Dancer Pole Safety Tips

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Being aware of safety issues when using your pole is very important in avoiding injury to yourself (or your students), as well as possible damage to your property. That's why Your Pole Pal has devoted several pages on this site to covering this important topic.

Please keep in mind that the following dance pole safety tips are general in nature, and there are no guarantees that you will never suffer injury or damage if you follow them.

Only you can ensure your complete safety by correctly installing your pole, using caution and common sense, and knowing the limits of your equipment and your own body.

That said, the following safety suggestions can definitely help reduce your risk of injury while pole dancing.

#1 - Wash your hands

Washing your hands before you hit the pole helps to remove lotions, creams and any natural oils on your hands. These can cause you to slip, or lose your grip entirely, so it's important to get in the habit of washing up before you touch your pole.

This sport definitely does not mix well with hand lotion, baby oil, or other similar substances!

BONUS - If you're sharing equipment in a class setting, frequent hand washing will also help reduce the spread of colds, flu and other bugs.

#2 - Remove Jewelry

Be sure to remove any rings, watches or other loose jewelry to protect your pole, your jewelry and yourself from injury.

Rings and watches can cause damage to your expensive equipment, including scratches and scrapes to the finish

And depending on what they're made of, rings especially can suffer damage, not to mention contributing to blisters and pinched skin at the base of your fingers.

Loose jewelry such as necklaces can also become a hazard when learning spins and inversions.

At best, these can distract you as they fly about, and at worst they could become caught between you and the pole, causing you to lose your grip and fall.

For these reasons, it's best to get in the habit of removing jewelry every time you practice or work out on your dance pole.

#3 - Don't Cover Up

Avoid covering your palms with gloves or other fabrics.

While gloves marketed specifically for pole dancing may provide the grip you need for climbing safely, they will hinder your spins and other moves.

You can read more about these gloves, and why Your Pole Pal recommends only the gauntlet type that leave your palm uncovered.

Other fabrics can be downright slick, and are best avoided if you intend to do any weight bearing or airborne moves.

Remember, injuries are inevitable if you don't have a good grip.

If you get very sweaty palms, you may wish to try out one of the popular grip products that are available worldwide.

#4 - Use A Spotter

Make sure you have a spotter when learning new tricks, particularly with more advanced moves like inversions, releases and laybacks.

The risk of falling is greater, and the consequences of a fall are more serious with these types of moves, so protect yourself and practice good safety measures by having someone spot you.

A spotter's job is to focus on you and your safety, so make sure there's someone who can give 100% of their attention to you when you practice new moves.

The spotter can also help you get your bearings and assist you in correct body placement, which can be a challenge when you're upside down!

#5 - Cushion Your Fall

Using a safety mat is a good idea when learning and practicing inversions, releases and other advanced moves.

Ideally, a safety mat or crash pad shouldn't take the place of a spotter, but it can definitely give you increased confidence either way.

And just in case it's ever needed, a crash pad will help soften your landing and potentially help you avoid more painful or even serious injuries.

# 6 - Safety Check, Every Time

Be sure to do regular safety checks of your dance pole, including the fittings and small parts such as cotter pins, screws, etc. The saying that "the devil is in the details" definitely applies here.

Take a few moments to do a quick safety check of your dancer pole each time you use it, and you could avoid a painful accident or damage to your pole, furnishings, or your home (think steel dance pole meets bay window....ouch!.

Here's a short video that shows how to load test a friction fit or removable pole before use. If you're not sure how to test that your pole is safely installed, you might find it helpful.

Remember, never take your pole for granted. Play safely and keep a healthy level of respect for your equipment. If you do so, you are much less likely to experience an injury, and more likely to enjoy this fabulously fun fitness activity!

To read safety information specific to your type of pole, just tap/click on your pole type below...