Chrome Pole vs Titanium Gold Pole

PoleHappyVek started this discussion · 6/6/2011

Help pole sisters, i'm stumped... i will soon be purchasing an x-pole (i know, i'm so excited!😀) but i can't decide between the chrome or titanium gold! Currently at the studio where i take my lessons with my sister we use chrome 45mm sport x-poles. I'm in it for the long run as far as poling 😁 so i'm going to invest in an expert x-pole. I like the titanium gold pole as far as how it looks...because it's so pretty and apprently it's "grippier" which i would consider to be a plus but i've heard you should stick with the pole type that you're used to. Any advice? 😕Has anybody else switched and is it really that different? is it really that big a deal to switch from chrome to titanium gold?

33 replies

Dancing Paws · 6/6/2011
I disagre with sticking what you are used to. I learned on a 50mm stainless steel, whichin the desert climate was bad enough. I bought a SS when I moved, and the humidity makes it useless for me. I bought a TG and like it a lot, butI wish I had gotten a 45mm instead of a 50mm (again, what I learned on.) I am going to go to a 45mm brass this month, when x-pole releases them in the US. Long story short, if you have hands that tend to be slick, go for a stickier metal. You'llbe happier in the long run. I think it'seasier to spin on a metal that you can grip, even if you stick to it more.
nymphdancer · 6/6/2011
different people react differently to different metals and different weather conditions. I have a stainless steel that for the most part is as slippery as snot unless it is humid then I love the thing to death. I use a brass at a club that I feel like a superstar on. I tried both TG and Chome x poles at Empy's and decided while TG was a tad gripper when you start a session I could do just as well on the chrome if I warmed it up a bit. I also much prefer a 50 to a 45. so the answer is there is no answer lol!
PoleLiang · 6/6/2011
TG is grippier than chrome, big time! =)
yogabeachbabe · 6/6/2011
My opinion isn't really practical financially: start with a chrome 50mm and then switch to a chrome or titanium gold 45mm. When people are first starting pole, they mistake muscle weakness (all-over AND in the hands) for lack of grip. EVERYONE's palms sweat whenever they start a new and vigorous activity. But often people think that that is the only reason they're not sticking to the pole. I see titanium gold as a pole more appropriate for aerial work, meaning less appropriate for learning spins or first lessons. As for the diameter of the pole, my experience is that the 50 is best to learn technique with, and then 45 is amazing for the more advanced tricks (which require a firm foundation in technique). I wasn't aware of Xpole selling brass poles yet. Sensualscimitar: they're being released at the end of June???
yogabeachbabe · 6/6/2011
My opinion isn't really practical financially: start with a chrome 50mm and then switch to a chrome or titanium gold 45mm. When people are first starting pole, they mistake muscle weakness (all-over AND in the hands) for lack of grip. EVERYONE's palms sweat whenever they start a new and vigorous activity. But often people think that that is the only reason they're not sticking to the pole. I see titanium gold as a pole more appropriate for aerial work, meaning less appropriate for learning spins or first lessons. As for the diameter of the pole, my experience is that the 50 is best to learn technique with, and then 45 is amazing for the more advanced tricks (which require a firm foundation in technique). I wasn't aware of Xpole selling brass poles yet. Sensualscimitar: they're being released at the end of June???
Dancing Paws · 6/6/2011
X-pole said they would be releasing the 45mm brass mid to late June. There won't be a 50 mm though.
PoleHappyVek · 6/7/2011
Hrm, sounds like i'll have to get two poles...which is fine with me 😀 maybe not at the same time though 😉. i agree with you yogabeachbabe, i know my grip will improve over time with all that obsessive practicing i'll be doing (because i'm just dying only poling once a week!) I now have another question...anybody know how the soon to be brass pole will be?! 😁 now i'm curious! Grippy?
PoleHappyVek · 6/7/2011
My bad, i found a forum on the brass pole haha🙂 People seem to love it! i am worried about how to maintain it (if i ever get it) but the ladies there seems to be very annoyed with the chrome pole's slickness 😕 i'm still undecided but leaning towards the TG for now. i'll let you all know which one i pick when i order and use it for the very first time (believe me, i won't be able NOT to share the news)😁 thx for all the info gals! what a great site this is!!
hookedonpole · 6/7/2011
