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are there any start-from-scratch polers?
I am inflexible, no dance background, I cannot do a elbow/hand stand, and I cannot hold my own body weight (unless my legs are assisting me with sticking to the pole). I am looking for inspiration! I read a lot about women who’ve always been in dance/athletics/gymnastics. Is there anyone else who is starting from scratch?
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33 Replies
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I have no dance back ground. Started pole 6 years ago with no prior strength or athleticism.
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I don’t know of any professionals, if that is what you meant but there must be loads on here. I started from scratch. No dance, gymnastics or physical activity in general since being a kid and even then I couldn’t do handstands or anything. I had a brief flirtation with being a gym bunny when I was 15, and then literally nothing til starting pole. Not naturally flexible, at all. I’m hardly inspirational, certainly not the world’s best pole dancer but have come so far in a couple of years, Allegras, shouldermounts, straight leg deadlift inverts, ayeshas (and am so close to the middle splits it hurts.) You will surprise yourself. It can be done!
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I want to hear from you all, the rags to riches of pole!
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I started from scratch in jan this year. Fell in love the first time I tried it. Have my ups and downs, sometimes achieve a lot sometimes feels like nothing. Thought I may lose weight, I have gained although I am firmer and my biceps are now twice the size lol! However I go I am just proud of my 34 year old ass for even giving it a go and the feeling you get when your body responds and does what you want it to is incredible. I have learned ( mostly from lurking on here lol) that it is important not to compare yourself to others, we are all at different stages, but no matter what your stage everyone one here will support and guide you x
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I also started from scratch in January. I think I’m fairly slow to progress, but I started very weak and stiff and out of shape. I definitely had no background that would help in pole… But I love pole and even slow progress is progress.
I have no great inspirational story, but check back with me in a year… Hehe!
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I couldn’t do any of the things you’ve mentioned when I started. I had to work for every move and every spin. I could never do the splits when I was younger either. Pole is great because you are about to discover all the things you never thought your body was capable of and pole doesn’t discriminate either. All ages, all body types all genders all everything are all welcome!!
I can do a front split now (still working on squaring it a bit more though – but I’ll take what I got so far) I just learned how to carwheel mount last month and my dance flow is getting flowy-er! Also if you check out Natasha Wang she had no dance or gymnastics background either and she is crazy amazing.
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I haven’t had any formal training in any dance or gymnastics 😊 I did take a few weeks of figure skating lessons as a teen. However, last year I took 4 ballroom classes, and 3 ballet classes for the first time, it was so fun! I so wish I would have danced as a kid!
I came into pole strong from lifting weights and having the knowledge as a personal trainer, but then I had my 4th baby and had to start over rebuilding strength and thats where the inspiration for my method of teaching came from. Build strength first!
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Lovely! I’m looking forward to my year’s journey when it comes! I just wanted some motivation. Especially when looking at all of the advanced performers and wondering when i’ll reach that level
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Hi There,
Be of good cheer! You are not alone! I am 49 and just starting this amazing journey! I would love to make more friends who are at the same level as I am, and I am new to StudioVeena, so anyone out there that is interested, send me a friend request.
Take Care,
Marie -
I started 1 month before my 39th birthday. The only thing I ever did was be a cheerleader when I was in 8th grade. I used to roller skate a ton when I was a kid, but I never did any dance or gymnastics or anything like that. I took up Zumba about a year after starting pole and I have taken some parkour, gymnastics, yoga, booty, and aerial classes since I started. Here I am 6+ years later and still at it. I am still not super flexible, there are a ton of things that I cannot or will not do but I am still at it and still love it.
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I am 44 and started pole a little over a year ago. I have no background in gymnastics, dance, etc. Closest I ever can to a dance was Zumba. I was not in shape when I started pole either.
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I also started from scratch:) never danced (unless when going out) and never did gymnastics..
Guess that’s a little harder to start with but I can really notice I’m improving every week! That’s what I love about polefitness, you can start with no experience at all and become better so soon! -
same here! Some days aren’t easy and I don’t push myrself.. I think my pole is the best investment I ever made!
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Me!! Had no experience in anything at all related. 8 months on im hooked!!!
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8 months ago I couldnt hold my weight on a pole either! I didn’t come from dance or gymnastics but i came from a background of yoga and pilates, and so I could a boost in the core strength department.THe flexibility I felt like I started from scratch just because its a different type of flexibility. Box splits? Unheard of
It’s all a process and thats so much of whats fun about it! So take lots of pics now and as you progress there is nothing cooler than looking back like, wow, I can totally do that now! and its awesome!
