What to Wear to Pole Dancing Class in 2024

In the past two decades, pole dancing and pole fitness classes have become one of the trendiest ways to work out. The muscle coordination and strength to maneuver your body around a standing pole, and keep to the music at the same time rivals gymnastics in its intensity. It’s a full-body workout that is excellent for core building, stretching and aerobic activity. It can also be a great dance class to help you tone and strengthen while pursuing other forms of dance. 

If you are new to the pole, you may have a lot of questions, including what to wear to pole dancing class. What should a beginner wear to pole dancing? Do you need bare legs for pole dancing?  We’ve rounded up some guidance on what dancers and professionals recommend that have helped them best, as well as some things to avoid wearing as you get dressed for class. 

Jump to Section

• What to Wear Pole Dancing
• Pole Dancing Outfits for Beginners
• What to Wear to Pole Dancing Class for Males

What to Wear Pole Dancing

So you’re finally going to take your first pole fitness or pole dancing class. These classes can be found with a quick internet search of “pole dancing classes near me” online, where you’ll find them plentiful, including among the wealth of dance classes in Chicago, dance classes in Houston or dance classes in Washington, D.C.

Comfort is Key

When planning what to wear to pole dancing class, comfort is key, both in terms of time on the pole and during dance stretches before class. Wear clothes that move with you, not against you. Lycra, spandex and cotton are all great fabrics, particularly if they have moisture-wicking properties to help control sweat.   

Bottoms

Bare skin contact is one of the most important ways to grip and maneuver on the fitness pole. Since you will be gripping with the strength of your legs, shorts or dance briefs are the best option for bottoms. Do you need bare legs for pole dancing? Can I wear leggings to pole dancing class? 

Leggings can be way too slippery and prevent your skin from gripping the pole and so are not advised. If you prefer more coverage, you can always opt for mid-length or looser shorts. For more modest pole dancing clothes, you could also wear a dance skirt that features briefs or shorts under a short skirt panel that fits closer to the body like a swimsuit.  

Tops

For what to wear for pole dancing class on top, opt for comfortable but form-fitting. Too much free and loose fabric can not only get tangled on the pole but can impede your movements and prevent seeing your form as you need to. It can also get very hot during workouts, so you will want as few layers as possible. Great options include form-fitting tanks or sports bras. 

Shoes

What shoes do you wear to a pole dancing class? Many classes suggest you go with bare feet since this is the best way to use your feet to grip the metal to your best advantage. Sneakers can be too clunky, but some indoor rubber-soled shoes that fit close to your feet, like ballet flats, can work if you want to wear shoes.

Many studios prohibit street shoes to keep dirt and debris off the dance floor, so be prepared to change or remove them. While many dance classes can teach you to dance in heels, this is usually for more advanced classes once you’ve got your skills down as a beginner. 

Accessories

As for accessories, bring a hair tie if you want to keep your hair free of your face and off your neck. Leave off the jewelry though, since it can get caught on your clothing or your hair, impede your grip, or get damaged. Metal jewelry can often scratch and damage the pole as well. 

Pole Dancing Outfits for Beginners

Tank Top and Shorts

A great pole dancing outfit for beginners would be a stretchy, form-fitting tank top in lycra and a pair of boy-cut shorts. You could also opt for a sports bra or cropped tank if you want to keep your midriff as cool as possible during the class. 

If you are worried about being cold, opt for joggers or trainers that you can remove right before the class, as well as other layers on top like hoodies or long-sleeve tees can be removed as you warm up for class. 

Sports Bra and Medium Bike Shorts

For more coverage, you can also wear medium-length bike shorts as long as they do not prevent you from gripping the pole with your thighs. 

Jogging or Tennis Skirt and Cropped Tee

This gives you a little more coverage but does not involve as much fabric to keep you cool and enough skin bare to grip the pole.

Ballet Leotard with Short Sleeves

Good for many dance classes and styles, lycra and spandex bodysuits allow bare legs, while the shorter sleeves still give you open arms to help give you friction on the pole.  

Pole Dancing Separates

Many dance companies make clothes specifically for pole dancing. They include brief-like bottoms and cropped sports-bra-like tops in coordinated sets made of moisture-wicking light materials perfect for dance.

What to Wear to Pole Dancing Class for Males

Undergarments

Wondering what to wear to pole dancing classes for males? The guiding principles for male outfits for pole dancing are similar to those of women, especially making sure to keep legs and arms free to get the most friction on the metal pole.

If you are wearing tight shorts, one of the best underlayers to keep everything secure is a dance belt, worn by many male dancers in ballet, which assists support and provides coverage without adding extra fabric that can get too warm during a workout under your shorts. 

Bottoms

Jogger shorts, boxer briefs, or medium bike shorts work great on the bottom to wear for pole dancing class, as long as they are shorter and more form-fitting to allow grip and easy movement. You could also wear more form-fitting swim trunks as bottoms. 

Tops

Tighter-fitting tank tops are your best bet for what to wear for pole dancing class. You can also do it without a shirt, but some dancers prefer moisture-wicking fabrics to help with sweat. While pole dancing companies have largely catered to fitness for women, the market is catching up with brands like Backbone Polewear and Dragonfly Brand making shorts and tops designed specifically for male pole dancers.

The right gear and dance wear is important, whether you're learning pole dancing, or other fun options like hip hop dancing, how to belly dance, how to line dance, or how to salsa dance, all of which have their own recommended wardrobes. 

To learn even more about dancing, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!