With everyone settling in nicely to the ‘new normal’ (myself included), it’s no surprise that I’ve been searching for newer, online alternatives for activities that I used to need to leave the house for. I’ve come across online yoga classes, workout routines, cycling classes, dance classes; you name it, there’s probably an online class for it!
Choosing the right Online Pole Studio can be a difficult decision. Online classes are becoming more and more popular, but not all studios offer quality instruction or have qualified instructors on staff.
In this post, we will review the top online pole studios; 123 Poling vs Open Dance Academy. This should help you to decide which studio is best for you!
Both 123 Poling and Open Dance Academy offer dozens of online pole dance classes. The instructors at these studios are all highly qualified and certified, with years of experience in the industry.
While both 123 Poling and Open Dance Academy offer Online Pole Studio Classes, there are a few differences between them and unique factors to consider before you make your choice. Let’s take a look at these differences, and how they may influence your decision.
123 Poling
123 Poling offers over 1300 pole sport and exotic step-by-step tutorials.
These tutorials will help expand your pole knowledge on different techniques even when you are not on the pole. The tutorials are detailed and insightful to make sure you don’t miss any steps and are curated by pro pole athletes.
The studio is home to some of the world’s best pole dancing champions, from Ashley Fox, Brandon Grimm and many more. All you’ll need to invest in is an open space a dance pole and some gym attire.
Tutorials are offered in numerous specialties that include pole tricks, pole spins, combos, transitions, select exotic, and more. The tutorial includes techniques for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.
They are also broken down into different areas of focus e.g your first tutorial will focus on building familiarity with your body orientation and position to get you comfortable on the ground before you transition to the air.
To make the experience even more worthwhile some tutorials for the Most Common Mistakes in pole dancing are available to make sure that you fix any mistakes using side-by-side demonstrations.
All you need for 123 Poling is your own dance pole, an internet connection, and access to a phone, tablet, or computer.
Website:
Cost:
| Class | Cost |
| Starter Monthly Membership | $19.99 |
| All in One Deal Yearly Membership | $99 |
You can sign up for access to a free tutorial trial for the first 15 days.
Open Dance Academy
At OpenDance Academy, there is something for everyone. The platform features a multitude of classes, and you’ll surely be able to find one that suits your needs.
Some of the courses they offer include:
- Beginner and Intermediate Classes
- Advanced and Expert Classes
- Classes for Men
- Stretching
- Exotic
- Single Choreographies
- Pole to Pole and Floorwork routines
- Frame Up and Strip (for those without a pole!)
Learn from the best of the best
Courses at OpenDance Academy are taught by the World Pole Dance Champions and Industry Stars! They have many instructors to choose from, so you can find which instructor you vibe with the most. Each instructor also has their own specialties, secrets, and moves.
I mean, can you imagine getting taught one-on-one by some of the best pole dancers in the industry? Talk about a hell of an experience!
Choosing A Course
The general price range is about $40 for a trial class up to $350 for the complete masterclass.
Each class does have the required skill level, but most of their classes are beginner-friendly since their goal is to build you up from a beginner to an expert.
The courses offered at OpenDance are made with extremely high-quality video lessons. Their professional instructors will carefully go over and explain each move in detail to make sure that you execute them properly and safely.
OpenDance has many, many courses readily available. They have courses for any skill level, courses for men only, and courses that don’t require a pole. But, because they have so many options, you might be a little overwhelmed, or maybe you’re torn between courses and don’t know which one to take.
| Class | Cost |
| Pole Dance Platinum Lifetime Access | $350 |
| Flexibility & Stretching Class | $199 |
| Exotic Class Pole Dance Lifetime Access | $250 |
| Trial Class- Beginner and Intermediate | $40 |
| Complete Class 1 (Beginner & Intermediate) Lifetime Access | $199 |
| Complete Class 2 (Advanced & Expert) Lifetime Access | $199 |
| Men Only Pole Dancing | $250 |
| Pole to Pole Chore and Floorwork | $150 |
Here’s a breakdown of their most popular courses:
- Pole Dance Platinum Class, $350
Their bestseller! You’ll get access to every class, excluding the exotic class. This includes over 400 video lessons with varying difficulties that are meant to get you from beginner to expert in no time.
