What the filters mean
Every tag on POLEMAD means one specific thing, so a search returns what you actually asked for. Studios pick their own tags; these definitions are what they’re agreeing to.
Classes
- Spin
- Classes taught mainly on spin pole, where the pole rotates as you move. This can include tricks, combos, flow, choreography or technique.
- Static
- Classes taught mainly on static pole, where the pole stays fixed. This can include spins, tricks, combos, dynamic movement or technique.
- Flying pole
- Classes using a pole suspended from above and free at the bottom, allowing the whole pole to spin, swing and move through the air.
- Exotic
- A heels-based pole style combining elements such as heelwork, floorwork, low flow, legwork, tricks and sensual or dynamic movement.
- Heels
- Pole classes danced in heels or focused on heels technique. This can include choreo, flow, tricks, floorwork or dedicated heelwork.
- Skrippa
- A sensual pole style rooted in club dance culture, usually focused on flow, floorwork, freestyle, musicality and performance-led movement.
- Contemporary
- Pole influenced by contemporary dance, usually focused on expressive movement, musicality, floorwork and flowing transitions on and around the pole.
- Floorwork
- Classes focused mainly on movement and tricks on the floor, including rolls, legwork, kips, shoulder stands and transitions. The pole may or may not be used.
- Base work
- Pole movement focused around the base and lower part of the pole, linking floorwork with low spins, tricks, transitions and flow.
- Flexibility
- Classes focused on flexibility and mobility, including splits, backbends, shoulders and active flexibility.
- Conditioning
- Strength and conditioning for pole, using drills on or off the pole to build strength, control, grip and stamina.
- Choreo / flow
- Classes focused on linking movements together rather than learning isolated tricks. Choreo usually means learning a set routine, while flow can focus more broadly on transitions, musicality and continuous movement.
Levels
- Intro
- First sessions for people who have never done pole before. No experience or strength needed.
- Beginner
- Classes covering the first spins, sits, climbs and transitions. Most beginner courses assume no experience.
- Intermediate
- Classes for polers who have the basics and are working on inverts, leg hangs, stronger tricks and longer combos.
- Advanced
- Classes for strong, confident polers working on drops, dynamic moves, handsprings and harder combinations.
- Elite
- Classes for highly experienced polers, usually focused on competition, performance and the hardest tricks.
Booking
- Drop-in
- A single class can be booked without joining a course or membership.
- Class pack
- Multi-class bundles available.
- Courses
- Classes are sold as a fixed block of weeks you sign up to as a whole, usually starting on a set date.
- Membership
- Recurring monthly access available.
- Trial offer
- Discounted intro class or course to try pole.
- Private lessons
- 1:1 or 1:2 booking available with the instructors.
- Group booking
- A group of friends or colleagues can book a class together.
- Parties
- Hen, bachelorette or birthday sessions available to book for a fun class together.
- Pole hire
- A pole can be booked for a practice session without an instructor present.
- Cash accepted
- The studio takes cash for payment in person, handy when a card or an international bank transfer is awkward or costly.
Community
Self-reported by the studio
- Black owned
- The studio is owned or majority-owned by a Black owner.
- POC owned
- Owned or majority-owned by a person of colour.
- SW owned
- The studio is majority-owned by a current or former sex worker / stripper / midnight ballerina.
- Queer-led
- An owner or the lead instructor is LGBTQIA+.
- LGBTQIA+ community
- The studio runs queer classes or nights, or the community is substantially queer.
- All genders
- Every class is open to everyone.
- All bodies
- The studio actively teaches modifications and does not gate classes on weight or fitness level.
- Adaptive teaching
- Instructors actively adapt movement to meet each student where they are: disability, chronic pain, hypermobility, injury, limited mobility or range.