Author: Kash Sunthramoorthy
Steel or Chrome; it’s a question a lot of Polers ask themselves when selecting their first pole. Our UK Marketing Manager, Joey, writes a short blog to help you make what may be one of the most important decisions of your pole journey.
Being relatively new to the world of pole, I had to do some research into many aspects of the discipline, including the various pro’s and cons of different pole finishes. This time around, I decided to focus on Stainless Steel and Chrome, as they are two of the most popular finishes.
First up, what’s a pole finish? X-POLE has a range of finishes (Chrome, Titanium Gold and Powder Coated) as well as solid materials (Brass, Silicone, and Stainless Steel) that are polished to a high standard for the best possible grip.
A Stainless Steel pole is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. They are silver in color and are made of a combination of alloys (here comes the techy bit; Stainless Steels are iron alloys with a minimum of 10.5% chromium. Other alloying elements are added to enhance their structure and properties such as formability, strength and cryogenic toughness), and provide a super strong base for our poles.
Stainless Steel poles are highly polished to give a smooth and shiny finish. This produces a pole that is great for a variety of pole tricks and routines.
This finish can prove slippery for some people and also requires more grip strength to use, so may be more suited to a slightly more advanced user, but, this can also be a great investment for a new poler to push themselves and learn with equipment that will challenge them along their journey.
Chrome poles are also silver in color, but have a mirror finish. They are Steel poles that have been coated in Chromium to produce a beautifully shiny finish and are the most common poles seen in both studios/gyms and at competitions/events.
Chrome is naturally more ‘grippy’ than Stainless Steel, so is a very good choice for beginners, as it is more forgiving of weaker handgrip strengths and is also great for a variety of pole tricks, from inversions to leg holds.
The only thing to add here is that people who suffer from Nickel Allergies may not find Chrome poles suitable to practice on, as the coating will contain a small trace of Nickel.
To sum it up, if you are an absolute beginner looking to purchase your first pole and you don’t have a nickel allergy, Chrome finish poles are going to be your best bet, while those who do suffer from Nickel allergies would be advised to opt for a Stainless Steel pole. The important thing to remember is to have fun whilst using your pole!
Natasha Wang
Natasha Wang is considered one of the most influential pole artists working today. Based in Los Angeles, Calif. and born-and-bred in Austin, TX, Natasha is a true “pole citizen of the world” and spends a large part of the year traveling around the globe as an in-demand teacher, performer and competition judge.
In 2015, Natasha was named the IPDFA “Instructor of the Year”, and in 2014, she won “Female Performance Artist of the Year” and “Inspirational Artist of the Year” at the PWN (Pole World News) Awards. As a competitive pole athlete, she has taken home the titles of IPC Ultimate Champion 2013, Pole Art 2012 Runner-Up, US Pole Dance Champion 2011, USPDF West Coast Champion 2010, California Pole Dance Champion 2010, and East Meets West Miss Pole-AM 2010.
As a performer and pole personality, she has appeared on “The View” on ABC, “Good Day L.A.” on FOX, “Amazing Dance” on Hunan TV, and “Day Day Up” on Hunan TV, China’s #1 TV show with over 300 million viewers. Natasha has also performed across Mainland China as a solo artist, including at China Rouge at the Galaxy Macau. In June 2011, Natasha performed with the Doug Aitken art-theater project “Black Mirror” starring actress Chloe Sevigny, which premiered in Athens, Greece.
Known throughout the world for her emotive style, grace and creative storytelling, Natasha is a late fitness bloomer and took her first pole class at the age of 29 with no prior dance, gymnastics or fitness training. Natasha instructs at BeSpun in Los Angeles, CA, was a principal dancer with Kelly Yvonne’s “Girl Next Door Show” from 2010 – 2015, and made her debut in its sister production “Seven” in 2015. Natasha teaches at BeSpun in Los Angeles, CA and is a featured instructor with OpenDance Academy. She is certified by elevatED, Floor Flow, Pole Moves and X-Pert. She is also an X-Pole Athlete and a Brand Ambassador for MilaKrasna, 21 grams Activewear and Denver Circus Supply. www.natashawang.com
A graduate of the University of Texas with a BS in Advertising and a BA in French, Natasha left a nine-year career in public relations in 2011 to pursue her pole dreams, and has never looked back. She is also a published poet and speaks fluent Chinese and French.
