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Boston Pole Fitness
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Fitness & Instruction [Edit]
71 Lansdowne St(between Ipswich St & Brookline Ave)
Boston, MA 02215
Neighborhood: Fenway
(617) 963-0315
- Nearest Transit:
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Brookline Ave Opp Yawkey Way (19, 60, 65, 8)
Yawkey (Framingham/Worcester Line)
Brookline Ave @ Yawkey Way (19, 60, 65, 8, 9)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 10 pm
Sat 9 am - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
19 reviews for Boston Pole Fitness
19 reviews in English
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Review from Stephanie B.
Cambridge, MA
5/21/2012
Star is an amazing instructor. This is not for people who want to learn to crawl around on the floor looking sexy. This is a class to learn to use a pole like an athlete/gymnast/dancer. It works your butt, legs, abs, and omg your arms!
It's a super fun but super challenging work out and such a great change of pace from the gym. The first few times, you'll be sore and bruised, but the end result it totally worth it. It's a great environment with all women, nice lighting, and everyone gets some individual time with the instructor. Highly recommended! -
Review from Jade R.
Boston, MA
2/29/2012
WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I have been having difficulty using my living social voucher on their website, so what do I do? I call. No answer. Next step... leave a message. I do that, and receive no call back.
Now, we're on to email. I was AMAZED because I got a quick response, however, the content seemed automated and did not address all of my concerns, which led to more emails. I'm at the point where I have asked to discuss over the phone, and still... more emails.
Not to mention, the emails have been sent from an iphone... not such a great signature.
SO UNPROFESSIONAL. Now, I just want my money back :( -
Review from Laura F.
Boston, MA
1/17/2012
I'll be honest - I'm a geek, not a stripper. No one is ever going to look at me and think, "I bet that girl can pole-dance!" I am also the most uncoordinated person you will ever meet - I guarantee it.
And even a clumsy geek like me had a fantastic time at Boston Pole Fitness. I am so glad that I decided to give it a try. I went to one Pole 101 class with Starr, and one Pole Fitness class with Stacey. Both instructors were great. As a geek, I was delighted that Starr actually explained the physics behind the moves. She didn't just show how to do it, but explained why it worked and how the pole helped stabilize your body (don't worry - if you're not an uncoordinated geek and you can pick these things up just by watching, I'm sure she won't bore you with the details). I liked how Stacey actually went around and helped us go through the moves one at a time until we got it. I never would have thought I'd be climbing a pole upside-down by the end of my second class. I still have one class left, and I'm really excited about it.
A couple of things:
1. I signed up for one class on Monday and another on Tuesday. This was probably not a good idea, as I was so sore after the first class that I couldn't do some of the moves on Tuesday night.
2. I bruised every inch of my body. Don't try this before a big day, unless you're planning to wear pants. And long sleeves. And possibly a hat (Yes, I somehow bruised the top of my head and the tops and bottoms of both feet).
3. I hear that salt and butter will help those bruises go away very quickly, but by the time I heard, it was too late to try it, as mine were gone. Give it a shot, though. Sprinkle salt on the bruises, then rub real butter on them.
4. There are cubbies in the room, so you don't have to use the dingy lockers upstairs in Gold's Gym (although you can, if you'd like).
5. It's a very short walk from Kenmore Square, right across from Fenway Park. That means that, during baseball season, you'll want to give yourself a lot of extra time to get there. During the winter, though, it's in a great location. -
Review from Lynn G.
Boston, MA
5/8/2012
This place is really hit or miss. I went on a Groupon and so I tried out three different instructors. The first two started class late, didn't teach to the individual and seemed generally cranky that they had to be at work. But then I took a class with Star and it was a whole different story. She's wonderful! She's genuinely excited, upbeat and inspiring. If I were going on my first two experiences alone, this place would get one star. But Star deserves about 10 out of 5.
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Review from Elizabeth K.
Somerville, MA
Updated - 1/2/2012
After meeting someone who raved about BPF, I decided to give them another shot.
BIG MISTAKE.
I bought a week of classes for $30 on Living Social, but, only used 1 because couldn't bring myself to go back repeated times. So, they totally made out on me, which I'm kind of pissed about.
Anyway, I've been taking classes on and off for like 3 years. I do it for fun and exercise - I am not trying to be an Olympic pole dancer (yes, they are seriously trying to make an Olympic sport).
However, apparently, I am supposed to want to be both an Olympic pole dancer and a prima ballerina and the most flexible woman alive to step foot instead Phillip's class. Sorry, I'm not, I'm just a girl who likes to hang upside down for exercise and thought a class called "pole combos" was going to teach me how to string moves together. Instead, it was mostly yoga and crunches - I can do those at home - or the yoga studio across the street.
