There is many exhaustive reviews of Pole manufacturers and models. They probably provide more and more detailed descriptions than we can provide. A Google search as well as a check of Youtube videos can do a fantastic job of giving you information. Here is some points as you research further.

There are four basic types of poles. Various manufacturers may use different names but they will fall under one of these four categories:

1. Permanent
2. Semi-Permanent
3. Temporary/Friction
4. Stages

Permanent is just that. They are not meant to come down. They require mounting of hardware so drilling into floors or ceiling will be needed. If you are renting or using space from someone else you will need to ask if this will be allowed. Some facilities you will be able to patch the holes you made. If you drilled into hardwood or floating floor, they may need a piece replaced which would require remove most of the floor! Normally with permanent poles you must remove the hardware to remove the pole. If screws are used then the holes holding the screws can become worn every time you remove them. That could create an unsafe condition. Permanent poles are often considered the safest for a studio type situation. Though if they may need to be removed at times they may not be the correct choice. Permanent poles often cannot be changed greatly for different heights. Many are one-piece. This means if you are using a temporary facility, you may be forced to purchase new poles for whatever facility you move to. Permanent poles in general can support much more weight. This allows you to offer services to more people.

Semi-Permanent Poles are similar to permanent in that hardware must be attached directly to the floor and/or ceiling. The difference comes in the fact that the pole can be removed separately from the attachment hardware. In the scenario we gave earlier, should you need to occasionally remove the poles, you will not have to worry about screw holes or other attachments  becoming loose. These are generally safer than temporary poles.

Friction poles are setup with pressure between the floor and ceiling. Most have one or both ends that are expanded towards the ceiling or floor. Most do not require any attachment hardware or screws be installed. Friction poles can also be installed and removed within minutes. If you share space used for other than pole work this can be very helpful.  It does help to mark or note the position of an installed tension pole to ease setup further. Some tension poles have limited height options. You may find that adding extensions can decrease the weight limit of the pole. It is best to check with the manufacturer. Safety of your customers is most important! They must be installed under a ceiling stud be it metal or wood unless you have concrete ceilings. Do not take any chances in this area. It takes only one pole failure to end your pole business. In some cases you may need or want to strengthen the ceiling stud. There is no such thing as “good enough” with regards safety.
NOTE: There are many temporary or friction poles on the market that are considered dangerous. even for home use. Even though they are advertised for performing all types of pole moves that have resulted in many failures and injuries. Some are not much more than a long shower curtain rod with a spring inside. We provide below the names of pole manufacturers we know have been used safely in pole studios. We do not endorse any brand over another but as a whole these are generally reliable & safe. As with any product their may be reports of issues with specific models or versions and that is why we recommend you perform your own research.

Stage Poles are single-units that include a floor or stage and the pole. The stage portion can be plastic, wood or metal. Round, square or octagon. Most are considered portable although setup & takedown times can be significant for some. There are limitations of use because of the diameter of the stage. Floor work especially is an issue. When planning for stage poles, consider the height. If the stage is three feet high, then that is three feet you have lost in pole height. Always check total height of a stage pole versus available ceiling height. Some people dislike the movement or sway of the top portion of the pole. This is because while the bottom of the pole is secure, there is no anchor point for the top of the pole. They also have safety issues because of the size of the stage. People have stepped/fallen off the end of the stage. There are other incidents of people performing moves that extended themselves too far injuring them against the side of the stage. Stage poles really shine for pole parties & events done off-site. because of their portability. They travel well and do not require anything except a level ground and appropriate ceiling height. They can even can be used outdoors.

Manufacturers of Poles:
We make no endorsement but have found from speaking with numerous pole businesses these are manufacturers they have used successfully. We would never list nor should you choose a brand only from online product reviews like Amazon. We do highly recommend you contact the pole manufacturer for specifics before ordering. They know their products better than anyone.

• X-Pole – xpoleus.com – 888-976-5387
• Platinum Stages – platinumstages.com – 866.857.6537
• Lil’ Mynx – lilmynx.com – 877-700-7467
• Pole Danzer – poledanzer.com – 760-419-9514
• Rpole – r-polefitness.com – (+44) 01293 888200
• miPole – mipole.com – 610-767-0150

Finishes:

The Pole finishes can include Stainless, Chrome, Powder-Coated, Titanium, Brass and others. It has been widely reported that grip level, reliability and other concerns vary not only by type of finish but can vary between the same finish from different manufacturers. As you research specific poles, you will want to know details of pole finishes  from each manufacturer.

Diameter Sizes

Diameter of poles has more choices today then ever before. You can now choose between:

• 50mm or 2″
• 45mm or 1.75″
• 40mm or 1.5″
• 38mm or 1.5″

Again there is a wealth of information about choosing pole diameter online. If unsure of all the difference we recommend visiting your Home Depot, Menards, B&Q, Homebase or most any hardware store’s plumbing section. There you can get your hands around each size. (No Pole Dancing in the aisles, Please!) Pay attention as some will be labeled for inside diameter and not outside diameter. It should not be all about your own personal choice but your customers. Customers come in all shapes and sizes.

We also want to make note that the actual diameter of many poles varies from that stated from the manufacturer. This is not necessarily a case of misrepresenting their products. Rather it often is the variances in the tubing or pipe purchased & used by the manufacturer. Also after the coating or any other process is applied there can be a slight change.  You can find the exact diameter of a pole very easily. Just measure the circumference around the pole and then convert the circumference to diameter.
The Diameter is the circumference divided by Pi (3.14)
So if you get 157mm around then 157mm ÷ 3.14 = 50mm diameter
142mm ÷ 3.14 = 45mm diameter
For inches its the same:
6.25 inches around ÷ 3.14 = 2 inches which is 50mm
45mm = 1.75 inches
40mm = 1.50

The tubing sizes can vary a bit so it might not be exact. And actually 45mm is like 1.77 inches but tubing can be metric 45mm or standard 1.75 inches. Have seen poles from the same manufacturer vary several mm. So you might not have the size you think you do.
You can also reverse, so if you know what the diameter is supposed to be, just multiple the diameter by Pi (3.14) and see if it has the correct circumference.