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Do you want to be a performer? Are you a trickster or a dancer? Do you want to get flexible or strong or both (and you can be both)? Do you have specific skills you want to be able to do? Or are you really just happy enjoying the journey?
An hour a week in studio is not a lot to work on everything you need to be a well rounded pole dancer. Pole encompasses so many elements that, if we wanted to be the best at it, we would need: upper body strength, leg strength, front splits, box splits, back bends, shoulder flexibility, a strong handstand, dance ability, stage presence, well conditioned skin, floorwork and acro skills, tricks and sequence training. I could probably go on and on into the minutiae of things like wrist strength and flexibility, external rotation of the legs etc etc but we'd be here all day.
Do you NEED to work on all of those things to be good at or enjoy pole? Of course not. It's really about your own journey and what is realistic or enjoyable to you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with just attending one pole class a week for fun or social time. You may be perfectly happy going at your own pace and doing what you can. However if you do have specific goals you have to put the work in to reach them. It doesn't magically happen and it takes considerable effort and time.
It's also important to examine what we even mean by "good". Some people might be using the word good to mean "elite level pole dancer" whilst for others it's being able to get through a routine at a studio showcase. Regardless of your perception being good at something isn't the price you pay to do it. If you enjoy doing pole it really does not matter, but again, many students do have a specific idea of where they want to be and I am really talking to those individuals today.
It is not uncommon for students to have wildly outrageous expectations of what they can achieve with only one pole class a week. Yet at the height of my training, teaching and performing, I was training around 10 hours a week on average. Throughout those years I did an hour or more of pole specific training a week, which was my foundation, and then cycled through, or dipped in and out of a long list of other classes and workshops. This was on top of teaching and performing. I still didn't quite reach the level of elite pole dancer but I was pretty good when I was at my peak and I couldn't have reached that level without this commitment.
Here are just some of the things I've done in my more than a decade of pole: aerial hoop/silks/trapeze/lollipop, ground based circus like hula hooping, poi and acro, dance classes like ballet/twerk/commercial, gymnastics, personal training, rock climbing, calisthenics, climbing mountains, yoga, stilt walking, fire dance etc etc etc. I've taken workshops with famous pole dancers in person and online. This also required me to sleep well, have a good diet and get regular treatments like massage and physio.
Those pole dancers you see on social media doing incredible things are for the most part doing this full time professionally or to an elite level. They are training and living like professional athletes do. If they aren't then they are likely injured, burnt out and struggling - no matter what social media might present to the world. At the very least they are likely to have had lifelong backgrounds in gymnastics or dance so already had a huge head start on most people.
If you're a 40 year old woman, with a full time job, a family and other commitments, who has never exercised on that level before... You will probably only be able to get so far without huge commitment and expense. That doesn't mean you can't be "good" at pole but it does mean that you probably shouldn't be comparing yourself to the elite pole dancers you see on Instagram.
But lets say you want to try to be your best, how can we get there?
There are a few mistakes people make.
1. Not being consistent.
Throughout my years of training I have always tried to do at least an hour of pole a week. If you dip in and out you will not progress as fast and may even go backwards. You will need plenty of rest days, and even entire weeks off occasionally, but generally it is a commitment.
2. Dipping in and out of DIFFERENT things.
If you only do one class a week but every week it's in a different discipline you will not progress as fast. It will be great for overall health and probably very fun, but your pole will likely suffer. It might be that one week you see a personal trainer, another you do a pole class, the next you go to a choreo class. All are valuable but not when approached in this manner.
3. Leading on from above... Only doing one hour of exercise a week.
There are 168 hours in a week, and yes with sleeping, eating, running errands and the day job that doesn't leave a huge amount of time for many of us, but one hour a week is a tiny drop in the ocean. Even trying to get a little movement or stretching into other daily tasks can be helpful. For example: I used to do a little stretching and body weight exercises in front of the TV or between preparing food.
4. Not doing supplementary classes.
Yes you will need to do more than just go to pole class if you really want to improve but everything else you do should be extra on top of your pole training. I always recommend that if you want to get good at pole that should be your one weekly class you commit to. Anything else goes on top. I have dipped in and out of many things that have been valuable, here are some suggestions: personal training, aerial skills, calisthenics and handstands, burlesque, ballet, flexibility and contortion classes, yoga, rock climbing. You could also look out for studio or online workshops with pole dancers you admire. Pretty much anything that helps you to be healthier, stronger, more flexible or improve co-ordination will be valuable, so that's honestly most exercise.
5. Being afraid of taking control of your training.
The best of the best don't need to be spoon fed. Every single one of us, even professionals, need good quality instructors and coaches BUT we also need to be confident enough to experiment, play and explore. Every single trick you've learnt so far on your journey was discovered by someone, often by accident or by thoughtful experimentation. Don't be afraid of making mistakes or doing it "wrong". You can't pole wrong, that's where the magic happens. You also cannot learn everything you will need from one person. Trying out different online platforms, going to workshops and masterclasses, doing your own research and training... all valuable.
Ultimately what it comes down to is: what are you willing or able to do?
In my opinion the best thing most pole students can do for themselves is take the pressure off and enjoy their journey. Whether you want to be an elite pole dancer or not... Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop putting unnecessary pressure on yourself and...finally... HAVE FUN! It's why we do this afterall.
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