Photo credits: Marion Crampe for Invertika

Whether you’re just starting pole dance or have been practicing for a while, you’ve probably noticed that this discipline doesn’t come down to just one style. And that’s what makes it so rich: between strength, flexibility, dance, and artistic expression, everyone can find an approach that resonates with them!

That’s why at Pole Factory, we’ve put together an overview of the main pole dance styles… maybe you’ll discover the one that makes you shine ✨

1. POLE SPORT: strength and performance

Pole sport is the most athletic side of the discipline. Strongly represented in competitions, it relies on a system of moves ranked by difficulty. And if you’ve ever taken a “classic” pole dance class, chances are it was actually pole sport!

Expect to see: impressive tricks, short or long combos, intense strength and conditioning, a constant search for technical precision.

Pole sport can be practiced both in spinning and static mode:

• Spinning: the pole rotates on its axis, allowing fluid and aerial transitions between moves.

• Static: the pole stays fixed, but several specific approaches exist like:

  • Spin on static: creating rotations on a fixed pole using momentum, weight transfers, sliding hands, and precise muscle control. It highlights power and flow, sometimes giving the illusion of spinning through optical effect.

  • Dynamic static: based on speed and explosiveness, with jumps, drops, and fast transitions. Highly visual, it requires strength, power, and perfect coordination.

👉 Pole sport highlights both raw strength and advanced technique, making it perfect for those who love pushing their limits in an athletic style.

🪡 What to wear? Most polewear brands work well. We recommend Invertika, Dragonfly, Hotcakes, Movs wear or Fanna. The best option is usually shorts and a sports bra to maximize skin grip and make moves easier!

2. POLE ART: creativity and expression

Less focused on raw performance, pole art emphasizes creativity, emotion, and originality. Each performance tells a story and often integrates theatrical or contemporary dance elements.

👉 Here, it’s not just about the difficulty of the tricks, but about the visual and emotional impact. Perfect for those who love to express their personality through different forms of art!

🪡 What to wear? Any polewear brand can work here too, but pole art is the perfect chance to show your creativity! Dare to wear more artistic or unique pieces from brands like Hotcakes, Fantabody, Hamade, or even Intermezzo (a dancewear brand).

3. EXOTIC POLE: sensuality and musicality

Exotic is easy to spot with its iconic platforms (Pleasers heels). It mixes sensual dance, floorwork, musicality, and fluid movement. This rich universe has several subcategories, like:

• Exotic flow: fluid, airy, and elegant, with smooth continuous transitions.

• Exotic hard: more powerful and dynamic, with sharp accents and explosive energy.

• Exotic old school: inspired by the origins of pole dance in clubs, rawer and sexier.

• Russian style: highly technical and demanding, combining strength, musicality, flexibility, and spectacular aesthetics.

👉 If you love exploring sensuality and playing with music, exotic is a must-try!

🪡 What to wear? Exotic is where you can go bold! Try modern or daring styles with brands like Maed, Exo Wear, Oksa Wear, ArtGo, or Rolling. Bodysuits are also a great option, perfectly suited to this sensual and expressive style.

4. POLE FLOW: dance and emotion

Inspired by contemporary dance, pole flow blends floorwork with fluid movements on the pole.

You’ll often see: seamless transitions between pole and floor, a focus on emotion and introspection, poetic and artistic choreographies.

👉 Perfect for those who love to convey messages through movement and explore the connection between body, space, and music.

🪡 What to wear? Go for soft, dance-inspired outfits. Brands like Tatawear, Movs wear, or Fanna are ideal for a flowing, poetic style. Sweatpants or jumpsuits can also be great options to enhance comfort and the dance vibe.

5. POLE ACRO: circus and adrenaline

Pole acrobatics, or pole acro, focuses on aerial movements, jumps, and spectacular transitions. Inspired by circus and aerial disciplines, it often includes:

• jumps (on and around the pole),

• flips and explosive rotations,

• drops (controlled and impressive falls),

• partner lifts or variations inspired by Chinese pole and flying pole.

👉 Pole acro is highly visual and dynamic. It demands strength, explosiveness, and coordination, as well as careful safety and progressions. It’s perfect for adrenaline seekers and fans of breathtaking stage performances.

🪡 What to wear? Choose technical and secure outfits. Brands like Dragonfly or Invertika offer durable options. For certain practices like the flying pole (often covered in silicone), leggings and a long-sleeve top can also help protect the skin.

How to choose your pole dance style?

The good news: you don’t have to choose just one! Many pole dancers draw inspiration from multiple styles and create their own identity.

👉 To get started, try out different classes and follow what makes you feel alive. The most important thing is to find the style that matches your personality, goals, and desires!

Of course, this list is not exhaustive — pole dance is full of diverse approaches waiting to be discovered!

At the end of the day, Pole dance is a wonderfully rich discipline: sport, art, sensuality, creativity… there are as many styles as there are dancers. Whether you’re drawn to athletic challenge, artistic expression, or sensual movement, you’ll definitely find a style that feels like you.

And if you have any questions we haven’t answered yet, we’d love to hear from you on Instagram (@polefactorymc) or via our contact form.

See you soon! ☽