40mm vs 45mm for beginner?

Rome started this discussion · 2/21/2015

Hey everyone! I'm finally going to buy a pole of my own, and I was wondering if anyone could give advice for size and finish for a pole? I would go for the standard 45mm, but my hands are tiny, which is making me sway towards the 40mm. I'm not intending to enter competitions or anything like that. I live in a state without very many pole studios, and the ones I've been to in my area all have 50mm... BUT I found some household things and measured their diameters... Grip on 50mm - http://i.imgur.com/n3WHTLZ.jpg Grip on 45mm - http://i.imgur.com/TJYibfY.jpg Grip on 40mm - http://i.imgur.com/2AoPT6A.jpg From my middle finger tip to the base of my palm is around 6 inches. The 40mm also only comes in chrome or brass, and I was thinking about chrome since I read that's beginner friendly. I know one person who has a couple years of pole experience, and when I asked her, she advised me to go for the 45mm in titanium gold... So now I keep hesitating between 40 or 45. :/ I would be super appreciative of any advice or thoughts anyone has on this matter! :)

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5 replies

Lil Lew · 2/22/2015
I'm new to pole as well (since late November), but just purchased my second pole. My first is a 45mm chrome xpole Xpert and I just got my 40mm in the same make/finish. My hands are as small as yours or maybe a bit smaller. If I'd had it to do all over again I would have certainly gone with the 40mm from the beginning as I practice solely on spin mode and have no plans to compete. As a beginner, moves and spins are still a challenge on the smaller pole but I don't quite have that feeling like I'm going to easily fly off to the side as I'm able to get my fingers more completely around the pole. I wouldn't say the grip is as close as in your picture with the bottle below but it just feels a lot more safe and natural than on my 45. I certainly wish I hadn't had to go through two separate purchases ($$$) to figure this out but I'll find another use for my other pole (maybe silks) or find it another home when I return to the States in a few years. Sorry, can't offer advice on finish as I've never tried anything other that chrome. Good luck!
Beccaf87 · 2/22/2015
When I first bought a pole a while back (finishing masters degree abroad) I got a 40mm chrome pole. It was a lot easier for spins but harder for sits and holds. The studio I was going to had 4 poles : 38mm stand alone, two 45mm, and a 50mm. With my tiny hands I hated the 50mm but did like it for the holds. I could not spin on it though. The 38mm was nice for a while but the more I used the 45mm in class (we all had to rotate poles) the more I enjoyed it. It was a little harder for the spins but I think that helped build strength up. It was perfect for my sits and holds. I sold my 40mm before I moved back to the states. It was hard debating which one to get, but I ended up going with the 45mm. Even though spins may be a little harder I think it will be better in the long run, especially with learning tricks. And if I take a class it will be easier to transition to a 50mm from a 45, than from a 40.
ambience24z9338 · 2/23/2015
I agree. I feel like I can't do anything on my smaller pole because I had started learning on a 50mm first.
Yayo · 2/23/2015
I have a small hand as well and 50mm just doesn't cut it. It's just too big to hold. I use 45mm. I would say to go with 45mm. The thicker poles are better for tricks and the skinner poles are better for spins. The smaller you go the harder to hold the trick because there is less pole to grab. So you have to squeeze more. ~Yayo @LifeOfAPoleTrick
Sabina Rex · 2/23/2015
Whichever one you're used to will be what you prefer. If you plan to compete, use a 45. When you get advanced enough you will hardly notice the difference between one and the other.