What's the Difference Between Spin Pole & Static Pole?
The pole can spin?!
Yes, yes it can. One of the first things you learn when stepping into the world of pole dancing, is that the tricks you see on YouTube and TikTok, that look SO effortless and pretty, are in fact performed on a spinning pole dancing pole.
Most studio poles will "unlock" near the base of the pole. By loosening some small grub screws or clicking the pole in a certain direction (depending on the make of the pole), you can take the pole from "static" or stationery, to spin with a small amount of momentum. You can also get these kinds of pole dancing poles for home, just make sure you read the description and check that it can also become a spin pole too.
As mentioned, applying some momentum to the pole as you start your pole combo will get you spinning. Such as, sweeping a leg or taking a step and pushing off the ground before you lift yourself onto the pole.
The golden rule? The closer or tighter to the pole your body is, the faster you will spin. The "bigger" your pole trick or shape is (ie legs extended, an arm extended, leaning away from the pole) the slower you will rotate. Some common fast-spinning pole tricks are on a spin pole are a Vortex (AKA Vomitron), a Standing Crucifix or a Tuck/Wrap/Ball. The tricks that will slow you down can be a Layout, a Scissor Sit, a Jade Split or an Iron X just to name a few.
How does it make pole different?
These days it's common that pole dancing studios will offer both spin pole classes and static pole classes. If you are a beginner pole dancer, it's good to try both types to see which one you like best.
The tricks in beginner and intermediate levels are very similar but performing the tricks is totally different depending on what pole you're using. On a spin pole you need to constantly think about your speed control, and make sure that you don't
sweep your legs too hard! It's a lesson everyone quickly learns, and you will know straight away if you have kicked off way too fast before a spin pole combo [insert all the dizzy feels here].
Usually on a spinning pole you learn how to create cool shapes and nice lines on the pole. Spin pole helps to build upper body strength, especially grip strength. Spin pole classes often focus more on creating nice, flowing sequences of pole tricks, spins and shapes.
On the other (calloused) hand, static pole dancing classes teach you similar things in a different way. Can you spin on a static pole? The answer is yes, but you need to use your body to create momentum. Can you do multiple tricks or pole combos? You sure can, but they are usually more dynamic on static.
Are the tricks different?
Some tricks are the same on spin pole and static pole, others can only be performed on one or the other. Take a good old Fireman Spin for example. You can do this trick on either spin or static but the way you
do it is different. When performing a Fireman Spin on a static pole, you need to sweep your leg around quite quickly before lifting your feet off the ground to spin. On a spin pole, you would need to slowly sweep the leg around and make sure you keep sticking your booty out away from the pole to avoid spinning too fast.
Pole dancing combos are also done differently. On the spin pole you’ll need to focus on controlling your spin speed and flowing into the next trick. Whereas, on a static pole, you need to purposefully use your body to create dynamic movement around the pole or into the next trick. You know that you have nailed a static pole combo, if you make it flow as smoothly as spin pole combo.
Is spin pole easier than static pole?
There isn't really an "easier" option, as they are both very different. Some people find spin pole more natural to learn, whereas others prefer static pole. It will also depend on what your studio teaches the most. If there are a lot of static pole classes, students from that studio will usually gravitate towards static as being their fav. The same tends to happen for spin pole classes!
Even if you do have a favourite type of pole, it's super handy to know how to use both spin and static poles. If you want to do pole dancing competitions, a lot of them require the use of both a spin and static pole. It's also handy if you ever move away and your new studio suddenly favours the other type of pole. But most importantly, learning spin and static helps you to build strength faster and mind-body connection grows as you think your way through combos.
Which one should I try learning first?
This can sometimes depend on the pole dancing studio you attend. Sometimes studios will request that you do a term on static pole first, before you go and throw speed control and spin power into the mix! Other studios allow you to jump into either type of class from the get-go.
As we've said, one isn't really easier than the other and one isn't more important than the other. So, why not give both spin pole and static pole classes a try and see which one works for you? Sometimes attending one of each during the week is really nice – you still get the benefits of pole trick classes like increasing strength and improving flexibility, without getting bored by repeating the same class.
Likewise, if you have been taking pole dancing lessons for a while and are starting to lose your pole mo-jo, why not try the other type for a term? It will help to get those creative juices flowing and ignite that pole spark once again.
No matter what kind of pole dancing you prefer – spin pole or static pole – there's no doubt you will always unleash a touch of magic when you pole dance. Houdini may have escaped a drum filled with water that was padlocked shut, but we bet he never escaped a Back Crucifix without pole burn and some minor heart palpitations. Shazam!
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