TIER: PROFESSIONAL
Sexy and athletic this is the hottest show in town destined to spice up your Valentines weekend.
Come with your lover, your girl gang or indulge in a guys night out.
Two unique shows, attend both nights for the full experience and 10% OFF ticket prices.
Email Pole Show LA for your dual night package: [email protected]
Not sure which night to attend? POLE SHOW LA can switch your ticket before January 15 at no charge.
Pole Show LA is the worlds first cross over pole dance and aerial show featuring the industries biggest stars.
Watch as they all take the stage at:
Avalon, Hollywood
February 15th and February 16th, 2019
SCHEDULE
6:00-6:30 PM: VIP Champagne Reception with the stars
6:30 PM: Doors Open
7:30 PM: Showtime
VIP Champagne Booths, VIP Cocktail Tables, Floor Seating, Standing Views
All VIP tables come with access to champagne reception, autograph signing with the stars and a welcome glass of champagne.
FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE VISIT:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Master Pole and Aerial Fitness Trainer Sarah Scott Shares Her Thoughts on the Mainstream Success of Pole Dancing
Sarah Scott is an international pole dancing performer and master pole and aerial fitness trainer. Her numerous accolades include 1st Place at the 2012 Miss Pole Dance UK, and 2nd Place at the 2014 World Pole Dance Doubles. She’s also made several, high-profile TV appearances including Sky 1’s A League of Their Own, and gained a huge social following.
Sarah recently spoke to HFE (Health and Fitness Education) and explained why pole dancing has become so popular. She said: “Pole dancing is nothing new, but recently it’s become a lot more mainstream as the fitness world is realising it’s a brilliant way of getting people involved who would otherwise be fearful of the gym environment… (it) helps women get another view of their bodies. It’s not just about losing weight, but about being part of a group and having fun. Most importantly of all, it takes the emphasis off the exercise itself and places it onto the mastering of a technique, which is where the enjoyment and commitment come into play.”
She went on to explain how pole dancing provides an exciting alternative to regular fitness classes: “The other big advantage pole dancing offers is the sense of support… Normally the same people are going to pole classes every week and if someone gets a move they’ve been struggling with then there’s a big round of applause. That sense of group support is hugely motivating and reassuring.”
Sarah also offered some advice for personal trainers looking to get into pole and aerial fitness: “The PT industry can be incredibly competitive, so if possible you really want to carve out your own small niche… The first step is to get certified which they can do through number of providers or gain their qualification with XPERT Pole & Aerial Fitness, which is the only provider to offer the QCF… This qualification has really helped to give the industry credibility and raise the overall standard.”
Tara Meyer is an International Pole Champion.
She recently won, 1st Place, at the 2018 OG Ms. Pole Fitness Olympia Championship & awarded the People’s Choice Award at Mr. Olympia.
She has studied dance for 23 years but first competed as a figure skater.
Tara found dance at age nine and by 16, her passion became her professional career; leading to many awards and scholarships.
She trained at several elite ballet & dance schools, around the world, and upon graduation, was named Canadian Female Dancer of the Year.
From her days dancing, on pointe, as a prima ballerina, she is now an X-POLE Athlete gracing the Pole World with her fluidity and killer feet! It is this finesse, which has seen her take home many Canadian, US and International titles, over the last few years.
