Pole Dance Mats
I want a pole dance mat.
I mean, I really want a pole dance mat.
I have been working for a year now to build strength and re-learn my technique without re-aggravating my shoulder and I am finally ready to start doing inverts again – and I want a pole dance mat when I do.
The thing is, that doesn’t mean I want just ANY pole mat. I want a good one.
You would think it would be easy to find a good pole mat – after all, wouldn’t all the pole dancers out there be talking about it?
Yea, you’d think. Like I thought. But that isn’t what I’ve found.
What I want to see on pole dance mat websites
Instead, I’ve found a whole bunch of vagueness. Truly, from a marketing standpoint, the pole mat companies couldn’t be doing it worse.
Which doesn’t mean their products aren’t any good.
It’s just, from their websites, I can’t tell. The people I’ve spoken to involved in manufacturing pole mats all seem very dedicated to the quality of their mats. This is fantastic and just as it should be, but something is getting lost between the manufacturer and the consumer.
So, to help out this burgeoning industry, here are some things I want to see on pole mat websites:
- Videos. This is the best way to show me how your product performs. Show me dancers of different sizes falling onto your mats. Get footage of how much the mat compresses – or doesn’t – when the dancer lands on it. Show pole dancers falling from different grips and positions, plus just walking and dancing and doing floor moves. Video them telling you what the fall felt like and what their response is to the mat.
- JPGs. Show me good close-ups of a dancer standing on the mat, a dancer falling on the mat, and be sure to let me see how much (or how little) the mat compresses under the pressure.
- Specs. Tell me more than the size – tell me WHY you chose that size. Why 4″ but not 6″? What kinds of testing did you do?
- Who are you? I want to know what your expertise is. I want to know how you got started making pole mats. Most of the sites out there indicate they’ve worked closely with pole dancers to design their mat, but I’d expect more knowledge from the manufacturer than just what the dancer can bring. We’ll know the size we want, but only an expert can tell us which foam is best suited to our needs and what thickness it will require. Tell me what you know so I can trust you – and your product.
- Give your distributors all of the above information. When someone lists your mat on their site, be sure they have all of the above to speak for your product.
What I want to know about pole dance mats
But all that was just about the marketing; now it’s time for the nitty-gritty. I want to know more about the mats than just what size and color they are. A lot more. Here’s what I need to know:
- What standards are the mats built to, if any? There may be no pole dance standards (yet) in the mat industry, but there are for gymnastics, for cheerleading, and for rock-climbing. I would expect the manufacturers to refer to that body of knowledge in designing their pole mats.
- What kind of foam is being used? There are lots of different kinds of foam in the world. Why did they choose the foam they use? Do they use single-density or dual-density? Why?
- What kind of testing has been done on the mat? Do they test it for the falling weight of different-sized people? Do they test it for durability – the foam and its covering, since it will be walked on, over and over, in circles?
- Will it collapse under my weight when I fall on it? When I walk on it? This relates to the above question of testing. But it’s worth mentioning twice – can it handle my weight/size? My pole buddy’s weight/size? Both of us at once (maybe we’re doing a pole dance pas de deux)?
- Will it stay in place on both carpet and bare floors? The last thing you want is a mat that slides all over a wooden floor.
- Can it handle high heels? Preferably, platforms.
- Is it easy to clean? Can it tolerate rubbing alcohol, since that’s what I use to clean my pole?
- What sizes does it come in? What colors? What shapes? Are mats of different size or thickness intended for different purposes? Say, preventing scraped knees (a 2″ mat, perhaps) vs. cushioning a fall from an invert?
- How do I store or transport it? Does it fold up? Is it easy to assemble? The last thing I want is a hassle when I want to go pole. My X-Pole never causes me grief; I don’t want my mat to, either.
- Where can I buy it? Where do you ship? Shipping mats is apparently a big, huge pain in the heinie. Can you get it to where I live?
Pole Dance Mat Manufacturers
All that having been said, I thought it would be great to interview the different pole mat manufacturers out there on these very things. So far, I’ve found five manufacturers – but only two have gotten the interview back to me – hopefully, the rest will come in soon. Also, some places (like Lil Mynx) offer only slim mats (theirs is 2.5″ thick). I’m only interested here in pole dance mats that are meant to cushion a fall, so I have not contacted them.
Next week, I’m posting the response from US Pole Mats, and the week after that, the one from Pole Crash Mats. Hopefully, it will give you (and me!) some solid information – including contact info if you want more details. As the other manufacturers respond, I’ll post those, as well.
