Two per pole

aryannapoledancer started this discussion · 10/2/2011

Hi everybody, please help me because I'm struggling with this situation. I started giving pole dancing lessons in my news studio. I bought 6 poles, 5 chromes for girls and 1 Tg for me teaching. At the beginning I fix a price a thought I would teach 1 per pole. But there are so many girls intersted in my courses we have doubled. Io order to let someone waiting for a free pole I decided to let them all begin atend classes, so I have 2 girls per pole. Some of them are happy and have a good reaction, some of them are not, I can see from their faces. What's the better way to manage with 2 per pole lessons? Is there a secret in your opinion to let everybody have their fun and practicng without boring or having something to say about that? I'm really strugging. Should I Lower price for that? I don't think 2 per pole means necessarily giving something less. Thank you.

41 replies

polefairy · 10/2/2011
Any class I've attended used two per pole. I even had one where they had three per pole but that was ridiculous. I never went back to the three per pole class because they are obviously more interested in profit than actually teaching their students anything but the two per pole was absolutely fine. In fact, I found it good because we had a tiny break between moves while the other student practised so I wasn't getting too hot too fast. It was just a nice breather really! Maybe it depends on how advanced the class is but mine was intermediate and it wasn't a problem at all.
ORGANIC ANGEL · 10/2/2011
I don't like it either. Maybe seperate your classes and label them 2 for pole and offer a discount. If your class is 15, have each girl pay 10 maybe. Or you can give a special: take 2 get one free, etc. Anything to keep them interested. I took a freeplay class that was two or more per pole and I was mortified! I spend the entire time on my pole. It may work for a beginner class, but your girls will also advance better with one per pole. You obviously have to do what you can but are there any other alternatives? Could you maybe add a class? That way the classes will still fill up and each girl will be happy. Let us know what you decided-I'm interested.
HannahElizabeth · 10/2/2011
Ideally I'd say do another class if you can but if thats not possible I don't see that 2 per pole is a problem. In fact I think pretty much every workshop and class I've ever been too, has been 2 per pole unless it wasn't busy that particular session - which was just lucky for me! Perhaps the students feel disgruntled by the fact they're suddenly having to share after being used to having the pole to themselves, so I'd suggest making a conscious effort to go round to each student, try and make sure they're 'getting' a move each lesson. If they're coming away from a class thinking nothing has clicked or they havent made progress, they might think it's to do with not having the pole to themselves, which isn't normally the case. Make sure people don't stand around talking too much either. I've seen it a number of times where people stand around chatting to their pole partner and not actually practicing, then wondering why they're not progressing. This could be another thing they could blame on the 2 per pole situation. Whenever I go to a class I expect 2 per pole so if it's only one, thats a bonus. I did go to a workshop where it was 3 per pole but that was too much so I won't be going back there again! Maybe do some research in seeing what the other classes nearby are offering. Are they doing only 1 per pole? At the end of the day, if people take it in turns, make the most out f the time they DO have one the pole and help each other when you're helping someone else, they shouldn't see it as a problem. Sometimes it can even be helpful being with someone else so you can share tips if one of you can get the move that the other can't and the teacher is helping another student
HannahElizabeth · 10/2/2011
oh also I don't think you should charge less just because there are 2 per pole. Why don't you ask the students whats wrong if you think they look unhappy? If you haven't asked, you ever know it could be a completely separate issue that is making them feel like that. If you don't want to ask them straight up, why not make little feedback forms and get everyone to tick a few boxes at the end of the session? Let them do it anonymously. You won't know until you ask :)
brckhse · 10/2/2011
I have also attended classes that have had two or three per pole. 3 is a little crazy but 2 can be very managable. My suggestion is to pair people up by skill level and really play on the "partner" aspect. "Help your partner" "watch your partner" "encourage your partner" "tell your partner what you see them doing right or wrong". That may help a lttle more than the "two per pole" mindset. My only other thought is if class runs 50-60 minutes to add about 20 minutes to class time. Also encourage students to sign up for "open pole" time where they can pay $5 or so for 30 min to an hour of having their own pole. Good Luck.
HollySatine · 10/2/2011
agreed on playing up the partner aspect. i love having a pole to myself, but at the same time it is really nice to have someone else there to encourage and spot you. with two on a pole you can also learn from your partner's mistakes an successes - she might have her own way of thinking about a move that helps her do it that the teacher didn't mention. so i think partners can be really beneficial.
