What Is Floorwork?

Floorwork refers to pole dance movements performed on the ground — often flowing, sensual, and grounded in strength and control. It’s an essential element of pole dancing that complements aerial tricks and creates a full-body experience. You don’t have to be upside down to be powerful — floorwork proves that.

Why Train Floorwork?

Many dancers overlook floorwork when they first start pole, but it offers huge benefits:

  • Builds core strength, fluidity, and coordination
  • Improves transitions and choreography flow
  • Allows for expression and storytelling without leaving the ground
  • Great for beginners who aren’t ready for climbs or spins yet

Common Elements in Floorwork

You don’t need to be ultra-flexible to start. These are some classic floorwork components:

  • Body Waves & Rolls: Smooth, flowing movements along the floor
  • Shoulder Stands: Inverted shapes using the support of your shoulders
  • Leg Circles & Extensions: Slow, controlled legwork that adds flair
  • Slides & Glides: Using socks, kneepads or bare skin to move with ease
  • Transitions: Linking pole tricks with grounded movement for a cohesive flow

Tips for Practicing Floorwork

Floorwork is about connecting with your body and the music — not rushing into advanced tricks. A few tips to keep in mind:

  • Wear kneepads or leg warmers to protect your knees during practice
  • Use a soft floor or yoga mat if you’re working without a pole
  • Focus on control over speed — slow is powerful
  • Record yourself — it helps you notice flow and posture

What We Believe at POLEPLACE

Floorwork is for everyone. It’s not a “beginner” option or a “filler” — it’s a powerful form of movement in its own right. Whether you’re flowing in socks, dancing in heels, or just learning to roll with confidence, you’re building connection, strength, and expression. At POLEPLACE, we celebrate floorwork as a core part of your pole journey — one that deserves just as much love as any spin or trick.

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician for questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. If you are having a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.

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Carmen Binder Founder of Poleplace and Author of the Poleplace Blog

About Carmen 💕

Carmen discovered her love for pole dancing over 10 years ago — back when she was a student in a local studio. What started as a fun class turned into a full-blown passion and years of experience as a pole trainer.

Now she’s one of the proud co-founders of POLEPLACE — sharing her love for pole with a growing community of amazing humans around the world.

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