climb or invert

Raspberry started this discussion · 5/1/2009

okay fellow newbies and superstars...question I am learning how to do the invert (basic) and a basic climb. i find that climbing and sitting is soooo much more difficult and hurts like HECK especially in between the thighs, AWW man. Am i the only one that thinks this? the invert to me is a bit easier now that i've practice for days, but man,climbing ...oh,the PAIN PS. poling is so fun! the bruises are like battle wounds!--and I have a few. haha. Oh, and thanks for the positive comments! Emily

11 replies

azriel · 5/1/2009
you're definitely not the only one.. sitting on the pole can be very difficult and painful at first! someone else had posted about this recently, and rouge l'amour (as well some others too i think) had given some good tips about some exercises to help your skin become more resistant to the pain faster.. i don't remember where it is though, maybe in the pole moves section of the forum? don't worry though, the pain fades away with practice!! 😜
Raspberry · 5/1/2009
yeah after I posted this i found the thread about daily practice. thanks!
Foxy_Rei · 5/1/2009
I find the sitting to hurt the worst of the 3... climbing isn't too bad, but my ceilings are so short I can't really climb anywhere to really find out, lol! Probably why it hurts more is because sitting uses the skin on the inside-back-ish of your thighs to grip the pole, while inverts and climbing tend to use more of the inside of your thighs and knees. The skin used for the sit is usually more sensitive than for the inverts and such. I found the inverts barely hurt me at all, even with no hands, but the sit still makes me cringe... But yes the pain will go away with practice. And gotta love the bruises! 👍
cbr600girl · 5/1/2009
Hey fellow newbie I too posted a similar thread a week or two ago so we are in the same boat. It no longer hurts me to climb or sit. My skin got used to the "sitting" with 2-3 weeks. The only thing that really hurts right now is leaning downward into the falling angel knee hold. You are really luck because I am nowhere need doing even the basic invert. It totally sucks because I keep practicing and not improving that. Good luck. I know it hurts now, but trust me it will get better!
Rouge_LAmour · 5/2/2009
copied from another post where someone ask the same thing: build up your pole sit. Start with 30 seconds, when you get there, jump off, rest for a minute, then get back on the pole and try like crazy for 45 seconds. Keep improving the length. Once 45 seconds is easy, start at 60 seconds. Keep increasing in 15 second increments until you hit 5 minutes. Once the lower time is easy, go up 15 - -30 seconds. We use this in our studio, it will hurt. Lots and then some. There is no way around this, however, the technique works. The skin gets used to the drag and your muscles build up the strength. Pantene promise: it won't happen overnight, but it will happen!
Raspberry · 5/2/2009
Yeah I saw this post and have been putting it to practice. first time was very painful, but well worth it to know that it will pay off...eventually. thanks! on another note: when you're doing the basic invert are you using the inner thigh or calf muscle to hold urself up?
Foxy_Rei · 5/2/2009
on which leg??? 🤔 The leg that's in front of the pole will grip using the calf, the bend of the knee, and the inside of the thigh (that's where you'll get the pole burn). The leg that's going around back of the pole will grip with the inside of your thigh and inside of the knee, and also a bit with the foot that's hooked around the pole. Just concentrate on squeezing your knees and thighs together - it feels odd at first and hurts when you start letting go with your hands, but it eventually becomes natural and you'll know just how you're gripping.
Rouge_LAmour · 5/3/2009
Inverting's for crazy folk! It's your knees and your inner thigh to an extent. I helped a student yesterday get her legs in the right place by getting her to lie on her back, with the pole in her armpit, hands in your normal spot for inverting. Bring your legs up and get them hooked around the pole. Try to bring both knees to the front of the pole. By keeping your shoulders on the ground, it means you have a lesser chance of falling and injuring yourself. You can take you hands off the pole to get the best feeling of where the pole should sit.
byrdgrrl · 5/17/2009
When I do a basic invert, it feels more like I'm hanging from the tops of my feet more than anything else. I've tried squeezing with my thighs, but I still can't seem to get a grip. Any suggestions?
Foxy_Rei · 5/18/2009
Is the pole more between your knees or your thighs??? The pole should end up between your thighs but just above the knees, so squeezing with your knees should help get a better grip. Try resting your back on the floor and put your legs up on the pole and mess around with your grip; then pull down on your legs to test it. Just an idea 🙂
byrdgrrl · 5/23/2009
Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Guess I'll just keep at it!