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Pole diameter and finish questions answered
Someone on reddit had these questions and I was unable to post my reply there, so I’ll post it here instead!
To the reddit user: I didn’t realize you’ve never pole danced before! I would suggest listening to this RANT about “why you feel like you’re slipping” to help you understand what pole grip is about. I have 8 pole finishes, here are my answers in bold:
“It’s difficult because i’ve not been on a pole before and theres so many variables. I like that stainless steel is the most durable, skin safe finish but i’m worried about the extra slip and so was considering titanium gold also due to it’s apparently more grippy feel but not too grippy as to pinch my skin but not sure how much less durable it is than stainless or if it’s worth that being a deciding factor. I know stainless is more rust and scratch resistant but not sure how much more scratch resistant. Does stainless just last forever? Or would i still need to replace it as often as a tg? With daily/every other day use.” – Titanium gold, the color can wear off depending on your body chemistry and grip aids you use. However it shouldn’t affect the grip. My TG pole was fine until a friend danced on it and then it started to discolor! Every pole will have some pinch when you’re first learning certain tricks, you’re body acclimates and you also become stronger and begin to utilize your muscle more than your skin. Unless you’re a sweaty human you’ll be able to work with any finish if you do a proper warm up! Not warming up enough is one of the biggest reasons home pole dancers feel like they’re slipping.
“I think my skin is dry but can get ever so slightly tacky or dewy when warmer. I don’t sweat much at all, when i do a lot of exercise or get very hot i don’t even really drip from sweat either, my legs and arms don’t seem to sweat much in those times still but my palms and core get a normal amount or maybe lesser.” – I have dry-ish skin and hardly sweat when working out as well. I like brass, powder coated and stainless steel. Stainless is durable, easy to care for, allergy friendly and can be wonderfully grippy if you have the right climate (normal to high humidity) and don’t tend towards being very sweaty.
“My room is usually average humidity. I’d rather not use grip aid unless theres eczema safe ones. I don’t mind if i have to use a pole warmer.” – You can use sticky pole wear if you find the pole finish you bought is too slick for you or buy a pole wrap for cold months.
“Does stainless warm up and stay warm easier than tg?” – No, I’ve not experienced a huge difference in how long a pole stays warm due to finish. In theory brass, with its higher thermal conductivity, heats up and cools down quickly, whereas stainless steel, being a poorer conductor, resists temperature change more effectively. I like to steam my pole if it’s too cold, it also clean it.
“Also a couple people have said that the holes on the xpole have cut and scratched them and that they could feel the holes when using the poles wheras lupit is smooth. Have you experienced any of that?” – I had one xpole that had a little sharp spot by the hole. It wasn’t a problem, my husband just filed it off. I have a friend that has a lupit and I like xpole’s xlock system better. I’ve owned well over 10 poles, mostly xpole and never had issue with the holes being noticeable.
“And then as for size just what i said in the post really. My hands are average for a woman i believe. 17.5cm long. And i have no thigh gap. I’m 5’3 and a half and weigh 51kg average build i guess. “- When I started almost 19 years ago we all used 50mm poles and learn tricks just fine. You’ll build strength in your hands if you’re following the right programs or instructors. No matter the diameter you’ll have to build strength in your hands, wrists and forearms to develop a solid grip. Most women don’t naturally have a hand grip that supports their body weight easily.
“I don’t know if i’ll ever do comp or anything probably not but who knows. I saw that you prefer the smaller pole and so do some other people and that’s what made me reconsider if 45 was best or not.” – If you’re REALLY interested in learning tricks like drops, flips and stalls, go with the 45. However, keep in mind you’d not be working on those skills for a very long time.
Also is any size least likely to make you dizzy or have a headache? When i watch people spin it makes me wonder. – “Size plays no part in how dizzy you’ll get. Learning how to acclimate your body to spinning pole and understanding how to control your spin is what makes a difference, not the diameter. You should always learn every skill on static pole first, then move on to spinning pole.”
You might enjoy this RANT about static verse spinning pole to help you better understand the mechanics.
My vote is Stainless steel, 40mm xpole.
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6 Replies
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Apologies for all of the questions in advance and Thank you so much for your thorough response! This is the most helpful response i’ve gotten in my deep dive about poles.
Could you recommend some of the best pole warmer wraps or steamers if that’s better for stainless?
Can i apply moisturiser or wash with an emollient ointment (like hydromol for eczema, it contains waxes and partafins) and/or put a little on my skin after washing too before using the pole and would that help or hinder my experience
on stainless?
