Brass/chrome? 40mm/45mm?

Smokegrey started this discussion · 2/4/2013

(Argh, forgot discussion title.) Apologies for yet another 'which pole' discussion, but I'm so stuck, and I could use some input. I finally got the okay from the husband to buy a pole, in part because we're likely to be moving (from Singapore to Jakarta) for about a year. The move means I'll have to stop classes, so my plan was to start learning and practicing at home instead with Veena's lessons. I currently learn on a 38mm brass spinning, and even so I have some trouble sometimes with grip. My hands are both sweaty AND dry — it's terrible, they start out dry, and go straight to sweaty. I know some of this is because of stress learning new things, but not all of it is; my hands have always been like this, and it was a problem when I was doing free weights. My options are: 40mm brass (~$800) 40mm chrome (~$600) 45mm brass (~$800) 45mm chrome (~($600) I'm quite short (5'/152 cm), and my fingertips don't meet around a 45mm (just about shy of touching). I also have a short torso and waist, even for my height. (There's less than 4" between my hip and last rib.) I played around with a 45mm chrome briefly (climb, pole tucks), and I managed to work with it, but it left me very sore in the wrists, fingers and palms. Whether I live in Singapore or Jakarta, it'll always be hot and humid (30-32ºC/86-90ºF, 70-90% humidity), unless I have the AC on, in which case it'll be around 24ºC/75ºF. I'm trying to decide if I should stick with the closest to what I know best (40mm brass), or to get chrome, which is cheaper, and will probably force me to develop a stronger grip. Also, any thoughts on size would be helpful — stick with smaller diameter, or move to a more 'standard' size? I'm afraid of getting injured by working with something too slick or too big, but on the other hand, I don't want to wuss out and then find myself unable to work on a 45/50mm studio pole later. Also, I worry that if I got a 40mm brass, I would find working on static pole moves impossible. This has been a crazy long post, but I really could use some help!

7 replies

Smokegrey · 2/4/2013
Apologies for yet another 'which pole' discussion, but I'm so stuck, and I could use some input. I finally got the okay from the husband to buy a pole, in part because we're likely to be moving (from Singapore to Jakarta) for about a year. The move means I'll have to stop classes, so my plan was to start learning and practicing at home instead with Veena's lessons. I currently learn on a 38mm brass spinning, and even so I have some trouble sometimes with grip. My hands are both sweaty AND dry — it's terrible, they start out dry, and go straight to sweaty. I know some of this is because of stress learning new things, but not all of it is; my hands have always been like this, and it was a problem when I was doing free weights. My options are: 40mm brass (~$800) 40mm chrome (~$600) 45mm brass (~$800) 45mm chrome (~($600) I'm quite short (5'/152 cm), and my fingertips don't meet around a 45mm (just about shy of touching). I also have a short torso and waist, even for my height. (There's less than 4" between my hip and last rib.) I played around with a 45mm chrome briefly (climb, pole tucks), and I managed to work with it, but it left me very sore in the wrists, fingers and palms. Whether I live in Singapore or Jakarta, it'll always be hot and humid (30-32ºC/86-90ºF, 70-90% humidity), unless I have the AC on, in which case it'll be around 24ºC/75ºF. I'm trying to decide if I should stick with the closest to what I know best (40mm brass), or to get chrome, which is cheaper, and will probably force me to develop a stronger grip. Also, any thoughts on size would be helpful — stick with smaller diameter, or move to a more 'standard' size? I'm afraid of getting injured by working with something too slick or too big, but on the other hand, I don't want to wuss out and then find myself unable to work on a 45/50mm studio pole later. Also, I worry that if I got a 40mm brass, I would find working on static pole moves impossible. This has been a crazy long post, but I really could use some help!
Lyme Lyte · 2/4/2013
I am w u on the height I am 5 foot also. I love my 38 brass, but really need to get used to a 45 chrome if I ever want to perform. I hope u are steady considering a multi piece for shipping that thing across oceans and back.
Dancing Paws · 2/4/2013
I PERSONALLY think you should go with a 38 or 40mm brass. Sweaty hands are so hard for pole, and brass has been the best material for my sweaty hands. Since you are so small, and your fingers don't touch on a 45, I think you're better off with a 40 or 38. I PERSONALLY think it is better to get a pole where your fingers touch or cross. It's harder on your hands, tendons, etc to use a pole that you can't easily grasp. Chrome might be hard with sweaty hands or dry hands.. I have one, and I have to wear gloves when I use it. I did a blog on the different materials, and I will be doing a diameters one next (hiopfully after I get a better pic of a 38mm pole on Friday.) Here is the finishes post: http://flexines.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-pole-material-do-i-get.html
Dancing Paws · 2/4/2013
btw, where are you located? Platinum Stages sells 38's in Europe and the U.S., and Pussy Cat Poles & Bobbi's Poles sell 38s in AUS.
Smokegrey · 2/5/2013
Lyme Lyte, I'm going for the X Pole Xpert, since it's the most readily available here, and because it'll break down for the move. AerialGypsy, I'm in Singapore. I looked at Bobbi's Portable, but it runs around $1000, IIRC, and that's a bit more than I want to spend. There's a studio here that brings in the X Poles, but no one has a 40 set up for me to try. :( Thanks for the blog post though, very informative! It was your blog post that made me think hard about the material in the first place. I don't like that chrome flakes sharply if damaged, but the bit about how brass might corrode also gave me pause. I think you're right about the diameter though. So I think I'll be settling on a 40, and I'll do extra conditioning so if I have to transition to a 45 later, it won't be so challenging.
Onga01 · 2/5/2013
After reading this i think 40 mm brass would suit you best :)
Smokegrey · 4/4/2013
So I settled on a brass 40mm, and I think I probably made the right choice re: size at any rate. I took a photo of my (longer*) hand wrapped around the pole: https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/515d60a8-2f88-461a-b1ab-25ac0ac37250 Not much overlap at all. Even that 2mm difference between my X Pole and the 38mm studio poles is noticeable. Thanks for weighing in, ladies! :D *It's odd, but my left hand is about half a cm longer than my right.