Home Pole Studio Essentials: What You Need to Pole Dance at Home

Online Pole Dance ClassesAt Home Training
Written By Orion Orbits

Pole dancing at home gives you freedom, privacy, and consistency. Whether you’re training for the club, filming content, or taking online pole dance classes, a home setup can be one of the best investments you make for your practice.

For many dancers, it can be life-changing — especially if you live far from a studio, if local studios feel whorephobic or unwelcoming, or if you simply do your best practicing alone.

Whether you’re preparing for the club, club auditions, gaining strength, building muscle memory, training with online pole classes, or just creating space to move on your own terms, having a home pole setup lets you build confidence and routine without compromise.

Here’s what you actually need to create a safe and functional pole space, along with recommendations from our RLT family.

How to Set Up Your Space for Pole Dancing at Home

Before buying equipment, make sure your space can safely support a pole.

The first step is making sure your space works for movement.

We recommend having enough room to lay flat on all sides of your pole for spins and transitions, with a ceiling that’s tall enough to move safely. At the very least, you should be able to execute a few different spins without danger of hitting walls, furniture, or other obstructions in your home.

Always install your pole under a stud or support beam. The stud or beam is the solid structure behind your ceiling that can support weight. To find it, use a stud finder: Most will detect the nails or screws that attach your ceiling to the structure, which mark where the stud or beam runs. Once you’ve found that line, you know it’s safe to set up your pole. Without proper support, your pole could push straight through drywall — unsafe for both you and your space.

❕❕❕Want to see how it’s done? Watch Redd’s video on how to safely put up and take down a Lupit pole here.

Pro tip: When choosing where to put your pole, think about what will be behind you when you film. Put the best part of your room in the background so your videos look clean and intentional.

Essential Equipment for a Home Pole Studio

These are the must-have items for a safe and functional home pole setup.

  • Pole – Your pole is the centerpiece of your home setup. If you’re taking virtual classes, filming, or practicing for the club, invest in a high-quality pole from a trusted brand.

    • What to look for: removable or portable design (for renters), adjustable height, static + spin options, smooth joints, and safe grip.

    • Our favorite is a Lupit Pole (chrome, stainless steel, and powder-coated finishes available). Lupit poles are designed for home use and built with safety in mind. [Shop Lupit poles here using my link]

  • Stud finder + pole tools – For safe installation and regular maintenance tightening.

  • Safety padding – A crash mat is ideal, but pillows work in a pinch. [Crash Pads Here]

  • Yoga mat (or comfortable ground area)– For stretching, warm-ups, floorwork, and recovery.

  • Playlist + WiFi – Music sets the tone, and strong WiFi ensures you can join live classes or stream recordings. [Follow the RLT Spotify and add to our collaborative playlist here]

Pole Tips for Training at Home

A few simple habits make your pole safer and easier to use.

  • Tighten and adjust your pole regularly, especially with weather (temperature + pressure) changes.

  • Use a level app on your phone to make sure it’s straight. OR buy a level.

  • Clean your pole with rubbing alcohol before each session to reduce slips (hack: the higher the alcohol percentage, the more effective it is for grip and cleaning).

  • Train your grip strength so you rely less on pole grip.

  • Condition + train both sides so you can learn new pole milestones with ease.

Recommended Add-Ons for Training at Home

These items aren’t strictly essential, but they’ll make your training safer, smoother, and more enjoyable.

  • Grip aids for sweaty hands and secure movement.

  • Heels or socks for training and style. [Shop ShowPony heels here]. Beginner? We recommend starting with 6'“ or 7” heels, then graduating to 8-inch stripper heels.

  • Knee pads for floorwork and high-impact moves.

  • Layers or outfits that help you feel confident.

  • A fan or AC for temperature control.

  • A speaker or sound system. A small Bluetooth speaker works for most home pole setups, but many dancers invest in larger speakers or sound systems to recreate the energy of a studio or club.

  • A sturdy folding chair. Many online pole classes and workshops (including ours) use chairs for choreography, floorwork, or chair dance, so it’s a great versatile prop to have around.

Extras to Upgrade Your Pole Room

These bonus items won’t affect your ability to train (or will they? ), but they’ll enhance your space, movement quality, and vibe.

  • Long socks, garters, or fishnets

  • Yoga blocks for flexibility and support

  • Resistance bands, foam rollers, or lacrosse balls for recovery

  • Tripod or phone mount for filming

  • Sexy lighting of any kind (whatever makes you feel HOT AF).

  • Fun décor like plants, neon signs, or art that inspires movement

Community Tips for Home Pole Studios

We asked our RLT community chat what makes their home studios feel complete. Here’s what they shared:

  • Big mirrors and lighting setups (check Facebook Marketplace or buy used gym mirrors)

  • Budget-friendly grip hacks like Dollar Tree lotion that soaks in before training (look for “Pro Silk Body Aloe Vera Daily Moisturizing Lotion for $1.25“)

  • Tapestries, wall art, and lots of plants for atmosphere + vibes

  • Storage solutions for heels, outfits, accessories and props

  • Upgrading video quality on iPhones to capture better training footage (Recommendation: Record Video 4K @ 60 fps, Record Slow-mo 1080p @240 fps, Record Cinematic 1080p @ 30 fps, Record Sound Stereo)

  • UV lights, ring lights, projectors, and Bluetooth sexy mood lighting for strip club vibes at home

  • A bonus: Rafters or secure beams for those who want to hang or twerk from overhead structures (bitches love elevated surfaces, am I right)

Pole Room Inspiration from the RLT Family

A peek inside the pole rooms our babes in the RLT family call home.

What is Redd Light Therapy? (RLT)

Redd Light Therapy is the first sex worker–owned and operated online pole studio. Since our launch in 2024, we’ve hosted hundreds of live virtual classes and workshops led by current and retired sex workers, building an inclusive and stripper-friendly community for dancers worldwide. Whether you’re training at home, preparing for the club, or just exploring movement on your own terms, RLT offers online pole dance classes, workshops, tutorials, and resources designed to support you, and a community to cheer you on. [More about our first year in business here]

What You Need for an RLT Class

If you’re taking a class with Redd Light Therapy, here’s what you should have ready:

  • WiFi connection (all sign-ups include lifetime access to recordings, so you can revisit anytime)

  • Clear floor space for warmups and stretching

  • Pole if required (check class descriptions for required materials)

  • Props as needed: yoga mat, heels, chair, or knee pads, depending on the class (will be noted in class description)

On the RLT app, you’ll also find a clickable article with playlists if you need new music inspiration!!

[Follow the RLT Spotify and add to our collaborative playlist here]

Build a Studio That Feels Like You

Your home pole setup doesn’t have to be complicated. For some, it’s just a pole and a mat in the corner of a bedroom. For others, it’s a fully built-out mini studio with couches, mirrors, and neon lights. What matters most is that it feels safe, functional, and inspiring for your practice.

Helpful Links

  • Poles - the pole I personally use + recommend

  • Heels – the best pole dance + stripper heels

  • Bikinis – our fave coverage and colors.

  • Other Items – essentials for strippers and pole dancers

Explore More from Redd Light Therapy

  • Take a class on the Redd Light Therapy App [IOS],[ANDROID] – Online pole dance classes and movement workshops, recordings included with every sign-up.

Orion Orbits
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One Year Wrapped: Redd Light Therapy’s First Year as a SW-Owned Online Pole Studio