently.
When do you offer training?
We offer training every week on Saturday. They are 5-10 minutes long.
Classes
Beginner Pole class is an opportunity to learn basic conditioning, warm-ups, and tricks on the pole. Perfect for those with no/little experience!
What will I do/learn in the class?
We do 10 minutes of active stretching, 25 minutes of learning pole moves, and 5 minutes of cooldown. All moves are designed to combine strength, conditioning, and cardio. Classes are taught in a non-judgemental, uplifting environment.
How fit do I have to be to feel comfortable in Beginner Pole?
You do not have to be fit at all. Pole dance is structured in a way that you can steadily gain your flexibility and strength to move through various skill levels and techniques.
What are the class sizes?
We keep class sizes under five students so everyone can use the pole.
Open Pole Hours
Open Pole Hours are practice times for trained pole dancers to use the pole. They take place on weeknights and weekend afternoons. Sign up at http://bit.ly/48HhBnn.
You must be trained in pole or have attended a class to practice during Open Pole Hours.
How many friends can I bring to Open Pole Hours?
We would recommend bringing no more than three friends so everyone can enjoy the pole!
What are 2024 Open Pole Hours?
The Spring 2024 hours are as follows:
Monday - 9:00 - 11:00 pm
Tuesday - 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Thursday - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Friday - 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Saturday - 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Sunday - 3:00 - 5:00 pm
About the Pole
Can I wear heels on the pole?
You can wear heels on the pole, but we ask that you find a different pair if you notice any scuffs or marks on the base.
What is the pole?
Our pole is a X-STAGE Lite.
What is the weight limit of the pole?
The manufacturer recommends a user weight limit of 330lbs. We can increase the stability by adding weight plates. Reach out to nfrank@oberlin.edu if you anticipate any issues.
How do you set up / take down the pole?
View the Pole Usage at bit.ly/3S8MWsf.
Other Questions
Is there nudity/stripping?
Our 18+ shows may feature stripping. We follow OBurlesque’s rules of two inches of opaque fabric in the front and back. All nipples must be covered, regardless of sex, gender, or expression.
Does OPole have an inventory for clothing or heels?
OPole does not have an inventory for clothing or heels yet. We hope to build one in the future. In the meantime, students have accessed the OCircus and OBurlesque inventories for performances.
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Oberlin College Pole Dance.
Follow us on Instagram at @obpole.
Email us at nfrank@oberlin.edu.
Find us in Hales Gymnasium, Oberlin, OH.
2024 OPole