CalBear · 10/2/2011
I prefer 2 per pole, especially if you're doing tricks because you have to have the rest in between. And yes, it gives you a chance to learn from others and a sense of camraderie. I like the switching between two people. I'd be lucky if there were only 2 ppl per pole at my studio. But there's some places like S factor where there's only 2 poles for like 10 students! It depends on how you structure/present the class. Some studios like to focus on the femininity and empowerment/soulfullness of it, so I can see how it would be better to have 2+ per pole because pole is only a part of the all encompassing camraderie/connectedness of the class. So while they're not geting 100% pole time, the students still thoroughly love it and keep coming back for more because they love the environment and the people they've found a connection with. Some people just like to go to class because it's a relief from their stressful day. At S factor, there's some student that won't even hop on the pole.. they just want to free dance and take the stress away, but do it in a safe environment. So if it's a place that they'll love going to, that brings them out, challenges them, and makes them feel wonderful at the end of the day.. I don't think they'll mind two per pole :)
Mary Ellyn · 10/2/2011
A lot of great reasons have been brought up for having 2 per pole and in my experience that's pretty much the norm. I also wonder if their apparent dissatisfaction is coming from those who experienced the change. You also have to structure your classes differently if you have two per pole. My students usually cannot keep up with an entire class of one per pole as my classes are more agressive so they need the break and appreciate seeing someone else do the same moves. It's actually in my student policies that on nights where we have a couple of girls miss class and they wind up with only one per pole that their class will be 15 minutes shorter than classes with 2 per pole - which are usually 75 minutes.
chemgoddess1 · 10/3/2011
With the older students since they are used to one per pole this is probably the reasoning for the unhappiness. I have also had situations where one person was a pole hog and the other got left out. You HAVE to make sure there is equal pole time. Also, CalBear, what S studio was set up this way? I have obnly been to Houston and each studio (I think they had 3) had between 6 and 8 poles. I know girls that go to other studios and never heard this.
Laura KittyCat · 10/3/2011
I was in a workshop with two per pole and it worked well. Maybe you could add a doubles move to each lesson? Like the front spin or the diamond (or any split grip spin really). If uour poles are tall you could have one climb the pole and the other do the same move on the lower half. Like double planks? I also like the partner aspect. I learned pole from a friend and we always only had one pole. It worked well, but we were not under a time constraint either. I like the idea if adding time to classes.
ORGANIC ANGEL · 10/3/2011
I know I already gave my "two cents in", but I just wanted to add that everyone that I ever knew has HATED two per pole also(and have been poling since '06). I would ONLY accept this if I was squeezed into a Felix class or someone of that nature and they had to squeeze in girls. I would quit going to a place that offered two per pole.
chemgoddess1 · 10/3/2011
I will add that I have NEVER attended a workshop with only one person per pole and this is not the norm. So many studios are small and only have a few poles. If you expect someone to fly into town and only be able to each a few people per workshop how do you think they could afford to do that? Yes, they are responsible for their own airfare and accomodations (very few studios pay for the latter).
Mary Ellyn · 10/3/2011
I just counted this up recently so I know that I've attended multiple workshops with over 18 different master level instructors over the past few years (I have been poling since '02) and every one of them has had 2-4 people per pole. Felix had 4-5 per pole in her workshop! Out of probably 40 workshops, literally around the world, I've never seen one per pole.
pegasusaerialfitness · 10/3/2011
I love the idea of reducing class time with 1 per pole....I forget who said it...What do you guys prefer...Stretching at the beginning or end. Are most of your guys classes fully "chorey" or more manuever/trick based. What do you think is the best amout of time for "Freestyle" practice time in class?
pegasusaerialfitness · 10/3/2011
PS....dont lower your prices...increase your class time. I fthink $10 is way to low for a pole class. You are selling your experience...don't sell your self short!
chemgoddess1 · 10/3/2011
That is a lot of poles! Most places around here have 5 or less.
HannahElizabeth · 10/3/2011
you must have been lucky, the most I've ever seen in 9 pole in a workshop and that was 3 to a pole. Max no. of poles in a class I've seen is 6 but most of the time it's been 4
Bob Zamora · 10/3/2011
My studio caps at three to a pole. Each class is two hours and usually runs over if no class follows. I don't mind the wait. It lets me catch my breath. There are always three songs at the end for freestyle so that everyone gets a pole to themselves to just do what pops into their head.
nymphdancer · 10/3/2011
