38mm vs 45mm Pole

RM2012 started this discussion · 5/21/2012

Hi, I am new to this site and have read through a good dose of pole discussions but still haven't found enough info on opinions of pole size... I've been dancing for a while but had a BIG break (3 kids in 2.5yrs! Lots of pregnancy complications etc so lots of time off the pole) I am wanting to sell my 38mm brass in favour of a stainless steel (I prefer them) but am stuck on deciding between the 45mm and the 38mm. I learnt on poles at the clubs I used to work at, some were brass and some were stainless steel. They were all 45mm and 50mm. The 50mm is just too big for my liking, the 38mm is great for spinning but given this is just for my fitness I love the static mode (in fact I've used the spinning mode only on the odd occassion!) Anyone here had experience with 38mm and 45mm stainless steel to give any advice? I cannot afford the two poles, so I have to pick! :-)

20 replies

RM2012 · 5/21/2012
Hi, I am new to this site and have read through a good dose of pole discussions but still haven't found enough info on opinions of pole size... I've been dancing for a while but had a BIG break (3 kids in 2.5yrs! Lots of pregnancy complications etc so lots of time off the pole) I am wanting to sell my 38mm brass in favour of a stainless steel (I prefer them) but am stuck on deciding between the 45mm and the 38mm. I learnt on poles at the clubs I used to work at, some were brass and some were stainless steel. They were all 45mm and 50mm. The 50mm is just too big for my liking, the 38mm is great for spinning but given this is just for my fitness I love the static mode (in fact I've used the spinning mode only on the odd occassion!) Anyone here had experience with 38mm and 45mm stainless steel to give any advice? I cannot afford the two poles, so I have to pick! :-)
Dancing Paws · 5/21/2012
I've danced on all 3 sizes, but not a SS 38 (it was powder coated.) It really all comes down to what you want out of the pole. Obviously hand grip is easier on a 38. So are knee pit grips. Thigh grips are easier on a 45. You can adapt to any pole, but you should decide what is more important to you, and how you will feel more secure.
amy · 5/21/2012
If you're not doing much spin pile I'd recommend the 45 :)
RM2012 · 5/22/2012
Thanks for the replies ladies :-) I had hoped to join classes but Bobbi's is out as I have my 3 kids with me 24/7 (both boys in physio, occupational therapy and my prem in every other therapy too!) so for the next few years there's not much need for the 38mm spinny really... SheMoves used to do a mums and bubs class but it's not on offer at the moment :-( Which means I'll be doing a lot of static work, I used to be very fit and strong (worked construction before I got into pole!!) but only halfway back... and that last bit is the hardest hahahah!!!! I've never been on a SS 38, but am imagining that I'd prefer it for spin but less so for static. Wish I could try both out to know! Thanks for the advice, I'm leaning toward a 45 now :-) We move house in 2 weeks and then I can order!
RM2012 · 5/22/2012
Oh another question, have you ladies noticed much difference in wrist strength on the skinnier poles?? I don't find that my strength is as good on this 38mm but can't say whether it's because it's brass, skinny or just that I haven't built back as much strength as I used to have. I've got a lot back though so thinking it might be the pole, has anyone else noticed that??
Dancing Paws · 5/23/2012
I feel the thinner poles are easier on my wrist.
RM2012 · 5/23/2012
Haha oh I just re-read that and it comes across the wrong way :-) Yeah, I meant that I feel I am not working my wrist strength as much as usual with this brass 38, not that it's harder. My kids are sick and I'm not getting much sleep here, it shows ;-) I'd like that back to what I had before. There's still a few moves I'm working at that I could do easily before the kids so I figure the 45 might help with strength a bit. Or leave me frustrated because I can't do anything haha!
Dancing Paws · 5/23/2012
This may just be me, but I feel strength comes with any pole diameter, but the difference comes in how much pressure is put on the wrists with each diameter.
RM2012 · 5/23/2012
That makes sense. I don't get that myself though, I struggle big time on the 50's, but I have a lot of damage too so it could be why (I used to work construction, all the heavy machinary and hand tools, operating & labouring etc very clever lol not a great job for a small woman!)
Dancing Paws · 5/23/2012
I struggle on 50's as well. I am comfy on a 45, and I love 38s.
LizzyLiz810 · 5/23/2012
I prefer the 45mm. I have tried out Platinum Stages new 38mm pole, and it felt soooo small. I felt like i had to grip so much harder, and my fingers were overlapping around the pole.
RM2012 · 5/23/2012
It's so good to get some different opinions on this, thanks :-) I have never used a PS pole but the 38 has been very different for me. I find the gripping is easy but silly as this may sound I feel like I have something nice and solid to hold onto with the 45. I figure that's because I learnt on 45's and 50's. My thought has been whether the 38mm would be better for static mode because it is easy to grip, but it doesn't make me feel secure like the 45's. Actually wondered if that was just because the 38 is the newest one I've tried because my friends have raved about the skinny poles, nice to hear these replies I'm quite confident to go ahead with the 45 now :-D
