When should I move up a level in pole class?

This is such a good question and we get asked this a lot! Here are some tips to help you know whether you’re ready to move to the next level in your pole classes…

In tricks classes (including Intro to Pole), ask yourself:

• Are you nailing most moves the instructor is offering?

• Are the moves starting to feel relatively easy?

• Are you able to start linking two or more moves together?

In pole dance/choreo classes, ask yourself:

• Are you able to follow along with the choreo and keep up?

• Are the moves making sense in your body?

• Are some moves becoming second nature and feeling more natural where you have to think less when doing them?

If the answer is yes to the above for either type of class, it might be time to try the next level up! Check in with your current instructor and ask their thoughts, as they will have a good understanding of where you’re at, and what skills are required in the next level of pole classes.

Not quite ready yet? That's ok!

If you’re not quite ready yet, that’s ok! Please don’t take it personally or be hard on yourself about it. Every body progresses at a different rate, and its important that we honour our own journey without comparing it to others.

At Spin & Flow here in Ipswich, we will only ever advise you to take classes we think you’ll enjoy, get a lot out of, and be safe in. Moving up too early can lead to injury or overwhelm, but at the same time, not challenging yourself to move up can limit progress, so it's a fine line! Keep in mind that when you do move up, you may feel like you're struggling compared to other students in the room who have been coming longer, this is normal! As long as your Instructor agrees that its the right class for you, you will get there with time and consistency, so keep your head up.

Do I have to nail every single move to move up?

No, you don’t have to nail EVERY move in a pole class to move up. Some just don’t work well with our bodies. But if you’re getting the hang of the majority of moves, linking some together, feeling strong in them, and looking to grow and be challenged, then it might be time!

Do I have to move up?

Definitely not! You can stay in a particular class as long as you’d like. There’s never any pressure to move up. Some students stay in Intro to Pole for 6 months or more, while others feel ready to move up after 4 classes. We also have highly experienced students in our Pole Dance Fundamentals class (our beginner-friendly choreo class) who come just because they love it!

Important tips to remember

Remember, patience is key when building the strength and skills for pole. It takes time and LOTS of repetition for moves to feel more natural, whether it’s tricks or dance. Strength training outside of pole is really important too and will help you prevent injury and support your pole journey. Whether you attend a gym or do conditioning at home, we highly recommend cross-training your strength and flexibility (and coming to our Flexibility class on Tuesdays!).

If you have questions about where you’re at and where you want to get to, speak to your Spin & Flow instructor or message us, we’re always happy to help!

Book a class!