I just watched the video you recommended on grip where you said any pole can work for you with the right grip aid if needed. Does that mean i could get a brass one (because i find the gold look so pretty and it’s still kind to skin) or would i definitely have to use grip aid (i’d rather not as my skins sensitive and so i’d rather control the room temp if needed but i’d also rather not have to wear extra clothes like leggings unless it would only be a temp thing till i get enough strength to pole without) or would it definitely be too grippy and hurt me? I’m guessing moisturiser wouldn’t help with brass either and could damage it? Just a side thought but it’s not important, if stainless lasts longest by a long time compared to brass and also has other benefits for me that make it more worthwhile then i’d still chose stainless over a pretty colour brass. I’ve heard stainless is predictable. And i’m not sure is brass is as versatile anyway? I’m guessing stainless is better for flow anyway.
Why do you think i should get the 40mm if i can adjust to any pole size in the end anyway? Does the 40mm lend itself to flow more? Why do you prefer it?
Did it take you long to adjust to 40 from 50? A lot of people including yourself in one video say to go with the 45mm just for the fact that it’s standard and in comps etc but even if i did end up doing that somehow it would be as far away as me learning those drops, flips and stalks you mentioned probably. But if the transition from 40 to 45 and back isn’t a massive adjustment does it matter if i did start with a 40mm?
I’m not one to go to in person classes at all but if for some reason i ever did the one near me has 40mm poles as well as 45 so that’s not an issue either really.
I do want to learn the widest variety of tricks and things i can do on pole and a flowy style is preferred as i like it when the moves flow into each other seamlessly. But i am also interested in the power moves too and when i did want to/become good enough to learn those things i’d have to buy a 45mm pole to do so – how long would it take for me to get good enough to learn that stuff and would starting out on 40mm make it harder later? Would i be less adaptable starting on a 40 vs 45?
What sounds good about the 40mm is that i’ve heard that it allows for more range of motion on the pole for more flexible tricks? Not sure if it was you said that. And i’m not sure if it’s enough to warrant getting a 40 over a 45.
I’m scared to get a 40 over the 45 because of the 45 being the standard and it sounds like getting the 40 fully stops you from being able to do a bunch of tricks (the aggressive tricks you mentioned) wheras getting the 45 doesn’t stop you from doing any tricks or so it seems. I watched your video on pole diameter previously also.
Maybe a pro’s and cons of each would help? Because i don’t fully know why 40mm would be the best choice for me yet or what i would miss out on/what would look best on either size either? Or how much easier each size makes certain things? I know that smaller is best for hand holds and thicker for leg holds but that’s it.
Does the fact that i have no thigh gap affect the decision at all?
If i got a 40mm and then went to a club and they had the standard 45mm pole would i still be able to use it? On the off chance that happened lol
I’m very grateful for your help.
Thank you also for the video links i will check the other one out also, i really appreciate all of the content you share and the help 🙂
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I just started making some Christmas cookies. I will reply back with answers later on. ☺️
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No worries thank you! Sounds lovely 🙂 also an edit: where i talk about brass and needing grip aids i meant also if i need to use something to make it less grippy if its too grippy and causes burns or pain or ruins my flow. I ask about brass because in the video about grip you said it’s your favourite alongside stainless in cold humid weather and i love the colour.
Hope you enjoy the cookies :3
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I have the xpole warmer, and any steamer will do, you can even use an iron on steam. This video explains how to do it.
Every pole if you buy from a quality brand like xpole will last a very long time regardless of finish. I wouldn’t stress over longevity. Brass requires maintenance like this so if you don’t want to polish don’t buy brass.
You ONLY need grip aid if you need grip aid, which you wont know until you start practicing pole. I only need grip aid if I’m dancing in cool temps and if it’s very dry. Like when I use to live in Las Vegas. In Florida I don’t use any grip aid.
Any finish could be affected by ointment, apply the night before pole dancing or far in advance if you’re worried. Anything that is oil based will cause you to slip when applied close to practice. You will have to see how your ointment works with your pole, it’s not something that can be answered right away.
Get a 40 because you’re on the shorter side with smaller hands. I think it would make poling at home more pleasant as the bigger the diameter the longer it can take to develop your grip strength for that size.
Yes, you can go between sizes with no problem. Somethings like I mentioned in the video, stalls, flips, and drop are more comfortable on lager pole but at your size 40 would still be a good fit. If you were taller like me I might suggest a 45. But those skill take years to build up to and most people tend to buy more than one pole if they’re poling long enough.
Thigh gap doesn’t matter.
I wouldn’t stress too much, you can alway re-sell it and buy something else.
Watch the RANTS I shared above, I think it will answer some questions for you and put thing into perspective.
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Okay, thank you for your help, i appreciate!
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You’re welcome! I’d love to know what pole you decide on.
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