I started few years ago on a Lil Mynx stainless steel, even though I struggled with slippery pole, I used it till I had to move on due to learning more. I also went back and forth to what finish, etc. I got a 50mm xpert titanium gold and love it, especially in comparison to ss. I've had it since Sept 2010 and always wondered about a 45mm. I ended up getting a used 45mm chrome xpole couple of weeks ago. I'm bummed because June is a busy month and haven't had time to start practicing on it to see how chrome will work for me, as well 45mm. It was such a great price, it was worth it to get even if it doesn't work out for me. I wish I had the space to put up both poles to use for different things!! As others have mentioned, everyone is different. I've even heard of people who like stainless steel. Good luck, many of us have been or are still in your shoes as far as making decision.
nymphdancer · 6/7/2011
"EVERYONE's palms sweat whenever they start a new and vigorous activity." actually that is not true I think in 4 years of poling my hands have sweat once. That was in a hot disco in Jamaica, and every inch of me was sweating. My problem is the opposite my hands are so dry they are almost powdery. I know I would struggle to climb one little climb on my SS here at home and couldn't do a sit on it to save my life then would go to the club that had the brass and climb to the top, sit layback ect come home and still not be able to do it at home except on the rare day that my house was hot and humid. While I'm glad I've had a pole all these years having a SS really didn't let me progress and actually fustrated me so bad I almost gave up many times. But there are others that love SS usually those with sweaty hands lol.
yogabeachbabe · 6/7/2011
Sorry Nymph, I didn't mean to imply that it was an absolute truth! Apologies. I guess I meant that it's pretty natural if your palms sweat. I should say that often, a new & exciting activity will stimulate some adrenaline, which may result in sweaty palms. My palms tend to be dry, but when I first learned Iguana mount, I was surprised how a sudden flush of sweat would break out over my body and my palms! Also, I think that as dancers become more seasoned, their hands will dry out more due to adaptation and exposure to alcohol or other cleaning solutions. So again, I apologize for sounding like a know-it-all, because if there's one thing I do know, it's that I hardly know anything at all!
Sam I am · 6/7/2011
I have 50mm chrome and 45 TG and to be honest... I like them both...some days I don't stick to the TG but I do to the Chrome....I'm guessing humidity and temp play a part in that...guess that doesn't help much. I will say that if your an itac fan I have noticed that itac and TG don't work well together....I'm sure which ever pole you get you will LOVE :)
PoleHappyVek · 6/7/2011
Thx guys, i have slip issues(not only because of fatigue, don't worry) during class on the chrome pole so i think i'll get the TG before i get fed up with it 😀 Thanks everyone for alllllll the great advice and feedback! 😁 i can't wait to order it!!!
eitoile · 6/9/2011
I have smaller hands so 45mm would have been better and easier for me to grip. My pole school has 50mm, and I went for a 50mm only because I wanted to practice on the same type of pole that my school had, so I wouldn’t end up finding that I could do moves at home and not be able to replicate them in the studio, since my progression through the levels would be dependent on the teachers evaluation of my ability based on my performance in the studio. I wanted to make sure I was training at home to the level required for me to progress at my school. A friend of mine who bought the 45mm found that she could do a lot of moves at home that she struggled with in the studio. So I guess it would depend on your objectives. J
ragamuffin · 1/14/2012
I am in the same boat. I want to purchase a pole very soon. I have only used a 50mm brass pole and I slip on that one. My hands sweat easily and I don't think I have that much grip strength. I am thinking I want either the 50mm chrome or titanium. PoleHappySarah, what did you end up getting? What do you think of it? Also, I see a lot of people mentioning how weather affects the pole. I live in the desert. Anyone have any suggestions on which finish is best for a dry environment?
Dancing Paws · 1/14/2012
ragamuffin - I had really sweaty hands and used a stainless and TG. The sweat made me slide on both with my hands, but I could grip to them both with my body when I had a little sweat. Try the brass with some tite grip, dry hands, or distilled vinegar on your hands and see how that works. If you slip on brass, chances are you'll slip on TG and chrome is you have any body sweat. Also, I think the "slipperier" poles, like stainless steel and chrome can be pretty bad in really dry and really humid areas. I live in an area where it rains a lot, but it pretty dry otherwise (static canbuid up frequently here), so it is really hard to grip stainless steel. I would imagine chrome would pose similar challenges. TG is better, but the brass has been the best BY FAR! I haven't tried a powder coated pole yet (though I plan to invest in one eventually.) If it is only between chrome and TG, I think TG would be a better option for your area with the climate and your hands.
alfrelo · 2/24/2012
