Newbie with a question

tigress2355 started this discussion · 8/18/2011

Hey everyone! I'm a definite beginner at pole dancing. I only started a couple months ago with a studio in Columbus, OH--but I've since moved to Indiana for grad school so I'm really glad I found StudioVeena! I figured I could keep progressing using the online videos and maybe take a workshop at a local studio once in a while. The only slight hitch in my plan is that my new apartment's ceiling is made of concrete blocks (at least that's what it looks like), but the blocks are only about 2 inches thick. I'm not sure what the ceiling construction is like under that. I was wondering if anyone had any experience setting up an x-pole on these types of ceilings or know if this is safe? Thanks for any advice you can give!

8 replies

RedVelvet · 8/18/2011
Do you have a stud finder so you can at least check and see whether there are beams present in the ceiling?
tigress2355 · 8/22/2011
I do have a stud finder, but it doesn't seem to work on the cement ceiling :-( It works fine on the walls (they're just regular drywall) but when I use it on the ceiling it just freaks out and keeps beeping!
Queenie426 · 8/22/2011
If the ceiling is cement then you probably dont need to find a stud? At least I don't think. The whole reason you need a stud is for stability and so the pole doesn't go through the ceiling. That wouldnt be a problem with cement. Maybe I'm wrong but just a thought! I am from Columbus also! What studio did you go to? Infinity? Best of luck figuring out your pole!
tigress2355 · 8/24/2011
@Queenie426: I was thinking that too. Maybe cement ceilings means the pole will be extra sturdy/safe...? I went to R Studio in Reynoldsburg. I didn't know other places in Columbus offered pole classes! That's exciting to hear :-D
polergirl · 8/25/2011
If you have concrete blocks, you won't have to worry about stability. You may have to concern yourself with making sure your pole doesn't slip on the concrete though (concrete can slough off "pebbles" as something rubs against it). There are three pole studios in Columbus that I know of, each one comes at things differently, so I'm sure anyone can find one they'll love! That's what it's really about, eh?
Miraine · 8/25/2011
If the stud finder keeps beeping when you run it over the ceiling, it's probably completely full of rebar anyway, should be nice and strong. Concrete itself won't set that off, the metal inside it does. :)
Dancing Paws · 8/25/2011
Ask the apartment manager if the ceiling is completely concrete or if it is concrete "joists." If it turns out you have the equivalent of concrete joists, you can go aloong the ceiling and knock on it (like you are knocking on a door) and listen to the sound it makes. If it sounds hollow, you are not near a "joist." If it is a solid sound, you have hit the beam. It would probably hurt too if they are concrete. That is how you do it for regular joists at least.
tigress2355 · 8/28/2011
Thanks you all so much for the advice!! It hasn't even been two weeks and I miss my pole so much already (I was even planning on hunting down a playground or something to try to find a pole to practice on, haha) @polergirl, I was actually kinda worried about bits of concrete breaking off. maybe if i put a big square block of wood between the pole and the ceiling it would prevent that?