A proper pole climb is an important part of pole dancing, helping you move up and down the pole with ease and grace. It’s important to note that the pole climb engages several parts of your body, which means you never have to muscle your way up, as that makes the climb look forced, and you’ll tire yourself out quickly. We’ll also be covering how to keep your toes pointed through the climb.

This climb is also sometimes called the x-climb, front climb, crucifix climb, or simply “climb.” This is one of the first moves you’ll typically learn in a pole dancing class, as it opens you up to a whole world of new moves. Learning the pole climb also helps you get used to the feeling of pushing against the pole and using your whole body to move up, rather than muscling your way up.