Many reviews state this as their personal favorites because of all the information and support they got from the lessons. The only issue that people have encountered was that some of the beginner moves were not very beginner-friendly, but other than that, this is definitely a highly recommended course where you’ll get the most bang for your buck!
- Exotic Class Pole Dance, $250
This form of pole dance can be done with or without heels! For those that want to focus on showmanship, music, and creative choreography. You’ll be getting over 100 video lessons that will teach you combos and special tricks for themed performances.
According to reviews, this course will “give you the golden blocks to stand on.” Perfect for those that want to try something more out of the box than typical pole dancing.
- Flexibility and Stretching Class, $199
This course is perfect for those that want to improve their flexibility and have a deeper understanding of their muscles. You’ll be getting 81 lectures where you’ll learn how to prevent injuries through stretching, enhance your performance, and have better muscle coordination.
You also don’t need to combine this course with pole dancing if flexibility is all you’re interested in. It makes for a great stand-alone course!
- Complete Class 1 for Beginners and Intermediate, $199/ Trial Class, $40
For those that have never touched a pole before or even those who have zero background in dance, this one is for you!
The entire course will give you access to over 250 video lectures that covers all the basics and then some that you’ll need to know when pole dancing. Even better, if you’re on the fence about committing to the complete class, they have a trial class option that’ll still give you just enough to learn all the basics.
- Complete Class 2 for Advanced and Expert, $199/ Trial Class, $40
Lastly, we have a course that’s for those who are already well versed and know how to handle themselves on a pole but want to take their journey further. You’ll get over 180 video lessons where you’ll learn the World Champions of Pole Dance’s signature moves.
Similarly, they also offer a cheaper and shorter alternative for those that aren’t entirely decided yet. You can avail the trial class so you can get a grasp on what exactly you’ll be getting into.
Why Take Online Pole Dancing Classes?
Some people may wonder why take online pole classes over physical classes. Well, I am an advocate for both (and often at the same time). There are many benefits to taking online pole classes in your own space:
Overcome boundaries at your own pace
You can attend classes all from the privacy of your own space. How fast you want to go through classes, or if you’d like to take extra time on a class, you can do that too! You’ll also get to skip the awkward introductions and self-consciousness when attending a class in person.
This is also great for those who live in areas that don’t have many pole dancing classes.
You can learn new moves and slowly slide into the expert moves in a stress-free environment. No more having to hurry to stuff your keys into your purse to leave the house and no more struggling to look for a parking spot!
BloBlossom into the beautiful, sexy, and graceful pole dancer you’ve always wanted to be all at your own pace and comfort.
Have more control over your time
It can be hard having to mold your entire schedule around your work hours, and even more so if sometimes you’ve got extra work and can’t make it to a class on time.
But with online classes, it means that you can access them at any time, from any device! They have an app with support for laptops, PC, mobile, and tablets.
Friday evening with nothing to do? Or maybe it’s a surprise day off from work, and you want to get your blood pumping? No matter what it is, with online pole dancing classes, you’ll be able to access the courses at any time, whenever you feel like it!
Like I mentioned earlier, you’re also going to be free to pause, rewind, and review notes at your own pace. You have all the time in the world.
Much more affordable than traditional classes
The number of classes you get for the price you’ll be paying will be extremely worth it. Compared to physical classes, you get excellent value for your money with online classes, especially with the lifetime access options that OpenDance has.
Are Online Pole Dancing Classes For Me?
But before you dive right in and sign up for a class, you should take a moment to think if these classes are suited for you.
Of course, beginners are welcome, and anyone can pole dance regardless of age, weight, or gender. But there are some requirements to consider when pole dancing at home. Before signing up, ask yourself:
- Do I have enough space to get a pole installed?
- Is there enough space around my pole?
- Do I have a big enough space to execute tricks and combos?
- Am I responsible enough to be consistent?
If it’s a “Yes!” to all of these then go ahead and get started!
