Back: Fawnia Mondey, Sharon Polskey, Clive Coote (of X-Pole), Estee Zakar; Front: Stacey Pope, Kimara and Heydi (of X-Pole)

I just got my new XPert and I love it! Read on to learn how X-Pole came to be!

How did you decide to start manufacturing poles for pole dancing? What were your goals in creating your first pole?

It was actually my brother’s idea. His wife had been for a pole dancing class and wanted a pole at home. At the time, six years ago, the only poles that were available were one piece and really had to be fixed in place. So we decided to make a multi-piece that was easy to put up and take down, would break down into a bag, and could be carried about.

I was selling another company at the time and so we got a Formula 1 designer called Nick Wirth (he’s the technical Director now for Virgin F1) to do the initial design. This was too big and very heavy, but incredibly strong, so after I sold my company, I re-designed the pole and X-Pole was born. It took nearly 2.5 years from conception to get the original to market and it went through several design changes.

The main targets with the original X-Pole were to design a pole that was easy to use, had no edges between the joints, was static and spinning (I could see that was going to be a requirement for top level poles in the future), and to make it at a price that we could offer margin to the schools and start to expand pole dancing in the UK. Without X-Pole, pole dancing in the UK would never have grown as it has.

How did you come up with the name X-Pole?

In my previous business we released 10~20 new products a month and so names were something we had to do regularly. We had had a range of products previously which had worked well around another letter, and X seemed to fit well with Pole and what we were doing – a bit edgy – and so the -Pole product name started. And Vertical Leisure for the company name just seemed to describe what we were involved in!

How are poles made? What are the most important considerations in making a pole?

Everyone thinks making a pole is just about cutting up a piece of tubing, but that is just Stage 1 of multiple processes before a pole is finished. The processes are changing regularly, like with the introduction of the new X-Joints, and processes differ depending on material and finish. To list the processes would take half an hour, so it is easier to say that there are 40~60 pieces that make up an X-pole, including bearings, silicone rings, machined parts, tubing, etc., as well as cleaning, polishing, plating, re-polishing, and then packing.

The most important consideration about any pole is safety. So ensuring that the joints are strong and well built, and that base and upper dome are properly connected to the pole to stop movement, are key factors.

For instance, the professional X-Poles have six bearings, three top and three bottom. These are there for a very good reason: to improve stability and, in turn, safety – and this has been a major consideration from day one.

X-Pole XPert

X-Pole just introduced a bunch of new poles. Tell us about them!

Like with any market, pole dancing has progressed and so, knowing this would happen from my previous business experience, I started working on a new range over 18 months ago. I could see that top loading (length adjusted at the top) poles were difficult to use, and so bottom loading was going to be the future. However, the key issue of a bottom loading pole has always been how to stop it unwinding with reverse moves, and also to have a totally smooth pole from top to bottom.

The design of the new XPERT achieves both these tasks, and it is the only pole which has a locking adjuster, not a nut which can come undone. And it is smooth, with no protrusions at all from top to bottom. This is extremely difficult to do, especially around the adjuster.

The other main issue we had experienced was with the joints. X-Pole had pioneered the screw joint and this is a superb system. However, it does have one flaw! And that is, joints get locked together during use. This is mainly due to the pole heating up during use and the joint expanding. So, I wanted to create a new joint that was as strong and stable as a screw joint, but did not lock – it had to be easy to use as well.

And so I created X-Joint. This is truly superb – it is fast and easy to use, even more stable and rigid than a screw joint, and, best of all, does not get locked when it gets hot. X-Joint has patents pending worldwide to protect it, as it will be the only way forward for all future poles.

What is your favourite thing about being part of the pole dance world?

For me, the reward of being part of the pole dance world is knowing and seeing that what we have created has enabled the growth of a superb industry, whilst enabling hundreds of people to start businesses doing something they enjoy. It is also great to now see pole dancing being accepted for what it is, and that so many people now do it for exercise and enjoyment without being worried about its previous image.

Who is your hero or role model?

I do not have one specific role model – I respect all business people who take their ideas and dream, follow them through, and build a business. People like Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Alana Sugar, etc., all of whom have started with nothing and built their business.

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

I work in the reverse. I believe that a simple “Well done” after an achievement or action, however small, encourages people to achieve more.

Favourite pizza toppings:

Not a pizza fan – more a pasta and salad type of guy.

Cupcakes or ice cream?

Unfortunately for my waist – ice cream!

Anything else you’d like to share:

X-Pole’s success is built on the input and support of all our valued customers. For me, it is a two-way partnership and I listen hard to all the feedback we get, and I do my best to build those ideas and comments into our products. So, if there are any ideas out there for improvements to existing products, or ideas for new ones, please do not hesitate to contact us and put your ideas forward – we welcome your input!

X-Pole is the only pole I recommend – and I can say that I am delighted with my new Titanium Gold XPert. Click to learn more about the new X-Pole Sport and Xpert – and get yourself one!