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Does pole dance cause a bigger upper body? (bigger arms and v-shape back)
I really love pole dancing, but it kinda bothers me when I started to realise that my upper body is getting bigger and bigger. I’ve always had big arms and broad back problem (not the obvious ones, but for the size of my body I considered them as big) and I really hated it. As I began to pole dance, they’ve been growing bigger and broader. I also feel that my thighs are getting bigger too. Not to mention, I think boobs have downsized too. And I actually just started pole dance for like 5 months and I can already tell the difference. I can’t imagine if they have to keep getting bigger. But I don’t want to give up pole dancing because of my body change.
Any thoughts or solution??
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7 Replies
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The repetitive lifting of your own body weight (especially if you are into power moves/tricks) is going to build muscle mass over time. I’ve found that with pole it’s generally an even distribution of lean muscle, but everyone is different. I’ve always felt “big” so it’s not really an unwelcome change to firm up what I already have. If you are after a more lithe/petite physique and your body is a natural muscle builder then pole may not give you the results you want. I doubt you will look like a She-Hulk, but if sculpted arms and such are a turn-off for you I really don’t know what to say. You will build mass in pole if you go at it enough, maybe cut back a little on your practices if you think you’re getting too bulky for your taste? Idk. Your profile pic looks awesome and very pretty to me. 🙁
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Hey there!
I think that there’s a misnomer around building muscle that people got into a while back. When you build muscle, at a certain point, the muscles will get bigger. You are asking them to do more, and so when they “run out of strength” at a certain size, they just… add more size, in order to do what you’re asking.
Certain body types will not show this size quite as much, and certain ones will. Have you ever looked at Jamilla DeVille? Her arms are BUFF, but no one really notices it- she’s got big muscles, too!
Also, when we do exercise, at a certain point of work (when our cardiovascular system is working hard for about 20ish minutes), you begin to burn fat. This is often the time and point that people who are looking to burn fat are looking for. However, boobs are made of fat, and since we don’t get to choose where our bodies get the fat we burn, sometimes boobs are the ones to go.
Pectoral muscles will also lift boobs, and make them seem a different shape, so it’s possible this is also happening.Anyways, aside from the technicals… I don’t see any way of solving this “issue,” but personally I don’t see it as an issue at all. I look forward to having big muscles. They are a sign that I have worked hard, and gotten stronger, and I think they look great.
If you do not… well, I see no way of “preventing” or “fixing” it, other than discontinuing asking your body to do the work. -
Pole builds muscle 💪 embrace your new body and be proud ðŸ˜
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Also (because I forgot to add this when I hit “save”) I think perhaps you might want to look at the reasons why you’re concerned about having bigger muscles. Are you afraid of looking “manly”? Are you worried that guys will be intimidated by you? Do you think that being physically strong is not “feminine”? Do you dislike the actual look of muscles, and would prefer not to have them, see them, on yourself or anyone else? Are you being judgemental about your body in general, no matter how it looks?
All of these things can be resolved.
For example, many women are afraid that muscles look more “manly” and mark them as “unfeminine,” and yet in a lot of media for things like advertisements for lifting weights, or the women at Girls Gone Strong, they look perfectly feminine and wonderfully womanly! They are also strong as all get out- so, you may want to take a look!
As for being intimidating toward guys, this is also a legitimate concern among some women. However, my own argument is this: Would you seriously want to date, or be friends with a guy that is honestly intimidated by the work you’ve done, the beauty and strength of your body? Do you want to be with someone who feels that women should be “weaker than he is” so that he can have an ego boost?
If you dislike the look of muscles at all, perhaps you can figure out why- perhaps you have a negative association with them, perhaps there are certain kinds of muscles you don’t like. These things can also be worked out, and even accepted.
Being overly judgemental about our bodies is common among women, and whether we’re squishy, muscular, thin, curvy, or anything else… we can find fault in our bodies. It’s not hard, because we are not like anyone else, and judgement often comes with comparison. Why compare yourself to anyone else, when you’re the only you that exists? You’re incomparable, perfect, and beautiful, just the way you are! How great is it that you are all you, and you have all of your traits, all your thoughts, and your body, to show everything you’ve accomplished, and contributed, and done well? Incomparable. -
You are building strength in a way that increases your strength to weight ratio which is so healthy. I know a lot of people who lift weights who are muscular but aren’t able to lift themselves. They are just adding mass. Pole dancers are bad ass!! Love your body and all that it does for you!!!
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Yes, you will likely bulk up in this area. Perhaps ask yourself WHY you pole dance. If you’re doing it strictly for the visual outcome, you may want to try another activity that will give you the specific result you’re looking for. If you’re doing it to get strong and be able to do amazing things, then keep at it. Of course we all care what we look like on some level, so you just need to figure out for yourself what is the most important.
I’ve never really seen a pole dancer’s body that turned me off. I think looking functionally athletic is very sexy. You’re not going to end up looking like a body builder if that’s what you’re worried about. It takes a specific kind of training to reach the unnaturally jacked look.
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You will definitely bulk up but look at pole dancers like Olga Koda and Michelle Shimmy. Or Anastasia Skukhutrova or Jenyne Butterfly. Their bodies or gorgeous not weird. It may not seem like it but pole is more of a full body workout than you think. I gained 20lb from pole and am still proportionate.
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