X Pole Stage Review: X-Stage vs X-Stage Lite vs X-Stage Pro

An X Pole Stage gives you a full-height spinning and static dance pole with no ceiling fixtures at all. The pole stands on its own round podium, so you can set it up in a rented apartment, a garden party or a studio that can’t take a ceiling mount. X-Pole makes three versions: the X-Stage, the X-Stage Lite and the X-Stage Pro. They look almost the same in photos, but they differ in podium height, weight, usable pole and how you switch between static and spin.

I’ve been using X Pole Stages in our pole studio for many years. This review puts all three side by side, using X-Pole’s own specs and manual, so you can see which one fits your space and the way you dance.

X-Stage vs X-Stage Lite vs X-Stage Pro at a glance

All the figures below come from X-Pole’s US product pages and the X-Stage manual.¹²³ Prices change often, so treat them as a guide and check the current price before you buy.

What every X Pole Stage has in common

Every X Pole Stage is a freestanding pole. A heavy round base sits on the floor, six floor plates fit together over it to make the podium, and the pole stands up from the middle. You don’t need anything on the ceiling, which is why stages are popular with renters and for events. If you’re not sure whether a stage or a ceiling-mounted pole suits you better, our guide to freestanding dance poles covers the pros and cons.

All three versions share the same basics:

• Size: a 5′ (1.6 m) podium and a 10′ (3 m) overall height.
• Static and spin: every stage can be used as a static or a spinning pole.
• Diameters and finishes: 40mm or 45mm in chrome, stainless steel or brass, plus powder coat in black, pink or white. Silicone comes in black or pink, in 45mm only.¹
• Users: a suggested user weight limit of 330 lb, and no more than two people on the stage at once.⁴
• Carry cases: everything packs into four cases: the base, two cases of floor plates (three plates in each) and the pole set.
• Extra stability: X-Pole sells weight trays, and recommends adding weight plates or sandbags to the base for advanced moves.⁴

The kit includes the base and its case, the two pole sections, the bearing unit, a 250mm X-Joint, 4mm, 5mm and 6mm hex keys, the six floor plates and the manual. Side skirts that hide the base come with the X-Stage only.⁵

The differences that matter

Podium height

This is the big one. The X-Stage’s podium is 320mm (12.6″) high, so you’re dancing on a raised platform. The Lite and the Pro sit only 110mm (4.3″) off the floor, about 8″ lower.² A raised stage looks the part at shows and events. A low one feels much more like dancing on the floor, which is closer to a studio pole.

How much pole you can use

All the stages are 10′ tall overall, so the higher the podium, the less pole is left above it. X-Pole’s manual gives about 2.68 m (8’9″) of usable pole on the X-Stage and about 2.89 m (9’5″) on the Lite.⁴ Those extra 8 inches or so make a real difference for climbs, and if you’re tall they give you more room to invert.

Weight and carrying

None of these is light. X-Pole US lists the whole Lite kit at 213 lb, with a 65 lb base, and the X-Stage at about 230 lb, with an 85 lb base. The Pro’s base is 71 lb. The Lite and Pro base cases have two wheels and a built-in handle. The X-Stage’s case has three wheels and a separate handle. If you’ll be moving your stage often, or carrying it up stairs, the 20 lb difference in the base is worth thinking about.

Leveling on uneven floors

The X-Stage stands on extendable legs. The Lite and the Pro use X-Pole’s newer Quick-Set adjustable feet instead. Either way, you level the stage before you dance and test it every time before use, which X-Pole also recommends.

Switching between static and spin

On the X-Stage and the Lite you switch modes by loosening or tightening two screws marked with an X, using the 5mm hex key. The pole also has to be in static mode before you can take it off the stage.⁴ That’s fine if you mostly stick to one mode. If you swap back and forth in every session, it gets fiddly, and that’s exactly what the Pro fixes. New to spinning? Our tips for dancing on a spinning pole will help.

What is the X-Stage Pro?

The X-Stage Pro is the newest of the three. It takes the X-LOCK from X-Pole’s pressure-mounted poles, such as the X-Pole XPERT, and adds it to the stage. To change from static to spin, you lift and twist the X-LOCK by hand, with no tools.³ It’s built on the Lite, with the same low 110mm podium and Quick-Set feet.

The name changes depending on where you shop. X-Pole US sells it as the X-Stage Lite Pro, and X-Pole UK calls it the X-STAGE PRO.⁶ It’s the most expensive of the three.

Ceiling height and space

A stage doesn’t attach to your ceiling, but it still has to fit under it. X-Pole says the full-height X-Stage and X-Stage Lite need a ceiling of at least 10’5″. For lower rooms, you swap the top section for a shorter extension: 1000mm to clear a 9′ ceiling, 750mm for 8′ and 500mm for 7′.¹

Floor space matters just as much. The podium alone is 5′ across, and X-Pole’s manual asks for at least 3 m (about 10′) of clear space around the pole so you don’t kick a wall or a sofa mid-spin.⁴ If your room is tight, read our guide to pole dancing in a small space before you buy, and go through our safety tips for pole dancing at home once it’s set up.

