Am I a wimp or am I normal?

Voodoochild started this discussion · 6/27/2010

So I dont know if Im just being whiny but does anyone else get extremely sore with aching joints, stiffness, and fatigue after they pole for a few days? Im an instructor and I teach for and hour on thurdays, 3 hours on fridays, and about 2 hours on saturdays ON TOP of me practicing at home and at the studio in my free time. By the time saturday rolls around im so sore/in pain I can hardly teach and after my classes I just go home and crash...I cant even convince myself to do anything fun on Saturday night =(. This past week was especially brutal because I had been preparing for a little pole competition at a local strip club. So I basically poled all week practicing for this thing. The day of the competition I could hardly move! My muscles were so tight I could hardly stretch so my flexibility was out the window, and when it was time for the competition (Saturday night around midnight) I felt so unprepared....I pretty much did terrible 👎 (according to my own standards). I wish there was a way I could collectively ask all the pros if they experience pain and whatnot like this from teaching all the workshops and doing so many performances... I dont hear anyone else complaining about stuff like this! Not even from my fellow instructors whom teach more classes than i do! So.....am I a whiny baby or am I normal....this is the question... 😕

24 replies

Sapphirecatzeye · 6/27/2010
Its normal for your body to feel extremely fatigued when having a full schedule. Even more so when your dealing with a huge burst of energy (like a pole performance) Rest is super important though. You will be surprised what the body can with stand if you have to do alot of physically demanding activity. But pole takes up so much muscular activity its hard to keep them going 24/7
MilienElayne · 6/28/2010
You sound like you're used to poling a lot every week. I'd be wondering too... Has it always been like that, or is this a recent change? I only hurt if I take it up a notch and my body isn't used to it and/or ready for it. So, if I start harder tricks, a more intensive workout, more hours, more reps... I also get stiff and sore from any basic pole work out if I don't warm up, cool down, and stretch out properly. It could be sleep (like Steph said). Maybe you're lacking in a vitamin or mineral or just not eating enough and the right stuff for your requirements? I get exhausted if I don't have enough iron and calcium and don't eat the 'right' things for me. I also suffer if I don't drink enough water.
chemgoddess1 · 6/28/2010
I know that a lot of the "pros" go for routine/weekly massages or have invested in a foam roller. If you are not eating properly, sleeping enough and allowing lactic acid buildup you are going to be fatigued.
Voodoochild · 6/28/2010
Thanks for responding ladies! This is a normal thing for me milienelayne, every Saturday after my classes I feel this way. This past week was one of the more brutal weeks Ive dealt with though. I think I get enough sleep, especially during the week since I don't have a job. Ive wondered if I have an iron deficiency...maybe ill go get some iron supplements. Chem - how do I allow lactic acid build up/ how do I STOP it from building up? I know lactic acid is what causes you to cramp up when exercising but Ive never thought of it causing soreness. But that would make a lot of sense lol. Hmm...Oh and I drink a lot of water, especially when I'm poling, i can go through about 3 bottles in about 2ish hours. I'm gonna go lay down now...lol
SissyBuns · 6/28/2010
Are you eating enough to feul you body for all that it does? Maybe you need to up your calorie intake? It's totally normal to be sore after poling so much. Hell, I'm sore all the time after a good pole session, mostly when I'm trying new stuff...which seems like all the time. LOL maybe over time your body will adjust and the soreness will decrease. You gotta take care of your body though. Massages and soaks are awesome. And of course....rest. If that's an option. LOL
Voodoochild · 6/28/2010
Oh lord increasing my calorie intake is the last thing I should do lol. I eat all the time pretty much. I definitely dont eat as healthy as I would like but with a budget like mine sometimes cereal, ramen noodles and frozen pizzas are your only options. Ive taken a couple of baths and they do seem to help alot, now if I could only get my boyfriend to give me a free massage.....hmmm =)
amy · 6/28/2010
hey girl! how old are you? how advanced are your students? what are you teaching them? what kind of stuff were you practicing for your comp? i work full time (not physically exerting, but very mentally tiring) and i pole for myself at least 2-3 hours a week (when i'm lucky 🙁 ), working on mostly stuff that is upper body and core: handsprings, extended ayshas, SM variations, spins, spinning pole. i'm 29 years old and i teach 6 hours a week now but that will ramp up to about 14 gradually over the next month. in those classes i typically do a 15 min warmup and then basic spins, climbing, and transitions, none of my girls are doing inversions yet... so those classes aren't physically exerting for me at all, but if i really push myself when i'm streching i'm always a little sore in the hip flexors the next day. are you cooling down and stretching at the end of every session and class? i find that's huge. sorry i can't be of more help but i think knowing a little more about the context of your teaching might help you pinpoint why you are so tired?