Ideally, we’ll all have a much better sense of what pole dance mats are available and what kinds of questions we should be asking about them. And if you have any other questions you’d like them to answer, please add them in the comments!
[...] For more general info about buying a pole mat and comparing different manufacturers, check out this article by PoleSkivvies. [...]
MJ, the problem with that is safety. A good crash mat should be designed with high grade foam. Pole dancing can be very dangerous and it is always a good idea to have a proper crash mat. You wouldn’t see a gymnast or another aerialist learn something new without a crash mat. You wouldn’t see them use an old mattress either, so why should it be any different for pole dancer.
A gym mat would be sufficient, as long as it is 4 to 6 inches thick. I still wouldn’t feel safe using an old gym mat. I would worry about the mats sliding apart, and hitting your head on the floor. A concussion is no laughing matter and potential more expensive then a good crash mat, designed specifically for pole work. Just my thoughts on the matter.
Just buy old mattresses or old gym mats. I think if you add a specialization to a product like a pole mat the price goes up and sometimes the quality goes down. If you are doing a lot of aerial work above 2.5-3m and you have the space for it just get a high-jump mat or two and place them either side of the pole.
[...] says you’re serious about pole dance like getting your own pole mat. It means your skills are advancing and you’re taking your safety seriously. Very [...]
I’ve heard wonderful things about Urban Fertility Dancer mats. Last I heard, though, Shawn is no longer offering them except in wholesale quantities. Does anyone know differently?
I know this is an old post, but I thought I’d give you another option for a safety mat. Urban Fertility Dancer sells one that looks pretty promising. The only downside is that the mats are on back order. It’s at least worth a look: http://www.urbanfertilitydancer.com/store.html
Here is what the website says about the mats “The PoleCat Power Practice Mat! Designed by Shawn Frances Lee and made exclusively for PoleCat Power by a professional olympic gymnastics mat company, this mat is designed specifically with the safety of the Pole Dance Student in mind. It’s design in simple, easy to use, and easy to put away. Tested in actual PoleCat Power Method classes for over one year prior to sales, and holds up to durable use.
All PoleCat Power Practice Mats are extremely durable. Cover material complies with minimum flame resistance requirements specified in California. It is both UV protected and mildew/rot/fungus resistant. Mats are currently made in burgundy and black only. Soon available in other colors. Other mats custom made for Pole Dancing coming soon!
Mats are 4′x4′x6” open, and 4′x2′x1′ when stored away.”
[...] Pole Crash Mats tells us about their line of pole dance mats. This is part of a continuing series on pole dance mats. [...]
[...] US Pole Mat gives us the scoop on their pole dance mats. This is part of a continuing series on pole dance mats. [...]
I agree…I was so frustrated trying to find a mat I liked, and they were so expensive with the shipping…I finally had my sisters furniture company make me one which I love..what they did was take 2, 3 inch slabs of foam and glue it together (high industrial glue I take it) so it was one big square…it measures about 6″ by 5feet long by 4 feet wide. I can’t fold it up…I just lean it against the wall….I cut a long slit in it and a hole for the pole..so I just slide it up into the pole…works great……I really don’t know about the foam and its standards..but we use it all the time and until one comes out I like…I’ll keep using mine…and yes…I just covered it with a single fitted sheet…yes…may sound alittle tacky…but safety comes before tacky! It serves its purpose for now…
I’m having a hard enough time finding good yoga/pilates mats (at decent prices), let alone a pole crash mat! Those are some good questions, i’m looking forward to seeing the interviews from the mat companies!
@Nikki – Keep me posted!!
@Trixie – I should be the one falling – I could do it so well!
@Andrew – Please share with us what you learn about the foam! (See, pole makes ANYTHING fascinating!)
@Onxy – Thank you! They were just my own concerns; I figured we were all in the same boat, shopping around.
I’m so glad you are addressing this. I’m online looking for mats right now and you’ve brought up questions I didn’t even think about.
Great questions. Mats seem to be getting increasingly popular (they’re even mandated by some pole organisations now), but there’s really not a lot of information out there on what makes a good mat for pole.
I’ve been reading through a load of papers on the impact response of polyurathane foam and other fun stuff like that – hoping to write something about it soon.
Be interested to hear what you’ve found out.
HAHA! Maybe I should be the volunteer who falls from different heights to test the mats!
I completely understand your frustration. I got so frustrated looking for a good, affordable pole mat, I’ve decided to start making my own. We are still working on the prototype, but I’ll let you know when it’s ready.