HomeWashingtonTacoma › Athena Vertical Dance

Athena Vertical Dance

4.8 ★★★★★ 130 Google reviews · Pole studio in Tacoma, Washington

Aerial arts too Beginner-friendly

Plan your first class

Hours

Monday 1:30–9 pm
Tuesday 1:30–9 pm
Wednesday 1:30–9 pm
Thursday 1:30–9 pm
Friday 5–9 pm
Saturday 9 am–6 pm
Sunday 11 am–7 pm

Hours shift for holidays, workshops, and class schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they teach

Pole and aerial classes on the schedule at Athena Vertical Dance, confirmed in students' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

👠 Exotic Pole

“I have always wanted to try so I finally booked a Sensual Flow class this week.”

All studios teaching exotic pole →

🌱 Beginner Pole 4 mentions

“The beginner classes are taught in a way where I feel challenged but I can do it.”

All studios teaching beginner pole →

🌀 Spin Pole

“I particularly appreciated how the moves we learned were seamlessly incorporated into a combo at the end!”

All studios teaching spin pole →

Aerial Hoop (Lyra) 3 mentions

“I've been taking Lyra since January 2024.”

All studios teaching aerial hoop (lyra) →

🤸 Flexibility & Stretch

“I attended strength and flexibility training with Mireya.”

All studios teaching flexibility & stretch →

What's on offer

Amenities students name in their reviews of Athena Vertical Dance — the fastest way to tell what to expect before you book your first class.

🎀 Aerial Apparatus 3 mentions

“I've been taking Lyra since January 2024.”

Other studios with aerial apparatus →

🤸 Flexibility Training

“I attended strength and flexibility training with Mireya.”

Other studios with flexibility training →

🤝 Community Events 2 mentions

“The classes are great, the community and teachers are supportive of everyone, regardless of gender, size or whatever.”

Other studios with community events →

Amenities are mined from reviews and the studio's own info — they tell you what students have experienced, not a formal guarantee. If something is a dealbreaker (grip aids, showers, private parties), confirm it with the studio before you go.

What students say again and again

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 130 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 6 mentions

“She knew it was my first time in the studio and made sure to show me where things were, how things worked, give an intro on the class, and made me feel welcome.”

💜 body-positive & judgment-free 4 mentions

“the studio is inclusive of all identities which i find extremely comforting as a thicker woman of color.”

🔥 great full-body workout 3 mentions

“It's a place where you feel comfortable and able to just be yourself and have fun while getting a great workout.”

strong community vibe 8 mentions

“The classes are great, the community and teachers are supportive of everyone, regardless of gender, size or whatever.”

From the reviews

I had my first class yesterday with Kimberly and it was amazing! 😍 Not only is it a great work out that had me sweating, it was fun and very informative - she was explaining why certain moves are done in specific ways to not hurt yourself.

★★★★★ — Vivian, Nov 2024

I've been taking Lyra since January 2024. I have absolutely loved every class. Tasia my instructor is fun and upbeat, talented and just a wonderful human. The other students in-class are positive and encouraging. It's a great workout that is challenging and rewarding.

★★★★★ — Stephanie, Jul 2024

I loved the small class size, the amount of care and patience placed on individualized instruction , and competency and structure provided by the instructor.

★★★★★ — Anna, Jan 2025

I attended strength and flexibility training with Mireya. Mireya was very kind and in tune to each students needs, and gave us constructive criticism on form, which I really appreciate.

★★★★★ — Michaela, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 130 reviews →

Your first pole class at Athena Vertical Dance

Nervous about your first pole class? Almost everyone is — and a good studio expects total beginners to walk in the door. Here's what to know. You don't need to be strong, flexible, or thin to start — pole builds all of that, and your first class is about learning to spin, walk the pole, and hold on, not inverting on day one. What to expect: a warm-up, some conditioning, and a few basic spins or a short combo — it's a real full-body workout, so expect to sweat and to feel it in your arms and core the next day. Rest whenever you need to; no one is watching or judging. What to wear: shorts and a tank or sports bra — bare skin on your arms, legs, and stomach is what grips the pole, so save the leggings for aerial or floorwork. Skip the lotion the day of class; it makes the pole slippery. Grip aids: most studios keep grip liquid (Dry Hands / iTac) on hand, and knee pads make floorwork comfy — ask at the front desk. What to bring: water and a small towel. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet your instructor. It clicks fast — most people leave their first class already planning the next one.

Pole is for every body, and it's about strength, artistry, and confidence — not performing for anyone else. If you're pregnant or working around an injury, check with a doctor and let your instructor know so they can offer modifications.

Where to find Athena Vertical Dance

715 Commerce St, Tacoma, WA98402

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

More pole studios near Tacoma

Ethereal Arts Aerial Academy

4.7 ★★★★★ 18 reviews

2101 Jefferson Ave Ste D, Tacoma, WA

Drop-ins ~$30

Pole studio Aerial arts too Beginner-friendly strong community vibe

under a mile away

Lilith Pole and Aerial Dance (Tacoma)

4.7 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

2310 Mildred St W Ste 136, University Place, WA

Pole studio Beginner-friendly clean & well-keptwelcoming to beginnersempowering & confidence-building

4.3 miles away

by appt only - The Toy Box Pole Dance Studio Mobile & Private options

4.2 ★★★★☆ 17 reviews

Mobile & Private FaceTime options, 11006 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma, WA

Pole studio Parties & events great full-body workoutstrong community vibegood value / membership

6.9 miles away

All pole studios in Tacoma, WA →

Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.