5'10" - to tall to dance?

glitterqueen started this discussion · 8/4/2012

I hope this is the right catagory, if not, mods please feel free to move... I'm tall, like REALLY tall (5'10). I've noticed that most of the women I see pole dancing (at my studio or youtube, blogs, etc.) look like tiny little perfect 5'5s to 5'7s. Yeah, not me, with my shoes on, I cap out at 6'5". So, I guess my first question is, is it even possible for me to be good at this or will my center of gravity always be off? Second, is it possible for me to look good poling or am I always going to look/feel like Bambi on stilts? Third, does anyone have any tall pole models out there they can point me to for inspriation? Thanks ladies and gents! 🌸 TL;DR: Can tall girls pole?

48 replies

Beckypolegirl · 8/4/2012
i am the same height as you and also been wondering if being tall puts us at a disadvantage. My instructor has said that i make some moves such as gemini look more dramatic being tall but she also said i will have to work harder at certain moves because of my very long legs. Will be interesting to see what others say but nice to find somebody in the same boat as me :)
Hazelnut · 8/4/2012
No way are you too tall! I'm 5'10'' too - lol just realised how conceited that sounds, because i am in no way a role model or anything like that, but i've never found my height stopped me learning tricks. i think your body ratios (eg height to torso length, arm length vs leg length, etc) may play a role regarding how easily you can get into some positions but you'll be fine! the only thing that is annoying is if you have low ceilings you cant really climb much without hitting the roof quickly. but find a high place to stick the pole up and you'll be fine!
Eden Body · 8/4/2012
How tall is Tiffany Hayden? She looks pretty tall and I think she's awesome.
Hazelnut · 8/4/2012
good point! tiffany is pretty damn impressive and doesnt seem too tiny. Also Jenna I just read your blog and trust me, for a newbie you are NOT sucking, rather it appears that you are kicking ass if you're teddy-ing it up already! and dont worry about having no background in this stuff, i had never done any exercise at all before pole and one year later i'm doing stuff i never thought i would be able to! us exercise amateurs are more common than you'd think :)
Veena · 8/4/2012
Yes, you can still pole dance! 🥂 We have many amazing, strong, ladies here that are over 5' 7". I'm 5'8". It does mean you may have to focus on building more strength in order to do some of the moves. But you'll have amazing lines. 🌸
glitterqueen · 8/4/2012
Thank you lovely ladies for all of the encouragment! Esp. Hazelnut for reading through my blog and pointing out that I don't suck as bad as I think I do ;) Sounds like some things will be harder, but once I get them, they'll look amazing! I still think I spend most of class looking like Bambi on stilts though ;)!
PlatinumAni · 8/4/2012
Right under 5'10 here :) some ticks have to be modified or take more strength but it can be one! Legend on here is tall too and she amazes me frequently.
Veena · 8/4/2012
Yeah, Glitterqueen you should check out some of Plantinum, Hazelnut, and Legends vids here!
NaughtyLibrarian · 8/4/2012
Check out Amber Richards, too. She's tall and absolutely amazing!
dustbunny · 8/4/2012
Not tall myself, but I love watching tall girls dance. As Veena said, you have amazing lines...and legs that go on forever (expecially in heels). :)
JeHanne · 8/4/2012
I'm 5'8" and lately have taken to 7.5" shoes. That pretty much makes me a giant on the pole and I tower over almost everyone. The biggest issue I have found is that I have less working pole space on shorter poles and I need more space around it to dance. My form and artistry is all me and I would expect nothing less or more of myself if I was a different height. My personal opinion is that we need to find a place to rest inside these bodies of ours. That means never being 'too tall' 'too short' 'too old' 'too skinny' or 'too' anything. Put those shoes on an rock your tall long body! You can be a beautiful dancer, don't second guess your height for another second. Have fun with it. Plus if you ever need to clean the top of your fridge or dust your ceiling... you can put your dance shoes on and have it covered. There is no cabinet or shelf I can't dominate now! :)
PoleMoves · 8/4/2012
I'm 5'11" and I dont have a problem. I do agree with what Veena said, because I'm all legs, some moves require more core strength I believe, but I believe everyBody has their own challenges since no one body is the same. Stick with it! Tall is beautiful!!! :-)
Tovah · 8/4/2012
@SV I am 5'1/2 " and you blew me away when you said about "building more strenght..." I knew there was a catch. That catch is that I have to work harder than anyone else b/c of height. *gnatts* ohe well...I want the trick and so I gotta go & get it.
CapFeb · 8/4/2012
