Welcome to the PolePedia Pole Dance Move Dictionary!
In this section of the website, you can browse a variety of pole dance moves and tricks based on classification or skill level.
Want to browse all pole dance spins? Select “spin” from the menu below. Want to see all beginner-level pole tricks? Select “beginner” from the menu.
It’s really as easy as that.
You can also search for your favorite moves in the search bar below. We are always improving and adding to our move dictionary, and that includes alternative move names – so if you don’t see something you’re looking for, please let us know!
Much love, and happy poling, from the PolePedia team!
Introductory pole dance moves include everything you need to know to practice safe pole dancing movements and motions. Building your own mental knowledge base is essential for training safely, whether you are practicing in a studio, club, or at home. In this section, you’ll find various hand grips, safety information, and more tricks to help you build your pole education base.
In the section about beginner pole dance moves, you’ll find moves that you would typically start with in a studio. Here, you’ll find a variety of pole tricks and floorwork moves; spins, slides, legwork, climbs – everything you need for a solid foundation moving into intermediate pole dance moves.
Now that you’ve mastered the beginner moves and you’ve built up enough strength to start practicing intermediate pole tricks, it’s time that we get a little more complex with our movements. If you’re not certain whether you’re capable of doing a move, don’t worry – each move will have a list of pre-requisite moves, motions, or grips that you need to be comfortable with first.
Advanced pole tricks are for the pole dancer who has aced the intermediate moves. You feel strong and confident in several keystone intermediate pole tricks, and beginner pole moves are a walk in the park. This is the next level up from intermediate, with fewer points of contact and more audience-wowing feats.
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The Reverse Sunwheel is the opposite of the Sunwheel and uses a lot of the same movements as the Back Hook Spin. Mechanically different than the Sunwheel, The Reverse Sunwheel is a wonderful way to get creative with your backwards momentum and explore the feeling of “falling” backwards into a spin.
The Sunwheel is great beginner pole dance spin that is very similar in shape to the Attitude Spin. The main difference between the two is that the Sunwheel does not hook the front leg like the Attitude spin does. This is a great move for dancers who want to add a little bit of variation to their pole routine and while removing a point of contact.
The Shoulder Stand is a wonderful way to transition around the pole and add a bit of flare to your floorwork either barefoot or in heels.
This trick is beginner-friendly and pole-assisted, meaning you do not need a lot of balance to perform it. The movement will keep you front-facing and your bodyweight centered, allowing you to transition into other floorwork tricks. You do not need a lot of flexibility to perform this move, however, the more active flexibility you have in your middle splits, the showier this trick is.
The Split Grip is common in a variety of more advanced spins and inverted moves, relying on the Push and Pull method, which you can read more about in the sidebar. In this method, you are always Pushing with your bottom hand and Pulling with your top hand, engaging the shoulders, and keeping your core tight. You should not feel any pressure in your lower arm – the top arm should be supporting most of your weight.
The Cradle Spin uses the Push Pull method with the hands spread wide. This is likely the first beginner pole spin you will come across that uses the top of the thighs to such a degree, introducing an applicable way to use the Hip Hold. This spin is a fun way to bring your whole body around the pole and break up the typical motion of other beginner spins.
The Back Hook Spin is the reverse of the Front Hook Spin, however, because of the backwards momentum, it is mechanically different. Both spins are excellent for beginner pole dancers and teach a wide variety of skills on the pole. In this spin, you will need to generate more backwards momentum to bring your body around the pole successfully.
The Basic Backbend is a simple and beautiful pose that goes well in almost any pole dance routine. This movement will begin to showcase the flexibility and strength required by many pole shapes, no matter how simplistic they look from the outside.
The Attitude Spin is a gorgeous beginner pole dance spin that will start teaching you dynamic movements required in pole that are outside of the average range of motion. Once you are familiar with hooking your leg into the pole, the next step is to get familiar with the feeling of bringing the back leg behind your body and holding it there, which will start to test your glutes and how flexible your body is.
The hip hold is a subtle but crucial hold. In the inverted Jade Split, for example, the hip hold is a main point of contact with the pole, so proper implementation is important. Without rotating the hips, you will struggle to stay on the pole and risk slipping.
