Home Poling Options

Wow! Times have certainly changed! The various options out there for home polers has come a long way.  Back when I started pole dancing for fitness, my only option was YouTube videos of other women like me poling at home.  I would sit for hours watching videos and pausing, rewinding, playing back ever so carefully to inspect every detail of a dancer's movement.  Instructional videos were limited to DVDs until I discovered my first online pole community and instructional lessons. My first online lessons were very basic- a good foundation that I was able to build off of by supplementing over the years with various DVD series and the trial and error approach in front of a large mirror.  Teaching was also a huge contributing factor to breaking down movement and understanding dance concepts and how my body could move in different ways.  All of this helped me build a style of dancing I had grown to become pleased with.  A style that years ago when I started I only dreamed of ever being able to dance like.  As pole dancing has evolved, so has the style of movement.  As a dancer, I crave new ways to move that I can fine tune to my body's capabilities and make it unique and my own.  That is one of the things I really love about pole.  There is always something new happening.  The current trend is really exciting as we're embracing all these unique forms of creating shapes and transitions using both pole and floor.  It really is an exciting time in the pole community to see how our form of dance is changing.  I've been exposed to various options now that I am returning to my home poler roots and wanted to share a few of my own discoveries for others who may be embarking on this fitness journey or looking for something to spice up their current practice. 

StudioVeena.com
Where it all began for my online lessons.  This is my first online studio as a home poler.  I joined the community back in 2008- just a few months shy of the website's launch.  The website is run by Julie Brand (aka Veena) and her husband Chris (aka Webmaster). I highly recommend the lessons here for beginner through intermediate level polers.  There are advanced moves that are not too complex that require strength.  The program is great for building your strength in an organized manner that allows you to practice at your own pace.  Over the years the community has branched out to include other forms of exercise such as aerial hammock, hula hooping, chair dance, and aerial hoop.  There are also strength and flexibility routines for both on and off the pole.  When I think of StudioVeena, the term foundation comes to mind.  The lessons offer great instruction which is something dancers should study well to become proficient in their form for injury prevention.  Membership is free. The lessons are part of the paid subscription plans.  Members can access lessons for one month for $20, sixty days for $35, or one year for $99.  Yearly memberships are often on sale throughout the year and members can purchase a yearly membership for as low as $79 when offered. 

OnlinePoleLessons.com
Owned and operated by Florida native Allison Sipes, this site is an instructional pole and chair online lessons website.  Lessons include a variety of moves and routines for all levels including warm ups and cool downs, dance moves, floor work and transitions, toning and strengthening exercises, choreographed routines, splits and flexibility training, and static and spin pole instruction.  Lessons also include a variety of guest pole instructors from well know pole dancers within the community.  Members get a free 3 day trial and can get one month of access to lessons for $19.99 or three months access for $34.99, and a year access for $99. 

UPA.tv
Subscription Lesson Channels

• AMD (AnneMarie Davies)
• Body & Pole
• StretchIT tv
• Vertie tv

A variety of lessons via subscription offer prices as low as $7.99 for a full week access to particular lessons to $24.99 for six months access to bundle lessons.  There's a variety of lessons available for all levels of pole and aerial workouts. 

Cleos Rock n Pole
Australian pole dancer Cleo the Hurricane offers online lessons for the more intricate levels of floor work, transitions, and tricks on both the pole and chair.  Monthly subscription allows members access to tutorials, online challenges, and an online community for questions or sharing.  Monthly subscription is $24.95 a month or $199.95 for a year access.

***Updated 3/19/2016 10:30PM***

Pole Fit Nation Academy
It seems I'm constantly discovering new options online for those who are wanting to do all their learning at home.  Pole Fit Nation studio offers an online studio created by Jane Wilson.  Lessons include pole workouts, body conditioning, all level pole skills, and an introduction to a striptease series.  Monthly access is $24.95 or lifetime unlimited access for a one time fee of $149.