Frequently Asked Questions + Policies

What should I know before class?

  • All new pole students should start with Foundations pole classes so that they get the proper foundation and pole technique training. If you’re more interested in tricks, try Pole Foundations. If you think you might like the dance and flow style of pole, or want to wear heels, try Choreo + Heels Foundations!

    New students can also drop into Lyra L1, Aerial Silks Foundations, and Active Flexibility.

    Once you’ve taken at least three Pole Foundations classes you can also start taking Pole Inversions Conditioning.

  • For pole dance classes, you should wear shorts - ideally shorts that expose the skin on the upper thighs, but if you’re just starting out it’s ok to wear any shorts that offer freedom of movement and make you feel comfortable and confident. You’ll also want to wear a tank top and a sports bra (if you have breasts). It may feel weird to wear so little clothing at first but you need to have a lot of skin exposed in order to stick to the pole. Fabric will slide off the pole. You can purchase shorts, sports bras, and grip aid in the studio as well.

    For aerial and flexibility classes, you should wear leggings and a fitted shirt or tank top.

    We normally go barefoot for beginning level classes. For Choreography classes, please wear heels or socks. Street shoes are not permitted on the studio floors, so any heels you bring must not be worn outside. We recommend Pleasers Heels or similar stripper style platform heels.

    If you bring vinyl (shiny, sticky) boots, you will need to wear toe covers. We have these for sale in our retail section.

    We require only that the lips and labia of the vulva, male identifying genitals, and anus be covered. Female-identifying nipples should also be covered but if they slip, we're not mad at it.

  • Create an account and sign up online before coming to the studio. This is to ensure that you’ve signed the liability waiver and read our Terms & Conditions.

    To sign up for class, select your home studio from our Locations page and click “Book Classes”.

  • No! And anyone who tells you otherwise has incorrect information. Our poles are of professional quality, installed by a certified rigger, and regularly maintained. We’ve had up to six people on a single pole during showcase performances! There is no weight limit for our poles, and all discussions of weight are banned in our spaces.

  • We enforce a strict 10 minute late policy. This means that any student who is not in the designated dance space within 10 minutes of the class start time will not be allowed to take class. Your class will not be refunded and you will also not be allowed to reuse your class credit. This is to ensure safety and fairness for all students.

  • For classes booked with a class credit:
    • Class credits will be returned to your account if canceled more than 24 hours before the start time
    • Classes canceled less than 24 hours before the start time will be forfeited and unavailable for future use

    For classes booked with unlimited membership plans:
    • $10 late cancel fee will apply if class is canceled less than 24 hours before the start time
    • $25 no-show fee will apply if there was no cancellation, or if you arrived more than 10 mins after the start of class

  • All of our regular weekly classes are shared apparatus. Our series classes are one student per apparatus.

    Why do we share poles?
    Studio spaces are expensive to lease, we pay our instructors well, and we want our classes to be affordable for you! Shared poles allows us to do this.

    Why do we actually love sharing poles?
    - Community: Sharing poles creates a community full of connection and camaraderie where we cheer each other on and support each others’ learning
    - Pacing: Experienced dancers (and well-established science) tells us that having a chance to rest and reset physically means better understanding and retention for all students
    - Inclusivity: Visual learners appreciate watching their classmates practice the movement and seeing it on a variety of body types and experience levels, not just their instructor

  • No. Some of the best pole dancers and aerialists today started with zero dance background! You will learn everything you need to know in class. Start with Foundations and from there you can work your way up to more advanced classes. You can also take our conditioning classes, flexibility classes, and choreography-dance classes to round out your training.

  • To start taking classes, no you do not need to be “in shape”. Pole dance, aerial and all of our ground based disciplines are for all people of ALL fitness levels, ages, shapes, sizes and genders. Period. We do not turn anyone away based on their fitness background, age, size, weight, gender, or other identity. If you are a human, you are welcome here! . Our Foundations classes are designed to start you from the very beginning even if you have no previous experience in dance or fitness.

  • We welcome young students!

    For anyone under 18 to dance with us, a parent or guardian must first sign a liability waiver in-person at the studio.

    Students age 16-17 may take any class, with the exception of heels classes, as long as a parent or guardian signs the waiver beforehand. Due to the sensual nature of our heels classes, students aged 16-17 may only take heels classes if enrolled together with a parent or guardian.

    Students under 16 may take any class along with a parent or guardian. Students under 16 may also take private lessons or attend a party on their own, as long as a parent or guardian signs the waiver beforehand.

  • There is a communal all gender area to change in as well as bathrooms in the building. Showers are not available on site.

  • We don’t allow observers at the studio to ensure that all of our students feel comfortable while taking class.

    There are several coffee shops and wine bars right around our studios that anyone else with you can relax at while you’re in class.

    At San Francisco Pole +Dance – if you’re using the private pole room you may have someone observe you in there but they must also pay the $25/hr rental fee and sign the liability waiver.

  • We do not allow dogs or animals in the studio unless they are service animals. Per state law, service animals (but not emotional support animals) are allowed to come into the studio and accompany their owner throughout the space.

    We allow emotional support animals in the space only if they are kept in a carrier and near the front desk area. Emotional support animals that are too big for a carrier case must be kept outside in the hallway on a leash or left at home.

    No children are allowed at the studio. We allow students 16+ in some classes but a parent or legal guardian must physically accompany them to class for their first visit to sign the liability waiver.

  • Your friend must have created an account in Bookee so that we’re sure they’ve agreed to our terms and conditions and waiver.

    When you go to purchase class credits on your Bookee account, you’ll have the option to pay for someone else. You’ll need to enter your friends first and last name and email address as it appears on their Bookee account.

    Note that this will only add credits to your friend’s account but they’ll need to sign themselves up for the class.

    You can also call or email our front desk team!

  • Class packages are not transferrable or shareable between students or between regions (as in, between the Bay Area and Portland). Please refer to your package’s expiration date.

Don’t see your question here? Get in touch.

Our staff will happily help you out with anything you need. Drop us a note below and we’ll get back to you!