So you want to install a pole in your apartment. We all know it’s a great form of exercise, flipping, twisting and gyrating on a pole. Although you normally dance at a gym or studio, dreaded lock-down may have forced you to reconsider what that spare bedroom is best used for.
It is entirely possible to install a pole in your apartment if you have the right floor and ceiling, enough space, AND permission. Your main concern will be finding a suitable room, with a solid ceiling.
It is a great hobby to get into, because it is both fun and a great form of acrobatic exercise. Even if it is associated with certain types of clubs, there is no denying the benefits of dancing on a pole. You can lose weight by pole dancing.
When it comes to installation it may be trickier than expected, here are some tips to help you along.
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Different Types of Poles
When it comes to installing a pole in your apartment, there are a few options.
Tension mounted
A tension mounted pole, as the name suggests, relies on tension to stay in place. They screw or slot together to create force up into the ceiling and down into the floor. Tension mounted poles stay in one position. They can be installed in most rooms that have a solid ceiling and floor.
These types of poles may be more time consuming to install. Also, installing a tension mounted pole is quite a commitment, so make sure you’re ready.
Podium Base
A podium base pole may be a better option if your ceiling isn’t appropriate, or you don’t want to commit to a full installation. With their sturdy base, the pole stands on its own without having to be fixed in one place. Weight can be added to the base to stop it moving position.
Podium base poles can be dismantled and stored away. This is ideal for the dancer with limited space. Slide the dining room table to the other side of the room, do your dancing, then slide it back. No one will know a thing.
Static
When looking through which pole to buy you may have come across the term ‘static poles’. this refers to a pole that does not rotate, rather than one that does. Static poles are good for beginners starting out, as the pole stays rigid when being used. Static poles tend to be cheaper than spinning ones
Spinning
This type of pole actually rotates and is used by more experienced dancers. These poles allow for more complex moves to be performed. Beginners may find this type of pole to be difficult to use as it requires a lot of balance and strength.
Spinning poles can also be fixed to be static. Although they are more expensive, having the best of both worlds could be good if more than one person is going to use the pole. Having both options might be a good choice to teach someone you share your apartment with.
Read more about Static Vs Spinning Pole, What’s the Difference?
Things to consider
Whichever type of pole you choose, they are all easily installed. However, there are some things to think about before you commit.
- Space. Make sure you have enough room. Your best bet is to give yourself a 6 foot radius of space in all directions from the bar. This will make sure even the most elaborate spins won’t mean smashed glasses or broken toes.
- Neighbors. It’s true, all that dancing may cause some noise. Make sure your downstairs neighbors are understanding. Tensions may run high once you start your routine. Its better to be safe than sorry so why not ask them if they mind?
- Cost. Poles range from roughly $100 all the way up to $700 and onward. Price doesn’t always translate to quality, but better materials and design can often be expected from the more expensive options. Be sure to read up on reviews.
Ceilings
Installing a tension mounted pole properly involves finding out if your ceiling is suitable, before you put the pole up. Make sure, so that the pole is installed without the ceiling cracking from the tension.
Height
Your ceiling’s height may determine what type of pole is suitable. A ceiling between 7.5 and 9 feet is perfect. Anything higher and you will need a specially made pole, which will be more expensive. Any lower and you will have trouble finding a smaller pole to fit.
Type of Ceiling
The building your apartment is in might also determine whether your ceiling is suitable. Apartment blocks are usually made of concrete and have solid floors and ceilings in between the separate apartments. This is ideal as concrete is solid and can easily take the tension.
However, if your apartment is part of an older building, your ceiling may not be supported. Some older buildings have ceilings that are only supported at certain points. This is where you will need to find a joist, or beam, to decide where to place the pole. Use a tool known as a stud finder to locate the joists.
Marks
Don’t worry about leaving a mark on the ceiling. Many tension mounted poles come with a dome at the top and bottom. The domes are padded with silicone to avoid leaving an indentation or mark on the surfaces they touch.
Flooring
You may be wondering what the best kind of floor is for the tension mounted pole. Like your ceiling, you will need a solid and flat surface that can withstand some pressure…
Tiles
Tiles, although being a hard surface, may not be able to withstand concentrated pressure. Because of the way they are installed, a tile may become loose in the mortar that it was stuck down with. Likewise, if your tiles are ever so slightly uneven, heavy downward pressure may cause movement.
Wood
Wooden flooring is a better option for a pole to be installed on. As long as the wood is even and properly supported from underneath, the pole will have no trouble being installed. Watch out though. Some old wooden flooring may be prone to causing splinters which may not be good for dancing on.
Carpet
No two carpets are the same, just as no two brands of pole are the same. If your carpet is made of longer fibers, your pole may leave an indentation the same way your furniture does. If this is a problem then your carpet may not be the best option for a pole.
Thinner forms of carpet are more suitable for a pole. The fibers of the carpet will cause the silicon base to make a more solid contact with the floor. Therefore the pole we be harder to move under force.
Read more about Can You Install a Pole on a Carpet?
Concrete
If you want to set up a pole in let’s say, a garage, basement, or workshop, concrete flooring will be very helpful. As long as the concrete is flat and thick enough, it is a great foundation for taking pressure and withstanding force. After all, skyscrapers are built from reinforced concrete.
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