In This Economy!?: Pole dancing with champagne dreams and a beer budget

September 26, 2025
Casey Danzig
General

You can’t escape it. Whether it’s the news reporting it, prices reflecting it, or slumps in business because of it. This economy is kicking our ass. As a freelancer, the drop-in clients and new inquiries have been crippling, costs keep rising, so businesses have to raise their prices to balance expenses, and now we’re paying more for yet another thing. It feels like there is no end in sight (even though there always is), and it can take a toll on one’s mental health and relationships with others and themselves. We are all cutting back on luxuries, sticking to our budgets, and getting creative to stretch our dollars.

You know what’s not budget-friendly? Pole. However, dropping things that bring us joy and are therapeutic to the mind, body, and soul would be devastating, and we need our passions and hobbies more than ever. So, now what? As someone who has struggled with financial difficulties, I have developed some helpful tips that can help mitigate the economic impact and keep you afloat. Waiting on a sugar daddy is like staying in a field all night for The Great Pumpkin.

Power of the Package

Most studios offer a price list that includes class packages for purchase in bulk or a per-class rate. Some studios even offer membership plans where you pay a monthly or annual fee for unlimited access to specific training sessions or classes, or a discount. The fear of committing to several classes and/or the lump sum you have to pay may cause people to opt for the drop-in price, but that’s where mistakes are made. You end up paying more by paying per class than you would for a package, and typically have a generous amount of time to use the pre-purchased classes. Even if you are new and not sure if pole is for you, it’s still better to do a “New student discount pass” if available, as it’s your only chance to get that discount. A 5-class pass is often just enough for you to decide if this is the sport for you and try different instructors and class styles.

Below is an example of what a studio’s pricing may look like, along with a full breakdown of costs. As you can see, although some of the discounts are not substantial, they can add up over time and are worth considering. Not to mention buying a package when you have the money guarantees that if cash drops in the coming weeks (depending on how many days a week you train), you’ll still have classes saved in your account to use. Future you sends its gratitude.

Dancing Danzig Studios

Item	Cost	Break Down	Total At Full Price
New Student Deal Class	$35	$35 per class	$35
New Student Deal 3-Class package	$99	$33 per class	$105
New Student Deal 10-Class package	$299	$29.90 per class	$350
Regular Single Class	$38	$38 per class	$38
5-Class Package	$175	$35 Per Class	$190
10-Class Package	$330	$33 per class	$380
Workshop Session	$45	$45 per class	$45
Workshop 5-Sessions	$199	$39.80 per class	$225
Workshop 10-Sessions	$375	$37.50 per class	$450
Open Pole 1 – Session	$20	$20 per class	$20
Open Pole 10-Class Package	$149	$14.90 per class	$200

Quality over Quantity

We’ve all seen those great pole blooper videos of people whose at-home poles have collapsed, or a heel breaking off in their hand. While it provides good entertainment, and consumers usually walk away with nothing more than a bruised knee and ego, from a safety and financial perspective, it’s a red flag. The average pole from top-name brands, such as X-Pole, ranges from $120 to $500. Quality heels, such as Pleasers and Hella Heels, can start at around $70 and increase from there. These prices will have you looking at Amazon.com and Temu for more budget-friendly options. The irony in all this is that you end up spending more money replacing these items, as they are not designed for the longevity and wear and tear of a typical pole workout.

Below is a table comparing the top companies with their cheaper knockoffs.

Faux Leather Ankle Boot with an 8-inch Heel

	Top Company Shoe	Budget Brand Shoe
Price	$90	$41
Quality Protection Guarantee	3-month guarantee on soles.	N/A
Return Policy	Return up to 45 days after the purchase date, unused, for a full refund of store credit.	Most contact the Seller for return options—75 Buyer Protection Guarantee on selected items.
Rewards Program	Earn points towards discounts on future purchases with every order, friend referral, and social media interaction.	N/A

Pay Attention to Pole-Student Ratio.

The structure of pole classes can vary. Some group classes will have two students per pole and have everyone take turns learning a combo or skill. Everyone knows the same thing, and it’s broken down into skill levels. Other classes may have 1 or 2 people per pole, and everyone is working on something different while the instructor moves from student to student and works with them independently. This means you could be paying for a whole hour of class or paying for an hour but potentially only using the pole for half of that time.

For example, both of these studios offer open pole practice sessions, where students can practice what they’ve learned in class or routines they are working on for one hour without an instructor. A pole study hall, if you will.

Students Per Pole

Class Style

Price

Studio A

1 student

Open Pole Practie

(No Instructor)

$20

Studio B

Up to 2 students

Open Pole Play

(No Instructor)

$25

As you can see in this example, Studio B is less of a deal because you are paying more for the same amount of time and may have to share a pole, thereby not getting the full hour of use. This is why it is always good to research the classes and their structure before booking.

Being Selective on Pole Wear

No one can deny that when it comes to performances, stage presence is significant. It isn’t irrational to invest in good costumes that look good in the spotlight. One route is commissioning a designer for one-of-a-kind costumes, which can start at around $200 and increase from there, even reaching into the thousands. If you are a regular performer and need several costumes in rotation, this can add up quickly. If you are someone who performs only once a year, this is still a significant investment to wear only once. While investing in quality is essential, there are other options to getting a costume that doesn’t put one into debt.

Some alternatives are Ravewear websites like iHeartRaves.com, where you can find eye-catching looks that are also pole-friendly, or the DIY route by adding embellishments to plain swimsuits. A trip to the craft store will provide you with any crystals and rhinestones you need, as well as the proper adhesive. Nail glue is also an excellent tool for attaching solids to the fabric.

For just typical classes and training, yes, the pole sets from our favorite brands are cute, but when the budget is screaming, this is a cost that can easily be dropped. Ordering a 6-pack of cheeky “boy cut” (what even is gender?) and a few sports bras on Amazon will do the job without costing $80 per set.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Not to contradict the last point, but if you do choose to go the pricier route of costumes, you can always reuse them for other performances or even practice wear when you need a good mental health boost. Additionally, people often work on a routine for a year only to abandon it after one performance. There are no rules that say you can’t reuse a routine, thus getting more out of all the money spent training and preparing, as well as costume and prop purchases.

Some other money hacks:

Semi-private sessions with a friend instead of paying full price for a solo private
Sharing rooms at competitions and PoleCon (and taking advantage of any complimentary continental breakfasts or lunches being offered!)
Picking up work-study hours at your studio or volunteering at an event, such as pole cleaning, to get free admission. (Super clutch at PSO events, where they expect you to pay for multiple tickets for the weekend)
Picking and choosing what classes/workshops you’ll get the most out of. Maybe you can’t take every class you typically could, so decide on the ones you’ll get the most out of. Whether it’s a motivating instructor that’ll work you to the very last minute, or a class focusing on the things you’re struggling with as opposed to working on stuff in class you could easily work on by yourself.

Ultimately, you know what makes the most sense for you and your specific situation. Make sure, no matter how bleak the financial situation becomes, you still prioritize things that bring you joy. Nothing is impossible, and everything is temporary. Keep walking tall and burning bright.

…. But if you do know a sugar daddy… give them my number.

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Casey Danzig

Casey Danzig is a full time body piercer in NYC and has been competing in pole competitions for 3 years.Writing has always been a passion for them since childhood and like pole, is an art form they use to express themselves.Like most single humans, she has her standard government issued cat who she’s fondly named Ringo.