While Tara continues to travel the world teaching, judging, performing and competing; she is also the Canadian XPERT Pole Fitness master trainer, clothing ambassador for Artista Apparel and the proud owner of VogueFit, an elite Aerial studio located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
AWARDS
2018 OG Ms. Pole Fitness Olympia, Champion & People’s Choice Award
2017 PWN, Female Performance Artist of the Year -“Best Female Performer”
2017 PWN, Most Photogenic – “Picture Perfect”
2016 PCS, Champion
2015 IPSF, Pole Sports Industry Award: Athlete Runner Up of the year
2015 PCS, 1st Runner up
2015 U.S Aerial Championships, 1st Runner up
2014 CPFA, Champion & Best Tricks Award
2014 NAPDC, Champion & People’s Choice Award
2014 Paragon International Amateur Pole Dance Championships, Champion
2013 CPFA, 1st Runner up Pro
2012 CPFA, 1st Place Semi Pro
2012 Miss Pole Winnipeg, Champion & People’s Choice Award
2011 Miss Pole Dance Canada, 1st Place Amateur & People’s Choice Award
Selected Guest Feature Performances:
Cast of Oscillations Dance (current)
2018 Cast of Jenyne Butterfly’s RISE, Vegas
2018 Legion Sports Fest Fitness, Los Angeles
2017 Cast of Jenyne Butterfly’s Virago Society
2015 Cast of Alethea Austin’s Ink N Iron
2014 Girl Next Door Soiree, Los Angeles
2015 Vegas Pole Expo
2014 Vegas Pole Expo
2013 Vegas Pole Expo
Judged:
2018 Pole Classic, Pole Expo Las Vegas
2018 PCS Pole Championships Series
2018 Pole Theatre Canada
2018 Colorado Pole Championships
2017 PCS Pole Championship Series
2017 PCS Pole Open Women’s Novice
2017 North American Pole Dance Championships
2016 Pole Theatre UK
2016 North American Pole Dance Championships
2016 CPFA Alberta Championships
2016 Erotic World Pole Dance Championships
Karley Cottrell is an aerialist and dancer in Las Vegas, Nevada. She has been dancing since she was 2 years old and has been performing at various shows in events in Las Vegas for the last 6 years. She started pole dancing almost 11 years ago and quickly added aerial arts. She now specializes in: pole, aerial pole, aerial hoop, aerial silks, cube, aerial hammock, doubles aerial hoop, and aerial looped straps. She currently travels to perform, teach workshops, and teach for Xpole and XPert. Karley is so excited to help bring pole and aerial fitness into the mainstream through the instruction of both XPole and Xpert.
-Xpole / XPert Master Aerial Trainer
-Certified Instructor Trainer in
Pole 1/2
Pole 3/4
Aerial Hoop
Aerial Silks
Aerial Hammock
Children’s Pole and Aerial Fitness
-ACE Certified Personal Trainer
-NASM Certified Personal Trainer
-NCSF Certified Personal Trainer
Career and Performance Highlights:
-Dancer and Aerialist in “Alice: A steampunk Concert Fantasy” in Las Vegas
-Dancer and Showgirl in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Tropicana Las Vegas
-Aerialist and feature guest with “Craig Robinson and the Nasty Delicious” in Las Vegas.
-Pole Dancer with “Green Day” at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas
-Dancer, Aerialist, and Producer in “Voyeur” in Las Vegas
-Aerialist and Feature guest at “Vancouver Tattoo and Culture Show” in Vancouver, Canada
XPERT Pole & Aerial Fitness is one of the largest Pole & Aerial teacher training programs worldwide powered by Crunch the leading US gym chain and X-POLE the #1 Pole & Aerial equipment manufacturer worldwide.
XPERT is an award winning program:
Active Training Awards Small Training Provider 2014 – FINALIST
International Fitness Showcase Best Brand Presence 2015
It doesn’t matter if you’re new to Pole & Aerial Fitness or a pro, registering for an XPERT Fitness teacher training is one of the best moves you can make. We pride ourselves on XPERT being one of the most comprehensive courses of its kind, being accredited by the top fitness certifying organizations across the globe – ACE, AFAA, Fitness Australia, Active IQ, CIMSPA, EMDP – and is endorsed by PDC and the Pole Safe Federation.
XPERT Pole & Aerial offer accredited teacher training courses in Pole Fitness, Aerial Hoop, Aerial Silks, Aerial Hammock, Flexibility Flow and Children’s Pole & Aerial Teacher Training.
XPERT is an award winning programme with fully qualified highly skilled trainers across the world.
Our XPERT Pole Fitness Teacher Training is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese.
Check out the full list of trainings available now.
Sponsorship
X-POLE has been part of this industry, supporting, nurturing and contributing to it in a positive manner for over a decade. In that time, we have facilitated and assisted the launch of regional, national and global competitions. Competitions, showcases and events are key to the expansion of pole worldwide and a major element in breaking down the preconceived attitudes to our amazing sport and industry.
If you would like X-POLE to sponsor your event, please complete the form below.
Please note that we do require 3 months advanced notice for event sponsorship.