The room was like 90 degrees. I was a sweaty mess and couldn't get a grip on anything to save my life. Who wants to pole dance in a room that is that damn hot?
Also, I like to think I am pretty chill about language use, but, the f-word use for everything directed at me was getting a little much. Once in a while? Fine. You're a pole instructor. You're trying to be edgy. Whatever. Every sentence? You're disrespectful and patronizing.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/31/2010
I give Stacy & the physical studio 5 stars.
I give the class variety, in theory, 5 stars.
Wendy,… Read more »
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Review from Regine P.
Randolph, MA
12/28/2011
What better way to bring people into the door than a GROUPON! (i love those things). Anyways, I wanted to take some pole dancing classes to "release my inner sexy" and got a work out at the same time. I've been a few times and have been so happy with each and every one of my experiences, surprising myself each time that i do a little better than the last. The variety of classes they offer ensures that each person of every level is able to find a class and level comfortable for them.
I also had a friend who recently hosted a pole dancing b-day party and we all had a blast and a very good instructor! The cake BPF provided for the party was too cute!
My suggestions for the first timers:
Come with an open mind
don't think
clothing = less is more, wear a tank top and boy shorts (they sell them 2 for $9 at target)
leave the stilettos at home until you get comfortable!
have a heat pad and aleve waiting for you at home - you'll be sore the next day.
I hope you enjoy your time at Boston Pole Fitness - i really do enjoy going there and wish my schedule allowed me to make pole dancing a regular activity to my fitness/sexy regimen!Listed in: stuff i love
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Review from Caitlin C.
Boston, MA
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
After spotting a Groupon for 3 pole classes plus 6 toning classes, my best friend and I decided to go for it. Classes are easy to sign up for, as there is an online scheduler, and Pole 101 is offered pretty much all the time.
Our first class was taught by Stacy, who is tiny, friendly and pretty much amazing when she gets on the pole. She straight out told us at the beginning that the first Pole 101 class is going to suck since our bodies were not used to this kind of thing...and boy was she right! My arms are sore, I've got bruises on my hips and ankles and welts on my inner wrists and forearms.
Would I go back? Definitely, even if I didn't have a groupon - this might be a pole dancing class, but it's definitely a work out! -
Review from Heather C.
Somerville, MA
3/27/2011 21 Check-ins Here
I started taking classes here back when they had their 2 weeks unlimited classes deal on Living Social. I had taken pole fitness classes about a year ago and really thought I'd stroll in and have no problem picking it back up. Boy, was I wrong! I quickly learned that i had been taught pretty much everything incorrectly and I was starting all over. To top it off, Stacy is like a tiny, adorable little drill sergeant so I got to get my ass kicked every time I went to her classes.
I love Wendy to death, but I have to admit that there's been several times where I feel like she can give a snobby attitude. Also, my second or third class in, it was just two of the advanced girls and myself and instead of teaching the class, Wendy just ran it as an open pole and showed those girls advanced moves. While I understand that because the way classes are set up here, there will always be girls of greatly different skill levels, I feel like Wendy leans HEAVILY towards focusing on the advanced girls. We're all paying the same money and the less skilled girls actually need more help so this just doesn't sit well with me. She is however really good at doing more of the dance/choreography side of things.
They're adding a bunch of new teachers right now so I may have to do an update soon. The only new teacher I've had so far is Alice for vertical dance and she was ah-mazing. She's not quite as tough and fast as Stacy can be at times which is good and bad depending on what you're looking for that day :). She was awesome at explaining the moves and giving constructive corrections to your form when you were having trouble. She's also just a very sweet and approachable person which really helps when you have a pole chafing your nether regions lol.
Overall I've been really happy with my experience here but I think I may have to stop going soon because it's just too pricy to maintain in addition to my normal gym membership. It's quite a ways from my house or I might considering joining Gold's and taking advantage of the discount. C'est la vie I guess. -
Review from Jacquelyn K.
Daytona Beach, FL
1/5/2011
I loved this place. The studio is large so everyone has enough space and their own pole.
They offer a variety of classes so there's really something for everyone.
I've done classes where I felt like I couldn't move the next day, and I've done classes where I didn't feel like I'd done any more than go for a walk.
A few people on here complained about being brand new and not getting enough attention, so If you're brand new I would recommend trying to pick a class with as few people in it as possible (all their scheduling is online so you can see the number of spaces reserved in each class - and the online scheduling rocks!!! huge plus).
