Well if your muscles are sore and achy, it’s worth a day off – as this actually makes your muscles heal and grow stronger than if you force yourself to train every day.

If it’s just your hands – then don’t worry about it. Calluses are part of being a pole dancer. Gymnasts have the same rough, dry skin on their hands too.

But while we’re on this topic, remember that it’s important not to get too excited and gallop straight towards all the cool stuff. You will just end up building the ‘wrong’ muscles, coz you won’t be strong enough and your body will compensate by putting other muscle groups into action — and in a few months you will kick yourself when you have to go back to square one! It’s totally worth mastering at least 5 beginner spins before climbing, IMO (that’s what I make my students do in my classes anyway).