Voodoochild · 6/28/2010
hey girl! how old are you? how advanced are your students? what are you teaching them? what kind of stuff were you practicing for your comp? Im 21 (about to be 22) and I teach all beginners classes mostly. Usually I start with a warm up consisting of sun salutation variations and some light stretching then we do basic spins and sometimes we cool down at the end of class and sometimes we end with floorwork. When Im practicing by myself I usually work on transitions ie; flat line scorp to superman, superman to shoulder mount, other should mt variations, aiysha stuff, spins, lots of drops and i do A LOT of stretching. When im at home practicing I do start and stop alot. Like, Ill warm up and watch some vids then ill do spins and watch some vids then ill do inverts...etc. Maybe those pauses are letting my body cool down and so im not properly warmed up when I do the advanced stuff...PLUS when I pole at home I do it alllll dayy...kinda. Like sometimes 11am-4ish pm 😲
amy · 6/28/2010
hey girl! how old are you? how advanced are your students? what are you teaching them? what kind of stuff were you practicing for your comp? Im 21 (about to be 22) and I teach all beginners classes mostly. Usually I start with a warm up consisting of sun salutation variations and some light stretching then we do basic spins and sometimes we cool down at the end of class and sometimes we end with floorwork. When Im practicing by myself I usually work on transitions ie; flat line scorp to superman, superman to shoulder mount, other should mt variations, aiysha stuff, spins, lots of drops and i do A LOT of stretching. When im at home practicing I do start and stop alot. Like, Ill warm up and watch some vids then ill do spins and watch some vids then ill do inverts...etc. Maybe those pauses are letting my body cool down and so im not properly warmed up when I do the advanced stuff...PLUS when I pole at home I do it alllll dayy...kinda. Like sometimes 11am-4ish pm 😲 ummm. i think that's your issue. 5 hours of poling will make anyone sore. epsom salts baths. lots of sleep and water (whic you're already doing). i would recommend that you see a nutritionist or do some serious research bc if you're doing that much, you should be backing it up with a really healthy diet.
chemgoddess1 · 6/28/2010
Chem - how do I allow lactic acid build up/ how do I STOP it from building up? I know lactic acid is what causes you to cramp up when exercising but Ive never thought of it causing soreness. Research DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Hereis an article about what it is and how to treat it. Lactate is produced during glucose metabolism when it does not have enough oxygen to metabolize completely. The best way to get rid of build up is through massage or foam rolling. You can buy a foam roller at Target or Walmart for about $20 and it comes with a chart or dvd showing you technique.
Maria-Elena Kadala · 6/28/2010
...PLUS when I pole at home I do it alllll dayy...kinda. Like sometimes 11am-4ish pm Yeah, that definitely could be over-training. Rest is an important component of muscle growth. Weight-lifters rest muscles 48 hours or more between training them, and runners vary speed, distance, intensity on different days. Elite athletes may spend hours a day training, but they vary the nature of their exercise, and they know how to train to achieve peak performance at a predetermined time. Marathoners, for example, don't practice by running marathons every day --- they train for that peak performance once. Consult a trainer to create a training regimen to give you the variety you need to maintain the level of performance (and absence of pain) that you want. In the interim, perhaps devise your own plan for varying your training ... maybe alternating between spins one day, and strength moves another --- ask Veena!!! she can give you a better idea of what constitutes variety for poling. There are other good suggestions here: massage (those foam rollers are great for self massage, but a professional therapist will give you better results, and also teach you self massage techniques); soaking in bath with Epsom salts. To be having this much chronic pain & stiffness means that you are putting yourself at risk for an injury!!! get some professional training advice soon! PS. Since writing this, I did "ask Veena" by looking at her Lesson on strength training ... she explains that rest is needed for muscles to repair and recover, also that "rest" doesn't mean inactivity. So I would still ask Veena to recommend a general training schedule.