If you're looking for something in particular give them a call and ask them which class they recommend, they're very friendly and extremely helpful if you ask for help.
The classes are a random mixture of beginners and advanced, which can be a plus or a minus depending on your personality and the class that you happen to be with. If you're a beginner and you're with other beginners then you don't feel as silly tripping over your own feet doing simple moves so it's fun, but seeing the really advanced girls practicing moves that didn't even look physically possible is incredible and definitely gives you something to aspire to.
People seem to be deducting a lot for the look of the Gold's Gym that you have to walk through, but I think that's ridiculous. I don't want to pay more for the ambiance of a gym that I don't even spend any time in. I've never even seen more than a couple people in it when I've gone.
I would highly recommend this place to everyone I know. -
Review from carly r.
Boston, MA
Updated - 8/26/2011
Yet another update...BPF brought in a male instructor who is AWESOME so they can offer co-ed classes. I think this is a great move and hope it catches on, so guys can be included as students. I'm comfortable in co-ed classes but some probably aren't.
Phillip the teacher himself has many years of dance experience ranging from ballet to pole, as well as professional pilates and yoga instruction AND IT SHOWS, not only in his dancing, but his body (he's got those great ballerina dancer kind of legs)
Previously, I'd really enjoyed the instructor Stacy, who owns the studio, for encouraging rapid progress, their instructor Star for doing awesomely thorough stretching and flexibility training, and Vanessa, for doing great body conditioning work to maximize pole workouts.
Now, I love Phillip for separate reasons; he's a great full package kind of instructor if you can be open minded and get past his gender and the fact men might be in his class (I assume they would be mainly gay, which would make it less awkward, but hopefully Gold's meatheads don't infiltrate!)
Phillip has a Pole Swan class where you do 20 minutes of ballet, 20 minutes of grueling straight up pole and 20 minutes of dancing as if you're a stripper, doing some fun coreography and easy to follow routines, followed by yoga-oriented stretching. I like the combo to keep it ADD friendly and practical (if you wanted to actually do an amateur night or something, and look graceful moving from one thing to another).
Doing straight pole work is tiring, and the ballet helps with balance and leg conditioning. I liked that Phillip, unlike other instructors, accommodated my desire to do some dance routines that didn't look forced/over-coreographed to actually do when I get a pole at home. He also corrected my form while allowing me the satisfaction of landing some new moves. Other teachers get bent on "do it perfect and get your muscles in perfect shape before trying" while Phillip allowed me to "cheat" on upside down moves by stepping into them (versus thrusting my body upside down instead of using my core, arms etc "straight up") That momentum helped. I fell like before hiring P, BPF lacked a "middle ground" between beginners and die-hard addicts. They have Pole 101 all the time for newbies dipping their toes, and the other classes can cater too much to die-hards. I'm in the middle and P's class was perfect for me.
Phillip's a great addition to BPF's team and hope he'll stick around. They'd snagged a great dancer Julia from Gypsy Rose who is super graceful and makes it look easy, floating like a feather, but quickly lost her to a relocation!
Good job on being open-minded, BPF and letting guys join in on the fun. And good job on hiring a male teacher who is highly qualified, very pleasant as a personality, supportive and a great instructor that adds, not just gender diversity, but instruction-style diversity to your roster.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/29/2011
I was a little too quick to review before based on one class, but now I've been to 7 and I just… Read more »
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Review from Melinda G.
Boston, MA
11/13/2010 2 photos
Finally! I've been waiting for a pole dancing studio like Boston Pole Fitness to open in this city for several years now. I took pole dancing classes several years ago, but had not had any instruction in over 2 years until Stacy opened her studio. This is EXACTLY what I have always wanted. It's the best pole dancing workout I've gotten in Boston and it focuses more on the athletic, the pole tricks, et al.
Stacy and Wendy are great instructors. Unbelievably talented. They really know their stuff and you definitely get one-on-one instruction. They make sure you're warmed up, that you learn proper form and alignment, and that you do both sides. When I was doing pole dancing workouts before, I never learned my left side. Up until now, I did not think I had enough coordination to do it but guess what? I totally can!
Another big plus is class and studio size. Located on the first floor of Gold's Gym on Landsdowne, the space is an excellent size and they make sure the number of poles = number of girls. When you have to share, you just don't learn as well. Also -- the class length. Classes are 1:15. I've always felt an hour is just too short. This might just be personal preference, but if you've ever take a pole class, you might agree. When I leave, my butt has been thoroughly whipped and it is awesome.
If you've ever been curious about pole dancing as a workout, you have to try a class at Boston Pole Fitness. -
Review from Victoria H.
