The pole isn’t the only dance partner in pole dance — the floor can be just as important. Floorwork adds texture, variety, and new movement possibilities to choreography and freestyle. At Gravity Arts we offer two floor-based styles, Floor Flow and Strip Plastic. They may look similar at first glance, but the approach and focus are quite different. Since we often get asked about the difference, here’s a closer look at what defines each style.
The key difference at a glance
Floor Flow
- movement on the floor only, with the floor becoming your dance partner
- focus on learning floor tricks, transitions, and combinations
- not tied to a specific song
- emphasis on smooth, fluid execution and movement quality
- danced with or without heels
Strip Plastic
- style originating from Russia
- class built around a short choreography sequence
- choreography set to a specific song
- strong focus on musicality, sensuality, and expression
- emphasis on hitting beats, accents, and textures in the music
Floor Flow
In Floor Flow, the floor becomes your dance partner.
The class focuses on learning floor-based movements, tricks, and transitions, and connecting them into combinations. Step by step, you explore different ways to move across the floor and build sequences on both sides of the body.
Unlike choreography classes, Floor Flow is not built around a specific song. Instead, the focus is on learning movements and practising executing them smoothly and continuously, adapting to whatever music is playing.
Over time, you develop a growing toolbox of floorwork elements that can later be integrated into pole choreography, routines, or freestyle.
You can dance with or without heels.
Strip Plastic
Strip Plastic is a dance style that originated in Russia and has gained popularity in dance studios worldwide.
The classes combine floorwork tricks, choreography, and performance. Each class is built around a short choreography sequence set to a specific song.
A central element of the style is musical interpretation. Movements are designed to interact closely with the music, hitting specific beats, sounds, or accents and playing with tempo, dynamics, and energy.
Strip Plastic also places strong attention on arm work, leg work, and expressive details. The goal is not only to execute movements, but to develop presence, intention, and emotional expression through the choreography.
Different classes may explore different performance energies: from sensual to fierce to dramatic.
Why floorwork matters in pole dance
Using the floor in pole dance is more than just an addition; it expands how choreography and freestyle can develop.
Floorwork allows dancers to move between levels, create contrast, and connect movements in new ways. It can make transitions more interesting, enrich storytelling, and add another layer of expression to a dance.
Exploring floor-based styles like Floor Flow or Strip Plastic therefore helps dancers build a broader, more versatile movement vocabulary.
At Gravity Arts
At Gravity Arts, we regularly offer both Floor Flow and Strip Plastic classes, and both are open to all levels.
Whether you want to explore fluid floor movement or dive into musical choreography and performance, these classes offer different ways to deepen your dance practice and discover new sides of your movement.
