A-Z Of Pole Dance Moves For Beginners

Whenever the word “pole dancing” is heard, people’s minds would immediately go off to the image of exotic nightclub dancers sensually circling a metal pole.

While that’s undeniably the chief appeal of pole dancing, there’s more to pole dance moves than just eroticism and sexiness.

Pole dancing can be a legitimate sport and a form of art, too.

Nevertheless, no matter what your end-point is when you set out to learn, you’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for the basics of this dance.

Here, you’ll find a list of all popular moves for beginners.

25 Popular Pole Dance Moves for Beginners

1. Front Hook Spin

The Front Hook Spin (also known by other names like Showgirl Spin or Front Spin) is one of the simplest and easiest spin-type moves that you can learn.

In it, you simply wrap one of your legs around the pole, grip the pole with both of your arms, then spin around the pole. Your outer foot would be lifted off the ground, as well.

This is a great beginner pole dance position to try before you move on to more advanced techniques. With it, you can get used to the feeling of being off the floor.

You will also be able to train your muscles and be more comfortable with lifting your body weight, as well.

Additional benefits of learning this dance move include its versatility. The hand placement of the Front Hook Spin means you can seamlessly transition to other moves and techniques.

And last but not least, since your hands already provide all of the contacts needed to execute the spin, you can practice while wearing pants.

Check more: 7 Best Stripper Poles For Home Spinning

2. Back Hook Spin

The Back Hook Spin is exactly like the Front Hook Spin but reversed.

Don’t underestimate this dance move, however. Because of the difference in direction, it is mechanically different from the Front Hook Spin.

It also feels different, too. Because you can’t look behind your back, it can be a bit disorienting for beginners to learn.

3. Chair Spin

The Chair Spin (also known as the Seated Spin or the Sit Spin) is one of the more graceful beginner dance moves that you can learn.

In it, you grip both arms around the pole and spin around it with your feet off of the ground. It should look as if you’re sitting on an invisible, revolving chair.

This dance move is excellent for beginners to learn about momentum, from how it works to how to control it.

4. Cradle Spin

In the Cradle Spin, you grip the pole with both arms and execute a maneuver that brings your body up and vertically, to finally wrap around the pole.

For most beginners, the Cradle Spin will likely be the first move you learn that involves the upper thighs.

It’s also likely to be the first move that involves more than 2 or 3 points of contact (this one has 5). It’ll be able to break the monotony of the beginner’s routine.

Note that when you do this move, you should extend the pointer finger of your bottom hand. It’ll be more comfortable and you’ll be able to minimize the risks of getting a wrist injury.

Additionally, the Cradle Spin demands that you’re fluent with the Push-Pull method. Make sure that you’re at least competent with this technique before you attempt this move.

5. Dip Spin

The Dip Spin is simple to get started and learn. It only requires an understanding of the Baseball Grip.

In the Dip Spin, you hold the pole with both arms. The heel of the inside foot is then raised.

With the inside foot fixed firmly to the ground, you then execute a turn around the pole using the inside leg as an anchor point.

The inside leg is dipped low, so the turning movement looks like a side lunge or single-leg squat.

The move stops when you complete a whole turn around the pole and the outside foot meets up with the static inside foot.

This move is great for beginning pole dancers to learn about momentum as well as how to control body movement as momentum changes through the move.

6. Fireman Spin

Similar to the Cradle Spin, learning the Fireman Spin is a great way to involve your entire body in the routine.

You can use this technique to experiment and get used to the way your body moves when it’s close to the ground.

7. Wide Fireman Spin

An offshoot of the Fireman Spin is the Wide Fireman Spin. In this modified move, you spread your knees farther apart while spinning on the pole.

Besides giving the move a distinctly different look and style, your spinning rate is also going to be slower on the pole.

8. Knee Spin

In the Knee Spin, your body makes close contact with the pole. As such, it is a good move to experiment with when you’re first starting out.

Experimenting with it will give you a better understanding of momentum and how to control it.

Furthermore, the Knee Spin is a decent way to add variety and flair to your dance routine.

This dance move behaves differently depending on your pole. You can achieve a very high spin rate if you use a spin pole.

If you use a static pole, this move is easy to control.

With enough practice, it will become easy enough to enter that it feels instinctual and you can build up a lot of momentum and power.

9. Secretary Spin

This is one of the more attractive and sensual spin-type moves that you can learn as a beginner.

The Secretary Spin is a good way to get used to the feeling of having both of your feet off of the ground as you spin around the pole.

