How do I join?
A step by step guide for joining our society and classes:
1) Purchase a membership from EUSA
Both Student and Non-Student Semester/Full Year membership options are available for purchase, find pricing info here
We require you to purchase a membership for insurance purposes. Classes are purchased separately.
Click here to buy a membership
2) Create a TeamUp account and fill in the PAR-Q form
TeamUp is our booking system for all classes. It also has a waitlist feature so you will never miss out on your favourite slot!
The PAR-Q form is a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire. The link to it can be found on your TeamUp account. We must collect these from every member each year for insurance purposes.
Click here to access our TeamUp
3) Request to become a member of our Members Facebook Page
Search 'Members Pole Dancing Society - Edinburgh Uni' on Facebook - this is where we post updates about classes and events.
Request to become a member, responses are usually given within 48 hours.
You will only be accepted if we can see you have bought your membership. If your Facebook name does not match the
name on your student profile, it is best to send us an email or a DM to gain access.
4) Book into classes via the online booking system (TeamUp)
In order to join a class you MUST have a booked space via TeamUp.
For online classes you will receive your Zoom link (and password, if necessary) via email.
In-person classes are only released to members once a week (for the following week), usually on Sundays at 6pm. The Facebook Members' group will be used to notify members about any changes to the booking system or times.
Some classes might be restricted to one booking a week to ensure that everyone can have a go - this might change depending on
the demand.
If you cannot make a class, please unregister (via TeamUp) as soon as possible - we operate a waitlist system so it is very important to free up the space.
Help! I've created a TeamUp account but I can't see or book the In-Person classes!
You must have bought an EUPDS membership to access In-Person classes (see "How do I join?" FAQ above).
Once you have bought the membership and created your TeamUp account, TeamUp needs to be updated with your membership in order for you to be able to see and book in-person classes. This is done manually by EUPDS Committee Members. As a result, when you first create your TeamUp account you will not be able to see in-person classes until we have done this. This is usually done on the same or next day, but please be patient, it does not happen automatically.
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We recommend making your TeamUp account in good time before the Sunday 6PM Weekly In-Person Class Release to ensure your account is ready in time for booking.
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Many of our in-person class spaces fill up at each Sunday Class Release (especially Beginners Classes). Therefore, if you make your account after this, you are likely not missing out on booking by having to wait for your account to be manually updated - you have missed the booking release for that week and it is likely the spaces are already full.
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We do our best to make sure all accounts are updated before each Sunday 6PM release each week - if you have waited for more than 3 days, feel free to send us a message with your details, and we will be happy to help.
Do I need to be a Student?
Our society is open to both students and non-students.
Non-students just need to purchase the non-student membership linked above.
Where is it?
Our studio is located in the Highland Room in Pleasance Courtyard, Salisbury Block.
Online classes are done via Zoom - a link is sent to email you signed up with before the class starts.
Do I need experience?
We offer classes from complete beginners to advanced level so all are welcome! No previous experience is needed.
I've just seen your timetable - could you provide more daytime/evening/weekend/beginner classes?
As a student society, we share our space with other dance groups - we have a limited number of pre-assigned hours in the studio, but we try to fill them as well as possible! Please use the waitlist function on TeamUp to grab some cancellation class slots, and if you have any requests for a specific class style or a workshop, let us know! If you are craving more pole in your life, why not try one of Edinburgh's pole studios outside of the society? You can talk to the committee and the teachers for recommendations.
What level of pole class should I join?
Class Level
Beginners
Beginners Progression
Intermediate 1
Intermediate 2
Advanced
Level Requirements
None! Open to everyone from complete beginners onwards :)
Must be able to climb and confidently perform moves from the Beginner level
Must be able to confidently perform moves from Beginners & Beginners Progression. Climb, Invert and Sit
Must be able to confidently perform moves from Beginners to Intermediate 1. Gemini, Scorpio and Butterfly
Must be able to confidently perform moves from Beginners to Intermediate 2. Shoulder Mount, Aerial Invert and Extended Butterfly
Do I need to lose weight or be fit to do pole?
Not at all! Pole is for everybody of all weights, shapes, and sizes. If you have any doubts or concerns about this feel free to reach out to us through our social media or email.
I have no upper body strength, I can’t do pole!
Yes you can! It seems daunting at first but remember that we all start from the bottom and we work with what we’ve got - our instructors make sure you only do what you can manage, we don’t expect you to be pro athletes when you first begin! You’ll find that if you stick at it, you will improve with time, just like any other sport!
What happens if I cannot make a class, but I’ve already booked?
Don’t worry, bookings can be cancelled and refunded up to 24 hours before your class via TeamUp.
If you can't make your class and it’s less than 24 hours before the class, you should still cancel (to help someone else participate) but you will not be refunded. This will count as a No Show.
If you book an In-Person class and do not show up this will be counted as a No Show.
Is pole dancing really for me? Are your classes really open to anyone?
We welcome all ages, genders, shapes, sizes, and abilities to join our society and classes - they truly are a space for everyone and anyone! We do not have a height or weight limit for joining the classes, and we are LGBTQ+ friendly. If you have any questions or worries about this please do feel free to reach out to us.
What do we have to wear for pole? Do I have to be half naked all the time??
At the beginners classes you can wear a T-shirt and leggings no problem, but as you progress, you will require more skin contact with the pole to be able to grip on properly, so will need to wear pole shorts and a crop top. There are pole-specific leggings and tops that provide grip on the pole while covering the body - these are an option to consider and discuss with our teachers before purchasing. Here at EUPDS we celebrate our differences, and we create a comfortable and encouraging environment.
Will it hurt?
In beginners classes you will be practising pretty spins which won’t require a lot of skin contact, however, this changes as you progress. Pole dancing relies on a lot skin contact to be able to grip onto the pole, and it is inevitable there will be some bruising and mild friction burns as you become more advanced.
Here at EUPDS we wear our pole bruises with pride! You will never be pushed to do something you’re uncomfortable with. Instructors will be there to support you, and you don’t have to do what you don’t want to do.
Where can I buy kit for pole dancing?
There are popular polewear sites you might want to have a look at shops such as Pole Hog or Pole Junkie. As a budget-friendly option, you can use yoga/short gym shorts and a standard top/crop top/sports bra.
Some people choose to use grip aids to help with slidey hands - any silicone-based grip will work; chalk often makes the pole more slippery, so it is not recommended.
Do I need to be flexible/strong to do pole?
Nope! Anyone of all fitness, strength and flexibility can start pole, as you build it up with each class!