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There
are currently 3 affordable totally removable dancer pole
models on the market that I highly recommend. There are 2 portable standalone (no ceiling required) poles with stages that I recommend, although I have not pesonally tried.
ALERT ~ DO NOT
BUY A CHEAP NOVELTY POLE ~
They are dangerous and not made for serious pole moves.heir prices!
Here are some key questions/issues
to read & consider:
Catherine's
General Recommendations and Basic Cost of a Removable Stripper
/ Dancer Pole
The poles I generally recommend
range from $199-$329 for a basic or rotator model (without
extra mounts and extensions/floor pads etc). The Lil Mynx poles are $199 for coloured powder coated steel,
and $249 for stainless steel. If you can
afford the stainless, I highly recommend going for that.
$50 more gets you the a rotator option which I also recommend if you don't want to limit your pole options. However, if you are on a budget, go for stainless steel over the rotator.
Shipping is $40 for a pole. Add local sales tax. See more on Lil Mynx Poles
The X Pole XX-Pert ,
a seamless multi-piece pole comes with a built in rotating option. Surface is either Silver Chrome (more slippery) or Gold Titanium (grippier.) Chrome is $329 and
Titanium Gold X-pert is $359. Additional extensions for the X-Pert range
from $19.99-$54.99. (Yes- a 12 foot pole!) vaulted ceiling adapters available this summer 2010. These are bottom loading poles-no more ladders neded!
Shipping pole is $40. Shipping extensions
cost $12-$15. Add local sales tax. See more on X-Pert Poles
The XX Sport Pole, $249.99 much like the XX-Pert but does not have a rotator option. Comes in both 45mm and 50mm. Bottom loading like the XX-Pert. Haven't checked it out yet but sounds like a nice compromise if you want a static portable pole for under $300. The Titanium version is $289.99.
The
new X-Stage is $799. (before shipping)
A little $$$, but worthy of consideration if you have the
bucks. It is gorgeous. See video below.
New: The New X-Pole XX-Pert uses a fantastic non threaded x-joint system which is stronger than the threaded system and much easier to put together/take apart. Great engineering-a little intimidating the first few times. It is also bottom loading so no more ladder is needed. A great pole.
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The Platinum
Stage Original is a pole on a square podium that is OK for
Burning Man but I don't recommend it otherwise. Their
other poles are better. The Extreme Super
Pole (multi-piece & optional built in rotator) now adjusts from the base as well. This is very cool if you can easily mark the ceiling stud/joist where the ceiling plate goes and target it well without using a ladder. (ideal for exposed beam ceilings) There is a vaulted ceiling adapter available with this model. It is $349 (stainless steel, $100 more for brass) plus $50 shipping/handling.
Add local sales tax. See more on Platinum Stages all models.
Platinum Stages recently released their newest portable stage pole Extreme Stage Pole and it looks pretty cool for $499. See More
Vaulted Ceiling? The
Platinum Stage Extreme Super Pole and the X-Pole both can extend to 12'
and work on a vaulted ceiling (with adapter). The
L' il Mynx sells a vaulted ceiling adapter however, there poles
are designed for 8-10' ceilings. They make a custom 11' pole
but not sure of the adapter will work. The custom 11' L'il
Mynx poles do not have rotator option. Their Petite poles
(1.75") do not yet have rotator option, but they are in progress and should be on the market by fall winter 2010.
Note: I found that the X-Pole pieces screwed in together much easier than the Platinum Stage Original Super Pole. They seem to have addressed this issue with a better system on their new XTREEME model.. In any case, I highly recommend, for all multi-piece poles, using a silicone based lube on the
threads in between uses.
People often ask about that other pole for around $79-$99 bucks. I do not recommend it. You will
not find a real dancer that uses them. Simply put, they
are dangerous as construction is cheap. Please avoid unless you just need a pole to gyrate against for a photo shoot. |
What does
totally removable mean? Will I have to drill into my floor
or ceiling?
You will never have to drill into your
floor. The L' il Mynx model requires you to drill a small
and discreet looking piece of hardware into the joist of your
ceiling. It looks like a planter hook. The X Pole / Platinum Stages are completely
standalone and needs no drilling of anything into anywhere.
The L' il Mynx has a multi piece model that does not require any drilling or ceiling mounts which I
have never used so cannot comment on.
I want both
a static (stationary) and spinning (option to rotate) pole.
Both companies offer
a versatile rotating/static pole.
I
am not sure if I want a static pole or one that also rotates
(spins). Tell me more?
A pole with a rotator
option has a locking mechanism that you can easily set/unset
so that if you can use the pole both ways. If want the pole
be free spinning (think merry go round) then you can set it
to rotator mode. This is good for bringing motion to static
gripping moves (typically advanced moves-think musical box)
as well as increasing momentum for swinging moves. You can
easily set the pole to be locked and not move, just like a
street pole. Do you want this option? Both companies sell
rotator poles. For some people, the rotator is a nice option,
and for others, you may never use it. L' il Mynx Rotator in
stainless steel is $299. X Pole is $329
My ceiling
is very tall (or very low). What options do I have?
The L' il Mynx standard
pole is designed out of the box for ceilings 8-10 feet (they custom cut for lower ceilings
The X Pole standard
is designed (w/o extra extension) for ceilings 7-9 feet.