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I started about 5-6 years ago with no background or training whatsoever. Now I’m a regular performer and an instructor at one of the best studios in the Midwest and I get to train some incredible pole and aerial athletes. I still see myself as growing, but I can dance in a way that beings me happiness, I can teach in a way that gives others and myself fulfillment, and I have some of the best pole family anyone could ask for. And that’s a dream come true from where I started.
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I started almost three years ago with absolutely no dance background, strength training, no gymnastics, nothing. I’m still pretty inflexible, although I am working on that.
In my teen years I had a pretty bad shoulder injury, that still irritates me to this day because it hinders my shoulder flexibility. For instance, this move: http://instagram.com/p/nDaARgFSyi/ took me over a year to get, because I needed to build up that flexibility for that bottom arm. For months and months, I could only just hold my arms in that position.It took me over a year to even feel confident holding my weight in a handstand, and now I’m training to do them free-standing.
I’ve had to work hard for every single move, and pole has taught me a lot about patience, and given me a lot of self confidence in what my body can do. -
Me! I took a few dance/gymnastics classes in childhood, but that’s it. I started last June and by October I was teaching the intro class at my studio. I feel pole in my bones, no formal dance training required! Some of my favorite polers have zero training elsewhere – Aerial Amy, Dirdy Birdy, and of course Veena.
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Me! I did gymnastics as a kid & sports until I was about 15 but I am not flexible AT ALL and have no formal dance training. I started pole at 38 & am now 42. My journey has definitely been a tad slower & different than some one with a background in dance, gymnastics or weight training but that’s what I love about pole anyone can do it doesn’t matter if you have an athletic background or not!
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I have no dance or gymnastic background either. I was a tomboy right up
Until I was about 15 🙂 I’ve been poling just over two years now and I can guarantee you it can definitely be done. Don’t give up and DONT DARE compare yourself to others because that’s when you will start to think you should be able to do everything they can. Stick at it if you love it and you will be awesome 🙂 I’m so close to my splits aswell. And by the way, I joined a gymnastics club about 4/5 months ago so if you think you need extra help
With flexibility etc then join your local
Gymnasts. Most clubs do adult classes 🙂 it’s helped me with stretches and splits so much!! -
I have ZERO dance background and it shows, everything thing from the “pointed” toes to flexy legs and back. I started a year ago then took a 5month break and when I started I was 50lbd heavier than I am now and couldn’t think of inverting or doing split grip at all. Now I am working on inverting from a dead lift and can split grip with no problem. It just takes time…a lot of time 🙂
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I had no dance background at all and I left pole for a long period off time before I came back to it, I slowly built my strength up again and now I love it and I love the journey it has brought me on! You will love it too you just have to stick at it 🙂
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I as well had no prior dance experience (tap dance as a young kid) So awesome to be in awe of what we can do!!! Veena really makes this a nice space to learn pole safely and thoroughly, Thanks to that everyone can reach as far as they’d like, experience or not!! Happy Poling!
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You are not alone dear. I am 41 and started poling 8 months ago from total scatch. I never did any kind of sports in my life, never ever even dared trying handstands or elbows stands as a kid cause I was scared to death of anything where I could even just remotely get hurt. Mo strength. zero flexibility. BUT (or maybe just because of this!) I have always been fatally attracted to circus and acrobatics and secretly desired to overcome my deepest fears so last year I thought I would give pole dance a go. Well, I have been addicted to it since day 1 and I bought my pole after only a few weeks! I never miss a lesson and I practice at home every weekend. I still have a very long way to go but that’s the funniest part, it’s your own journey and it can only lead you to the most amazing side of yourself. So don’t you ever get discouraged and always turn to this great pole community for help and inspiration because nobody will be judging you here, just sharing your joy for your accomplishments and cheering you up when you feel discouraged… this is what I love the most about this place!
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A lot of polers don’t come from a dance/gymnastics background. Anyone can pole! I started at 38 & the last time I had a formal dance or gymnastics class prior to pole was when I was like 10. I was on the cheer squad & drill team during my teens but I was the non flexible one who always did the “fake” james brown splits, while everyone else did the real splits with ease. I am now 42, still poling & still not very flexible but I definitely have improved flexibility wise since I started 4 years ago that’s for sure.
You build strength as you learn pole but you can also do strength & conditioning exercises to help with strength to & you can become flexible with training & conditioning exercises.
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