See them side by side

X-Pole’s own video shows the X-Stage and the X-Stage Lite next to each other, so you can see the difference in podium height for yourself.

Which X Pole Stage should you buy?

For most people dancing at home, the X-Stage Lite is the one to get. It’s the cheapest of the three, the lightest to move, and it gives you more pole to work with than the standard X-Stage. The low podium also feels closest to dancing on a studio pole.

Best for: Most homes

X-Pole X-Stage Lite

The lightest and least expensive X Pole Stage, with more usable pole than the X-Stage. The best fit for most people.

• Low 110mm (4.3") podium, with about 9'5" of usable pole
• Lightest base (65 lb), with two wheels and a built-in handle
• Quick-Set adjustable feet
• Static and spin, 40mm or 45mm, in many finishes

• Switching between static and spin needs a hex key

Check price at X-Pole US (opens in a new tab) Check price at X-Pole UK (opens in a new tab)

If you switch between static and spin all the time, get the X-Stage Pro. You pay more, but the X-LOCK means no hex key, no screws and no stopping mid-session.

If you perform, or want your pole to look like a stage, get the standard X-Stage. The 320mm podium and side skirts give you a proper platform for shows, parties and photo shoots. You give up some pole height and carry a heavier base in return.

Best for: Performances and events

X-Pole X-Stage

The original X Pole Stage, with a raised podium that puts you on show.

• Raised 320mm (12.6") podium, with side skirts included
• Extendable legs for leveling
• Static and spin, 40mm or 45mm, in many finishes
• Same 330 lb suggested user weight limit

• Heaviest base (85 lb)
• About 8'9" of usable pole, less than the Lite
• Switching between static and spin needs a hex key

Check price at X-Pole US (opens in a new tab) Check price at X-Pole UK (opens in a new tab)

If a stage is over your budget, a pressure-mounted pole costs a lot less. See our pick of the best dance poles for home use, or find out whether you should buy a second-hand X-Pole.

X Pole Stage FAQ

Does an X Pole Stage need to be fixed to the ceiling?

No. All three stages are freestanding and need no permanent fixtures. They still need enough ceiling height to stand under: 10’5″ for the full-height pole, or a shorter extension for a lower room.

What is the weight limit on an X Pole Stage?

X-Pole US suggests a user weight limit of 330 lb for the X-Stage, the Lite and the Pro. You can add weight plates to the base for extra stability. Our guide to plus size pole dancing has more on choosing a pole.

Can two people dance on an X-Stage at once?

Yes, but no more than two. X-Pole’s manual says the stage is for a maximum of two users.

Should I choose a 40mm or 45mm pole?

Both sizes are available on every X Pole Stage. A 40mm pole is easier to wrap your hand around if you have small hands. If you also take classes, matching your studio’s pole size makes switching between the two easier. Silicone poles only come in 45mm.

Is the X-Stage the same as the X-Pole XPERT?

No. The XPERT is a pressure-mounted pole that’s held between your floor and ceiling. The X-Stage stands on its own podium and doesn’t touch the ceiling. Read our X-Pole XPERT review or our overview of X-Pole and its products to compare.

Dancing on an X-Stage

That’s me performing on an X-Stage at a show back in 2012 (please excuse the old phone photo!). It’s a good pole, and it does exactly what you’d expect it to.

I used X-Stages for 6 years, and I’ve danced on all three: the X-Stage, the Lite and the Pro. They suit all levels. What I love: they’re portable, they switch between static and spin, you can extend the pole with extra extension pieces, you get a choice of finishes, and they need no fixtures and never touch the ceiling, so you can use them outdoors and on stage.

I’ve taken mine to the park, and people always come up to have a go and ask questions about it!

The downsides: they’re very heavy to carry, they take time to set up, you can only use them on totally flat ground, and the pole height is limited. Some tricks feel scary performed up high on the podium, and you can feel the pole sway, so you have to trust it.

The Lite feels a little more sway-ish than the others, and I sometimes feel its base wobble during big spins, so I tend to avoid big sideways moves on it.

The verdict

All three X Pole Stages give you a sturdy, full-height static and spinning pole without touching your ceiling. The Lite is the best value and the easiest to live with. The Pro is worth the extra if you’re always switching modes. The standard X-Stage is the one to choose when the stage itself is part of the show.

Sources

1. X-Pole US, “X-STAGE” (product page, specifications and height chart). xpoleus.com ↩︎
2. X-Pole US, “X-STAGE Lite” (product page, specifications and height chart). xpoleus.com ↩︎
3. X-Pole US, “X-STAGE Pro” (product page, specifications). xpoleus.com ↩︎
4. X-Pole, X-STAGE / X-STAGE Lite User Manual (PDF). X-Pole manual ↩︎
5. X-Pole UK, “What comes in the X-Stage / X-Stage Lite kit?” (FAQ). x-pole.co.uk ↩︎
6. X-Pole UK, “X-STAGE PRO” (product page). x-pole.co.uk ↩︎