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How To Choose The Right Pole:

So - You've caught the bug - you're addicted and you're ready to buy your own pole!

There are so many on the market and so many options available - how do you choose?

Here you will find information about various features to consider when buying your own pole. Many pole dancers wind up buying a variety of poles before they learn what works best for themselves. Obviously this can be costly.

Keep in mind that when it comes to choosing a safe pole, cost should not be a factor in your decision. $25, $50, even $100 is not significant - your safety is.

Hopefully you've made it to this page and while this is a lengthy section, in the end, the information below will save you time, money, and frustration!

Below you will find information considerations and features such as ceiling structure, permanent vs. removable poles, stability & placement, finishes, spinning vs. non-spinning, storage & accessories, and a bit about stage poles.

Then once you have your pole...don't forget to check here: Pole Safety and Maintenance

An important note about choosing your pole:

I receive many questions about which pole is "best". Having used and owned a large variety of poles, in my professional opinion, the best poles are pressure mounted at BOTH ends. The only thing just as safe is a permanently installed pole.

Some poles are spring loaded at one end or both ends. These are built on the same concept as a tension shower curtain rod. You expand the pole slightly higher than your ceiling and then you squeeze it into place between the ceiling and floor.

Because these poles are not secured in place at one or both ends, that end can slip away when lateral force from a spin or other pole move is applied, risking the pole falling while you are using it. Poles that secure at one end but pressure mount at the other end, will be safer, but can still slip/slide on the non-secured end. These poles will not support as much weight as a fully pressure-mounted pole.

Other poles, are pressure-mounted at BOTH ends, using a steel reinforced adjuster rod that is wound up to expand the pole between the ceiling and floor, pressure mounting it in place under a ceiling joist. These are built on the same concept as screw jacks used for supporting ceilings during construction! PROPERLY installed, this pole will NOT crash down while you are using it and is the safest pole you can use and still be able to take it down when not in use or move it to another location.

Another important consideration is customer service. All poles have potential problems, or maybe you are confused about how to put your pole up or care for it. Consider the company's reputation for customer support and service. An improperly installed pole is not only unsafe but can permanently damage your pole.

First, Consider Your Ceilings:
Different ceilings will accommodate some poles and not others.

For instance a removable pole must have a flat (non-vaulted) and secure ceiling. These poles are installed with a high amount of tension between the floor and the ceiling to hold it securely in place, so you must also be able to locate the joists in the ceiling to make sure your ceiling will be strong enough to take that tension without damage. Install your pole directly UNDER a joist for the best support.

Ceiling height will affect your choice as well. Some portable poles will go up to 14 feet high but some will not. They may require the purchase of extra extensions so check the base height of the pole as well as the availability of extensions if you have a high ceiling.

If you have a vaulted ceiling, you will need to find a permanent or semi-permanent pole which installs with a special vaulted ceiling adapter.

Permanent, Semi-Permanent, & Removable Poles:
Permanent poles: These are solid, one-piece poles that are hooked into the ceiling and the floor with a flange or other piece or hardware and stays up all the time. Installed correctly, these are very strong and secure poles that will hold up to any tricks, inverts and spins.

Semi-permanent poles: These have a ceiling mount which can be released so that you can take the pole down when you like to have it out of the way. The ceiling mount is usually camouflaged with a fake plant hook or smoke detector when the pole is down. This is also a very secure pole.

Removable Poles: These poles extend and shorten within a range of anywhere from around 6.5 feet to 12 feet depending on the make and style. They work like a tension rod between the ceiling and the floor, placing great pressure at both ends to hold them in place.

Some are long, one-piece poles (with limited extension ability) and some are multi-piece poles which the parts fit together to create various lengths to fit a wider range of ceiling heights and also allow for extensions for an even greater range. These poles obviously store very easily. The one piece removable poles can be an issue when taken down as you have a 7 foot or more piece of pole to store away.

Your choice will also depend on personal preference and on what you plan to do with your pole and how you plan to use it.

Consider not only where you will place it but that maybe you will want to take it with you to a friend's house for a party? Or maybe you will occasionally use it in different rooms in your house? You may be encountering different ceiling heights so that the multi-piece pole is your best choice for flexibility.

Pole Stability, Safety, and Placement:
Thoroughly investigate your "removable" poles...some are more secure than others and some will not hold up to regular inverts and spins and may fall away from the ceiling while you are using it.

The poles that unwind (or have an extending screw) are usually the safest and can be tightened into place quite well. Some only extend a little but then depend on a spring loaded feature built into the pole for the last little bit of tension - these may not be safe for inverts and spins and will generally have a lower user-weight capacity.
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Want to purchase the BEST pole anywhere? Don't take a chance...get the right pole, the safest pole, the FIRST time!
As the US Sales manager of X-Pole, we can provide you with the best customer service you will find anywhere!