Tariffs and the US Pole Industry

In December 2024, we wrote a blog on what Project 2025 as a potential road map for the new US government administration could mean for the Pole Industry (read it here). We focused mostly on the potential social aspects, and now, in April 2025, we are already starting to see the financial impact of this administration.

What are tariffs

A tariff is an additional tax applied to materials and products sourced from other countries, with the intent of making local products more appealing. 

Economists generally view tariffs as self-defeating and a hindrance to global trade. Tariffs tend to lead to an increase in pricing across the board—regardless of where the material or product originates.

Steel and Aluminum

The tariffs making the biggest splash in the headlines lately are the tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum.

Unfortunately for us, poles are made of steel or aluminum. If your studio offers aerial classes—carabiners, rescue 8s, swivels, lyras, trapeze bars, and many other aerial products are also made from either steel or aluminum.

Poles and truss systems are the biggest ticket item when starting or expanding your pole studio (if you are a studio owner). Some of the best-known pole brands are manufactured overseas; but even poles manufactured in the US may source their steel/aluminum from other countries subject to tariffs—causing prices of US-made products to rise.

We researched the manufacturing of the following of several pole brands.

Lil Mynx and Platinum Stages poles are manufactured in the US (according to their websites). Most of the popular pole brands are manufactured outside the US including: Gaia Pole, Lupit Pole, X-Pole, Uplift Active, The LA Shop, The Pole EU, Sun Pole, RPole, and Pole4You.

Generico truss systems, the truss system used at PoleCon, are manufactured in China and assembled in New Jersey.

Get a Grip

It’s not just the metal part of the pole industry that will be affected.

Some tariffs are being proposed on any/all goods from other countries with a variable rate depending on the country. (As of this posting, this is still in flux with tariffs being announced and canceled and changed.)

That means prices for other pole-related materials, like grip aides, could increase.

We looked into where grip aides are manufactured and this is what we found:

GripIt and Mighty Grip are manufactured in the US (according to their website). iTac, Monkey Hands, Dry Hands, AridPlane, Liquid Chalk, Girlie Grip, Dancing Dust, and Enviro Grip are manufactured outside the US.

Shop ‘Til You Drop?

Beyond grip, other supplies used for pole dance are likely to go up if the tariffs remain.

Fabric used in clothing manufacture, leather or vegan leather used in shoes, and textiles used in clothing and knee pads will also increase.

Pleasers, a popular shoe brand, while headquartered in and distributed from the US, are not manufactured in the US. We were unable to definitively determine where Pleasers are manufactured.

Other products, like knee pads, are also often manufactured outside the US. We looked at Kiska, Superfly Honey, Bees Knees, and Capezio knee pads—all are headquartered and manufactured outside the US.

The Bottom Line

The hard truth is, with all the tariffs and job cuts happening in this administration, prices are going up (or are likely to go up in some cases), wages are staying stagnant (or are likely to stay stagnant), and many are losing their jobs in unexpected and chaotic ways, particularly those working for the federal US government.

Overall, there are many changes and uncertainties right now, leading to the average American having less expendable income. This could mean less money for hobbies (like pole) and less money for a night out (like a night at the club).

If you are a pole business and your prices have to increase because of the tariffs or because of the economic uncertainty, it’s a good idea to communicate that clearly to your customers.

Even if you don’t identify as political and/or if your space is a-political, these policy changes will affect your space and your business. Please stay informed.