Veena · 6/29/2010
No your not a wimp!! Sounds like over training plain and simple. Your body is trying to tell you it's tired. Where should I start.... First I totally understand how important getting YOUR personal pole time in is...as a mom I struggle with this too. So one thing to think about is how your teaching. A lot of instruction can be done by showing once...if that...and then giving an easy to follow explanation. I know its easy to say "watch me" over and over but you'll tire yourself out. Your students can still have a great pole experience without you having to show them over and over. Working in a gym as personal trainer I would never be able to do the workout with each client and as a pole instructor it might be wise to take the same approach. That being said...Its also going to depend on the style of class your teaching...is it tricks or a full dance routine each time?? If its a dance routine go through most of it with them but skip the intense things like inverts, spins. Help them with the steps and give cues for when to do the moves/tricks. If its a tricks class this could be approached very much like personal training where you do more explaining than physically doing the tricks over and over. The others are right about DOMS and using massage, drink tons of water too, to help flush out any toxins. Also make sure your eating the right kinds of foods before and after a workout to replenish what you have lost. Someone who is new to exercise/poling needs a full day in between workouts. When your a beginner pole is very much a full body workout every time. A seasoned individual can ask more of themselves. BUT they need to be aware of when their body is telling them to back off. My latest workout schedule is six days a week...but... I never focus on the same muscle group 2 days in a row, when I strength train and I cross train. This is important so the muscles recover fully before you stress them again. I know when your trying to prepare for something it feels like you have to do more and more, but it would be terrible if you over trained in had developed an injury because of it. 🙊
SadiraSimone · 6/29/2010
Just a little note on the massage thing - epsom salts, eating well, enough sleep etc. will all help. Since it sounds like you're on a budget, but a massage here and there might help - see if there are any massage schools in your area that offer student clinics. I'm a licensed massage therapist that works for a massage practice, but we also have a school. All of our students have to complete so many hours of massage under the supervision of the school before they can graduate (most schools are like this and I had to do the same.) Many times you can get a 60 minute massage in the "student massage clinic" for anywhere from $10-$30! Granted, most students don't have the knowledge yet to be able to address specific issues, but those massages are great for just flushing the body and muscles out! I would look into it! 😀 xoxo
MilienElayne · 6/29/2010
Not sure, but it sounds like you could also not be stretching enough in cool down and after the classes that you teach. I just did an at-home sesh on Monday and I know I forgot to stretch my pecs and intercostals after I worked them because they're now sore and they aren't normally after a pole class because I always stretch after! I'm also totally guilty of over doing at home sessions! It's not the time that I put in, but the repetitions of the same moves and the same types of moves over and over and over... In a class we'll do a variety of movements, moves and stretches, where at home I tend to fixate because I have no-one to force me to move on.... plus I won't stop til I almost literally drop sometimes. Not good. Don't know about in America, but eating whole foods and fresh fruit and veg is sooo much cheaper than noodles and pizza in Australia. I can get a 2kg bag of apples for $3, a kg of carrots for $2 and a loaf of bread for $2... a crappy frozen pizza is $6, a nice one is over $10 🙁 I am always craving and worrying about getting enough protien. Protien and me and pole, we work wonders together. Meat is so expensive though. *sigh*
Voodoochild · 6/29/2010
WOW you ladies are awesome <3 Ok, So im going to make it a rule for myself from now on - I must stretch before I leave the studio, no if's and's or but's. Sadira-Simone - I know of at least 2 massage schools in my area that I could go to! I guess ive completely forgotten about that option. Plus the owner of the studio I teach at is a certified masseuse and im sure I could get a little discount from her. Shes an amazing woman! Veena- Thanks for the advice! I guess I am over training...I just always feel behind for some reason. Maybe Im expecting too much from myself at one time? I'm definitely taking it easy this week and only teaching my classes. I always do the warm-ups with my students because I like getting a quick stretch and sweat going. As far as demonstrating the spins, I do it over and over in class, so this week im going to try doing it maybe once or twice for them and that's it. descalzada- Thank you! Im going to contact a trainer that I know and see if she can help me with setting up a regimen. Breaking up the contents of poling into different days is a brilliant idea! Spins one day, inverts the next, then I could have one day set aside for the lyra as well! How many off days should i have? Thanks everyone for your help!!! It really means so much to me! =) 🥂 🫡 👍
