Exclusively Beginner covers all things pole dance, confidence building, and what it is like to be part of the APD Crew community. Ready to invest in your own transformation? Read on.
Our pole dance and fitness classes are right here in Boise, easily accessible from the connector and I-84 to surrounding cities, such as Meridian, Nampa, Garden City, and more. Never taken a class before? Start with Exclusively Beginner!
Our studio community is queer-centered and trans-owned.
It’s important to us to create a space that centers queerness, that doesn’t also surround alcohol, especially in the current social climate of the country we are in. To us, being queer-centered means that we foster an environment where there is no assumption of the “norm” being cisgender or heterosexual. Our classes and movements are not gendered, everyone’s body and transition journey is respected here, our membership base is largely queer, and we are heavily involved in local queer culture and support fellow local queer initiatives both with human power and financial power.
Why try pole dance? Read our top reasons by clicking here.
This four-week series creates an environment where beginners get to learn alongside other beginners – this course covers the basics of pole, tricks of the trade, heels theory, flow, strength-building, and floorwork! After this series, you can take Pole 1.5 and more at this popular location for pole dance in Boise.
Please be aware that we take community responsibility seriously. While we no longer require masks or current vaccinations, we do ask that you take responsibility and care for those around you by wearing a mask or taking additional precautions if you have been around people with airborne- and contact-transmitted illnesses or other high-risk situations. We provide complimentary disposable masks should you need one, as well as hand sanitizer, non-latex gloves, and cleaning products for student use should you desire them.
Upcoming 2026 class dates:
Currently our beginner classes fill up 3-5 weeks in advance.
*This list is updated daily, but some spots may fill before it is updated. Please call if you would like to check availability before purchasing.
- January 4, 11, 18, 25 – Sundays at 10:35-11:50am
- Full!
- January 5, 12, 19, 26 – Mondays at 7:20-8:35pm
- Full
- January 6, 13, 20, 27 – Tuesdays at 7:20-8:35pm
- Full!
- February 1, 8, 15, 22 – Sundays at 10:35-11:50am
- Full!
- February 2, 9, 16, 23 – Mondays at 7:20-8:35pm
- Full!
- February 3, 10, 17, 24 – Tuesdays at 7:20-8:35pm
- 5 spots available!
- March 1, 8, 15, 22 – Sundays at 10:35-11:50am
- 7 spots available
- March 2, 9, 16, 23 – Mondays at 7:20-8:35pm
- 7 spots available!
- March 3, 10, 17, 24 – Tuesdays at 7:20-8:35pm
- Enrollment opens January 26
Click here to purchase your pass! Once you purchase your spot, make sure to apply it to the first date of the open series of your choice! You may also receive a follow-up and welcome call from one of our polefessors.
Tuition cost for the four-week series is $99. This includes all four classes, use of rental shoes and kneepads, and grip aids!
All class purchases are non-refundable but can be transferred to a friend if you change your mind or cannot attend, as long as you let us know BEFORE the first class date. Each class period runs 75 minutes.
We typically are unable to offer “make up classes” for missed classes, regardless of reason, as classes run at capacity. However, if you let us know ahead of time, we will do our best (but cannot promise) to find a replacement class for you.
Trouble booking? Email crew@ascensionpole.com and we’ll help you get set up!
Not a total beginner, don’t want to wait for our signature series, or have a tricky schedule?
We offer a weekly 70-minute “Pole 1” class, which is similar in content, but less in-depth than our signature Exclusively Beginner series. This class can be started ANY week as the content is not cumulative. While this class is beginner-focused, this class is also open to our members who have graduated Exclusively Beginner, so while the movement taught is for beginners, you may not be only with other beginner students.
Current Pole 1 class offerings are:
- Saturdays at 11:30am
To take this class, you will need to purchase our new student “3 Pole 1 Classes for $99” package. Purchase your three-class pass by clicking here! This pass has an expiration of one month from the first class you enroll for and cannot be used for an Exclusively Beginner course or other classes. Due to demand, we do not offer single-class packages at this time. If you’re looking for a one-time bucket-list experience with friends, we recommend booking a private class through our party website, IdahoPoleDanceParties.com.
If you are new-to-APD, but an experienced pole student (we define this as taking classes or dancing for more than 6 months, with at least 10 recent classes within the past 3 months), please note that Ascension functions as a school with ongoing, comprehensive curriculum, rather than a traditional drop-in gym. There are two ways experienced polers can be assessed for an appropriate level placement – you can take the “3 Pole 1 Classes for $75” and this class will assess your foundational skills and place you in an appropriate level for the future. You may also schedule a skill assessment by emailing crew@ascensionpole.com
Visiting town and just want to take a single class? Our class spaces are prioritized for members on a 6- or 12-month tuition contract. Occasionally, we can accommodate requests (but cannot promise a spot) for experienced travelling dancers on a case-by-case request basis. The best route to take is to call the studio the day prior to the class and ask. In these cases, if a request is approved, a drop-in fee of $30 will apply.
what your peers ask us:
Is there a age or weight limit?
Our member base ranges in age from 18 to 65! Our studio environment caters to adults (i.e. we cuss and talk about our grown-ass lives) and do not permit those under 18 to take general population classes. The majority of students are in their late 20s to early 50s.
