Pole Dancing Society

Welcome to MMU Pole Dancing!

Pole dancing is all about having fun with the added bonus of getting a workout. It is a mixture of gymnastics and dance on a vertical pole and uses strength, agility and cardiovascular fitness. It is the fastest and most fun way to tone up, especially targeting ‘difficult’ areas such as the thighs, arms, abs and bum.

It is also a fantastic way to increase your confidence in a fun and friendly environment. Class activities include spins, holds, strength training, floorwork, handstands/headstands, inverts, tricks and doubles. We aim to improve fitness, strength, flexibility and confidence but overall, we are all about having fun!

We teach all genders of any age, body shape and ability, from complete beginner to advanced. Everyone is welcome!

If you wish to join MMU Pole Dancing all you need to do is purchase your yearly membership for £20.

When you become a member you can join us on weekly socials and if you want to you can purchase lessons! The lessons are available on the union website - just search "Pole Dancing" and they are under 'events' - they take place on different times/days for different levels of ability. If you are unsure which class is right for you then please message us on Facebook or Instagram, or drop us an email.

When we meet

We run weekly socials to meet other pole members, form a community and create relationships with other teams within the Union.

Additional FAQ's

How do I purchase classes?
Classes can be purchased online via the Union website once the compulsory membership has been purchased. Membership is £20 and is required to cover insurance, it also allows you access to weekly socials and open practice sessions. Both classes and membership are also available for purchase in the Opportunities office via MetCard and other payment methods.

I have no experience, can I join?
Absolutely! The majority of our members start off as beginners with no experience, that is why we offer a number of beginners classes throughout the year. The classes range from beginners to advanced so that you can move up levels as you progress throughout the year. If you would prefer to focus on a specific element of pole dancing we also offer classes that focus on strength and conditioning, stretching and flexibility, and performance.

What should I wear?
If you're a complete beginner we'll start off with simple spins & strength moves, meaning you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in (comfy gym wear) although we recommend shorts or 3/4 leggings as they allow a stronger grip on the pole. It is only when you start learning climbs and invert holds that you will need to wear shorts*. You can purchase our branded pole kit on the union online shop or wear whatever you have at home already.

*If there is a reason you would prefer to stay covered (e.g. religion) contact us through Facebook, Instagram or email and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Are there any rules?
No shoes are allowed. Please also remove all jewellery, especially rings as these damage the poles. Although it's not a 'rule', it is recommended that you do not moisturise for at least 24 hours before pole dancing, as it will make it much more difficult to grip the pole.

Does pole dancing hurt?
I won't lie to you, pole dancing isn't easy. BUT it does get easier the more you practice! Even the fittest of people find that they ache a couple of days after a pole dancing session. This is because you use muscles that you don't usually use. These are particularly situated in the 'hard-to-tone' areas such as the triceps, inner thighs, abs and buttocks. On the plus side, this makes pole dancing one of the best ways to tone and shape your body! You may also get a few small bruises - this is completely normal! They don't usually hurt, but look pretty for about 3 days. It is an unwritten rule of pole that you will bruise from a new move until you perfect it. Once you perfect a move you magically stop bruising... until you learn a new move or you do a move repeatedly for long time periods (e.g. in a routine or intense competition training).

Can male-presenting people take part? Will my body shape or a disibility prevent me from taking part?

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join!

Fitness is not an issue, you will gain strength the more you practice, but be aware that you might find it difficult to start. All pieces of equipment are fully weight-baring and safety-tested, so weight is not an issue. All body types are welcome, anyone can pole dance!

If you have any specific concerns regarding disibility, please contact us through Facebook, Instagram or email and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Is it too late to join?

It is never too late to join, classes are available to purchase at the beginning of each term and will remain on sale one week after they start. Even if you miss out on classes in the first term you can sign up for classes in the second term and in the meantime we have open practice sessions that are free for members to attend. We also have buy-as-you-pole classes which become available weekly throughout the term and one-off workshops so there are lots of opportunities to start!