Veena · 6/30/2010
I workout 6 days a week...One full day of total rest. No stretching...nothin just rest. Here is my latest schedule: 2 days of weights (1 day is lower, other is upper) with some pole at the end of my strength training. The day after any of my heavy training days I do hoop, yoga, dance (not on the pole) If I feel fatigued I'll warm up and just stretch. If I did a lower body workout I might do some pole tricks that involve upper body. 1 day of heavy pole dancing with tricks...this is typically Mid week so I can keep Monday and Fri or Sat as my weight training days. This is just for now, I'll back off in a month or so focusing more on pole and less on strength training...re evaluate then go from there. I use the 5 min rule.....if I start working out and after 5 mins I still feel weak and blah. I take that as a cue, I'm pushing to hard. It might mean I do a lighter workout or I stop all together and rest that day. Then
SadiraSimone · 6/30/2010
That's great advice Veena! I've been trying to find a schedule that works for me and my body. I think that I'm adopting the 5 minute rule, I tend to push myself too hard for a while and then I end up having to take days or even a week off because my body is just too tired. 5 minute rule it is!!
Nikkabella · 7/2/2010
I'm soo glad you posted this! I got on the site to ask this same question. I own a studio and I teach pole 4-5 days a week. I also teach yoga, belly dance and chair/ lap. I am so sore lately. I am teaching mostly beginners, and I find my self repeating basic moves over and over for them like a video on rewind! I also do a lot of floor work and my hip glutes, everything is tight. I do a basic warm up, mostly spins, transitions, climbs and poses with them, and a long stretch at end. I have concluded that teaching puts you in scenarios you typically wouldn't do if you were practicing or performing on your own. When I practice more advanced moves I don't get sore like I do from class. My chiropractor recommend MAGNESIUM. 1-3 tablets at bedtime. I also get weekly massages, and try to soak a lot in the tub. Is it a matter of building more muscle? Or not overdoing same moves I'm trying to find a way to teach and not burn myself out at the same time. Any formats working for other instructors?
Maria-Elena Kadala · 7/2/2010
My chiropractor recommend MAGNESIUM. 1-3 tablets at bedtime. I also get weekly massages, and try to soak a lot in the tub. Is it a matter of building more muscle? Or not overdoing same moves? I'm trying to find a way to teach and not burn myself out at the same time. Any formats working for other instructors? Epsom salts is magnesium sulfate, so throw a good dose of that into the bath ... it's like a giant transdermal patch! What happens with over-training is that instead of building muscle, you're breaking muscle down. And/or over-stressing ligaments/tendons. Muscle grows over time, but needs rest to achieve that growth. Once you have it, you need to maintain it, or you lose it. So you probably need to back off a while to let your muscles recover, and over time you will learn what is "too much" in terms of particular moves and repetitions. Professional athletes train every day, but vary the nature of their workouts. Ballet dancers dance every day, but they've worked for years to get to that level of performance. We've had problems with our instructors getting injured from doing too many classes, and working on advancing their own skills at the same time.
Voodoochild · 7/2/2010
Ok I this is the schedule Ive made up for my workouts. I'm going to be starting it today and test it out/find out if I can handle it or not. Monday- rest/stretch OR work on balance exercises. Ex; handstands, arabesques, heel stretches etc(since I teach all weekend, im usually the most sore on Mon.) Tuesday- spins and floor work Wednesday- inversions OR lyra (I will try to only do one or the other 😕 instead of attempting both...which is pretty killer on the body) I occasionally will teach a level one class this night Thursday- rest/stretch Friday- I teach 4 classes (all levels, open pole, and level one) In all the classes I will try to focus on working the core/shoulders/back Saturday- I teach 2 classes (level 2 and level1, and a workshop once/month) In these classes I will try to focus on legs/glutes/core Sunday- rest/stretch PLEASE let me know what you all think, I really want this to work. I feel like I have hit a wall in my pole dance advancement, I just cant stay unsore long enough to practice super advanced tricks that I need to accomplish.
