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 Fireman Spin is a wonderful move to get your whole body on the pole, experimenting with how your body moves on the pole while staying close to the ground. Once you master this spin, you can spread the knees far apart from each other for a wide Fireman spin, keeping the ankles together. The only difference here is style, and on spin pole, it will cause you to spin slower.
The Front Hook Spin is a fun way to involve the whole body in a spin. Using both hands and the inside leg’s knee pit, this is the perfect beginner pole trick to get comfortable with lifting your bodyweight off the floor.
This is a versatile spin, with the hand placement perfect to allow you to transition into other spins and tricks on the pole at more advanced levels. This is also a spin that can be done safely in pants as the hands provide most of the necessary skin contact.
The High Kick Hold is a fun way to add a quick pop up in any pole dance routine, and gives you the momentum needed to transition into other spinny tricks, or a fun way to showcase a beat in the song right before you move down the pole.
Also known as the straddle pole ab and straddle up, this move is also commonly used as conditioning for inverts. Only requiring a stronghold grip and waist pocket hold, this move is a perfect beginner pole trick for when you want to emphasize a strong point in your routine.
These Hip Dips are a sensual way to add subtle movement to any performance. Perfect for the beginner pole dancer looking to incorporate more lowflow movements into their pole dance routines. Commonly called Hip Dips, or Hip Sways, this is primarily done behind the pole to showcase the extension of the neck, the rotation of the hips, and extension of the legs. It is best performed on static pole, but it can be done on spin. This is a perfect move to add if you’re looking for an exaggerated, start-stop movement to add to the beat of a song.
The Pirouette is an eye-catching transition that you can work into almost any pole dance routine, whether you’re trying to space out your next pole trick, get into position for an exotic squat in a stylish way, or just continue riding the momentum around the pole.
While this move is the most basic pirouette, once you get comfortable with the movements, you can add your own style, whether it’s a knee out, adding in a hip-sway, figure-four, or a fan – the possibilities are endless.
A Pole Sit is a wonderful introduction to getting your feet off the ground and learning about how your skin grips the pole. This move can be done on spin or static pole, and unless you are using a silicone pole, it requires shorts so you can use your upper thigh skin to grip the pole. Once you’ve mastered the Pole Sit, you’ll open the door to many new moves and sit variations that you can do in a pole dance routine.
The Pole Walk is a classic way to move around the pole with grace and fluidity. Walking around the pole might seem simple, but adding the finesse of a graceful walk not only helps you train a strong sense of balance and a great toe point, but it provides breathing room in any pole dance routine, giving the audience a moment to look on in awe.
The Pole Walk is an introductory pole trick that every beginner should have in their mental toolbox at the start of their journey, able to be performed on both static and spin poles.
The Steparound Spin is a fun, versatile spin that is perfect for gathering momentum to transition into other spins and moves, but also looks lovely on its own. This spin can be incorporated into any pole dance routine no matter the level.
With no pre-requisite moves necessary, this is a perfect spin to learn if you are a beginner. The steparound spin is also known as the front spin, basic spin, or around the world. While it can be done on spin pole, it’s best performed on static pole so you have better control over your momentum.