You can use this move to understand more about momentum, too. Enough pushing force on the outside leg and the closer your body is to the pole, the faster you’re going to spin.

The movement naturally brings your body close to the pole. So, the effect of the body’s proximity to the pose on the spinning rate is very noticeable.

10. Steparound Spin

If you’ve been paying close attention to each move thus far, you’ll notice that the Steparound Spin looks very similar to the Dip Spin.

That’s true: the techniques are mostly the same between them. However, with the Steparound Spin, the inside leg isn’t lowered.

The Steparound Spin is a technically-easy move that any beginner can learn right away as it doesn’t require you to know any other technique.

However, it’s not all fun and has no usefulness.

This spin can be incorporated into routines of any level and it can also be used to transition to other moves and spins.

This move is best done on a static pole, but it’s also possible to do it on a spin pole.

11. Basic Backbend (Pole Assisted)

Don’t underestimate the Basic Backbend just because it’s called “Basic”. It is among one of the most elegant and beautiful poses that you can make in pole dancing and can fit well in any dance routine.

This ballet-like move can showcase your flexibility as well as your strength.

However, for beginners who are just trying this technique for the first time, it is important to be aware of the movement range and limitations of your back.

Do not push your back beyond what it’s capable of, or you’ll end up with a back injury.

12. Basic Body Rolls

Incredibly sensual and versatile, the Basic Body Rolls can be added to any routine without much work. You can use this move as a “spacer” in-between different moments of a song.

Alternatively, you can use it to highlight the sensuality of other dance moves.

The fluidity of the move means you can see for yourself what your body is capable of and the degree of its flexibility while practicing in front of a mirror.

This knowledge is incredibly useful as it tells you how you can improve further.

The most important thing when you’re practicing the Basic Body Rolls is to loosen up. The more rigid you are, the choppier the rolling movement is going to be.

Since this technique is all about fluidity and laxness, that won’t do.

13. Basic Leg Waves

Also known as Bicycles, the Basic Leg Waves is floorwork (doesn’t involve an actual pole).

When done well, the technique can do an excellent job of showcasing your gracefulness. It can be integrated into any floorwork routine.

What you need to remember when you perform this trick is to relax your body. Not a lot of fluidity is required (though it does help make the waving motion smoother and more attractive).

Depending on your dancing style, you can make the waving motion wide or narrow, eye-drawing or simple.

14. Basic Pole Climb

If you know the Basic Pole Climb, climbing up the pole is going to be less exhausting.

This technique allows you to ascend on the pole without having to use your muscle or put a lot of energy into the motion.

Specifically, you only need to apply strength to hold onto the pole and lift your legs off the ground. The upward motion is done by locking your hips and using them as leverage to climb.

Though it may look simple, this is actually a pretty complicated move. So, you should only attempt it after you’re used to all the previous techniques as well as knowing how to grip the pole properly.

Using the Basic Pole Climb in your practice can help you understand how your body and the pole interact with one another.

15. Cleopatra

The Cleopatra move is a floorwork trick that involves transitioning your legs from one side of the pole to the other. It’s relatively simple to do and doesn’t require a great deal of flexibility or technical know-how.

If you have a professional instructor, they will teach you to hold onto the pole at first.

However, this is not necessary. The trick can be done without gripping the pole (or without using a pole at all).

16. Drama Queen

This is one of the more sophisticated beginner pole dance positions that you can do when you just first started out. The Drama Queen will allow your body to move around the pole more than most moves.

First, you should execute a pole sit, then bring your arm around the pole and connect the back of your arm with your torso. This locking movement will stabilize your body on the pole.

Lastly, you will cocoon yourself around your interlocking legs at the front.

In this move, the more skin contact there is between yourself and the pole, the better. If there isn’t enough, there’s a decent chance that you could fall or slide off the pole.

Furthermore, one hand should always be on the pole at all times. That will prevent you from falling backward.

17. Fan Kick

The Fan Kick can put your entire body into motion. Your hands are used to keep a strong grip on the pole.

Then, your core and pelvis are used to sweep and swivel your legs widely.

Lastly, your legs have to maintain a degree of fluidity and gracefulness as they sweep in the air.

This move can be used for a number of purposes. Adding it into a routine can improve the flair and beauty. You can use it to move around the pole mid-dance.

Or, when you’re at a more advanced level, the Fan Kick can be used to transition to other difficult moves.

18. High Kick Hold

Similar to the Fan Kick, the High Kick Hold is a great way to add a highlight to your dance routine.