I am totally new to the pole world and with all the research I've done I still don't know what kind of pole to pick! I am a total beginner. Can barely lift myself off the ground on the pole. I haven't started any lessons anywhere so I don't have to worry about getting a pole I'm used to. I plan on having at home lessons so I will be using whatever pole I buy to learn on. I have pretty small hands as well so for a while I wanted to get the 45mm, but I am wanting to learn inversions and tricks and I read that a 50mm would be better for that, and my grip can always get better with practice. I thought about getting the TG 50mm for a better grip but learned TG may not be best for tricks and whatnot? Maybe I'm wrong about that. My question for the experienced is really what your opinion is on the best kind of pole for me. Before reading this thread I had never even taken climate into account but I suppose it makes sense as well. I live in south Florida so I would say there's a lot of humidity to take into account if it truly does make a difference. Thanks in advance for your help.
Veena · 2/24/2012
I always suggest the 45mm chrome for new home dancers, because the TG can be a bit too grippy for a new dancer. ❤️
Dancing Paws · 2/24/2012
If it's humid the TG might get too grippy. Super grip sucks! Whatever you choose, though, a 45 has been awesome for me. It's a nice intermediate between the 50mm and the 38/40mm. It poses a challenge in knee pit grips, where the 38 is much easier and the 50 is much harder. It gives you a nice challenge with your leg grips without being too hard. It also helps with hand grip strength without being too big or small.
shawtie26 · 4/30/2012
I have a 50mm chrome xpole n a 50mm T Gold xpert. I live in the UK where it is always cold and dry. I also have dry skin and I use lotion on days I do not practise. What I do not understand is, I can work better on the chrome pole when everyone else said that T gold is stickier. I find the T gold very smooth and slippy. Also, I used to love 50mm poles so much but now I find it more comfortable using the 40 or 45 in class as the 50mm starting to hurt my legs in aeriel positions n my palm while spinning!! Can someone explain what my problem is and does anyone have a brass pole? I have never seen one and Im thinking of getting the 45mm brass from X Pole. Thanks lovlies!!
Dancing Paws · 5/1/2012
Sounds like you just react differently to chrome and titanium. That's not a problem, but it's good for you to know. I have a brass pole and it is a fussy beast. If you have dry skin, you may not be able to grip it without a grip aid, but if you get tacky from sweat during exercise, you run the risk of overgripping (which in itself is awful cuz there is nothing you can do about it.) If you stick well to chrome, I think that would be your best bet (personally.)
Chwenny · 5/2/2012
Sensualscimitar, that's exactly how I feel about my 45mm brass. Its always humid where I am, and before warmup the brass is practically slippery but when I'm really warm I stick to the thing like a fly on glue even with no grip aid at all. Overgrip actually gets painful sometimes... As if trying to get the superman isn't bad enough! All I can say is thank goodness I didn't get a TG!
Dancing Paws · 5/2/2012
It's true. Overgrip on my brass feels like my skin is going to rip! I tried putting on baby powder, but that just made my gemini impossible as my knee would only grip in one spot and it was a very bad pain I felt (like nerve pinching.)
GenevaDANCE · 1/27/2013
I have the xsport Crome 45mm pole which I love! However My hands are dry so in order for me to get a good grip I have to "warm up" the pole (I will turn off the ac in the apt or have a friend with sweaty hands get on first lol) rubbing alcohol on the pole helps a lot too. But now I'm interested in getting a xpert trying to decide between the Crome or the TG 45mm or a 50mm. I have never taken any pole classes (just YouTube my life away) lol I'm pretty good at that but I would like more of a grip! My hands are i guess small but i have thick thighs... idk if that matters when choosing. Also I've read that the TG gets damaged (cracks, bumps, or dents in the pole) easier than the Crome has anyone known that to be true? Any suggestions on which pole is best would be great!!
Mary Ellyn · 1/27/2013
I have a titanium XPert and it has not shown any worse wear and tear than my chrome Xpert poles aside from some fading of the gold color on the portion of the pole where you most often grip with your hands. However, that doesn't seem to affect the grip in any way, only the color tone. It definitely is not chipped, dented or scratched any more than my other poles in the studio. Some people prefer various finishes and it truly depends on your chemistry just like different people have better results with different skin products. For the most part, brass and titanium grip better than chrome and stainless...however I know some people feel brass and titanium are TOO grippy and get skin burns from using them. Most commonly, those with really sweaty hands will prefer brass and titanium. It's tough to recommend a pole finish to someone. Unfortunately you really need to try it out and see.

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