Advice-Shoes, Grip, Ceiling

Gothycromance started this discussion · 3/11/2009

I'm waiting for my tax return but I plan on buying a 50mm XPole from this site. Yaay! 🤸 I seriously can't wait! I'm VERY new to this and there are no pole instructors in south Texas so I'm on my own. 😕 B Ok so my questions are as follows: 1) My ceiling has a bumpy surface so I'm worried it won't adher correctly. Here's a pic. This shouldn't be a prob right? http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu112/gothycromance/Ceiling.jpg 2)I'm 5'10 and have a size ten shoe. I'm looking for some of those clear plastic shoes to dance in. There is ONE shoe store in my town and the brand they carry are very thin and I can't slide my foot in, I think it's too wide. 🙁 So I want to know if there are any websites that you recommend to buy some shoes. And what would be an ideal height to use? 5 in? I've been wearing heels since the 5th grade so heels are pretty natural to me! 😂 I just heard that it can sometimes be easier to climb the pole with the plastic heels because they grip easily. 3)I have very sweaty hands. I have naturally clamy hands so I was worried about sticking to the pole. And advice? I was checking around on the forums and i read about washing my hands with somewhat harsh soaps so that the pole would be grippier. I don't know if that would be helpful. Perhaps I should buy a like grip helper powder or something? And is there a brand name for that? Well, thanx for the time and help! And if you have any more suggestions for a noob throw them my way please?! 👍

5 replies

amcut · 3/11/2009
Oh! I can answer the shoe one I'm a 10.5, so I purchase size 11 Pleasers from either ElectriqueBoutique.com or Snaz75.com. Both have searchable discount codes. I've had to try on different models or types, I guess... all pleasers have some silly name, which depicts the style of shoe-base, and then numbers which show how it goes. Basically, find a model type you like, and stick with it, or things that look like it. I'm a fan of "Adore", and still pissed that I wasted 30 bucks on "Party".
LittleMissLola · 3/13/2009
I can answer 1 and 3. 1) I have an artexed ceiling as well, and there shouldn't be a problem with the pole though it may lead to bits of artex flaking off the ceiling. What I've done is put a nice thick piece of wood on to the ceiling and drilled it into the joists. So now I have a nice flat surface for my pole and the pressure is distributed across the two joists 3) Grip aids! How I love them 😀 Although it's best not to get dependent on them. Wiping the pole with a mix of water and alcohol helps to clean it and grippy it up. Washing hands with washing up liquid (the cheap stuff) will strip your hands of any sweat and grease. Steer clear of moisturiser if you are going on the pole that day. Now for grip aid, people prefer different ones. I find Dry Hands http://www.isplingerie.com/prodview.php?id_largeCat=1&id_prd=689 to be the best for me personally, as it's grips really well without being tacky. But try a few. Some people like liquid chalk, or climbing chalk balls. Others like really tacky (as in sticky, not like Blackpool souvenirs) stuff like Surgrip or Stickum. It all boils down to personal preference. I'm hoping to have a section on WikiPole http://www.wikipole.org soon to do with different grip aids and polers opinions on them. I'll keep you posted
Veena · 3/13/2009
Your ceiling wont be a problem I've had my X on that type of ceiling....I didn't even have any little pieces fall of but it could happen. It's not a big deal though. Shoes can help with learning to pole climb BUTI recommended learning any new moves without shoes just to avoid an ankle/foot injury if you fall. 😲 My favorite shoes are ellie but they seem to be narrow. Which is why I like them I have "ski's for feet" LOL narrow and flat!! I buy my shoes off Amazon and depending on the company you can usually return them if they are the wrong fit. Remember they don't sell half sizes. I choose to size down because they tend to stretch over time. Now for the grip aids... I never use it....but for dancers with clammy sweaty hands it could be a real help when your learning. DON'T USE GRIP AIDS FOR SPINS!! It will tear up your hands. 🙁 Clean your pole very well after using the grip aids because they really gunk it up. I hope you enjoy this new fabulous art.
Former member · 3/13/2009
i'd say check out electriqueboutique.com, i just ordered the cutest pair of heels from them, i should get them today (YAY!) but they're wonderful, i spend hours just oohing and ahhing over their cute costumes....ive heard that "DryHands" works well but ive never used it myself.
RoxyPink · 3/13/2009
Shoes: as all the other posts SNAZ75 and electricboutique have great prices. You could also check out ebay. I've seen larger sz shoes on there dirt cheap. Just becareful. Know what brand/size you need. I also go down in size. I wear an 8.5 in normal everyday shoes, but get an 8 in pd'g shoes. I prefer pleasers over ellie, but that is because I have little ankles...and ellie shoes I have to add my own holes to the straps. Pleasers fit perfect! Ceiling: I have those nasty "popcorn" ceiling in my house. As long as you are on a joist and don't OVER TIGHTEN, your ceiling will be fine. I made the mistake of having my husband put my pole up...He thinks that the top nut is supposed to be so tight that he can't turn it anymore. My ceiling has a nice indent of the dome! 😂 Good thing it's in the garage! 😀 Grip aids: Nothing better than clean dry hands. I always was my hands and pole with hot Dawn water. Then spray down with rubbing alcohol. Most of the time I just spray alcohol on my hands, but sometimes I do use some aides. Resin does great at drying, tight grip is a thermoplastic that forms a tacky layer on your hands to help you stick better (this is my least favorite), tite grip is a deodorant type (the one I use the most). When it dries it keeps my hands tacky...so they are dry and sticky! The best thing is to not use anything unless you absolutly need to. Also, sometimes I mix the grip aids together dependent on how my pole is acting! 😀 😀 😀