Can You Start Pole Dance at 40 or 50? Rita Croce’s Answer (Over 60 World Champion)

Pole Dance at 40 or 50: Is It Too Late?

If you’re thinking about starting pole dance as an adult, here’s the truth: there isn’t one “right age” for everyone. There’s your starting point, your story, and your body today.
Rita says it clearly: age can bring more fatigue and a few extra limits, but it also brings experience, freedom, and self-awareness. And often, that maturity is exactly what makes the journey deeper.

The Interview: Rita Croce, Our World-Champion “Little Ant”

To understand how these principles become real—through dedication and achievement—we sat down with Rita Croce: an extraordinary athlete who truly reflects Polipole’s values and philosophy.

Rita, you won a world title at 63. Many women would love to start, but they’re afraid it’s “too late.” When did you realize pole dance was the right sport for you? Were you worried about judgment or physical limits?

Rita: Pole dance has elements of strength, flexibility, and dance—it fascinated me and really struck me. But I understood it was for me after performing at the end-of-year show at the school I attend, “Still Pole Dance” in Maranello (Italy). For the first time in a long time, it was just me and the music.
It felt like finding myself as a child again, reconnecting with my deep passion for dance. I rediscovered a part of me that has always been there. There is no “too late.” The body isn’t a tool—the body is me, living in the present moment; there is no late or early.
Other people obviously have their own thoughts, and they’re respectable. But I live my life, my present. Of course, age brings more limits and fatigue, but it also brings experience, and the freedom to be myself and fully live who I am—without fear, without regret. Every age brings a new life, if you keep a spirit of exploration.

What’s one myth about pole dance in adulthood you’d like to debunk?

Rita: The myth to debunk is the prejudice that only a young, high-performing body belongs in pole dance. And sure—that’s fine. But there’s also the beauty of elegance, experience, and the pleasure of refining movement and details, which can be just as stunning.
It’s like always choosing spring, and forgetting that autumn has incredible shades and wild harmonies. There’s beauty in every season. We have to train ourselves to see it.

In your personal experience, how has pole dance changed the way you see your body? And what mental benefits feel most valuable for a woman approaching maturity with energy?

Rita: I think the mind often tricks us, placing judgments and limits on us. The body—if you listen—knows. Pole dance gave me back the excitement of learning new techniques and facing new challenges.
Dancing on a pole seems impossible, but of course it takes discipline. Training is hard at 65 and at 20, for different reasons—but it’s always hard. And when I finally get to express myself, it’s beautiful. I’m free. I am, and I will always be, a dancing creature—that’s my nature. And now I can express it deeply and freely.
I’ve worked for years with dance and disability. With pole dance, my listening to my body has grown: it doesn’t only need training, it also needs recovery. Slower training, combined with consistency and recovery, can lead to incredible results.

How does pole dance connect with inclusivity? Why does it create such a strong, supportive community?

Rita: Among the biggest physical and mental benefits of pole dance is understanding your own physical and psychological state. First of all, the body changes and must be respected in its rhythms. And mentally, it’s important to accept who you are—your story, what you like, what you don’t.
I don’t compare myself, and I don’t want to be anyone else. I wouldn’t go back in time. I stay in the present moment, trying to do everything well—and better and better. That’s why I believe pole dance is very inclusive: it allows you to be who you are, without having to fit unreachable models of youth, physical characteristics, and so on. You work and train while respecting who you are.

Grip and Skin Care: An Often Overlooked Part of Training

In pole dance, skin is a key point of contact: the pole is constantly touching the epidermis. That’s why, beyond technique, listening to your body, recovery, and using the right products all matter.
Rita, your experience inspired Polipole in creating Skin Prep. How important is it—especially for every athlete—to have products that also work for mature skin with specific needs?

Rita: Skin is essential in pole; the pole is constantly in contact with the epidermis. Having the right grip is fundamental, but also being able to remove it with suitable, specific products. I find products like Skin Prep fantastic. And for mature skin like mine, hydration is crucial. It’s essential to understand and know your body’s needs.

Consistency, Discipline, and the Future: Looking Toward 2035

Looking at the next ten years, what are your athletic and personal goals? And how do you imagine pole dance evolving by 2035?

Rita: Over the next 10 years, I want to keep growing as an artist and athlete, learn new tricks that currently feel impossible, and compete abroad too. Personally, I hope to have health and more free time to dedicate to my improvement—spiritually as well.
In 2035, I especially hope pole dance enters the Olympics. My legacy is consistency: “never give up,” work like a little ant and like a soldier. I’m inspired by champions like Yuri Chechi and Alex Zanardi. To the new generations, I always recommend discipline—because over time, you can balance everything only with discipline.

A sentence you tell yourself when you’re struggling?

Rita: “Having talent is a great fortune—but only if you’re willing to work on it and carve it like a diamond for your whole life. Otherwise, it becomes a great regret.”

Too Late? Or Finally the Right Moment?

Rita reminds us that it’s absolutely possible to start pole dance at 40, 50, or 60. The secret isn’t “doing what someone else does,” but respecting your own pace—and embracing discipline as an ally for mental and physical wellbeing. Many women say the same thing after a few months: “I wish I had started earlier… but I’m incredibly happy I started now.” If you’re hesitating, pause for a second and remember: it’s never too late to surprise yourself. There’s an old Chinese proverb: the best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The second-best time is today.