I don't mind 2 or more per pole. and I wouldn't be happy in a class that was nothing but tricks, its one thing when your doing a workshop to do just tricks but in a weekly class I would shrivel up and die if there was no dance time.....
JenLFG · 10/4/2011
when i have drop in classes & there are 2 girls per pole i just break them into groups & work on a few things & switch groups. usually have then switch quite often so they don't get bored. 😀
amy · 10/4/2011
the studio where i teach has 1 per pole and 1 hour classes. I believe NYPD has 2 per pole and 1 hour classes. B&P has 2 per pole and 1.5 hour classes. Sfactor has up to 3 per pole and 2 hour classes. So.... sort of correlated. I think it's mostly based on the curriculum and philosophy of the studio. My students love the 1-per-pole ratio, and hate having to share because that's what they're used to. I think that it can be intimidating for people who are used to sharing though, and some people who share have no desire to go hard on teh pole for an entire class. some people learn better by watching others, and some learn better by doing. bottom line, i think what you prefer is based on how you learn and what you're used to!
EvaRut · 10/4/2011
The studio where I teach just started having 2 per pole this month for the first time because so many girls signed up for the beginners class. I think it is alright since most beginners don't have energy for an entire hour on the pole without rest in between. I tought my first 2 per pole class last night and it went good. But since that meant there were twice as many students I could'nt spent as much time with each one and couldn't get through as much as I am used to. But I think it will be just fine. But we will only have 2 per pole in the beginners classes though. Personally I would not like to share a pole. I like to stay on the pole most of the time and have since I first started but that is what I am used to. Maybe I wouldn't mind if I had started out with sharing a pole. :)
AmandaW · 10/5/2011
I had to do the same thing with my classes at the beginning of the year. I used to only teach 1 per pole and now I allow up to 2 per pole. I restructered how I taught my classes and it has worked out really well for me. It took a little while for my older students to adjust but now they are used to it and everyone likes it. I also find that the students enjoy the atmosphere more when there are more people.
eitoile · 10/6/2011
My main studio has classes that are 2 hours long and up to 3 per pole (although quite often it ends up being 2 per pole, when some girls don't turn up to class) I also attend a studio where classes are 1 hour long, and it's 1 per pole. Agree that the class length correlates with the number of people per pole. I think on average, I prefer a longer class length with more girls per pole, especially at more advanced levels, for the following reasons: 1) I get a break between the moves when I need to rest and catch my breath anyway 2) If the instructor is busy with someone else and I want to try a move that I'm not super confident on, I can ask my pole partner(s) to spot me and/or keep an eye out for me Even the 3-per pole dynamics doesn't work out too badly, because there are girls of different sizes in the class, and it can sometime be safer for 2 girls (instead of 1) to spot a girl who is doing tricks, since we students are not really trained to spot anyway. My 1-per pole class is a bit more intense. But often when we're learning a new trick and I'm not confident in trying it out without spotting, then I find I'm just standing around waiting for her to free up, or asking someone on another pole to spot me. But then the class is much shorter, so I feel that I'm missing out on real 'learning' time. Having said that, 1-per pole is good if you've already learnt a trick and you're just practicing them or doing conditioning or praticing the routine. So maybe you could have different class size / numbers per pole / class lengths for different types of classes: tricks, vs. conditioning, vs. routine. But I agree with HannahElizabeth, it's probably best to ask your girls directly through a survey.
Charley · 10/6/2011
I think it depends on teaching style. I have taught classes with up to 3 people per pole and currently teach with 1 person per pole. Beginners NEVER stay on the pole the whole time even though they have their own because it's a long time and a lot to take in. My classes are multi level (typically) so when I have 2 newbies in a class full of intermediates and advanced I like to pair them up and they seem to really enjoy sharing the pole with each other and taking turns. This way they can watch the advanced girls and each other, cheer for each other and better take in the experience. My beginners also always learn a very basic routine their first class so it's fun for them to dance for each other while everyone else is freestyling because they haven't built the stamina or have enough moves to do a full song. I teach a 1/1 beginner class too and I still find that the girls are not on the pole the entire hour - they stop to watch each other and chat. I also teach a couple of fitness classes with a 1/1 pole ratio and usually I only do about 15-20 minutes of actual pole work because at 45 mins a class thats a lot of pole. I think it depends on the way the class is presented and how much time you have. People say they don't want to share poles but unless they can actually stay on the pole the entire time - I don't see any reason not to work on a pole buddy system.

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