Hermosa Beach, CA
12/8/2010
I bought the Living Social deal that was offered last week and made my first a few nights ago.
I subtracted 1 star right away, which was admittedly not BPF's fault, when I walked into Gold's Gym and was greeted with, "Oh I bet you're here for the pole class" and a sarcastic smile. Thanks, jerk.
We started off with some conditioning, which was good, because it builds up the muscles you need to invert and do all the fun stuff. The class sort of fell apart after that. She (Stacy?) taught us two spins, but spent most of her time on the other side of the room. I like that every girl gets her own pole, but a lot of time was spent standing next to it, kind of wondering what to do. Staring at myself in very bright florescent lights (not cute).
I could tell that Stacy was a really talented dancer, but not a great teacher. I only paid 15 dollars for two weeks of unlimited pole classes though, so I guess you get what you pay for. -
Review from Aleeza L.
Boston, MA
3/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place isn't your normal workout routine. But it's probably a whole lot more fun and effective.
Wendy and Stacy are the only instructors (right now - but they're training more) and they are fantastic. Both are knowledgeable and extremely helpful. They make you feel very comfortable doing moves that might make you feel embarrassed. But they really push you to give everything a try and do it over and over again. There's nothing quite as rewarding as working on a particular move and then finally getting it.
They have a few different work out classes (M-F 5:30-9:45pm, Sat 10am-2pm). My favorite is the pole circuit - which is a strength and aerobics class. They have other classes that involve more dancing, grace, and stilettos though. Be sure to wear appropriate shorts and you may want to wear socks for smoother pirouettes.
Be prepared for a lot of bruises and sore mornings! Your hands will probably sweat a lot - but that's normal.
This is the only workout I can stick with. You build a lot of muscle, but they also help you build a healthy confidence. I love talking with other girls and the instructors. It's always a fun time. Pole classes are my get away from the rest of my life. -
Review from Lauren B.
Boston, MA
1/21/2011
This is the best place for pole dancing in the city, both Stacey and Wendy are very talented at what they do and super friendly.
I can understand how some beginners feel a little silly in the class and may want a more 1 on 1 experience, but pole dancing takes A TON of practice and a lot of strength. I suggest trying all the classes because you will learn different techniques and movements from each one.
Also, I am not sure why anyone has an issue with the studio being in Gold's Gym, I think it's a convenient location and the guy at the front desk has always been friendly to me...
Check their site as they seem to be running a lot of deals for discounted classes, it will definitely be worth it and you may find you love pole dancing as much as I do! -
Review from Alanna M.
Boston, MA
11/16/2010
This place is amazing and Stacy & Wendy are SO TALENTED!
Ladies, this is no doubt a fun thing to do for hen fest bonding, but its an AMAZING WORKOUT & the gentleman in your lives will thank you for it! -
Review from Megan H.
Boston, MA
4/27/2011
I went to my first class last night, Pole 101, and I am sooooore today. It's a great, fun workout. Alice was my instructor and she did a wonderful job of teaching the class. There were beginners and seasoned vets and she did a nice job of dividing her attention between us. She was great at correcting our form and giving encouragement. She's also very talented on the pole herself.
My only complaint is the limited class availability. I just attempted to book my next appointment and can't get in until the end of May. I guess ithat alone speaks volumes of how great it is.
Be sure to wear shorts-the smaller the better. -
Review from Shanae C.
Boston, MA
4/25/2011
Take a class with Stacy! She will make you sweat, and have you doing positions that you never thought you could do. She's an awesome teacher and patient with beginners, and so encouraging. The class is a lot of fun, Pole 101 is a basics class that can be repeated, the biggest thing is to get over the fear of falling, once you let go, you will amaze yourself and the instructors are there to help you get on track
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Review from Sandra H.
Somerville, MA
Love this place! Stacy and Wendy are amazing instructors/dancers and you always leave class feeling worked out. They are also really good at giving each student one-on-one time to make sure everyone is doing everything correctly. I have been doing the classes at least once a week since they opened and I feel stronger already and am starting to see a difference, especially in my arms and stomach which I love! I highly recommend this as a new fun way to supplement your workout routine.
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Review from Mrs R.
Newton Lower Falls, MA
7/9/2011
Ah. May. Zing. I had my first class today and right now I'm banged up, bruised and sore as anything but will be going back very soon!!! I've tried other studios in the city but I have truly found my absolute favorite. Our instructor was Lisa who was a total sweetheart and really helped with getting the right position, etc. I will never go to another studio again, BPF absolutely has my business.
