Can You Install a Dance Pole on Carpet? (+How To Avoid Carpet Damage)

I get asked a lot of questions. One I’ve put off for a long time is, “Can you install a dance pole on carpet?”

I’ve put this question off for so long because I wanted to get first-hand experience installing a pole on a carpet before offering answers. So, one of my students has finally done it (Yipeeee!!), and I finally have the answers to your question. 

So, if you’ve sent me an email using the form in the contact us section asking about pole dancing on carpets, this is for you!

Let’s get started…

Can You Install a Dance Pole on a Carpet?

Yes, you can install a dance pole on a carpet or any other type of flooring. In fact, dance poles work well on carpets because of the extra friction provided by the carpet fibers.

However, it’s important that you get the installation right to avoid damaging your carpet. It is also advisable to consider a removable dance pole if installing on a carpet, as this minimizes damage and keeps your carpet or rug in good shape.

Using a pole on a carpet can also compress your carpet anywhere 1/2-2 inches, depending on how hard you tighten the pole’s base.

So, now that you know you can install a dance pole on your carpet, how about some tips to help prevent carpet damage?

How to Prevent Damage from Installing Dance Pole on Carpets

If you’re living in a rented apartment, you’ll surely want to minimize the damage caused to your carpet – especially if you wish to recover your security deposit. 

So, here are some tips to help prevent carpet damage as you install your dance pole on it.

Use a Protective Mat

Installing your dance pole on a carpet is a risk worth taking, however, you need a protective mat as an insurance policy. 

For my student’s installation, we placed a considerably sized, sturdy, and non-slip mat underneath the base of the pole. Please note that the pole was installed directly on the carpet, and we made a round cutout section on the mat. See the picture below.

For this installation, we used the BalanceFrom Puzzle Exercise Mat with EVA Foam Interlocking Tiles for Exercise, MMA, Gymnastics and Home Gym Protective Flooring.

The mat will help to distribute your weight and reduce the impact on the carpet. It’ll also save your carpet from the heavy effect of your stripper shoes. You can consider a crash mat or yoga mat for this. Alternatively, a thick rug will do the trick.

Make Your Dance Floor

Crash mats and Yoga mats can sometimes be expensive. If you’ve just shelled out some dollars or pounds on your dance pole, chances are that you may want to save some money.

An alternative I recommend is using a couple of planks of plywood to make your dance floor around the installed pole. 

To do this, I’ll have to go into some details. Follow along.

Materials

1. 2 – 3 planks of plywood measured 2×4ft each. 2 planks if your apartment is small and 3 planks if you have enough room.

2. A BIG can of polyurethane (750ml). You can get one at Walmart or Home Depot. It looks like a can of paint.

3. A paintbrush or a paint roller. Ask the store attendant for their cheap but good quality recommendation. You want something that isn’t going to leave streaks or texture on the plank/stage.

4. Self-stick Vinyl plank flooring. Available also at Walmart or Home Depot. Looks like wood flooring and is sold in squares and planks. If getting the planks, measure 2×4ft so they fit the plywood perfectly.

Steps

1. Sand the plywood before applying your polyurethane. This is an optional step, but it will help keep the plank surface smoother. You can skip this step if you don’t have the tools.

2. Apply the polyurethane to the plywood. Cover the entire plank, including the top, bottom, and sides. Ensure that the layer is smooth and uniform. Also, read the product direction for how long to wait before adding another coat. I recommend about 10 or more coats of polyurethane.

3. Stick the Vinyl sheets on the polyurethane-coated plank once it has fully dried up. Stick them one at a time and be careful when applying them, as they can be difficult to unstick. Avoid leaving spaces between the sheets as you apply them.

4. OPTIONAL, but you can apply some of the remaining polyurethane on areas where the vinyl sheets touch. This should help seal things together a little more and prevent any immediate damage.

5. Secure the plywood planks together using a nail. You can also use Velcro strips, especially if you intend to remove the floor occasionally. If using Velcro strips, cut them as thin as you want them to be and tape them where the plywood planks connect.

Secure The Pole Properly

Safety comes first, so you want to make sure that your pole is installed correctly and tightly. I have a guide on how to install your dance pole at home on this blog. It covers everything you need to know and includes videos in case you need help with any of my explanations.  

A correctly installed dance pole minimizes the chances of movements, wobbling, or accidents.

Removing Carpet Damage Done By Pole

If you’ve already installed your dance pole and wish to remove any dent it might leave behind. Below are some tips that work.

Use Ice

Get rid of any carpet dents with a handful of ice cubes placed around the bunched-up areas. This will restore the affected area to its pristine condition.

Use a Hairdryer

Your hairdryer can also come in handy. Plug it in and set it at low to high heat. Be sure to place the hairdryer at a distance to avoid burning your carpet fibers.

So, that’s it. I’ll update this blog as soon as I have any more information. I hope you found this helpful.