The Platinum Stage
Both models can
fit lower and higher ceilings up to a point:
The Lil Mynx pole
can be custom cut for ceilings from 7-11 feet. For 11 , you
will need to pay extra $$ shipping fees.
The L' il Mynx
and X Pole have a 1-2 foot variable for adjusting the height.
This means you can use the regular L' il Mynx pole for a ceiling
of 8 feet as well as 10 feet without needing anything except
to twist out the extra extender. The X Pole has about a foot
to play with.
The The X-Pole sells
multiple extensions to make pole go up to 12 feet. You can
order them at the same time you order your pole or down the
line.
The biggest difference
in these two poles is that the L' il Mynx uses a spring loaded
mechanism in a smaller tube at the top of the pole, and if
your ceiling is 9-10 feet, you will have 1-2 feet of unusable
pole (unless you have L' il Mynx custom cut the main pole
higher than standard (recommended for 11 foot poles) Your
shipping will go up drastically. The X Pole is pretty much
usable right up to the ceiling, within a foot or much less.
Because it ships in pieces, shipping is standard ($40)
What surface
should I buy? Coated
steel? Polished Stainless Steel? Brass? Chrome?
The L' il Mynx comes
with either a colored polished steel surface or a polished
stainless steel surface. The X-Pole comes in Chrome or Titanium
Gold.
While the L'
il Mynx colored poles are the cheapest ($199)
They have more cons than pros. I own and use several of them
but am slowly phasing them out as I think the metal surface
is ultimately a much better choice.
Pros: while the black and pink
colored poles in particular have a stylish aesthetic. the
most importantly advantage is the tackier surface. This makes
it easier for the novice who typically has less upper body
strength, to climb the pole with less effort. This is great
for confidence building.
Cons: this tackier surface creates
more burn on the bare skin. This is most noticeable for extreme
single point weight bearing moves and even for simple slides
down from a climb. The L' il Mynx polished stainless
steel pole ($249)
is a great surface but it may take you some upper body training
before you feel strong enough to climb easily. Add on about
$50 more for rotator models of the Lil Mynx. note: The X Pole
does not offer a static-only model.
The X Pole
X Pert chrome ($329.99) is an excellent surface although
some people find it a little slippery. Once you build a
fair level of upper body strength and learn to use your body
smartly, this will not be an issue. I love this pole and the
surface. Their new Titanium Gold ($359.99)
has a reputation for being closest to brass while being a
much stronger surface than brass. Brass is the traditional
surface for poles in strip clubs but too soft a metal for
removable models and it oxidizes quickly which means the surface
needs a lot more work to keep clean and usable than titanium., stainless
steel or chrome.
What is the
standard size in diameter?
2" or 50mm.
You can now buy a pole from either L'il Mynx or X-Pole at
45mm for same price. This is a nice option for those with
tiny hands. Keep in mind of you are training to dance professionally,
you want to be able to use a standard 2' 55mm pole. The X-Pole
45MM still offers rotator option but l'il Mynx Petite 1.75"
is static only. Rotator skinny coming soon.
I want to
erect and take down the pole really fast (under 10 seconds)
after initial set up //appox. 30 minutes.
Buy the Lil Mynx-this
pole safely goes up and down in a a flash, The X-Pole requires
more time and 2 people to safely put it up/take down
each time. You must exercise caution to ensure the
security of your pole for you and your ceiling.
I want the
pole to be in the same spot or the same house (with same ceiling
height) and don't mind taking the time to put it up/take it
down each time
Either pole is fine.
The L' il Mynx has a small piece of hardware that stays in
your ceiling. If you have more than 1 pole location, you will
need to purchase more ceiling mounts. The X-Pole doe not require
a ceiling mount. The X-Pole requires two people to out up
safely.
I want to
be able to easily transport the pole to different locations
with different ceiling heights. I am comfortable using a stud
finder and climbing a ladder on a regular basis.
Buy the X Pole.
I will mostly
be alone when I set up/take down my pole
Buy the Lil Mynx.
You need two people to safely put up the X Pole.
I want the
pole to be less than 2" diameter. My hands are petite.
Both companies make
a smaller size now. X-Pole is 45MM and L'ilMynx is 1.75".
I don't mind
taking 15-20 minutes to set up and take down my pole each
time, I just want a great strong versatile (static/spinning)
pole
Buy the X Pole.
I like the
idea of storing a multiple piece pole in my car trunk.
Buy the X Pole.
I want an
easy to set up pole that goes up in the same spot each time.
I don't want to use a stud finder except for initial set up.
I want anyone to be able to easily take it down. I don't mind
storing an 8-10 foot pole behind my door or under my bed (or
elsewhere)
Buy the Lil Mynx
pole.
I want things
to be as easy as possible and don't need my pole to spin.
Buy the Lil Mynx
static pole.
I do not want
my pole to spin. A static pole is fine for my purposes.
Either pole is fine.
I live alone
and need to put the pole up myself.
Buy L'il Mynx. The
X-Pole needs two people to set up.
I want a 10'-11'
foot pole and have a vaulted ceiling.
Buy Platinum Stage
SuperPole or the X-Pole
I have a disposable
income and want total freedom to travel with my pole.
Buy the new X-Stage
I need to
put up a pole where there is no ceiling or the ceiling is
over 12'.
Buy the new X-Stage
Catherine Rose, Owner and CEO of Slinky
Productions performs on the X Pole at Harbin Hotsprings Conference
Center 8/08.
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