A Hello from a sore newbie

Yella Bunny started this discussion · 8/17/2011

Hello everyone: Just wanted to speak to everyone. I'm loving the site and hoping I can save enough to experience the full site soon. I'm a super-beginner in pole dancing. I find it fun and it is truly a workout. I'm not giving up, but I'm having a extremely hard time with my upper body strength. Any tips on how to improve that would be great. Any one in the Detroit or Michigan area, please share other information on other studios in the area. I want to check others out. A little about me: 29 year-old libra lady, plus size (5' 7', 200lbs), working on losing around 40-50lbs in a year. Thanks for all and any information everyone shares... Take care.

14 replies

ramblerchick · 8/17/2011
Hi, I'm glad you posted this. I just started pole dancing in May and am unable to afford the online lessons as of yet. I go to studio lessons once a week and I also need help on upper body strength. I am also 29 and plus size at 185lbs and 5 1/2ft. I have been getting better but only by shear determination. I too would luv any suggestions anyone may have...Thanks:)
Fallen Angel · 8/17/2011
Hi Yella Bunny, Upper body strength will come with time but some good training things are pole pull ups, you stand facing the pole and hold the pole like you are going to jump up onto it (one hand above the other) and without jumping, pull your self up.. and hold your self up there for a couple seconds. You might only get an inch off the floor but if you keep doing it, you'll get stronger. But you must not jump :) I usually do 5-10 , then switch hands so left is above right or vice versa. Make sure you're warmed up before trying too. for the first few months (doing these once a week) I slowly got better and could lift myself higher off the floor. Hope this helps 🙂
mandaylay · 8/17/2011
hey detroiter its good to meet another well im still new my self been poling since 2009 but stop do to family issues well far as the upper body strength it will come to you just have to work on it i couldnt do any thing on mine at first well what i did was every day i would pull up on the pole for a set of 10's push ups set of 10's then i would try to climb lil at a time till one day i climb the pole i hope it was helpful far as a studio in detroit i have heard about pole addiction their in ferndale you can also try veena lessons their really great i just cant afford them right now so i have been self teaching and i hate to practice alone that is my problum that is why i havent advance to much i have to force my self to get on the pole aww look im just talking well hope all info will help if you need anything let me know if i can help
sexygyrl · 8/17/2011
Here are some things you can do: Dumbbell Curls (no Dumbbells?? use 2 soup cans) Chest Press Bendover Rows Lateral Raises Hope this helps : )
Veena · 8/17/2011
The girls have some great advice! Also stay clear of spins that require you to lift both feet off the ground when your first starting out. Keep up the work with strengthening your upper body, you've got the right idea!! 🥂
Metallichik Liz · 8/17/2011
If you're ever in the Ferndale area you should check out Pole Addiction! Workshops every saturday, beginner one is from 12:30pm-1:30pm. Only $25 and walk-ins are welcomed :)
beginner2 · 8/18/2011
To me, the upper body strength can be built up without you knowing. Don't be put off. Just practice whatever positions that suit you. Don't try too hard. It may cause injuries. After some weeks & months, you'll be amazed you can do stuff you couldn't previously. What I'm writing here may not help you, but what happened to me was: I have done since I was in my teen until now (38): I swim, I do gymnastic basic routines & aerobics. I'm not good at anything at all, but they help my muscles to be strong. I recently learn belly dancing & yoga on & off. A few months ago, I fell in love with pole fitness & didn't have my pole yet, I tried basic pole climbing using (free) videos from YouTube to climb up an iron frame. I couldn't move my body at first. Harder than I thought. I tried several times on other occasions & practiced gymnastics further. So when I have my pole, after the warm up, for the very first time (I never touched a pole before), I climbed up to the top of it (about 2.6 meters) :)
beginner2 · 8/18/2011
Btw, I like your subject "a sore newbie" LOL
Charley · 8/18/2011
Hi! Welcome to the board! I am also in Michigan! Good news is there are a lot of great studios near you! I work at two studios in the area but they are both pretty different. If you are looking for something fun that will help you increase your upper body strength - I sugges ttaking a PoleFIT class at PoleFIT Revolution - this is an exercise based class that uses the pole - you will learn basic spins, lifts and a level 1 climb - the class is multi level so you only do what you can do. Thus far it's my favorite class for gaining strength. I also a teach a class called SexyFIT which is more floorwork, sexy transition based - this will build your strength too. If it's just basic moves and dance you are looking for then all the studios are pretty similar - it would be about finding someplace cozy for you and works for you financially. Here's where I work www.polefitrevolution.com - drop ins as low as $15 www.vixenfitness.com - class packages good for 6 months drop in's as low as $12 Here's some other places to check out to that I think would be good www.poleaddiction.com - ask for my friend Liz - class start as low as $25 You also have: Studio 88 - I don't know much about them Fantasy Fitness - havn't heard much about them Wonder Women Pole Studios - my friend Elona owns this one Fabulous U - The owner is a DOLL! Check www.midwestpoledancing.com for more studios!
BluEyedVixen · 8/18/2011
Hi Yella Bunny (love the name) Welcome to StudioVeena. There are a lot of great studios here in Michigan. I would recommend you take a few classes to get you started. Trying to learn at home alone in the beginning is pretty difficult and discouraging sometimes. Make sure you are cross training in between sessions. We have 3 locations in Michigan (detroit, pontiac and Ypsilanti). We also offer classes that will help you cross train in between pole dance classes such as Pole Fit and Tush & Abs just to name a few. Don't hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions. We have some great instructors that are here on studio veena (including Charley!). Hope to meet you soon! Danielle Green Vixen Fitness - Owner 866-900-9797 http://www.vixenfitness.com
Veena · 8/18/2011
Members love the success they have had with the lessons here.... From very beginner with no experience to advanced. Its always best to try out all the options you have available to you! xoxo 🌸
Yella Bunny · 8/18/2011
Thanks so much everyone for the tips, tricks, and helpful advice. I love this site. I will check out some of the studios you ladies listed in this thread. I would love to get really good to do competitions and such. I really need something to keep me conditioned after I lose this 50 lbs.
Luna Marie · 8/18/2011
Hi there! I'm also in Michigan! I take lessons at pole fit revelution and also sometimes do drop in lessons with a teacher from pole addiction :) There really are lots of great studios around this aera :) and welcome to studio veena!! Happy poling 🌸 oh and as far as building upper body strength i saw lots of wonderful suggestions all i wanted to say is even if you cant do something at first even just trying helps build mussle so dont get frustrated with yourself, I hope that helps :)
Charley · 8/19/2011
Hey Yella - keep in mind that you may not want to lose 50lbs! Pole builds a lot of muscle and muscle is heavier than fat. I put together a local pole dancing showcase which is open to everyone of all levels to perform in - that would be a great place to start performing although it will be awhile before we do another one. In your pole journey - make sure you are cross training. I don't mean that you have to do actual work out type stuff but for example pole one day, rest the next, work on floor work and stretching on off days. Look around and see what the different studios have to offer as far as a training program. If you are in Detroit I highly recommend Vixen Fitness because they offer pole dancing and fun workout classes like Zumba, hot sexy yoga, tone and tease, so you can take a pole class and a fitness class. Veena's lessons here are really good too and she has a strength and conditioning program which AWESOME!