Alternatively, it can be used to transition to other spin-type moves or to act as a marker for a downbeat in the song before you slide down the pole.

19. Hip Dips

Though it looks incredibly simple, the Hip Dips is an effective way to add a touch of sexiness to your performance.

The move is often done behind the pole to highlight the neck, hips, and legs of the dancer. Highly effective at emphasizing a beat in a song.

However, it looks simple doesn’t mean it’s easy. The Hip Dips requires a decent amount of fluidity in the movement. It takes some practice to do the swaying motion without looking choppy or awkward.

20. Pirouette

The Pirouette is a transitional movement. Dancers typically incorporate it as a spacer between different pole tricks or to get into a starting position for squatting or exotic dance moves.

This simple Pirouette movement is the basic one. As your skill level goes up, you’ll get the opportunity to learn some more complicated variants of this move.

21. Pole Sit

The Pole Sit can be a good trick as well as a good exercise to get used to the feeling of having both legs off the ground.

As there’s a lot of skin contact involved, you can use the Pole Sit in your practice session to learn more about skin contact and how it affects your posture, too.

This is a move that you need to master in order to nail other tricks, like the Drama Queen or the Tabletop. So, make sure to practice it often!

22. Secretary Sit

This is a variation of the Secretary Spin (but without the spinning). It’s a great way to get used to doing tricks that only involve one side of the body as well as practicing your sitting moves.

This is one of the moves that make use of your knee pits, so if you still feel a bit awkward using them, the Secretary Sit can be a good opportunity to learn.

Due to the natural beauty of the pose, it’s perfect for photoshoots.

23. Shoulder Stand

The Shoulder Stand can be leveraged to move around the pole as well as give your performance a bit more exotic. It can be done either barefoot or in high heels.

This move is supported by the pole, so you don’t need a lot of work to maintain balance. You also don’t need to be very flexible to pull this move successfully (but the more flexible you are, the better the move will look.)

So, this technique is great for beginners!

24. Sunwheel

In the Sunwheel, both hands will grip the pole. Step forward and push with your inside leg to get some velocity in. Swing your outside leg to gain more momentum. This momentum will carry you around the pole.

As you rotate, your hands should still grip the pole and your legs should be entirely off the ground.

The Sunwheel can be a pretty trick to pull as it requires some flexibility in the hip. Some people may find it difficult to retract their legs up and above the ground.

25. Reverse Sunwheel

The Reverse Sunwheel is exactly like the Sunwheel … but backward. It’s the same situation as the Front Hook Spin versus the Back Hook Spin.

Though the technique is pretty much the same, the different direction means the Reverse Sunwheel is mechanically different.

You can use this move to practice the sensation of spinning backward on the pole, which can feel quite strange if you don’t have a lot of practice.

Tips When Pole Dancing

Take Care Of The Pole

A clean pole is the easiest pole to perform or practice on.

Before and after every session, wipe down the pole with a clean cloth or tissue paper to take off any sweat or skin oil that got onto it. When accumulated, they can make the pole dirty and slippery.

Do Not Use Skin Lotion

Skin lotion can reduce chafing and discomfort, but it will also make you more slippery and affect your overall performance.

Wear Shorts and Tank Top When You Practice

Skin contact with the pole is absolutely important in many maneuvers as it can decide the strength of your grip and overall security.

Wearing shorts and tank tops during practice bare the maximum amount of skin, unlike leggings or sleeved shirts.

Dance Barefoot Whenever Possible

Socks are slippery and shoes are grippy and cumbersome. Dance barefoot whenever possible.

If you would like to wear heels during your performance (many dancers do), practice with them to get used to their bulk and weight.

Practice!

The more you practice, the easier it gets. Don’t get discouraged if you’re unable to pull a new trick or can’t get a grip style right.

Keep on practicing and keep a positive, motivated mindset. You’ll get there!

Be Brave

The sensation of being off the ground, the fear of falling, and the strange sense of momentum can be anxiety-inducing. Many moves will require you to be brave and put faith in your body.

This is why it’s important to practice as much as possible. The more you practice, the more confident you will be.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun

Pole dancing isn’t just an exercise or a career, it’s also a fun hobby to get into.

So, no matter what you do, don’t forget to have fun while performing or practicing. That’s the true value of pole dancing!

Final Words

Pole dancing is a diverse and complex sport. Though this list contains a lot of pole dance moves, it’s not all-inclusive. There are many more tricks and moves to learn.

Of course, as your skill level goes up, you’re afforded certain “artistic liberties” and you can invent your own moves.

Good luck with your practice!