Frequently Asked Questions
Solving all your pole-related questions and conundrums…
Where are the classes held?
Classes are taught in Goodricke Dining Hall near the Roger Kirk Centre (at the University of York, off Heslington Lane). If you’re new to the area, then here’s a map.
I’m not a student. Can I come too?
Yes! Although most people who come to pole are students, we also have quite a few non-students who attend regularly too. Feel free to come along to one of our classes if you want to see more (there is parking just outside Goodricke) or get in touch if you have questions and we’ll do our best to help you.
How much are the classes?
Membership for our club costs £5.
As well as the chance to spin round poles all year, your £5 also gets you 25% off Nailed on Beauty (all treatments) in York and discounted drinks at Yates’s Bar in York.
Classes cost:
- £3 per session (students) / £4 per session (non-students)
- £40 per term for unlimited classes
If you’d like to see what it’s like before committing, you can come along for a trial class before joining the club.
What’s this about York Sport?
All regular members of classes must be members of York Sport (née Athletic Union) for insurance reasons. York Sport lets you join all of the sports clubs at York and gives you access to a wide range of discounted activities from netball to sailing to rock climbing.
Membership is £40 for students and non-students.
Non-student membership doesn’t give you access to the Sports Centre’s facilities; if you’d like that too then a more expensive £55 non-student membership is also available. Details are on the York Sport site.
If you’re a student, please join York Sport here. If you’re not a student then you can join at any class – come and see us and we’ll sort it out for you.
What kind of clothes do I wear?
Please wear shorts and t-shirts. Tracksuit bottoms may be worn for warm up and warm down. Members may choose not to wear shorts, but the exercise begins to get harder as the legs are needed to create resistance against the pole. High heels can be worn, an ankle strap must be around the heel of the foot, for example boots, or items shown on our merchandise link, so that the shoe is securely on the foot at all times.
Do I need to bring anything else?
Please bring some water and a small towel. Also remember Do not moisturise your hands or body! (It makes the pole very slippery!)
I can’t dance / move my body / have any flexibility / co-ordination. Can I still come?
Yes! So many of our members are discovering that the way to learn these things is that when you start Pole Exercise you start at the very beginning no one can do it better! You can learn your exercise in your own unique way, and have a great time doing it! If in doubt give it a go, bring some friends, and have a giggle!
My muscles ache after class and I seem to get bruises sometimes - what can I do?
Muscle ache after class is a perfectly natural response to the body working out during the session. We recommend that after class you take a hot shower or bath to allow the muscles to relax. Aching muscles are a sign that you’re getting better, so learn to enjoy the feeling and see it as a step towards getting better. As for bruises, these tend to stop occuring as you continue classes. At first you may bruise your legs if you attempt a trick incorrectly - no worries, try to get some arnica cream and massage this into the area of bruising. You can get tablets and cream from any health shops (Holland and Barratts) as arnica is a natural, herbal remedy. You should find this helps reduce bruising over time.
Can men take part?
Yes! In fact the male membership to Pole Exercise Club has risen dramatically in the last academic year. Men begin the exercise with a natural strength advantage, but Alex our male instructor utilises the unique aspects of Pole Exercise to build muscle and strength, increase flexibility and push you to a different level of fitness. This exercise even benefits the athletically involved individuals, such as gymnastics, climbers to even skydivers as it works to specifically enhance the area in which you wish to work on!
I don’t seem to be progressing as much as I want. What can I do?
We understand that it is hard for some of our members to come more than once a week, and sometime people wish to progress a quicker rate than their other commitments allow. In this instance, we recommend that you invest in a pole for your home practice. The club is now a retailer of the X-Pole, each pole comes with the option of a spinning or static mode, and the poles are completely removable and leave no marks on the ceiling (great for rented accommodation). They sell the standard X-Pole for £159.99 and a new Titanium model (which is fantastic for those of you who need a bit more grip) for £189.99. If you want to place an order, please email us, and you can pay the club directly.
How can I find out more?
Please send us an email if you have any questions and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
If you’d like to be kept up to date with class times, pole info and all of the club’s other happenings, feel free to subscribe to our mailing list and we’ll keep you posted. You can also find us on Facebook.