No weight limits. If you’re ready to dance, we’re ready to cheer you on and make pole dance an option for EVERY body. We stock our signature shorts in sizes XS-4XL. Our studio rental shoes and retail shoes are offered in up to size 14 (US-W). We offer knee pads to borrow in up to 29″ diameter (and are working to offer those retail as well).
What does being on the Wait List mean?
Being on the Wait List means that while you do not have a spot confirmed in a class yet, you are FIRST IN LINE should someone who does have a spot decides not to use their spot. You will be notified if you are added from the Wait List!
You must pay for the series to be added to the Wait List. If you do not end up getting in class from a Wait List, the series you paid for can be transferred to any open series, or a Wait List spot in another series, and we will extend the expiration.
You may also hold a spot in a later series while being on the Wait List for an earlier class, just to see if you can get in!
I feel awkward not knowing anyone / What if I want to take this class with friends?
We promise that we were awkward AF when we first started.. and we probably still are. All of the people in your series will be in the same situation – not knowing anyone else, stepping out of their comfort zone, and often, CRAZY NERVOUS. We’ll name those emotions up front and guide you all through them, together.
Don’t wait for someone else to do it with you – if you’re ready to commit to you, we’re with you every step of the way.
Friend groups of 2 people may take the series together, if there are enough spots available when they sign up. If there are 3 or more people in your friend group, you MUST call us at (208)322-2626 to make special arrangements. We can arrange private series for friend groups to meet your schedule!
Do I need to wear the heels or skimpy clothes? What DO I wear?
Short answer? No.
We encourage you to wear clothing that allows you to move and feel comfortable. For many people, this is snug-fitting athletic wear. If you generally to breast bind, we encourage you to bind safely where you can fully breathe, or wear a compression top and/or Trans Tape for class in order to breathe safely.
For your first EB class, any kinds of bottoms are fine – shorts, leggings, sweatpants, etc. After your first class, many moves may require full leg and thigh skin access. As you progress, more skin available does aid in achieving certain moves and poses. We recommend skin-tight shorts with 3″ maximum inseam. For many bodies, skin-tight swimsuit bottoms work really well as they are meant to stay in place! For those with external genitalia, you may find more comfort with a dance belt, Unclockable, or a gaff/tucking underwear.
That said, many of our students find more adoration for their bodies here, and dare to wear shorter shorts and live fully in their own bodies as they progress in their pole journey.
Especially in winter, please wear a warm, comfy layer (lots of us wear pajamas or fluffy bathrobes and slippers) until the class warm up begins – you will warm up more efficiently and safely!
Most of our classes will be done in barefoot; if you prefer to wear socks, please wear tight socks with grip for safety. We will discuss shoe theory in the series and provide shoes for you to try out, if you dare! They are never required to be a pole dancer. If you find that you absolutely love heels while dancing, we have heels-specific learning tracks you can take advantage of when you’re a member!
What happens after Exclusively Beginner?
That depends on you!
When you graduate from the four-week series, you have the option to do a Starter Membership of 5 classes each month! This membership is $99/month (spoiler alert: you get a discount if you sign up on the last day of your Exclusively Beginner class!) and is a 3-month commitment. Being a member means you can sign up for classes that fit in your schedule, and try different classes each week! You also receive perks such as a private locker and unlimited open studio entries. After completing Exclusively Beginner, over 15 weekly classes are immediately accessible to you, with more to come as you level up!
At this time, we are a members-only studio, except for annual holiday sales when class packs can be purchased a la carte.
what other beginners have said:
I highly recommend Ascension! They are super welcoming, body positive, and open to all abilities and levels. They are inclusive to all types of people and very queer-friendly!
Instruction is top-notch and rooted in a deep understanding of safety, form, and physiology.
The class environment is fun and supportive. Instructors are all passionate about what they do and very encouraging.
Shannon
As someone with chronic pain and a desire to still be able to move my body, this is the only movement place I have felt like my disability is affirmed instead of a hindrance to the instructor. Because the classes are based in how to move your body in safe, creative ways, and the instructors are aware of the body mechanics used and needed, they have always been able to point me in the direction of achieving the move or pose in a way that doesn’t hurt my body! Not only that, but it’s an amazing community, space, and lovely humans. They are cane, crutches, and wheelchair accessible, and are incredibly queer-focused!
Crow
Ascension gives me a place to be strong and graceful and wholly myself. It’s like having another home or putting on the world’s softest sweater. You never have to fear not being good/strong/graceful/-insert adjective- here. At Ascension being you is perfect.
Britt
If you want a boost to your self esteem, come here! Really! I recently joined and I am a total beginner. I’m 5’7″ and 200lbs, so I was scared. I thought I couldn’t do this because I didn’t fit my preconceived ideas about body type. But I wanted to challenge myself and try it. I know what you are thinking, “I could never do that”. I thought that too, but then I signed up for my first class and everyone was so warm and friendly and eased my worries instantly. Why are you stopping yourself from doing something incredible? You will be surrounded by beautiful humans of ALL shape and size. Classes are small and it doesn’t matter if you have no experience. Strengthen your body in this fun atmosphere.
Melissa