I'm also 5'10" and have actually found getting into moves and mastering moves to be easier. I have a lot of leg to work with for scorpio, gemini looks more pretty, inverted crucifix feels comfortable. being tall does force you to hyper learn certain moves, but that's never a bad thing as long as you're safely learning! I kick my ceiling if I climb and then, so I have to invert from the ground, and caterpillar my way up :p nbd, just a move that I had to condition for and learn a little more quickly than the average poler.
Kyrsten · 8/5/2012
Some things will be easier, some will be harder! We short girls have an advantage when it comes to the strength and power moves (less leg to lift) but you guys have an advantage with moves that require contorting or reaching around the pole (ballerina, allegra, superman...) Plus tall, long legs make such beautiful lines and extension. Anyone can pole though! Short, tall, skinny, fat, whatever.... everyone will have advantages and disadvantages based ontheir personal anatomy, but almost everything is possible for everyone :)
Legend · 8/5/2012
Once again late to reply, everyone already said everything. :) I believe being tall makes things harder, specially moves like lifts, even more if you have a short torso like me. Long legs may look good and make pretty lines but they are a nightmare to hold.That being said you can also use them to your advange in many tricks, the problem is to figure out how. I struggled a lot in my pole journey until I learned how to adapt the tricks to my body. Since the majority of pole dancers are short, most online tutorials (not veena lessons, those are great!) are not oriented for tall dancers, even just trying to learn by watching videos can be problematic because you simply can't do things like a 5'2 dancer. Everybody is diferent, and even though pole dance is not friendly for tall women don't let that stop you!! you just need to train a little harder, that's all ;) If you need any tips fell free to send an email.
tigerlillies · 8/5/2012
Hope being tall doesn't stop me I am 5"11 without heels.
valerie98 · 8/5/2012
I'm 5'11 and I would never let that stop me from poling!! I think it does make some things a bit harder. I do feel a little silly wearing heels sometimes but I still do. Nicki Shaw is about 5'10 and she kicks ass on the pole! If you are having fun, don't worry about it! :)))
Prncsopowr · 8/5/2012
Make sure you also check out Cleo on youtube - she is also really tall and loves her heels!! It's funny, I feel like being short makes certain things really dificult. I have friends with big boobs that say their boobs get in the way when poling so that presents a challenge. My big thighs make certain things easy and others difficult. Basically, I think that we all have challenges based on our body size and shape. The hardest part may be learning to accept our bodies for what they are - I know it is something that I have difficult with!
JhennD · 8/5/2012
I'm tall, (5'9") but the shortest girl in my family, my younger sisters are about 6' or taller, so wearing my stilletos I'm FINALLY to big sister. Wearing stilletos to practice around the house I look down ontop of the fridge, haha. But in the pole studio I fear my legs hitting other girls when spinning, and instructors really have to say body positions (shoulder/hip width), instead of "a couple inches/feet away" because of we are not 5'2"-5'5" petite body frames. But oh lala for dancing and focusing on legs, girls have mentioned some things I do look ackward (because some strength issues -lifting body more so legs don't drag) and other moves are elegant and fluid. So practice and smile, have fun !
keex · 8/5/2012
At a stumpy 5' 2 3/4" I would love, LOve, LOVE to experience at least ONE day in the life of a tall, leggy woman. Tall and leggy is HOT! Embrace your statuesque presence.
Paunobs · 8/6/2012
I am 5ft 11 I have never thought that much about my height posing problems with moves it quite possibly is why I have difficulty with some things however I believe we can look very graceful when dancing! Wether short, tall, skinny , larger we all have things that are hard to do!:-)
RedFox · 8/6/2012
Hey there. I"m 5'10" and, yes, it takes longer to build the strength to do lifts smoothly. Long levers are heavy! I also have a very short back so I"m definitely at a serious disadvantage for strength moves. That said, I worked very very hard and got my iron-x. If I can do that, then you can dance!
RedFox · 8/6/2012
Oh...and by the way...Amber Richards is 5'10". :)
nolaelle · 8/6/2012
Lol I love how you call "5'7" short!! The short people in my studio are 5'2-5'4 and us talleys are 5'8 and up. I'm a tall person myself! It's funny because my best friend and I pole together and there's such a different in what we feel comfortable in, probably largely due to height!! Inside knee hang is easier for me because I have more skin to grip, outside knee hang is easier for her because it's easier to get her legs wrapped around the pole. I think ultimately though, these little differences are what help people's style be their style! Although my freakishly long abdomen is proving difficult for jasmine, haha. The grass is greener right?

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