PoleMovebook is an online pole dance dictionary with a bunch of extra tools and features on top.
The Movebook: 400+ moves (and growing!) with names, pictures, and a wealth of information about each move. We keep track of all the common names for each move so that you can search by your local lingo and still find your move even if it isn't the most common name. We contact Pole Sport Organization about the levels for moves so that you know whether a new move can be used in your competition routine. We list transitions out of each move so that you can turn the moves you learn in isolation into combos. When we can, we also include videos of a simple entry/exit from each trick as well as combos using the move.
Combo Database: Same thing, but for combos this time. See what the transitions between moves look like in action, and get inspiration for combos at your difficulty level.
Move Finder: If you've seen a move but don't know its name, this page is for you. If you enter all the traits about the move you know--the number of hands on the pole, whether it's upright or inverted, whether or not there's a hand grabbing your foot (this one is surprisingly effective)--the Move Finder will spit out all the moves on PoleMovebook that match your conditions.
Combo Generator: Take the moves you've learned in isolation and turn them into a combo! This can be a great warm-up tool, choreography exercise, or fun game for your pole jam. While you're able to get a rough estimation of moves you can do using the difficulty filters, if you have an account you can also create combos from only moves that you know.
Account: Keep track of all the moves you know, and save the moves that you want to nail down the line. With over 300 moves, you're bound to come across something new! Save new moves to your account so that you can come back to them when your forearms aren't so tired. Logging your moves also allows you to create combos from your known moves in the Combo Generator and will soon allow you to filter combos in the Combos database.
PoleMovebook is not meant to replace formal instruction. If you have the means to receive formal pole instruction, you should absolutely do so. A good instructor will allow you to progress more quickly with less risk of injury.
That said, don't let not being able to access formal pole instruction keep you from a hobby that you're passionate about. Many online communities caution to never learn pole on your own, and overlook the accessibility barriers that some students face: economic hardship, lack of local studios or transportation, mental health issues like anxiety and body dysmorphia, unwelcoming and demeaning environments for strippers--the list goes on. In demanding that pole dancers seek formal instruction and shaming those who take on the risk of self-teaching, we edge out the founders of the sport: strippers who very often had no formal training. Always check your equipment before use, have a spotter when trying new moves, invest in proper safety equipment, and listen to the signals your body sends you. Remember, your safety is more important than any trick.
The material on PoleMovebook is intended to serve as a reference rather than instruction, and there are so many elements of dancing--flow, finding your personal style, conceptualizing performances, conveying emotion--that you could never learn from just a trick dictionary. To gain all those elements of being a well-rounded pole dancer, I highly recommend going to a studio, attending online classes, or reaching out to an instructor you admire for private instruction. If you need help finding instruction to fit your situation, always feel free to reach out via the Contact page. Expanding the pole community and making the sport more accessible is my #1 goal.
You can create an account by clicking on the "Sign In with Google" button in the top right corner of the page. Right now we only accommodate Google Sign-in so that Google's engineers are handling your sensitive information and passwords, not us.
Since we use Google Authentication, we don't store (or even see!) any of your passwords or sensitive information. The only info we get from Google is your publicly-available profile information and email address, which validate the unique ID used to keep track of your account. You can check out our full Privacy Policy here.
That said, if you want to delete your account for any reason, you can do so by pressing 'Delete Account' at the bottom of the Account page. This action deletes your authentication--to also permanently delete any database entries tied to your old account, please email webmaster@polemovebook.com.
We don't have a standalone app, but did you know you can add PoleMovebook to your homescreen on iOS and Android?
From the homepage, simply click the share button and select 'Add to Home Screen' in the popup. This will add a shortcut link to PoleMovebook from your home screen so that you can quickly access the website.
We're constantly expanding PoleMovebook's move library. If you can't find a move, you can suggest it to us through the "Contact Us" page, and we'll do our best to add it!
Absolutely yes! You can submit videos of yourself through the Contact page and we'll put them up on the site with attribution to your Instagram, TikTok, or Youtube.
Pole Dancing FAQ:
Absolutely you can still pole! Pole has a huge plus-size community, and I’ve never seen a sport as body-positive. With added forces, though, it's extra important to buy a reputable, sturdy pole. Our Buying a Pole guide has way more in-depth info, but the three sturdiest brands of pole I’d recommend are XPole*, ThePole, and Lupit.
Classes are the absolute best way to learn, especially as you’re just starting. If there is a pole studio near you, you will be able to connect with the local pole community by taking classes. Otherwise, online classes are a great option. Some live-with-feedback studioa I love for online beginner lessons are Pole Dance Academy Online and Miss Filly's Pole Institute.
While upper body strength is certainly a great head start, you don't have to be strong to start pole dancing. There are a bunch of moves and skills that you can work on even without lifting your bodyweight off the ground. And the more you pole dance, the stronger you'll get. Just like any other sport, pole is a journey; you get better over time.
There are always other options! One of the main reasons pole dancers wear small costumes is that skin grip is incredibly important. But there are other ways of simulating the skin-to-pole grip. One is to wear sticky pole pants. A number of brands make leggings that stick to metal, and these are an awesome option for more leg coverage. Another option is a silicone finish on your pole. While a silicone finish prevents most static spins, it allows for grip even with normal clothes on.
That said, pole dancing is one of the most body-positive, LGBTQ+ friendly, non-competitive, supportive environments you'll ever come across. You may find that some of your hesitations slowly start to disappear after your first class.