Maria-Elena Kadala · 7/2/2010
Looks like a good plan, be sure to record your level of soreness the next day to see if it improves over time. Adding in some of the therapies (of those suggested here) should accelerate healing. Don't try new tricks until you've recovered to "normal". Your experience will be invaluable to other instructors (and over-achievers). Keep us posted!
teresawitch · 7/3/2010
rest means rest. you are teaching and then poling for yourself, how much stretching do you need? you sound really hard on yourself and this rings true for me also. see grrrrrrrrrr frustration. also i find when teaching even if i'm not pushing myself on moves after demonstrating them, my adrenalin is higher as i am not only teaching the moves to my students i am offering encouragement, instilling confidence in them and support. this is mental and physical energy and is tiring on all levels. and actually writing this has just answered some questions for myself. be kind to your body and mind and it will take care of you as long as you take care of it. let us know how you get on.
Voodoochild · 7/4/2010
also i find when teaching even if i'm not pushing myself on moves after demonstrating them, my adrenalin is higher as i am not only teaching the moves to my students i am offering encouragement, instilling confidence in them and support. this is mental and physical energy and is tiring on all levels Ive never thought of this but its absolutely true! It is pretty mentally exhausting providing constant encouragement, support and praise. I do find it inspiring to be inspiring to my students however, it always lifts me up when one of my girls "wants to be as good as me someday". But sometimes that inspiration just isnt enough. I would love to start meditating but i just dont know when i would find the time and i never know if im even doing it right! lol. anyways, thanks teresawitch! Ill keep ya posted!
Angel1201 · 7/4/2010
Hi girl, Lord to be so young!! I'm 39 and was teaching advanced pole 3 times a week plus one hour yoga and two hours chair dance. I was pretty exhausted and sore too. I learned to listen to my body and I asked for less hours (pay was crap) as I have a full time professional job and all that strain on my body wasn't worth it to me. I noticed you wrote that you eat this: "cereal, ramen noodles and frozen pizzas". That's a whole lot of non-nutritious carbs going down!! Where are your fruit, veggies and whole grains?? Plus PROTEIN and IRON!!! You may indeed have an iron deficiency!! I do/did too. Do you eat any red meat? I find meat pretty gross so my doctor told me to take Feosol supplements - you can get them at the drug store. A lack of iron = a lack of energy because you won't have the red blood cells to carry needed oxygen around your body! It also sounds like you need to let your body rest and heal in between workouts. Rest and recovery is just as important as exercise. Give yourself a day in between intense workouts. Maybe you could change your teaching schedule? Three hours in a row Friday night followed by a Saturday shift (I had the same schedule) is just wrong for your body. You are the instructor and so you are an essential piece of that studio. Without your body in good healthy condition, class is not enjoyable for you. Why suffer?? It also may not be enjoyable for your students when they pick up on the fact that you are tired and in pain and would rather be in bed. Also, as for lactic acid, research does not show a link between that and soreness. Read here: http://judoinfo.com/soreness.htm. The soreness you feel is most likely muscle cell damage and inflammation especially if you are doing a lot of the eccentric work that we most of us do in pole (think slowly releasing back down from a shoulder mount). For me, one of the best things I can do when I feel this soreness is light exercise or gentle yoga. I'll take the dogs for a walk, do some sun salutations, jump on my rebounder or hula for a bit. Does wonders for the soreness. Good luck honey! Now listen to this old lady and go eat something nutritious LOL 😂
judoinfo.comLactic Acid Build Up and Soreness in Muscles | Judo Infoby Stephen Roth, Ph.D. As our bodies perform strenuous exercise, we begin to breathe faster as we attempt to shuttle more oxygen to our working muscles. The