TinyDancer04 · 5/24/2012
Ive used all 3- 38, 45 & 50, and I would probably have to say that overall the 45 is my favourite. I actually learnt on a 50 and it felt like a tree trunk. Annnnnyway... I found the 38 to be AMAZING for handgrip..like absolutely awesome. I have fairly small hands (but not teeny) and I just felt so secure. I could hold a handspring for ages because the grip was just so great! loved it. The downside was the 38 is absolutely terrible for thigh grip. I could do a CAR...but not well and definately not on spin mode. If your a spinner like me....its very dissapointing. Having said that, it provided excellent knee pit grip for a gemini and the knee hold...but little area of pole to actually place your shin for the knee hold! The 45 is good for grip on the hands...I like it also because it is a bit harder than a 38 in terms of grip...which will strengthen your grip. Hard to explain, but training on a 45 you can easily adapt to all different poles and will actually make you a bit stronger. MUCH better for thigh grips and you can spin to your hearts content ❤️
TinyDancer04 · 5/24/2012
Ive used all 3- 38, 45 & 50, and I would probably have to say that overall the 45 is my favourite. I actually learnt on a 50 and it felt like a tree trunk. Annnnnyway... I found the 38 to be AMAZING for handgrip..like absolutely awesome. I have fairly small hands (but not teeny) and I just felt so secure. I could hold a handspring for ages because the grip was just so great! loved it. The downside was the 38 is absolutely terrible for thigh grip. I could do a CAR...but not well and definately not on spin mode. If your a spinner like me....its very dissapointing. Having said that, it provided excellent knee pit grip for a gemini and the knee hold...but little area of pole to actually place your shin for the knee hold! The 45 is good for grip on the hands...I like it also because it is a bit harder than a 38 in terms of grip...which will strengthen your grip. Hard to explain, but training on a 45 you can easily adapt to all different poles and will actually make you a bit stronger. MUCH better for thigh grips and you can spin to your hearts content ❤️
RM2012 · 5/24/2012
You're in Aus too :-) Thanks hun, I feel the same with 50s and much prefered the 45. Thought I would love the 38 brass but I really enjoy the static mode (I know a lot of ladies like spinny mode better) I actually do feel the difference with the 38 to the 45 on leg grips, I didn't think there would be much dif when I got the 38 but there is! I never had a prob with the 45 for knee grip, maybe because I'm close to 5'8"?? I learnt with some tough pole ladies at work who taught me the descending angel on my second lesson and gave me tips to do the gemini and bow & arrow properly (I 'found' them accidently while playing lol) the first thing I was ever taught (and I'm sure I'm missing the name of this) was a handstand onto the pole into a cross knee release to pull myself up :/ They were *really* tough lol I've been much nicer on girlfriends wanting to play on the pole at my house!! I was working construction when I started so I had muscles, missing a lot of those along with my brain since the kids ;-) Did you feel more secure on the 50 for leg grips?? I really feel the difference in hand grip and never feel that great on a 50... Thanks for the reply it's been great getting some opinions. I am going with the 45mm now. Get to order soon we move in just over a week :-D
FeeDen · 5/24/2012
I love my 45mm, I started with an X pole sport 50mm, because the 45mm were out of stock at the time and I was going to learn at home so had never tried out any poles. I found the 50mm a little too big for my small hands and the grip was really hard, so I read a load of stuff here and ordered the 45mm last year and got loads of moves straightaway, like the chopper and superman that I sruggled to do on my 50mm. I could probably do them now on the 50mm, but I think I would find the grip hard. I love my 45mm! :)
PersianXcursian · 5/24/2012
I've been on a 45 and a 50 and much prefer the 45. I want to try a 38 or 40 mm if I ever get the chance but I feel that would be really difficult to do leg grips on.
RM2012 · 5/25/2012
Thanks for the input ladies :-) I'm really certain now :-D It's just great to get other opinions!! Making a choice on a pole is a big call haha!!!
PersianXcursian · 5/25/2012
it really is. with the price and the pain of having to send it back, you wanna make sure you've got the right one for you. My friend originally bought a 45mm without every having been on one and decided she didn't like it. she got lucky and found a buyer for it but if she hadn't she would have been stuck with it. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who bought a 45 and let me try it out before I bought it myself
RM2012 · 5/25/2012
I bought a 45 after learning on the 50s and 45s at the club. I loved it, but this is way back before the kids!! I tried a 38 brass this time but I'll be going back to SS instead. I love the static mode (especially as the kiddies always climb on/around it!!) so SS works much better for me. The 38 grip on the brass was awesome though! But I like the feel of the 45, just had that thought that maybe the 38 SS would be good.... I'll go the 45 though at least I know it :-)