Launching a Flying Pole Program (Part 1 of 2)

These recommendations are from Ashley Robinson’s  webinar ”The Flying Pole Blueprint: Launching a Flying Pole Program that Soars with Ashley Robinson” held on May 16, 2025. Members can view the entire webinar at this link for free. 

Flying pole aka aerial pole is a pole rigged from the ceiling like an aerial apparatus. The flying pole does not connect to the ground adding a new level of movement to the apparatus.

Ashley covers so much information that there are two posts! Check out part 2 next week.

Why Add Flying Pole

What is the benefit of adding a flying pole program to your studio?

Flying Pole is a dynamic apparatus that adds a new layer to one’s pole practice.

This can help retain students who feel ready to move on to a more advanced program or a new apparatus. It may also entice students who have moved on to come back to your studio.

Adding new classes can also create excitement around your studio and help attract new students.

What You’ll Need for Your Flying Pole Program

Before offering a flying pole program, the very first thing you need to do is talk to your insurance provider.

Aerials have different requirements than pole, and flying pole is considered an aerial apparatus. Make sure your insurance provider won’t drop you for adding a flying pole program. (More on insurance in this webinar from virtual PoleCon 2020)

Then, you’ll need to acquire a flying pole. Prefabricated poles currently on the market are from Lupit, XPole, and Circus Concepts. At the moment, the US has very high tariffs on metals, making poles from these companies cost significantly more.

Ashley also mentioned the option of repurposing old poles to use as flying poles. While Ashley hasn’t done this herself, she knows of a studio that has done this successfully.

In addition to getting the flying poles, you’ll also need a lot more rigging. Some information is in this post here about adding aerials to your pole studio.

When adding aerial equipment to your studio you need to consider both vertical spacing as well as horizontal spacing, especially for an apparatus like a flying pole that is prone to orbiting.

Pathways to Flying Pole

Ashley makes sure to note that the flying pole is not an introductory apparatus. 

Due to the dynamic nature of the apparatus, it’s basically impossible to safely spot someone through a move. She suggests making the flying pole an intermediate (and up) class as well as having prerequisites for students to meet on either another aerial apparatus or on a static/spin pole.

Ashley also suggests, if space allows, having static poles available for students to prove they can execute a particular move on a static pole before trying it on a flying pole.

Final Thoughts

The information contained in this post just scratches the surface of what Ashley talked about in her webinar.

If you’re interested in starting a flying pole program at your studio, we strongly advise watching the full webinar and checking out part 2. Ashley also has a flying pole handbook coming soon! More information about her and her program can be found at www.flexyfit.co.