Body & Pole — Local services in New York

Bad experience and very disappointed!!! We came all the way to NYC from Canada for a Bachelorette, and we were super excited to attend a private class that we booked and paid for at Body and Pole! Unfortunately, due to scheduling challenges and delays throughout our day, we did arrive late to our class by 30 min (i.e. arriving at 4:30pm). We called around 3:30-45 to give a heads up that we were going to be late as we wanted to make sure they were aware. When we called, the person we spoke with at the front desk mentioned that it would be totally fine, that the teacher had no issues waiting. We didn’t hear anything back so we just tried to get there as quickly as possible.

When we arrived, everyone was VERY friendly and we were specifically and repeatedly told to take our time, especially because it was a very hot day (35+), so we sat in the seating area for a few more minutes before making our way downstairs to start the class. At this point, it was almost 4:40. Once we got downstairs, the teacher started the class and said “since we only have 20 minutes”… In this instance, we did not know that our class time was going to be cut and none of that was mentioned at all over the phone or when we arrived, and we were told to take our time, that there was no rush, so we really did take our time at that point.

We completely understand that we arrived late, so this is our fault and we are taking accountability for that. However, expectations were very unclear, there was obviously a miscommunication along the way and it was super disappointing for us. We also understand that the teacher was rushing through the class because she only had 20 min, but as a dance instructor myself, the class really wasn’t a class. To be completely honest, it was a “show and tell”. We stretched and warmed up chaotically for a few minutes, then the teacher showed us a few moves, and said “go”. She played a song in the background and just wanted us to repeat the moves that she showed us once and very quickly. This is a beginner class, and it wasn’t a choreography in any way, she didn’t count us in, and she didn’t actually help us learn anything. At the same time, we booked a class for 7 people and there were only 7 poles in the class; the teacher was using one of those poles and it happened to be the pole that our bride was at (the one right in the middle). So when the teacher was demonstrating, our friend was simply standing there doing nothing.

All this to say, once again, we completely recognize and acknowledge that the late start was on us, because we arrived late. We didn’t know that the class duration would be cut short by doing that, and we rushed over in the heat to get there as quickly as we could, but there were factors that were also out of our control that made us arrive late. At the same time, although the teacher was very friendly, we didn’t enjoy the “class” and it was very disappointing since we paid a lot for it.

Unfortunately, we will not be...

I hate to leave bad reviews, but this was really a strange experience. I've done niche workout classes at many places and this was the first one where they didn't seem too eager to make a newbie feel welcome or comfortable. The girl at the front desk was nice enough, but her way of "showing me the lay of the land" was a simple instruction to walk down a hallway and then down some stairs. Every other place I've been, there has been someone excited that it's my first class, welcoming, and willing to show me the studio. CorePower and Orange Theory are excellent at this.

Once I got in the class, it started off fine. Alex the Pole Twink seemed nice enough and the warm up went well- good instruction and easy to follow. But once we got to using the pole, I had problems with gripping. My palms were sweaty and I was sliding a lot. I asked him what to do and his response was, "We'll discuss at the end." Well Alex... that isn't helpful for the current issue or getting me through the class. I was a genuinely interested new student and having a problem that was completely dismissed. I then told him a second time that I couldn't grip the pole because I was sliding and his response was, "Uh, try wiping it?" Thanks Alex... I didn't think of that. Also, wiping the pole wasn't going to solve the sweaty palm problem. He was quite dismissive and didn't seem to care that I could not participate in the class because of the slipping. I ended up walking out because I saw no value in staying in a class that I could not do with an instructor that was unwilling to help.

When I got home, I searched for pole dance gripping products and there are a million solutions. There are gloves, there are products to put on your hands, there's hand chalk.. there are a lot of solutions. If he had taken just a minute to bring these to my attention, I likely would have stayed to watch, knowing I could find a solution and come back and try again. But it wasn't important to him, so the class was therefore not important to me. I have already found a new pole studio, ordered some gloves, and am ready to...

Update: Feb 2023 Covid changed a lot so no longer are the classes 90 minutes, now they are 75 minutes and the price has gone up. Also the mats now have to be rented out for a fee. Overall still great teachers and a clean studio. Just wished it wasn't so expensive. Still definitely recommend to try them out.

Original review: I'm going to start with the good things about this place. Studio rooms are nice and big. Enough space to really dance (although sometimes you do have to move around to not hit something or someone but definitely better space than other places.) 90 minute long class with a 30 minute warm-up/exercises (each instructor has a different way to start the class some balance stretching with working out others not so much). Variety of classes offered as well as some special classes. Fairly clean and big changing room area also lots of bathrooms. (Which helps when you have so many people there) Customer service is decent. A lot of really good teachers. Some that I really like are Stella, Jeni, Armando, Sam D, Brigitte, Elena, and Kelly. This is personal preference but they use the 45mm poles which I LOVE.

Cons/ advice Dislike their late policy. (Make sure to give yourself extra time because if you arrive 6 minutes then they don't let you take the class. However they do let you take another class that same day assuming the other class is not full.) 24 hour in advance cancellation policy, but if you are sick and went to the Dr. just make sure to get a Dr's note. Pay close attention when buying packages because they have a very specific termination date.

Overall I really do like the studio and do recommend people to try it out and see how you like it. All the teachers are amazing and really make sure to help you on your journey. Try different teachers, they each have their own style and try all three fields (pole, fabric, and...